Some Hillsborough County students are exploring their heritage through a very special elective class.

“Latinos in Action" is empowering eighth-graders at Pierce Middle School to learn.

“The main thing I want to teach students in this class is that it’s important that they believe in themselves and that they can do things that they didn’t think they could,” said teacher Angelina Velez.

Velez steps out of her role as a science teacher every first period to lead the elective class.

“In this community I know, like, a lot of Latinos don’t speak up and speak out and advocate for themselves, and I want my students to know that you have to do it. You have to speak up for yourself. You have to speak up for your community,” Velez said.

Latinos in Action teaches leadership, personal development and biculturalism.

The class features different types of music and different foods - a perfect blend of American life while honoring and loving the traditions that make every Latin American unique.

“I was born in the Dominican Republic. I was not born here,” Velez said. “My grandparents decided to give me and my mom a better life, and me coming here was just, like, empty because I didn’t know no one. I didn’t know English, I didn’t feel comfortable.”

In her class, students learn about different Latino leaders throughout history and modern day.

It’s something student Ana Hernandez is keeping in mind as she works on her vision board.

“Some of my goals, number one, I always said it is helping my family,” she said. “I feel like my family has done so much for me.”

Hernandez is already showing leadership and drive as president of Latinos in Action, and hoping to continue being a trailblazer for the next generation of Latino students when she becomes a lawyer someday.

“Just being here is a blessing,” she said.