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Community College of Rhode Island
Dominican community celebrates role models
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| Cesar Santana entertains the crowd at the recent Dominican community celebration held at Providence's Liston Campus. |
“Viva la Republica!”
That is what a few of the 250 enthusiastic attendees shouted as the Dominican Republic anthem, Valient Sons of Quisqueya, filled the CCRI Liston Campus auditorium last month during a special community awards ceremony. More than 14 young role models from RI’s Dominican community were honored during the evening, including CCRI English as a Second Language graduate Arelis Valerio, a pediatric asthma health educator at Hasbro Children’s Hospital; CCRI alumna Rosa Rivas, a medical interpreter at Rhode Island Hospital; and CCRI student Guillermo Santos, who hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Also singled out was CCRI Associate Professor Bill Pellicio, who was praised for his international work in creating an educational agreement between the Dominican Republic and CCRI.
The evening’s festivities, emceed by Latino media personalities Zoila Garcia of Poder 1110 Radio and Marisol Camilo of Tiempo Social magazine, also paid tribute to a visiting delegation from the Dominican Republic, which included the Secretary of State for Youth Manuel Crespo.
Campus Director Jack White opened the evening with some heart-felt praise for those Dominican natives who have made a home for themselves in the South Providence area. “You have overcome language and cultural barriers to become role models,” said White. “There’s a spirit I see in individuals from the Dominican Republic that tells me you’re going to make it.”
State Senator Juan Pichardo praised CCRI’s support of the Dominican community, and called for continued collaborations with the college. “Let’s focus on education. Let’s form great allies with people who can mentor us,” said Pichardo. “Education is the way.”
Also in attendance were RI Commissioner of Higher Education Jack Warner, Providence Mayor David Cicilline and State Representative Grace Diaz. Musical guests scheduled for the evening included local talents Cesar Santana and The Republica.
