To help kick off Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, Karla Garcia-Cardenas received a proclamation from the Clark County Commission for her work as the founder of the nonprofit Nevada Latino Arts and Culture Association.

She received that honor in front of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

During the day, by the way, Mrs.

Garcia is a Ballet Folklorico teacher with CCSD.

-Ready?

5-6-7-8.

Ready?

5-6-7-8.

Good, good.

In Miss Garcia's Ballet Folklorico program at Sunrise Mountain High School, talented dancers like Melanie Gurrola are mastering dances from different regions of Mexico.

(Melanie Gurrola) So far, I've learned, obviously, like, all the dances, all the steps, choreographies, but I've also taken, like, within myself to learn everything about the countries, like, hey, why is this vestuario like this?

Or why is this vestuario like that?

Because, honestly, it's all so different because it truly speaks about the people.

Like, what I'm wearing right now is from Colima.

-Ballet Folklorico, not just a beautiful tradition in Mexico... ♪♪ -So Ballet Folklorico is not only dancing.

It's also learning about what's behind the culture, the history, the traditions of not just Mexico, but many Latin American countries.

From a personal point of view, the proudest feel is that they're actually proud of where they come from.

They're proud of learning from other countries, because that actually helps break down stereotypes.

-...for multicultural students like Ayleen Pareja... -My mom is from Mexico, and specifically she's from Jalisco.

And then my dad is from Peru, specifically Lima.

-...and Eli Cruz.

-My mom's from California, where her parents are from El Salvador.

-This Ballet Folklorico program allows them the opportunity to honor the traditions of both parents.

-Just learning about where my dad is from, he's from Mexico, Mexico City, just I didn't know there was that many regions and how everything could be done so differently.

-This Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month... -We're going to add more to Colombia, add Ecuador.

What else?

-...students have been busy learning new dances... -El Salvador.

-...and busy performing those dances at community events.

-It actually means a lot to me.

I like, like the parade we just went to in Summerlin.

I got to see a bunch of different cultures being celebrated, not even just mine, but like Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, everything.

And it's, honestly, just like an honor to be able to represent my countries.

-The students also appreciate having wonderful teachers who are dedicated to this art form.

-Because I will give it to Miss Garcia that, like, I learn all these regions and I know all these dances and able to do so many things because of her, as well as Miss Aguilar, because, you know, she's also there helping a lot of the time... -5-6-7-8.

-...and I just want to give them, all in all, a really big thank-you for giving us the opportunity, because, like I said, not everybody gets the opportunity to do what I'm able to do.

-For students who might have reservations about auditioning and joining a Ballet Forklorio program like this one, some words of encouragement: -My first day in I didn't know what to do, and Miss Garcia, she kind of encouraged me to join the group.

She told me to try, and if I didn't like it, I could always back out.

But I fell in love with it.

Hey!

-Bravo!

These talented Ballet Forklorio dancers are in high demand.

They have also performed at events for the Las Vegas Raiders, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Aviators, just to name a few.

They have also participated and placed first in national competitions.

Congratulations.

So proud of you.