CAPFILM: WEST SIDE STORY (1961) ~ Free Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series
CAPFILM: WEST SIDE STORY (1961) ~ Free Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series
CAPFILM: WEST SIDE STORY (1961) ~ Free Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series
To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month 2026, the Appell Center has collaborated with prominent York County community members to curate an exclusive film series. Each feature portrays the struggles, triumphs and challenges faced by notable individuals in significant periods of time. They are stories that simply must be told and retold… stories that continue to influence those that experience them.
Each film screening will open with remarks by its curator, detailing why they think the movie should be shared with the York community and how it has significantly impacted their lives.
ABOUT THE FILM: WEST SIDE STORY
The greatest love story ever told… in the most acclaimed musical of all time! Winner of ten Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, this electrifying musical sets the ageless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Featuring an unforgettable score, exuberant choreography and powerful performances by Natalie Wood, Russ Tamblyn, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris, West Side Story will forever resonate as a true cinematic masterpiece.
Other films in the Hispanic Heritage Month film series:
- 9/19 – Cantinflas ~ Introduced and hosted by Ángel Nuñez
- 10/9 – A Million Miles Away ~ Introduced and hosted by Jackie Hernandez
MEET YOUR COMMUNITY HOST
This film was selected by Delma Rivera-Lytle, who has devoted her career to advancing education, equity and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on the York, Pennsylvania community through leadership and service.
Delma served for 18 years as the Diversity Education Specialist with the Central York School District (her alma mater), supporting inclusive learning environments for students and families. Earlier, she was among the first social workers at the York Spanish American Center, continuing a family legacy of service to the Latino community. Delma has also served as a Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs and has contributed to numerous York County organizations, including United Way, YWCA, Leadership York, CASA, York County History Center, YMCA, Appell Center for the Performing Arts, Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation and is a founding member of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women Central Pennsylvania chapter. She facilitated the Sister City partnership between York, Pennsylvania and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and founded the Miss Latina of York program.
Her work has been widely recognized, including honors from the Central Penn Business Journal – Women of Influence Circle of Excellence Award, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Women of Distinction, YWCA of York Dorrie Leader Advocacy Award, York Jewish Community Center Lifetime Diversity Achievement Award, Leadership York Alumnus of the Year, York City Human Relations Commission Person of the Year and the Puerto Rico Governor’s Medal of Excellence for humanitarian relief following Hurricane Maria. She was a candidate for the PA State House of Representatives in 2018, the only Latina candidate running for either party. In 2022, she was crowned Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America and received the national community service award at the national pageant. A Spanish and sociology major at Gettysburg College, she was recently awarded the Gettysburg College 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.
