Mendoza has been dancing with the Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth for two years. He wants to attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to pursue his career as a ballet folklorico dancer.
“I just want to dance,” Mendoza said.
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Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth dancers make their way to the festival space on April 30. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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The Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas tables at the Dia de los Niños y Libros Festival on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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Jennifer Esparza, the most recent Latinas in Progress scholarship winner, left, and Sandy Martinez Russell, the chair of the Fort Worth chapter of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, right, recruit Latinas to the next class of Latinas in Progress.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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The J.P. Elder Middle School mariachi performs on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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The Fort Worth Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit had tables at the Rose Marine Theater, 1440 N. Main St., on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto
/ Fort Worth Report
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A stand sells aguas frescas, or fresh fruit water, chips and food on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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A child draws with chalk at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art’s table on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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A board is open for children to draw on.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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Amon Carter Museum of American Art workers talk to festival guests on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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Members of the Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth dance group wait for their time to perform on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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The J.P. Elder Middle School mariachi performs for guests at the Dia de los Niños y Libros Festival on April 30.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
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The Dia de los Niños y Libros Festival on April 30 featured mariachi performances and vendors.
Cristian ArguetaSoto / Fort Worth Report
For now, Mendoza will continue to train with the Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth and perform at events like Artes de la Rosa’s Dia de los Niños y Libros Festival, or the Children’s Day and Book Day Festival, on April 29-30.
The festival featured food, beverages and performances from Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth, the J. P. Elder Middle School mariachi and others. The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Jolt Initiative and the Fort Worth Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit had tables at the festival.
“We’re celebrating the lives of children and talent then connecting it to literacy and the importance of literacy, especially right now, with the initiatives that there are out there,” Executive Director of Artes de la Rosa William Giron said.
The festival featured story time spots where volunteers read to kids.
