Through food, language and dance, Latinos preserve their unique cultural identities

For Hispanic Heritage Month, ABC News spoke to Latinos about rejecting the terms Hispanic and Latino and embracing their own unique heritage and identities.

At Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory, ceremonial dances that hearken back to the students’ indigenous ancestral traditions are a crucial part of their education.

As the K-12 students began school on a recent Friday, they participated in a dance that told the story of the ancient Aztec hunting communities, who traveled under the cover of night. Like those hunters focusing on their targets, the students were encouraged to think of their own.

“You have goals in life and you’re trying to reach that goal, and you’re shooting that arrow to try to aim for that target,” an instructor said.

“It’s really important that we dance with intention and that your heart is connected to what you’re doing,” said another.