The honorees pose with elected officials. From left to right, Fidel Malena, Amanda Séptimo, Brittany Cadet, Aldrin Bonilla, Rosemarin Belliard, Yudelka Tapia, Luis Eladio Torres, Grace Bonilla, José Higuera-López, and José Serrano.
Hostos Community College held the “Distinguished Latino Leader Awards & Student Scholars Panel” on Tuesday, October 1, at the Hostos Research Center. This signature event, organized by the President’s Office and the Office of Community Relations, honored the exceptional contributions of Latino leaders in various fields and acknowledged the achievements of outstanding Allied Health student scholars who received well-deserved scholarships.
“I am very grateful to all of you who are in attendance to honor the shared heritages of Hispanic/Latinx communities and what they continue to do to uplift Hostos. Puerto Ricans opened it up for all of us, and today, this is a space where all are welcome, which fills me with joy,” said Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis.
Ana García Reyes, Dean of Community Relations, organized the event and served as moderator along with Inmaculada Lara Bonilla, Humanities Professor, who shared remarks about the importance of Hostos in the history of Latinx NYC. “We were founded as a place where education is regarded as a human and civil right. That is powerful, and we’re proud to continue to serve that purpose to this day.”
Co-emcee Professor Inmaculada Lara-Bonilla during her remarks.
The College received multiple proclamations from the New York State Assembly and Senate. From left to right, Mayra Linares García, Dainma Martínez, Vanessa L. Gibson, Ana García Reyes, Amanda Séptimo, Daisy Cocco De Filippis, José Serrano, Yudelka Tapia, and Fidel Malena.
The event featured a lineup of prominent elected officials, community leaders, and Latinx honorees who have made a lasting impact on the Bronx community. Guests heard from long-time Hostos supporter, NYS Senator José Serrano, who presented the College with a proclamation and shared his commitment to securing capital funding to continue building up the College’s infrastructure. Mayra Linares García, CUNY Trustee and VP of Public Affairs at Coca-Cola highlighted the joy that Hostos brings to her family, especially now that her daughter is a student at the institution. “I trust Hostos with my life, and I see its power and value in my daughter’s experience of studying here.”
Amanda Séptimo and Yudelka Tapia, NYS Assemblymembers, and Fidel Malena, Bronx Regional Representative for Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office, offered greetings, and each also presented proclamations to Hostos in honor of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month celebrations.
In addition to a robust program of recognition and celebration, the College welcomed a surprise visit from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, who continues to be a tireless champion for Hostos and the broader Bronx community. “When we work together, we’re unstoppable, and I am honored to be in this space founded by trailblazers of the South Bronx. We’re here to continue their legacy,” she said.
Vanessa L. Gibson visited us by surprise and shared inspiring remarks.
The event was well-attended at the Hostos Research Center.
Adding to the excitement of the day, attendees also heard from Student Government Association (SGA) President, Dainma Martínez, who stated, “Resilience is in our DNA. We’re a community of warriors, of doers, and we transform this place every single day so that all voices are heard.”
After the inspiring introductory remarks, the highly anticipated moment arrived—the time to honor the distinguished pioneers who have made significant contributions to the Latinx community.
The honorees included Grace Bonilla, Esq., United Way CEO; Rosemarin Belliard, Esq., Dominican Bar Association President; Dr. José Higuera-López, Mexican Studies Institute Director; Luis Eladio Torres, NYC DOE PS 55 Principal; and Brittany Cadet, News 12 Reporter.
Each honoree expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing their continued commitment to uplifting and dignifying the representation of Hispanic/Latinx communities in New York State. They acknowledged the importance of their work in light of the growing Latinx population in NYC, which now accounts for nearly 1 in 5 New Yorkers, as highlighted by Belliard.
Rosemarin Belliard (center) receives her recognition certification from Ana García Reyes (left) and Daisy Cocco De Filippis (right).
Luis Eladio Torres’ speech was especially moving as he reflected on his time as a faculty member at Hostos and his continued commitment to employing Hostos students at his school.
After the honorees received their certificates and gifts, Hostos Scholarship Coordinator Marina Esquilín took the stage to present two scholarships to Mary Encarnacion and Chris Garay, both from the Allied Health Department. These scholarships were made possible by the generous funding from Dr. Juan Tapia Mendoza, a long-time supporter of the Hostos mission.
From left to right, student scholars Mary Encarnación and Chris Garay.
These scholarships help alleviate the financial burden of a college education for students whose time is heavily divided between work and pursuing a demanding healthcare career. For instance, Garay expressed his joy at receiving this scholarship because it will help him with his studies and support his mother. “This helps and means a lot to me,” he added.
In a celebratory spirit, a Mexican folkloric group delighted the attendees with vibrant traditional dances, keeping the energy at an all-time high, before the event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Wilfredo José Burgos Matos, Hostos Communications Manager.