ALAMOSA — Close to 700 people – parents, students, staff, civic leaders, members of non-profit organizations and members of the public who support Alamosa School District (ASD) – were at Ortega Middle School (OMS) Tuesday night for ASD’s annual Multi-Lingual Night, Lectura en Mi Familia event. 

“Tonight's celebration is a testament to the power of multilingualism and the incredible strides our students have made on their English language learning journey,” ASD Assistant Superintendent Luis Murillo told the Valley Courier.  “We commend their diligence and acknowledge the vital support provided by our educators, families, and the entire school community in fostering their success.” 

The event has grown wonderfully over the years, both in size and scope with this year including opening statements by ASD Superintendent Diana Jones, ASD Assistant Superintendent Murillo along with motivational comments from Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman and the presentation of an award to Briseida Morales, honored as ASD’s Multilingual Student of the Year.   

The opening portion of the evening was followed by 24 different break-out sessions for students from K-2 to high school and their parents where teachers and other professionals from the community guided activities and information sessions ranging from bookmark making to Stem Engineering Plinko Boards to cosmetology to “Police in Action” to financial aid and college to musical chairs to activities for parents working with their children on pre-K mathematics activities to DIY sensory bottles.  

Presenters were likewise from diverse backgrounds  and areas of expertise, including officers with the Alamosa Police Department, firefighters with the Alamosa Fire Department, the Cultural Event Specialist and Student Advocate with Adams State University’s Tu Casa program, both professors and education students from Adams State University (including ASU students who were formerly students of the ASD’s English as a Second Language program), SLV Health Regional Medical Center, the Immigrant Resource Center, Promotores del Valle and others. 

A number of information booths from some of the non-profit organizations serving people in Alamosa were also stationed in the OMS lobby. The evening ended with a delicious dinner served by Lindo Jalisco and a performance by Ballet Folklórico, making it an evening that honored the hard work and achievements of students as they progress to learning the English language.