In celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, councilmen and women recognized exceptional residents.
Adorned with flags of Central and South America, themes of family, faith and perseverance resounded throughout the Gloucester Township Municipal Building last Monday night.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the township celebrated accomplishments of local Hispanic residents, commending a scope of Samaritans from eighth-graders to ministers.
From President’s Trump’s decision to end DACA to the natural disasters battering the Caribbean, in light of afflictions impacting Hispanics, the local government felt particularly moved to recognize the honorees’ contributions to the South Jersey community.
“During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans who have helped shape our great nation,” Council President Orlando Mercado said in a proclamation establishing Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. “We are grateful for the many contributions Hispanic men and women make to our society and the vibrancy they weave into our American culture.”
Before each member of council individually spoke on behalf of the nine honorees, the program opened with a prayer led by the Rev. Rene Canales.
“We celebrate those among us today who wear the Hispanic-Latino Heritage with pride as they try to serve and build out the fabric in the society of the United States,” Canales said. “More than ever, you and I were called to be beacons of hope, beacons of justice to build bridges to bring societies together, cultures together, people together.”
The following is a list of the 2017 honorees:
• Norberto Cruz, the Hispanic youth minister at St. Jude’s, is heavily involved in the youth activities with the Diocese of Camden. He is also the director of maintenance for Our Lady of Hope Parish. Cruz ministers to the homeless.
• Nadia Lizbeth Ayala-Claros, an eighth-grade student at C.W. Lewis Middle School, originally from El Salvador, has proved to be a leader among her peers and younger sibling. She has a love for learning and hopes to be a science teacher.
• Jalen Hunt, a senior at Timber Creek High School, is carrying a 3.3 GPA. He is commended by his principal and teachers for his hard work and endurance. He plans to study business in college. Aside from being involved with cross country, the Green Team, soccer and winter track, he is also the vice president of the school’s World Language Club. He hopes to learn French and Spanish.
• Sulietha Nunez, a senior at Timber Creek High School, has been one of the top students in all of her courses. Throughout her high school career, she has taken honors and AP courses. She encourages and inspires fellow students to work to their best abilities. She holds a GPA of 4.2. She is also a distinguished member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She is a member of the Green Team, art club and the Transition Project. She placed second in the Camden County Art Competition.
• Melanie Rodriguez, a junior at Triton High School, is secretary of the class. She is involved with cheerleading, the History Club and the Transition Club. She is a former Gloucester Township basketball player. Rodriguez holds a 3.93 GPA. Showing leadership and kindness in her heart, she hopes to study nursing in college.
• Michael Acevedo graduated from Rowan University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2009. Before graduating, he was a legislative aid for the former Mayor Sandra Love. He serves as the deputy chief of staff to state Sen. Fred H. Madden Dr., Assemblyman Paul Moriarty and Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera in the 4th Legislative District. He received his a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers in 2015. Aside from being an active parishioner at Our Lady of Hope, he serves at the Cathedral Kitchen in Camden. Known for being a problem solver, he has been part of Mercado’s Relay for Life team. He also served on the GLoucester Township Zoning Board of Adjustment.
• Benedict Lora-Nunez, a senior at Triton High School, moved to the United States about two years ago from the Dominican Republic. In school, he mentors fellow students who speak English as a second language. His teachers regard him as a respectful and helpful peer. He is involved in the History Club and Key Club, as well as baseball and basketball. He aims to attend Rowan University.
• Vanessa Mannero, an eighth-grader at Ann A. Mullen Middle School, is described by her teachers as a cheerful and hard-working student. She is a member of the cross country and track teams. Mannero is the historian in the school’s Honor Society. She is an altar server at church and has worked at the fifth-largest cathedral in the United States, which is located in Newark. She has inherited her parents’ tenacity. They both immigrated to the United States at a young age. Mannero dreams of becoming a missionary, hoping to help immigrants.
• Sophia Aguirre, a student at Triton High School, is a member of the National Honor Society. Aside from committing herself to academics, she is a dedicated athlete, playing volleyball for a number of years. Through the Key Club, she has participated in many community outreach projects. She works with the Academic Challenge Club and performs in the high school’s theater productions. Aguirre dreams of becoming a lawyer, working on immigration.
At the close of the ceremony, Mayor David. R. Mayer not only praised the nine recipients but thanked them for their service.
“In many ways, our nation is divided, unfortunately. But, we’re not divided here in Gloucester Township. We’re united. We’re united in recognizing people who give back to this community,” Mayer said.
