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| A panoramic view of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration held at Gibbs Hall Fort Monmouth, October 16, 2010. |
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| A SUCCESSFUL CELEBRATION OF THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT THE ANNUAL GALA OF THE LATINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY. The gala was attended by about 170 guests representing the Monmouth County Latino business owners; Bayshore Accounting Services, Casa Latino, Latino Market, Long Branch Concordance, Brookedale Community College, Community YMCA, Meridian Health, Monmouth Medical Center, Parker Family Health Center, Centra State Medical Center, Valley National Bank, Investment Savings Bank (a cosponsor of the event), Wachovia Bank, MC Prosecutors Office, Comcast Spotlight, various construction companies including Shamrock Construction, 47 Million Reasons, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, CBeyond Corporation, located in Miami, FL, the NY Life Insurance, The Northern Chamber of Commerce, the Red Bank Regional High School, Atlantic Security and Fire, among others.
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The event began with the invocation by reverend Jeffery Basset from the Living Water Church Ministries, Wall Township, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Monika Mazurczyk and the singing of the national Anthem by the Manalapan High School Senior, Samantha Citro. The continuous clapping by the audience reflected the quality of her singing. It is praiseworthy to highlight that she is on her way to a singing and acting career. She has accumulated a number of credits such as the Manalapan HS's “Little Shop of Horrors” (The role of Crystal), Manalapan HS's Noises Off (The role of Belinda), and a Theater Company's tour of A Day in the Life (The role of Prudence). She has recently studied at the Boston Conservatory, Boston, the University of California, Los Angeles; including one summer at Mason Gross's prestigious Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory Program. Well done Samantha!
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| Samantha Citro of Manalapan during the singing of the National Anthem. |
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| Louis A Rodriguez, Executive Director of Latino Chamber of Commerce of Monmouth County and Anna Little, Mayor of Highlands, NJ and keynote speaker. |
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| Louis Rodriguez, the Chamber’s Executive Director, acknowledged that the gathering was an example of diversity at its best; different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams", all united under one roof and reflecting the Chamber’s motto “united for a better economic future. He also stated that the primary objectives of the Chamber are to build bridges of understanding among the communities that form Monmouth County while emphasizing the need for a healthier community, he believes that with understanding and knowledge one can strengthen relationships, revitalize and develop healthy and economically sound communities. The purpose of the Gala, in addition to business networking, was to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Through the night’s activities, specifically through the Latino American Folkloric dancers performed by the Group Café y Orquidea, a tribute was paid to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched nation and society. He said that Spanish is the second most-common language in the United States after English and about half of the Spanish speakers are bilingual.
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In terms of economics nationwide, the Latino purchasing power continues to grow at a fast pace. This purchasing power will be nearing $1.2 trillion of US Dollars by 2011 and as a result the 49 million Latinos now living in the United States wield a powerful influence on the American consumer economy. Between 1995 and 2007, purchases by Hispanic consumers grew more than twice as fast as expenditures by non-Hispanic consumers. In a similar manner, in terms of economics in New Jersey, the Latinos are nowhere more visible than in the actual numbers. Their after-tax income rose from $9.1 billion in 1990 to $19.1 billion in 2000 and it is projected to grow to $39 billion by 2011. The Latino Chambers of Commerce are used as a bridge to cross into the world of Hispanic culture, purchasing power and as a source of economic strength for everyone. The demographics of New Jersey show that the Hispanic community represents a very significant and growing part of the state's economy. The impact of Latinos in the American society will get even stronger over the coming decades. The Latino population is forecast to reach over 100 million people by 2050 which will account for 25% of all Americans. At that time, it will be the largest minority population in the US.
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| Anna Little, Mayor of Highlands delivering her keynote speach to Latino Chamber of Commerce guests. |
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| US Congressman Frank Pallone and Louis Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Monmouth County. |
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| The keynote speaker for the evening was Anna Little, the Mayor of Highlands, who spoke from the heart regarding her achievements and current position in dealings with the Latino Community. Anna Little is fluent in Spanish and as an immigration attorney has helped many Latinos obtain their legal documents which would allow them to remain in the US legally.
On another important note, Congressman, Frank Pallone, presented to the Latino Chamber of Commerce the House of Representatives recognition on the occasion of the 2010 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration dinner. He applauded the Chamber?s efforts for bringing together members of Monmouth County?s vibrant business community for this important annual celebration.
The net proceeds of the event will be donated to the Red Bank Regional High School for use in Latino students at risk, which are those students that have successfully completed high school but are unable to go to college due to financial constraints.
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| The winner of the 50/50 raffle approaches Anna Little to collect her winnings which amounted to over $400. |
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David Prown is the 3rd generation owner of Prown's Home Improvements of Red Bank. David was raised in the spirit of community service, involvement, and commitment. He spends a few hours daily in volunteering his community services with a definite emphasis on the underdog youth of Red Bank. It is his passion, calling, and gift to Red Bank specifically as it relates to Latino students at risk, that is those students that have succesfully completed high school but are unable to continue on to college due to financial constraints in their families. He was an active participant prior and during the celebration of the Hispanic Heritage month by carrying out the 50/50 raffle and other activities. The proceeds of the 50/50 raffle will be donated to the RBRHS to support the Latino students at risk. Thanks David for a job well done!
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| Alvaro Aguilar is sharing his success story at the Hispanic Heritage celebration. His is one of 11 success stories achieved under the RBRHS Foundation program. Congratulations to Alvaro! |
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| Andres Perez is sharing his success story at the Hispanic Heritage month celebration. Again, his story is another example of Latino students that have derived financial benefit from the RDRHS foundation program. Congratulations to Andres! |
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| Suzanne Keller, Program Coordinator RBRHS, is presenting to the Latino Chamber members the highlights of the program that has benefited 11 Latino students who otherwise would have never had the opportunity to graduate from college. |
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| Louis Rodriguez, Roxy Bibi and David Rodriguez |
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| Gordon Heggies and his wife Anailda, Lala and husband and Louis Rodriguez |
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| Orlando Rodriguez, owner of Shamrock Corporation, his wife Sarah, Luis Navarro and friends. |
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| Carmen and Jackie of Latino American Association and Sarah Rodriguez and friend. |
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| Monmouth Medical Center staff |
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| President Vin Gopal of Northen Monmouth Chamber of Commerce along with other Chamber members |
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| RBRHS Source staff: Becky Stevenson, clinician, Stacy Liss, Clinical Coordinator, Marisol Mondaca, Bi-lingual clinician, Suzanne Keller, Program Coordinator, and Rose Powers, ELL Program Coordinator. |
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| Darryl Hugges, right, and other staff of Meridiam Medical Center |
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| David, Roxy, Samantha and Samantha's grandmother. |
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| John Pallone, Long Branch Councilman, standing, Julia Alonso and friends. |
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| Virgilio Lozano, Monica Moran and Yesid Vera. |
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| Dorcy, Monika, Louis and Lisa of the Long Branch Concordance resource center |
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| Louis Rodriguez and Freeholder Amy Mallet |
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| Louis Rodriguez and Julia Alonso of the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. |
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| Angelica from Centra State and Louis Rodriguez |
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| Gerald Clarck attorney at law and his wife and Louis Rodriguez |
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| Mejer attorney at Law and his wife and Louis Rodriguez |
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| Jose, Virgilio, Veronica and Yesid. |
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| Cafe y Orquidea dancing the popular cumbia |
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| The Cafe y Orquidea Group |
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| Cafe y Orquidea dancing group |
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All of the above photographs were taken by German Valencia and his Magic Photographic Camara.
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