Students gathered in Foothill Technology High School’s (Foothill Tech) Spirito Hall on Feb. 20 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for the first Baile in the school’s history. This event blended music, culture and community into a celebration. Organized by the Be Heard club, the dance included a photo booth, a keychain-making booth, a live band and food for sale.

The word “baile” comes from Spanish and Portuguese, where it means “dance” or “dance gathering.” Across many Latin American and Spanish-speaking communities, a baile is more than just music and movement; it is a social tradition rooted in celebration and connection. Historically, bailes have brought families and neighborhoods together, serving as spaces where culture is shared through rhythm, style and community. By opening the event to students from all high schools in Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), organizers expanded that tradition, creating a larger, more inclusive celebration that reflected the diverse community beyond Foothill Tech alone.

Throughout the evening, the dance floor remained lively as students danced to songs selected by the DJ, who set the tone early with a mix of popular tracks and crowd favorites. Strobe lights, glow sticks and upbeat music set the mood and encouraged participation with groups and circles forming and dancing to the beat.

“I love the music. That’s the best part. That’s what you dance to. That’s what’s the most exciting part. That’s why people are here,” Daniel Yi ‘27 said.

“I think it’s pretty good. I just got here, but I think it has good energy […] my favorite part is probably the little glow sticks,” Brandon Ibarra ‘29 said.

A highlight of the evening was the live performance by Banda La Venerosa, whose set brought a noticeable shift in energy. Louder and more immersive than the earlier DJ set, the band filled Spirito Hall with Latin music genres. Rather than following a fixed playlist, the musicians adjusted their song choices based on student reactions, leaning into tracks that generated the most movement.

“In these types of events, usually [students] go more for rhythmic music like rumbias or zapatadeos, that’s generally more what they like,” Efrain Solis, singer of Banda La Venerosa, said.

Beyond the music, students also enjoyed interactive activities set up around the outside of Spirito Hall. A photo booth offered a backdrop and printed out photo strips to capture memories of the night, while a keychain-making station allowed attendees to create personalized keepsakes. The booths provided a break from the dance floor and allowed students to engage with the event in a more hands-on way. Many rotated between dancing and visiting the stations, contributing to the steady flow of activity throughout the evening.

In addition to music and activities, the food served was another popular part of the Baile. A variety of items were available for purchase, including tacos, hotcakes (pancakes), horchata and aguas frescas, giving participants the chance to enjoy refreshments while socializing.

“They have that whole snack bar over there and I think it’s just a great way to spread the culture around,” Ibarra said.

“My favorite part is definitely the pancakes […] Yeah, definitely [the] pancakes, I was most excited for, ” Manuel Martinez ‘26, a student from Ventura High School (VHS), said.

For members of the Be Heard club, the success of the Baile marked an important milestone. The goal was not only to host a dance, but to create a space where culture and community could be celebrated openly on campus.

“The Be Heard club decided to host a baile because there’s not that much of [Latin] culture seen in Foothill, so we wanted to make it an inclusive dance not only for people from Spanish-speaking countries but people from all cultures,” Melani Martinez ‘27, a member of the Be Heard club, said.

Soon, the final songs played and students gradually filtered out while cleanup began. For a first-time event, the Baile drew decent participation and enthusiasm, signaling its potential to become a lasting tradition on campus. Whether remembered for the music, the food or the sense of community it fostered, the evening marked the beginning of what organizers hope will be an annual celebration.