San Marcos Middle School hosts Fiesta Day

By: PATRICK WRIGHT - Staff Writer | Sunday, May 7, 2006 12:13 AM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- The dancing, piano playing and singing were over during Saturday's second annual Fiesta Day at San Marcos Middle School, and it was time to decide a winner.

After two close votes failed to decide the contest, the crowd roared a bit louder on a third vote for singing sixth-grader Anita Alvarado, 11, than for dancing Megan Bennett, 12, and piano-playing Casey Pham, 13.

An excited Alvarado said she felt the first two votes would make one of her competitors the champion.

"I had butterflies," she said. "I was like, (Megan or Casey) is going to win."

Alvarado's talent show was one of many events during the school's Fiesta Day at San Marcos Middle School on West Mission Road.

Parents, students and school employees could watch a tai kwon doe display, get their faces painted, buy flowers or have some pizza and a beverage. The event was designed to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and other cultures, not all of which were Hispanic.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates those who fight oppression. On May 5, 1862, a smaller and less equipped Mexican army defeated a far superior French invasion force intent on turning the country into a colony. The French invaded Mexico after Mexican leaders suspended payments on a French loan meant to rebuild the Mexico after a devastating civil war.

San Marcos Middle School's Fiesta Day was the brainchild of assistant principal Ruben Rodriguez. He wanted to create something to generate more parental involvement. He said the school only benefits when parents are involved.

"Parent involvement helps give us ideas for future classes," Rodriguez said. He said the school is discussing a new computer class and other mathematics classes based on parent suggestions.

School administrators were as happy as talent-winner Alvarado with the event's results. Officials said at least 4,000 people attended Fiesta Day and expected it earn the school an additional $7,000. The money is given to the school's Parent Teacher Organization, which uses the money to fund field trips and school programs. Rodriguez organized the event with the help of the San Marcos Boys & Girls Club and Gear-Up, a federal grant program designed to prepare students for college.

After speaking with several people, it was hard to find the most popular event. Kielo Tuazon, 12, from San Marcos, liked winning a goldfish at one of the many games.

"I have a fighter fish already," Tuazon said. "I'm going to take (this one) home and fight them."

Some students had other things in mind.

"When (assistant principal) Elizabeth Austin was going to be in the pie throwing contest, every kid mobbed it to nail her," said school counselor Drew Swonetz. "They did it out of love."

Rodriguez planned on expanding the event next year to include an automobile show and dance. He said school officials are looking at holding a similar event in the fall, possibly around Halloween.

"It's a beginning," Rodriguez said. "I'm not finished yet."

Contact staff writer Patrick Wright at (760) 739-6675 or pwright@nctimes.com.