Sandwich local, Sara Franco, also known as 'La Flor de Chihuahua' performs during St. Mary's Church's Mexican Independence and fundraising event on Sept. 15, 2024.
Maria Gardner Lara
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A young potential customer checks out items displayed during Plano's Hispanic Heritage Street Market on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
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Attendees check out the various food vendors at St. Mary's Church fundraiser and Mexican Independence Day celebration held in DeKalb, IL on Sept. 15, 2024.
Maria Gardner Lara
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Food vendors sell traditional Mexican Food during St. Mary's Church in DeKalb fundraising and Mexican Independence Day celebration in DeKalb, IL on Sept. 15, 2024.
Maria Gardner Lara
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DeKalb, IL
Maria Gardner Lara
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DeKalb, IL.
Maria Gardner Lara
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DeKalb, IL.
Maria Gardner Lara
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Maria Reyna Caudillo assists in the Mexican Independence Day celebration a fundraising event for St. Mary's Church in DeKalb, IL on Sept. 15, 2024.
Maria Gardner Lara
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Martin Garcia Miranda, owner of DeKalb Fresh Market, and his family attend St. Mary's Church celebration of Mexican Independence Day and fundraising event in DeKalb, IL on Sept. 15, 2024.
Maria Gardner Lara
Over the weekend, celebrations throughout the country celebrated Mexican Independence Day and commemorated other independence commemorations for Central American countries as part of the launch of Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month ends on October 15.
Un residente nativo de Chicago, Maria se graduó de University of Illinois Springfield con una licenciatura superior en periodismo de gobierno. Su pasión por periodismo comenzó cuando reportaba la noticia en el periodico estudiantil de San Antonio College. Maria desea ayudar familias ser informado de los programas y policias que afecta la comunidad . En su tiempo libre, disfruta viajar, correr, y compartir con su familia y amigos.
(A Chicago native, Maria graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield with a master's in public affairs reporting. Her passion for reporting started as a student journalist for San Antonio College's school paper. Maria hopes to keep families informed on the programs and policies that affect the growing Latino community. In her free time, Maria loves to travel, run, and spend time with friends and family.)