Walt Whitman High School was honored to host the Town of Huntington’s 31st annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the school’s Performing Arts Center on Wednesday night, October 15th. The event culminated the town’s observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month which was celebrated from September 15th to October 15th. The evening highlights the various cultures and diverse influences of Hispanic and Latino communities throughout Huntington town.

 

The event was presented in partnership with Huntington High School and the Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force (HHATC). The Task Force serves as a liaison between local government and the community, and advises the Town Board with respect to the needs of the Hispanic community.

 

At this year’s celebration, the Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force awarded its notable Community Service Award to Walt Whitman High School Principal Dr. John Murphy.  

 

The Award Committee chose Dr. Murphy for his “outstanding leadership and dedication” to WWHS, its students, staff, and the Huntington community in general. In praising Dr. Murphy, the selection committee said “Your commitment to fostering an environment of excellence and success has made a positive impact on the entire school community, particularly on the Spanish speaking students.”

 

As principal at Walt Whitman for more than a decade, a major component of Dr. Murphy's vision has been to encourage all students to challenge themselves through advanced placement coursework. Under his leadership, Walt Whitman was recently cited for having 50% of its students take AP exams over the course of their four years at Whitman with an impressive 86% success rate on the June 2025 AP administration. He has been invited to present at the College Board National Conferences in Baltimore, San Antonio, and Seattle, where he shared strategies for increasing diversity in advanced coursework and reducing disproportionality in AP enrollment. 

 

In accepting his award, Dr. Murphy thanked South Huntington’s Board of Education, faculty, administration, and staff members for creating a supportive, inclusive community. “Their constant support and undying efforts have created an environment where equity and inclusion are not just words, they are lived values. Every single day, they help shape a school where every student, regardless of background, culture, or circumstance, is given the chance to learn, to grow, and to dream,” said Dr. Murphy. He especially thanked his students, whom he calls his  “.. daily source of inspiration and energy. You remind me why I chose this profession and why I continue to love it.” 

 

The keynote speaker for the evening was Pilar Moya-Mancera, the Executive Director of Housing Help Inc. She is a long-time advocate of housing equity, social justice, disability inclusion, and immigrant rights.

 

The night would not have been complete without the music and dance that are so much a part of Hispanic and Latino culture. Thank you to all the night’s performers: the band “Notice,” which is made up of Whitman students; our young dual language singers from Oakwood and Countrywood Primary Centers; dancers from Whitman’s Latino Heritage Club; and dancers from Huntington High School’s United Amigos Club. Thank you, also, to the students in the Whitman club that curates the high school’s Dollin Art Gallery, and their advisor, Mr. Michael Rizzitello, for putting together a beautiful exhibit celebrating the art of Salvadoran artist Fernando Llort, which features works influenced by his art created by Whitman students, and highlighting everyday life in South and Central America.  

 

Congratulations to the winners of the Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force’s Annual Scholarship Awards which were announced at the evening’s event. We’re very proud to have six Whitman students presented with scholarships and proclamations this year.

 

Everyone ended the evening in Whitman’s South Cafeteria for a feast of cultural dishes provided by Oaxaca Mexican Restaurant and Fogo de Chão, while diners were serenaded by strolling Mariachis.

 

See more photos from this year’s celebration here. 

 

Congratulations to Dr. Murphy (center) and the winners of the Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force’s Annual Scholarship Awards which were announced at the event. 

 

 

Comprised of Walt Whitman musicians, the band Notice shared their talents with event attendees. 

 

Seen above, the keynote speaker Pilar Moya-Mancera, the Executive Director of Housing Help Inc. She is a long-time advocate of housing equity, social justice, disability inclusion, and immigrant rights.

 

 

The Latino Heritage Club performed various dances at the celebration. 

 

 

Our young dual language singers from Oakwood and Countrywood Primary Centers peformed from the risers.

 

 

Students in the Whitman club that curates the high school’s Dollin Art Gallery put together a beautiful exhibit celebrating and highlighting everyday life in South and Central America.  
 

 

 

Diners were serenaded by strolling Mariachis in Whitman’s South Cafeteria.