Evelyn Pena-Felix, the curator at the Fort Frederik Museum in Frederiksted, shares inspiring words with students at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum on September 15 at UVI's Great Hall.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education, Division of V. I. Cultural Education kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month 2016 by sponsoring the first Hispanic Heritage Month Forum, Thursday, September 15 at UVI’s Great Hall on St. Croix. Students from all secondary public schools on the island came out to hear inspiring messages from Hispanic women leaders in the local community and Puerto Rico.
Panelists Aymee Santana, Evelyn Felix, Vera Falu, V.I. Supreme Court Judge Maria Cabret, and visiting education professor at the University of Puerto Rico stressed the importance of embracing heritage to the selected students, who were mostly of Spanish backgrounds. Generally, the presenters encouraged students to learn and embrace the Spanish language, although living in an English-speaking community.
Santana, the former executive assistant to the director of motor vehicles and now an administrator at the Ruby Rouss Complex in Water Gut Christiansted, told students about her experience growing up in St. Croix after her parents relocated to the island when she was a young child. She explained that her parents strongly urged her and her siblings to speak Spanish at home by setting an example. "It’s an advantage to be bilingual," she said of her ability to be fluent in two languages. "It opens your opportunities in employment.”
Panelist Pena-Felix, after several stints in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands and Legislature of the Virgin Islands, is now working at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums where she runs the operations of the Fort Frederik Museum in downtown Frederiksted. “One of the things my mother instilled in all her children was the importance of being fluent in Spanish--writing it, reading it and translating from English to Spanish,” she said.
Former V.I. Commissioner of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Vera Falu, who came to St. Croix from Puerto Rico as a young adult to work as a health professional on a two-year contract at the former Charles H. Harwood Hospital, said she did not speak any English at the time. “Now, after 45 years, I am still here because I embrace the Crucian culture, although we didn’t speak English at home,” Falu said. And, making an important distinction she added, “I am not Hispanic. I am Puerto Rican. Estoy Borricua. Hispanic people come from Latin America. Be proud of who you are. Not everybody can be born in the same place. We all are Caribbean people.”
Professor Maria Ojeda and Judge Cabret also encouraged students to embrace their heritage while respecting others. Following the presentation by the speakers, the students questioned the panelists in an afternoon session. Students were also informed of an essay competition to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is being celebrated September 15 to October 15.
UVI Professor Alscess Lewis Brown moderated the forum for the Division of the V. I. Cultural Education, headed by Director Valrica Bryson.
Students from St. Croix's secondary schools attend Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Aymee Santana shares her personal and professional journey at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Aymee Santana shares her personal and professional journey at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Evelyn Pena-Felix speaks at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Evelyn Pena-Felix speaks at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Hon. Judge Maria Cabret speaks at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Hon. Judge Maria Cabret speaks at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Students listen intently at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Vera Falu speaks at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
Alscess Lewis Brown moderates Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
University of Puerto Rico Professor Dr. Maria Ojeda speaks at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
University of Puerto Rico Professor Dr. Maria Ojeda speaks at Hispanic Heritage Month Forum at UVI on September 15.
