Stars Among Us

January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

Congratulations! ¡Felicitaciones!

July 2010

To Kimmily Lopez, crowned Miss Puerto Rico of Rochester 2010. A student at Monroe High, Kimmily also received the awards for community service, cultural expression and Miss Congeniality in addition to winning the Ida Perez Academics Excellence Award.

To Franchesca Colón, the 2010 Miss Puerto Rico of Rochester Princess. Francesca is 17-year-old student at International Finance Career High School at Franklin.

The Miss Puerto Rico of Rochester Pageant is a cultural event for females between the ages of 14 and 17 who are at least 50 percent of Puerto Rican descent. Read the article in ConXion.

 

To Sandra Melendez, crowned Ms Belleza Latina International 2011. Sandra won all 3 additional awards: Ms Photogenic, Ms Fashionwear, and Ms Elegance. Earlier this year Ms. Meléndez was honored with the title of Ms. New York Belleza Latina 2010 (over 30).

Sandra is a 44 year old Latina of Puerto Rican decent, raising her two children as a single mother. She has a Bachelor in Environmental Science & Forestry from Syracuse University. Sandra resides in Webster, New York and currently works as a licensed agent and financial advisor.

 

To Iveth Reynolds, featured in her magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Iveth is the CEO of Tri-Mar Consulting and she is member of the Latinas Unidas Board of Directors in the Secretary role.
Read her article here.

 

To Stephanie Paredes, featured in her magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Stephanie is the Cultural and Programmatic Initiatives Coordinator at Rochester Institute of Technology’s North Star Center for Academic Success and Cultural Affairs.
Read the article here.

 

May 2010

To Sally Soler and Mariely Santana, featured in the column Inspiring Women in Rochester Woman Magazine of May. Mother and Daughter, Sally and Mariely are singer and song writers. They sing together with the family in the band 'Restoration' and perform most often for churches, for missionaries or for charity.

 

To Essie Torres, featured in the column Inspiring Women in Rochester Woman Magazine of April. Essie is currently the Director of the McNair Scholars (at RIT), she is in the midst of pursuing her doctoral degree at Warner's School for Human Development at the U of R and she also mentors undergraduate students and organizations at RIT. Essie has also been a volunteer at the ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally.

 

April 2010

To Sandra Quinones, who recently received the National Council of Teachers of English Fellowship. Sandra is currently enrolled at University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education pursuing a Ph.D. Sandra also is the recipient of the University of Rochester Provost’s Fellowship and a 2009 American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Graduate Fellowship. The award she just received is very competitive and only given to 11 people in the US every 2 years. Read more about Sandra and the award.

 

To Iveth Reynolds, re-elected as President of the New York Chapter of NSHMBA (National Society of Hispanic MBAs). Iveth is CEO of Tri-Mar Consulting, Inc, a national staffing and recruitment firm and she is member of the Latinas Unidas Board of Directors.

 

To Diana Chapoy-Callaghan for the official opening of her business Memento Photo Studio. A multifaceted professional, Diana is not only a photographer, she has also been a writer for over 12 years and now works at Element K as an Instructional Designer. She is also featured as RHBA Member Highlights for April.

 

To Ana Fermin and Jackie Ruffolo for their participation as models during NAWBO's Fashion Show “Fun, Fashion & Fundraising” to benefit non-profit organization Bridges for Brain Injury, Inc. (BBI). Ana Fermin is the Community Relations Coordinator for the Salvation Army in Rochester, and Jackie Ruffolo is Latinas Unidas Board member and the President of JR Language Translation Services.

The NAWBO's Fashion Show also featured clothes from Tina M. Richardson, owner of Textures By Design. Tina Richardson especializes in custom made clothing and alterations, and her store is located in 2132 Five Mile Line Rd. Penfield, NY.

 

February 2010

To Wanda Acevedo, featured in her magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Wanda is the Director of Programs at Wilson Commencement Park, a key member of the senior management staff reporting directly to the Executive Director.

January 2010

To Jackie Ortiz, officially sworn into office as member of the Rochester City Council on January 4th, 2010. Jackie was elected last November during the local elections. Jackie is also a State Farm Insurance Agent.

 

November 2009

To the recipients of the 2009 Reconocimiento Awards: Diana Hernández, Norma M. Holland, Olga Martínez, Marina Ramos.

 

October 2009

To Peggy Martinez, as her artwork has been selected to participate in this year's Benches on Parade, a community-wide art project in the Rochester Area to benefit local charities. An accomplished artist, Peggy is also Branch Manager at Advantage Federal Credit Union and Membership Chair of Latinas Unidas.

 

To Xena M. Almonte, inducted to the National Junior Honor Society. Xena has held honors consistently since kindergarten and has never missed an honor roll. While she attends East Irondequoit Middle School, Xena is also enrolled in regent courses at the High School level. Xena is very active in sports, dance and is soon to be a Math tutor to 6th grade students. Xena has also helped this year's Reconocimiento Awards Committee.

 

To Monica Miranda Smalls, elected President-Elect for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), a professional organization for individuals concerned with the advisement of fraternities and sororities. Monica is director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs in the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of Rochester and she has been of great assistance during the annual ¡Soy Unica!¡Soy Latina! Rally.
Read complete press release from the University of Rochester here. [Photo courtesy of the University of Rochester]

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We celebrate and highlight the achievements of our members and all Latina women in our community. Our pride on their success does not constitute an official endorsement to the person or the companies/organizations or services they may offer or represent.

 

Archives:

Read about more Stars Among Us during 2009

Read about more Stars Among Us during 2008

Read about more Stars Among Us during 2007

Read about more Stars Among Us during 2006

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