On October 11, the Hostos Distinguished Latino Leaders and Student Scholars Awards Ceremony was held at Eugenio María de Hostos Community College as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month activities.
 
Ana I. García Reyes, Dean of Community Relations, and Fabián Wander, Director of Health and Wellness, served as moderators. Hostos President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis and CUNY Trustee Hon. Mayra Linares-García offered greetings.
 
This year’s Distinguished Latino Leader honorees included:  Hon. Manuel Castro, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Hector Cordero Guzmán, Ph.D., President, The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY); Ms. Debralee Santos, Chief Editor, Manhattan and Bronx Times; and Mr. Cirilo Moronta, Business Entrepreneur and Community Leader. 
 
1199SEIU Vice President Victor Rivera offered remarks and presented this year’s 1199SEIU Scholarships to Hostos students María Dugarte, Pamela Lomastro, Scarlett Payano, Grecia Solano, and Keury Galan. The 1199SEIU Funds are among the strongest and largest labor-management funds in the nation, providing comprehensive benefits to 400,000 working and retired healthcare industry workers.
 
Officials in attendance included Hon. Thomas P. DiNapoli, NY State Comptroller; Hon. Robert Rodríguez, New York Secretary of State; Hon. José M. Serrano, New York State Senator, District 29; Hon. Amanda Septimo, New York State Assembly, District 84; Mr. Fidel Malena, Governor Kathy Hochul Bronx Regional Representative; and  Ms. Janet Peguero, Deputy Bronx Borough President. 
 
New York State Senator Serrano spoke of the College’s long history of activism and the pivotal role it plays in the life of the South Bronx. New York State Assembly Member Septimo spoke of her efforts to have the 149 Street/Grand Concourse subway stop re-named in honor of Hostos and its contributions to the communities it serves.
 
Hostos Professor Thelma Ithier-Sterling (vocals) and Mr. Emmanuel Díaz (pianist) performed as part of the ceremony.
 
President Cocco De Filippis observed:  “I am proud to join our honored guests and my Hostos colleagues in celebrating four truly distinguished individuals who have excelled in the realms of politics, journalism, business, and education.” She also noted the achievements of the Student Scholars “who will, in years to come, excel in their own chosen fields and play important roles in the world beyond the campus.”