This past Friday, the halls of Woodward were filled with inspiration as entrepreneur and community leader Janna Rodriguez, owner of the Innovative Daycare Corp. in Freeport, visited to speak during the school’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Rodriguez, who had guest spoken previously, returned in 2025 as a symbol of growth and authenticity.
During her talk, Rodriguez reflected on her unique journey and how her experiences shaped her.
She emphasized that her story is not just about overcoming challenges, but about building character and finding authenticity in a world that often pressures people to conform.
She highlighted her commitment to representing her community and the importance of sharing lived experiences in the classroom.
Rodriguez discussed the pressures students face to fit into certain “circles,” whether social, cultural, or academic, and encouraged them to resist conforming to expectations that stifle their individuality.
Drawing on her background as an immigrant, she acknowledged the additional hurdles and instances of oppression that many students may encounter.
Her message resonated deeply with students and staff alike.
“Don’t allow anyone to dim your light. And, you know, dream as big as you want, you know, and when one door closes, you know, just knock on the other one,” Rodriguez said .
Woodward Executive Director Greg Ingino said the annual Hispanic Heritage event has become an important tradition at the school. “We had Janna Rodriguez guest speak,” he said. “She did have a great job. And then we also had flamenco dancers come in and they explained about dancing, and they had the kids come up and dance. They taught them how to dance and everything. It was a great event.”
Ingino said the program, which began roughly a decade ago, has grown along with the community it honors. “We do that every year. We celebrate Hispanic heritage, just like we celebrate black history,” he said. “I would say probably (the last 10 years).
Throughout the month, Woodward students took part in classroom projects highlighting Hispanic and Latino culture through art, dance, music, and notable historical figures. Ingino said classes tailored their own activities — researching famous performers and exploring cultural traditions through creative, hands-on lessons.
“I know Janna from the Freeport Chamber (of Commerce),” he added “and she’s, you know, a dynamo, and she’s so involved with working with children, and I thought she would be a great fit, so I gave her a call to see if she was available.”
During the assembly, Ingino presented Rodriguez with an award recognizing her contributions and impact on youth leadership.
By the end of her visit, Rodriguez had left her audience motivated to be bold, authentic, and hopeful for the future — perfectly embodying the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month at Woodward.
