Hispanic Heritage Month Panel Picture

On October 12, the Hostos Distinguished Latino Leaders and Student Scholars Virtual Awards Ceremony was held via Zoom and presented by Eugenio María de Hostos Community College as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
 
Rafael Torres, Hostos Paralegal, and Ana García Reyes, Dean of Community Relations, served as moderators for the event. Hostos President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis offered her greetings.
 
“As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches its conclusion, I think back on the many ways we have celebrated the contributions American Hispanos, now Latinx, in a variety of disciplines — the arts sciences, film, television, fashion and business, politics and public service. These and other fields have been enlightened by their contributions,” President Cocco De Filippis said in her welcoming remarks. “The accomplishments are undeniable… I also think of the ways in which bigotry and prejudice have affected and continue to affect the lives of our poets, painters, philosophers, scientists, heads of industries, lawyers, activists, educators medical professionals, parents, and citizens. I am in awe of their resilience and courage demonstrated on a daily basis.”
 
Distinguished Latino leader honorees included Sarah Aponte, '92, Chief Librarian of the CUNY DSI and Hostos Alumna; Dr. Bienvenido Fajardo, Chief Executive Office of Bronx United IPA; Dr. Ramon Tallaj, President and CEO of SOMOS Community Health Care Services; and Dr. Anderson Torres, President and CEO of R.A.I.N Community Services. Ramon Mercedes, Journalist and President of Prensa & Comunidad Hispana, was out of the country and will receive his award upon his return.
 
Gladys Bruno, 1199SEIU Vice President, and Charles Drago, Interim Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented this year’s 1199SEIU Scholarships to Hostos students Juana Guridis; Melissa Grillo, Anna Mikheyeva, Katherine Espinal, and Saby Taboada. The 1199SEIU Funds are among the largest labor-management funds in the nation, providing a range of comprehensive benefits to 400,000 working and retired healthcare industry workers.
 
Joining the virtual awards ceremony were NYS Senator José M. Serrano, NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera, NYS Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo, NY City Councilman Rafael Salamanca, NY City Councilman Oswald Feliz, and Dolly Martínez, CUNY Chancellor’s Chief of Staff and Associate Vice Chancellor for the Executive Office.
 
“It is always a pleasure to celebrate achievement in the classroom and in the larger world,” President Cocco De Filippis said after the ceremony concluded. “The students who were honored today will be the leaders of tomorrow, and they have many wonderful role models and examples to learn from and be inspired by.”