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Oswalcenit Pichardo - Reflection 2

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Reflection on the Hialeah: Past, Present, and Future Presentations When I first found out that our group presentations would be about Hialeah—its past, present, and future—I didn’t really know what to expect. I figured it would be mostly facts and timelines, the kind of information you find in a textbook or a quick Google search. But I was wrong. As each person presented, I found myself drawn into the story of Hialeah in a way I hadn’t expected. What I thought would be a boring list of dates turned out to be something way more personal, cultural, and real. Starting with the past , I was genuinely surprised by how rich and interesting Hialeah’s history is. Before the presentations, I didn’t know that Hialeah used to be a farming and horse-racing town. I’d heard about the Hialeah Park Racetrack before, but I never realized how famous it once was—like, world-famous. People used to come from all over to watch the races and see the flamingos. It’s wild to think that a place that now feels...

Juan Soto - Reflection #2

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A City Led by History, People, and Improvement: The History of Hialeah Each group presentation helped to chronicle the history of Hialeah—not just with facts and dates, but with real-life examples, pictures, and videos that brought the city's history closer and more alive. Hialeah is a city of culture, people, and community. These presentations split it up in a way that made it easy to understand how the city came to be what it is today—and where it might be headed next. From its origins to visions for the future, the groups identified key turning points that indicate just how much can change over the years, and just how much stays tied to identity. Looking Back: How Hialeah Got Its Start Group 4 started things off by walking us through Hialeah’s origins, and it was more interesting than expected. The city didn’t just pop up overnight—it was carefully developed in the early 1920s, and even though it started small, it grew fast. One thing that stood out was how important the H...

Ana Ortiz Martin - Reflection #2

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  Hialeah Through the Decades Last Tuesday, our public speaking class embarked on a fascinating journey through time, exploring the history of Hialeah. We talked about Hialeah’s past, migration, present, and future. Hialeah’s Past Group 1’s presentation focused on the city’s past, breaking it down into key eras that defined Hialeah’s transformation from a humble prairie to a vibrant cultural hub. The Birth of Hialeah (1921-1925) The presentation began with the origins of Hialeah, a city shaped by aviation pioneer James H. Bright and cattle rancher Glenn Curtis. They developed Hialeah, which was officially incorporated in 1925. The name “Hialeah” comes from Muskogee and Seminole languages, meaning “upland prairie” or “pretty prairie.” The early days saw rapid growth due to the Florida Land Boom, and one of the most notable landmarks, the Hialeah Race Track, opened in 1925. Boom to Bust (1926-1930) Like many Florida cities, Hialeah faced devastation after the 1926 hurrica...

Melany Villalobos- Reflection #2

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 Hialeah: The City of Progress Hialeah: The Past The History of Hialeah: Group 4 explained the history of Hialeah and how it turned from a town to a city. With its rapid growth Hialeah became a highly populated city in no time. Group 4 covers almost 100 years of the history of Hialeah. Hialeah was developed by James H. Bright and a cattle rancher named Glenn Curtis in 1921, officially incorporating Hialeah as a town in 1925. The original design of Hialeah included a park with a race track in it, now known as Hialeah Park. South Florida got hit with a devastating hurricane in 1926, meaning the race track was unfinished for 6 years before it was rebuilt and opened to the public in 1932.  The group also mentions how in the 1930s Hialeah attracted national attention with the race track, hosting many horse races and famous guests such as the Kennedy family. Additionally, Hialeah  became a hub for Latinos, especially Cubans as they began to migrate, growing the latin community....

Rafaella Sáenz - Reflection #2

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Hialeah The Evolution of Hialeah, Florida: From Industry to Innovation Nestled in the heart of Miami-Dade County, Hialeah, Florida has long stood as a symbol of resilience, cultural richness, and working-class pride. Once known primarily for its industrial roots and large Cuban population, the city is now experiencing a powerful metamorphosis; reimagining its identity through art, music, and innovation. A Humble Beginning: From Prairie to Industry The story of Hialeah begins in the early 20th century. Founded in 1921 and incorporated a year later, the name "Hialeah" comes from the Muskogee language, roughly translating to “pretty prairie”.  Its open plains made it a natural choice for farming and ranching. But in 1925, Hialeah’s future took a sharp turn when the Hialeah Park Racetrack opened its gates.  It became a glamorous destination for celebrities, politicians, and tourists; one of the few places where the city's name was associated with luxury and excitement. Howeve...