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COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
( Page 3 )
MES DE LA HERENCIA
PUERTORRIQUEÑA
Editors:
Blánca Vazquez & Teresa Santiago
Typography & Design: Blánca
Vazquez
ASPIRA
Of New York, Inc
The turbulent 1960’s brought to life the
ideas, dreams and goals of the ASPIRA movement. The history of ASPIRA, however,
really began much earlier. One could trace the roots of ASPIRA’s mission to
the first migrants making the long journey to the United States from Puerto
Rico, coming to America to work, to continue their education, or to escape
political and economic oppression. These migrants brought with them not only
their dreams and ambitions, but also a strong identity with their cultural
heritage. It is this sense of identity that has given strength to Puerto Rican
communities, and has been the backbone of support for the ASPIRA movement
through the years.
In 1961, Dr. Antonia Pantoja, a visionary Puerto Rican social worker, called
together a small group of concerned Puerto Rican educators and professionals to
try to do something about what had become a devastating high drop-out rate for
Puerto Rican youth. They created an organization to work with youth which, in a
very short time, began to have a major impact upon thousands of Puerto Rican
students: ASPIRA was born.
Dr. Pantoja and her associates communicated to the students their deep
conviction that they could and would succeed if they set their goals high and
dedicated themselves to the pursuit of educational excellence. They provided
leadership development training that instilled an ethic of community service and
fostered pride in their Puerto Rican cultural heritage. ASPIRA youth counselors,
working with students in high school ASPIRA Leadership Development Clubs,
provided college and career counseling, financial aid and scholarship
information, and a training ground for leadership in the citywide ASPIRA Club
Federation.
Today, ASPIRA of New York provides leadership development and educational
programs to thousands of Puerto Rican and other Latino youth in high schools and
middle schools throughout New York City. ASPIRA continues to stress the
importance of education, community service and cultural awareness but in
conditions more difficult than those faced by the first generations of
"aspirantes."
ASPIRA ADVOCATES
FOR EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
STANDING UP FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION
Bilingual education was the key issue in the early seventies. In 1972, the
Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF) filed a suit in the
United States District Court against the Board of Education of the City of New
York on behalf of fifteen school children and their parents, ASPIRA of New York,
Inc., ASPIRA of America, Inc., and other organizations. The suit resulted in
court mandated bilingual education programs in the school system through the
ASPIRA Consent Decree.
FIGHT FOR LATINO REPRESENTATION
ON THE NYC BOARD OF EDUCATION
In 1987, Puerto Rican and Latino students comprised 33% of the entire student
population in New York City, yet not one of the members of the Board of
Education was Latino. ASPIRA, along with Puerto Rican/Latino Roundtable, the
Association of Puerto Rican Executive Directors, and other community
organizations. spearheaded a campaign for Latino representation of the Board of
Education. They strongly believed that the interest of Puerto Rican and Latino
children were not being addressed. The campaign resulted in the eventual
appointment of two Puerto Ricans to the Board of Education, Dr. Luis O. Reyes
and Ninfa Segarra, Esq.
STUDENT PRESENT YOUTH AGENDA
TO THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE
In 1991, ASPIRA of New York students became youth advocates at the "Somos
Uno" conference. For six months they met and discussed issues that affect
Latino youth today. They conducted mini-conferences and prepared a legislative
agenda for Latino youth which outlined their pressing issues. The Youth Agenda
was presented by the Aspirantes to the Legislators during the conference. This
youth legislative process continues today.
ASPIRA
of New York, Inc.
470 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 564-6880
Celebrando Lo Mejor de la
Comunidad
Exceptional Puerto Rican Youth
Since its inception, Comité Noviembre has placed special focus on educational excellence as the key to the future. This year, three young people are being highlighted for their leadership and commitment to their community.
Carmen Millet was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Bronx. She is a very determined young woman who demonstrates strong leadership potential and outstanding insight into the challenges facing New York City youth. Carmen has utilized the ASPIRA Leadership Club at DeWitt Clinton High School as a vehicle to address community issues. A senior, Carmen is Vice President of the ASPIRA Leadership Club. She has been instrumental in facilitating Community Action Projects for the ASPIRA club, including feeding the homeless; providing homework help at The Cove, an after school tutorial program for kindergarden through 7th graders, in the Bronx; offering companionship for the elderly at St. Patrick’s Nursing Home; and participating in the clean-up and beautification of Van Courtland Park . Carmen aspires to teach elementary education and is pursuing admission to Columbia University.
José Cornier is a senior at Stuyvestant High School. He maintains high academic and personal standards for himself as well as a commitment to ASPIRA and the Puerto Rican community. As the student elected President of the ASPIRA Leadership Club at Stuyvesant High School, José is clear that service to the community is key. Via the ASPIRA Leadership Club, José actively participated and coordinated the Cultural Event Presentations. At this event, students and teachers were able to sample the various foods of Latin America and its rich history and culture. In addition, José has addressed homelessness and hunger by volunteering at a local soup kitchen. Attending one of New York City’s top competitive high schools located in Manhattan, José always remembers his roots in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and his parents. José wants to attend Boston University or Tulane University in New Orleans and pursue a career in architecture and business.
Jimmy Ruiz is a young scholar and dancer,
whose intellectual curiosity, and eagerness to explore new areas of knowledge
set him apart from his peers. He is resourceful, dedicated to learning and has
high aspirations for his future. He displays excellent leadership skills and
maturity, and is admired and respected by his peers.
For the past three years, Jimmy Ruiz has participated in the Einstein Enrichment
Program/STEP (EEP), a highly selective state funded enrichment program housed at
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which serves academically advanced high
school students who aspire toward education and career paths in medicine, health
and science. Jimmy’s accomplishments have been manifold at EEP. This summer he
served as an intern at a Chemistry lab at Weiler Hospital and at the AIDS Center
at Montefiore Medical Center. He received superb evaluations from all the
physicians with whom he worked and has earned the highest grades in academic
classes in English and sciences. In addition to his academic achievements, Jimmy
has displayed a high degree of social awareness. He has participated fully in
all of Jacobi Medical Center’s volunteer projects, including their Pediatric
Unit’s winter holiday program.
Jimmy has distinguished himself among his peers with a commitment to excellence.
As a member of Side Street Kids, he performs community service, maintains high
academic standards and volunteers at the Academy, in addition to representing
the Side Street Kids at dance venues. In addition, he serves as a mentor to a
younger child in their Kid Brother/Kid Sister program. As a mentor, Jimmy
provided academic assistance, moral support and supplemental dance instruction
to several members of the organization. On or off the dance floor, Jimmy has a
successful future ahead of him. His academic achievement, solid social concerns
and openness to learning will serve him and his community well in the future.
Since its inception, Comité Noviembre has
placed special focus on educational excellence as the key to the future of the
Puerto Rican community. To this end, at its first gala dinner in 1996, Comité
Noviembre announced that it would create a scholarship awards program in
celebration of its tenth anniversary. This year, the Comité Noviembre
scholarship program will award thirty $1,000 scholarships to exceptional Puerto
Rican youth. The proceeds from the Comité Noviembre Annual Gala supports the
scholarship program.
To be eligible for a Comité Noviembre Scholarship, applicants must be of Puerto
Rican descent; have community service experience and extracurricular activity;
be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the fall of each year and
have a B average or better. The application process includes: an application
form, a written essay, two letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, a
short biographical sketch and a personal interview for finalists.
Comité Noviembre selected leaders from various sectors in the community who
have demonstrated genuine interest in the educational excellence of our youth to
serve on its selection committee. The members are: Lourdes R. Torres, director
of development, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College; Lorraine Cortes
Vazquez, president, Hispanic Federation of New York City, Inc.; Debbie Medina,
vice president and director of ethnic publications and sales, New York Daily
News; María Rodriguez, MSW, educator; Jane Bello, youth advocate; Blanca
Vázquez, MS Ed, MS Journalism; Nydia Novoa Sancho, retired educator; Myrna
Santiago, vice president, Office of the Comptroller; Melba Olmeda, director of
career development, Bronx Community College; Magda Yrizarry, vice president,
Verizon; Teresa Santiago, Chairperson, Comité Noviembre; Rafael Toro, director
of public relations, Goya Foods, Inc.; Nereida Andino, vice president, Chase
Manhattan Bank; and Edwin Lopez, Business Representative, Local Union 3.
To receive a copy of the Comité Noviembre Scholarship
application form and guidelines, please call Lourdes R. Torres, co-chair of the
Comité Noviembre Scholarship Award Selection Committee at Eugenio María de
Hostos Community College, (718) 518-4150.
Comité Noviembre Scholarship Recipients for 2000
Emily E. Acevedo, Le Moyne College
Paulette Jane Alston, Aquinas High School
Arleny Alvarez, SUNY in Albany
Shamari Aponte, Marymount College
Taína Borrero, Baruch College Campus High School
Elizabeth M. Castro, August Martin HS
Myra Davila, Monsignor Scanlon HS
Margarita De Jesus, Monsignor Scanlon HS
Michael Fuentes, Xaverian HS
Elizabeth McWilliams Hernandez, Bard College
Frances Illo, SUNY Geneseo
Johan Marie Lopez, Suffolk Community College
Ramon Fernando Martinez, Iona College
Jennifer Melendez, Sonderling HS
Stephanie Mendez, Baruch College Campus HS
Jessica Mercado, John F. Kennedy HS
Janelle L. Muniz, John Jay University
Natalia Ortiz, Baruch College Campus HS
Amber Tatiana Peterson, Bronx Leadership Academy
W. Julian Gerena Quiñones, University of Hartford
Mayrlin Yoiset Rivera, Stonybrook University
Trinity Rivera, Pace University
Evelyn Rodriguez, Cornell University
Irene Rodriguez, Manhattan Center Science Math
Jose Sanchez, Jr., Grover Cleveland HS
Michael Anthony Sanchez, Evangel University
Christina Marie Santiago, St. Joseph’s College
Angel O. Torres, John F. Kennedy HS
Lynelle Torres, Fordham University
John Velazquez, SUNY at Oswego
Eugenio María de Hostos
Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College was
created by an act of the Board of Higher Education on April 22, 1968, thus
satisfying the demands of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic leaders who urged the
establishment of a college to serve the needs of the South Bronx. In September
of 1970, the College admitted a charter class of 623 at the site of a former
tire factory at 475 Grand Concourse. Enrollment grew rapidly to more than 2,000
students by June of 1974. In the same years, the State Legislature acted to ease
an increasing space shortage by passing a special bill to acquire the "500
Building" across from the original site. Also, in the same year, Hostos was
granted full and unconditional accreditation following a highly favorable
evaluation by the Middle States Association.
The fiscal crisis of the mid-1970’s resulted in an effort to merge Hostos with
another institution as a cost-saving measure. This effort was rebuffed by strong
College and community opposition which led the State Legislature to include a
guarantee of Hostos’ existence in the Landes Higher Education Act passed on
June 9, 1976. Since the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, enrollment at Hostos
has grown steadily. To meet this strong interest in the College, the new campus
has six buildings, three of which have been specially designed to meet the
College’s needs. Hostos can boast about its classrooms in science, math,
writing, and computer labs; excellent physical education facilities; and new
theaters.
The College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and
Schools and the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. The
Allied Health programs are accredited by the appropriate agencies, including the
American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, and the New York
Department of Health. Of the faculty, 49% hold doctorates and 38% have master’s
degrees. The student population is diverse with nearly all cultures represented,
the highest concentration coming from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and
Central and South America. Financial assistance is provided to all eligible
students and nearly 99 percent receive some form of Federal or State aid.
The College’s mission is that of providing "educational opportunities
leading to socio-economic mobility for first and second generation Hispanics,
African Americans, and other residents of New York City who have encountered
significant barriers to higher education."
Hostos Community College
The City University of New York
500 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10451
(718) 518–4444
Hostos Center for Arts and Culture
450 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10451
(718) 518–6700
Mission
The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF), a national civil
rights organization, exists to ensure that every Puerto Rican and other Latino
is guaranteed the opportunity to succeed. Through policy analysis, advocacy,
litigation, and providing educational services, PRLDEF strives to secure and
protect the political, economic, social and legal rights of our community.
PRLDEF has taken a high profile role in a number of important community issues
such as supporting President Clinton’s clemency offer to the Puerto Rican
political prisoners; working with Dominican and Mexican immigrant organizations
and leaders in the Badillo Must Resign! Campaign; joining with others in raising
concerns about the Naval bombing exercises on the island of Vieques; being a
leader in the national Latino "brownout" of the television networks;
the development of a Puerto Rican Racial Justice Project, and many other issues.
Litigation
Sara Rios, Esq., Director of Litigation
Since its inception in 1972, PRLDEF has initiated hundreds of cases to combat
discrimination in significant areas such as education, housing, employment,
voting and language rights. PRLDEF has successfully argued landmark cases,
including several before the United States Supreme Court. Recent cases include
the defense of remediation programs in the senior colleges of the City
University of New York; the protection of community resources from privatization
by the City of New York such as CHARAS/El Bohio Community Center in the Lower
East Side and the Community Gardens citywide; the defense of the language rights
of Latino workers; fair access for Latinos to public housing in the Williamsburg
and Seward Park projects; and the continuing defense of bilingual education
through the monitoring of the ASPIRA Consent Decree with the New York public
schools.
Policy
Angelo Falcón, Senior Policy Executive and Director
PRLDEF Institute for Puerto Rican Policy
Our new PRLDEF Institute for Puerto Rican Policy (IPR Division) compliments
PRLDEF’s litigation and advocacy efforts with research, community organizing,
legislative advocacy and media strategies. Current initiatives include the
Latino Economic and Welfare Policy Project, the Census 2000 Project, the Latino
Nonprofit Study, and media advocacy through our close collaboration with the New
York chapter of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. The IPR Division
publishes the quarterly newsletter Political Social, the IPR Datanotes series,
IPR Policy Briefs and the NHMC New York Media Notes newsletter.
Educational Services
Ileana Infante, Education Program Administrator
PRLDEF’s Education Program aims to ensure that Latinos and other students of
color attain complete and equal access to professional education, particularly
in the field of law. We provide thousands of students with admission
information, workshops, prep courses, scholarships and networks to broaden
access to professional career opportunities. This year we are holding PRLDEF’s
Law Day at Pace University Law School in White Plains to expose undergraduates
to law school opportunities; are holding a series of LSAT preparatory workshops;
and are working with the Puerto Rican Bar Association in the implementation of
our Legal Mentor/Mentee Program, matching students with attorneys.
Puerto Rican Legal Defense and
Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 14th floor
New York, New York 10013
Phone: (212) 219-3360, (800) 328-2322
FAX (212) 431-4276
E-mail: PRLDEF@aol.com
Table Of Contents
Message On Behalf Of Comité Noviembre 2000
Comité
Noviembre - Fifth Annual Gala
Gala
Foto Album (PuertoRicans.Com)
History And Mission
About The Poster
About The Artist
Sponsors
Comité Noviembre 2000 Spokesperson Dave Valentín
Celebrities
Come Out For Comité Noviembre
Celebrando Lo Mejor De Nuestra Comunidad
ASPIRA Of New York, Inc
Exceptional Puerto Rican Youth
Comité Noviembre Scholarship
Program
Eugenio María De Hostos Community College
Puerto Rican Legal
Defense and Education Fund
Taíno: Ancient Voyagers Of The Caribbean
El Museo Del Barrio
New Boricua Books
National Congress For Puerto Rican Rights
History
Revealed: FBI Releases Files On Independence Movement
Las Carpetas: The Book
Institute For
The Puerto Rican / Hispanic Elderly
Day
Of Community Service And Social Responsibility
Vieques And The U.S. Military: The Struggle Continues
Intergenerational
Message From Vieques
In Memoriam Adelfa - Vera Puerto Rican
Nacionalista
In Memoriam - Paul Ramos Health Care
Advocate
Comité Noviembre
De New Jersey, Inc
New Jersey 2000 Honorees
Poster 2000
Poster 1992
Comité Noviembre - 1999
Copyright ©Comité Noviembre 2000 / Reprinted With
Permission
