Florida recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month, economic contribution of Hispanic businesses
Governor Charlie Crist today, as part of his continued focus on strengthening Florida’s economy, hosted Hispanic businessmen and women for a roundtable discussion on how to enhance Florida’s economy.
Later this evening, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Governor will recognize winners of the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award and student essay contest. Hispanic Heritage Month Point of Light winners and Cristina de la Vega, this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month’s featured artist, will also be honored at the reception.
“Florida’s culture and economy continue to benefit tremendously from the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of the Hispanic business community,” said Governor Crist. “The diverse backgrounds and experiences of Floridians make our state unlike any other, which is why it is important to listen to their ideas on how to expand Florida’s economy for the future.”
During today’s Hispanic business roundtable, held during the last week of Hispanic Heritage Month and during the October observance of Florida Small Business Month, Governor Crist heard from Hispanic business leaders on how to best meet the needs of Florida’s Hispanic business community. The businessmen and women also shared their ideas on how government can continue to nurture a business friendly environment. According to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, there are more than 266,000 Hispanic businesses operating in Florida, ranking the Sunshine State third behind California and Texas. Participants in the roundtable included:
- Roy DeCastro, Diversified Executive Systems Inc. (DES) of Florida in Tallahassee
- Adela Fernandez, Separation Systems in Gulf Breeze
- Miguel Jimenez, Harvest Printing and Copy Center Inc. in Tallahassee
- Cyndy Loomis, Information Systems of Florida in Jacksonville
- Gloria Pugh, AMWAT Moving and Storage in Tallahassee
- Carlos Rodriguez, Maverick Constructors in Port Orange
- Augusto Sanabria, Hispanic Business Investment Fund in Orlando
- Raul Vega, Auxis in Coral Gables
During this evening’s reception at the Governor’s mansion, three outstanding Hispanic educators are being honored with the Excellence in Education Award for their contributions to education in Florida. Each will receive an award check for $1,500. The winners are as follows:
- Ms. Maria Cabrera, Sea Gate Elementary, Collier County
- Ms. Renee Belvis, Dunedin Highland Middle School, Pinellas County
- Ms. Lhisa Almasky, Park Vista High School, Palm Beach County
In addition, three students are being recognized for their outstanding essays. The essay topic this year for fourth and fifth grade school students was, “Hispanic culture has been a part of Florida’s past and present, and will continue to influence the Florida of tomorrow. Choose a historic or present day Hispanic Floridian and describe the positive ways this person has impacted our state.” The essay topic this year for middle and high school students was, “Florida’s history is deeply rooted with Hispanic influences. Describe how the early Hispanic explorers impacted our state in the 1500s, and how that has influenced Florida’s culture today.” Each student will receive a full four-year tuition scholarship to a Florida college or university of their choice, provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. The winners are as follows:
- Kevin Logan, Bunnell Elementary School, Flagler County
- Alexander Puertas, Walter C. Young Middle School, Broward County
- Madison Pazienza, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Palm Beach County
Two students are also being recognized for their outstanding art work. The art contest was open to all Florida students grades K-3. Each student will receive a $250 check or gift card. The winners are as follows:
- Samantha Garcia-Graisen, Jane S. Robert Elementary, Miami-Dade County
- Autumn Mulligan, Lakeview Elementary School, Osceola County
Two groups of elementary and middle school students are also being recognized for their outstanding podcasts. The podcast contest was open to all 4th through 12th grade students and were to address the same topics as the essay contest. Groups of up to three students were invited to submit digital videos, no longer than three minutes. The teacher of the winning group will be awarded a software package to be used in their classroom.
- Caitlyn Dunning, Kayla McCann and Maribel Munez, Ms. Beth Wood’s class, Dunnellon Middle School, Marion County
- Jessica Clark, Rachel Jennings, Spencer Puentes, Mrs. Cindy Gray’s class, Emma Love Hardee Elementary, Nassau County
“I congratulate the winners of this year’s contests for their extraordinary participation and am pleased to recognize their achievements,” said Governor Crist. “Hispanic Heritage Month is always a wonderful opportunity to showcase and highlight the positive impact the Hispanic community has both culturally and economically here in the Sunshine State.”
Governor Crist will also recognize Hispanic Heritage Month Point of Light winners, sponsored by AAA Auto Club South. These winners include:
- Ana Laura Bolaños of Seville – Bolaños has been a generous role model for the Hispanic community since moving to the United States with her family six years ago. Recognizing a lack of programs for her Hispanic coworkers shortly after arriving in the United States, she began educating farm workers about their rights and protecting their health. She also helped families displaced during the 2004 hurricane season by organizing the delivery of food and water. In 2006, Bolaños opened her home as an information center for the Hispanic community, leading to the creation of the Alliance for Active Women (Alianza de Mujeres Activas Inc.), referred to as AMA, meaning “love” or “caring” in Spanish.
- Lizette Valarino of Orlando – In 2000, Valarino founded the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando, a non-profit organization that awards scholarships to outstanding Hispanic students in Central Florida. To date, the fund has awarded more than $319,000 to help 115 exceptional students attend colleges and universities. Valarino currently serves as secretary to the Board of the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Greater Orlando and is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and coordinator of Amigos del Orlando Ballet. In addition, while serving under former Mayor Mel Martinez, she formed the Hispanic Heritage Celebration Committee of Orange County, an organization of Hispanic county employees who join together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Julio Barroso of Key West – Barroso’s community leadership and desire to help others is evidenced by his involvement with numerous non-profit agencies and civic organizations such as Wesley House Family Services, the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Known as a humble and hard worker by his colleagues, Barroso is often sought after by volunteer organizations in need of a highly qualified and dedicated volunteer. As a public relations professional, he uses his background in promotions and communication to support the messaging of non-profit organizations.
- Ramon Carrion of Safety Harbor – During the past ten years, Carrion has been an active volunteer at the Hispanic Outreach Center, a community resource dedicated to supporting, educating and providing access to services for Hispanic residents. As an attorney, he volunteers his time at the Hispanic clinic for residents, offering legal advice and counseling to those with questions including wage rights, immigration status, child custody, domestic violence, and real estate and housing. Carrion has also been instrumental in teaching Hispanic residents how to effectively navigate the legal system. In addition to giving legal assistance, he also educates and counsels center staff about ethnic legal issues, as well as donates needed equipment to the facility.
- Gus Casamayor of Hialeah – Concerned about protecting natural resources, Casamayor trains communities and businesses in developing environmentally friendly business models. In addition, Casamayor volunteers his time protecting the forests of Haiti and educating school children about the importance of protecting the planet’s forests. He also donates a considerable amount of time to Florida children, giving presentations that include art, cartoons and stories that help children become more conscious of their environmental impact.
Tonight’s event is organized in cooperation with the Governor’s Mansion Foundation and Volunteer Florida Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization working to further social service initiatives championed by Governor Crist. Additionally, the event is made possible by signature sponsors Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and friend sponsors Prudential Financial, Tropicana Products Inc., OHL USA Inc., Florida Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Cuban-American Bar Association and Tech4Learning Inc.
About Hispanic Heritage Month featured artist Cristina de la Vega
Born in Cuba, Cristina de la Vega came to Florida in 1961 as part of Operation Pedro Pan, the exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied minors from Cuba and communism to the United States from 1960 to 1962. From the beginning of her artistic career in Belle Glade, De la Vega was influenced by the flat open spaces and big skies she observed living at the edge of the Florida Everglades. The River of Grass lifestyle inspired her personal mission to document untouched, wild places.
After graduating from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in painting and drawing, she moved to Jensen Beach on the Indian Lagoon River where she continued to meditate on the natural beauty around her. Every summer from 1980 to 2001, De la Vega continued to study in Lincolnville, Maine, and was mentored by famed American landscape artist.
About Hispanic Heritage Month
Several Latin American countries celebrate the anniversaries of independence during Hispanic Heritage Month. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate independence on September 15. Mexico achieved independence on September 16, and Chile, on September 18. Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1974 when President Gerald Ford issued a Presidential Proclamation extending Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long celebration, from September 15 through October 15.
Additional information about Florida’s Hispanic heritage, contests and other related events is available on the Web site www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
Topics: economic development, Economy, Florida, Hispanic, Hispanic businesses, Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S., United States
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