(October 11, 2024) The Rochester City School District is proud to honor exceptional students and remarkable community leaders as part of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. At Central Office, a ceremony was held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, to recognize award recipients. This year’s theme was “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”
“These are students who have high grade-point averages and several hours of volunteer community service under their belts,” said Demario Strickland, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “Celebrating and uplifting culture in our District is extremely important, particularly for those communities that have historically been marginalized. We honor Hispanic heritage alongside all other heritages represented in our schools.”
In recognition of their outstanding achievements, unwavering commitment to community service, and inspiring leadership, the RCSD is proud to highlight the following students:
Roberto Clemente Student Award
Elyan Pereira, Roberto Clemente School No. 8
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award
John Corona, Rochester Early College International High School
Volunteer Youth Award
Yeremiah Oyola, Padilla High School at the Franklin Campus
Community Service Awards
Jayme Bermudez, Assistant Artistic Director of Borinquen Dance Theatre
Damaris Lissette Santos, Instructor/Choreographer of Borinquen Dance Theatre
High Academic Achievement Scholars
East Upper School
Kamila Acosta Cabrera
Yerieliz Castro
Mikayla Colon
Nashaly Espada
Dianileez Flores
Edison Carer and Technology High School
Brianna Gonzalez Colon
Gevanellys Montanez
Sharelis Torres
James Monroe Upper School
Samaiyah Hernandez
Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School Commencement Academy
Yordania Aguirre Rodriguez
Joseph Baldrich
Cristielys Trujillo Echevarria
Rochester Early College International High School
John Corona
Javier Ortiz
Michael Rivera
School of the Arts
Moses Aponte
Keylanis Chinchilla
Luis Collazo
Sheilys Familia Feliz
Daniela Manivong
Alejandro Perez
Adriana Santos Rivera
Leiliana Tran
School Without Walls
Arianna Pecoraro
World of Inquiry School No. 58
JaKayla Costello
NaKayla Costello
Hispanic Heritage Month provides a platform to acknowledge and appreciate the cultural diversity and achievements within the Hispanic community. These honorees exemplify the values of education, service, and leadership, and their accomplishments serve as an inspiration to others.
In September of 1968, the U.S. Congress, under the advisement of then President Lyndon B. Johnson, proclaimed that National Hispanic Heritage Week would be observed on the week of September 15 every year. In 1989, that decision was amended to make the annual event a month-long celebration lasting through October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month aims to educate people on and celebrate the stories of the culturally rich Hispanic Americans who comprise a significant part of our nation’s population.
