Burke students celebrate Three Kings Day with kids from House on the Hill
Children of migrant workers enjoy Feast of the Three Kings presented by the Spanish Club

Photo provided

GOSHEN — Students at Burke Catholic High School on Monday welcomed children from House on the Hill Day Care Center to their school for a traditional celebration.
Eighteen children of migrant workers were delighted to spend the afternoon making crafts and snacks, and celebrating the Feast of the Three Kings.
A small day care service in Goshen, House on the Hill works specifically to teach children of immigrant farm workers, and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Most of the children are from Spanish-speaking homes, and the Burke Catholic Spanish Club wanted them to enjoy a taste of their culture here in the United States.
“It is part of the Spanish-speaking culture to learn about the Three Kings, and the kids from House on the Hill love it,” said Jennifer Rodriquez, Burke Catholic Spanish Club Advisor. “My students practice using their Spanish, which makes it an amazing experience for them as well.”
Senior Collette Higgins organized the event for the second year in a row.
“I knew I wanted to keep it simple with a craft and snack for the children," she said. "A Burke Catholic student was at each station providing instructions in Spanish. One of the kids hugged us before we even started.”
House on the Hill Educational Coordinator Nicole Lopez was impressed with the thoughtful planning that went into the event.
“The craft the children made was a king, and the snack represented the Rosca de Reyes bread with the baby Jesus inside,” said Lopez. “The children said ‘wow’ when they saw the familiar Rosca.”
Following the craft and snack, Spanish Club students performed a live reading of The Three Kings. And that wasn’t all. Each child left with a present donated by the Burke Catholic Key Club. It was a fitting end to a traditional Feast of the Three Kings, since January 6 marks the day children in Spanish-speaking countries traditionally receive their gifts.