On November 13, Quinsigamond Community College and local community partners gathered together for a night of celebration to honor Latine youth in Central Massachusetts at the annual Hispanics Achieving and Celebrating Excellence (HACE) event. During this year’s 39th award ceremony, 28 Worcester and Southbridge high school students, as well as one QCC student were awarded scholarships.
The HACE awards recognize students who have excelled in arts, academics, athletics and leadership. Since the program’s inception, HACE has awarded more than $230,000 to 850 students.
HACE Chair and QCC’s Coordinator of the Future Focus Program, Gilmarie Vongphakdy, thanked the crowd and supporters of the event for their commitment to community and the transformative power of education.
“Tonight, we honor students from two places that are near and dear to my heart, Worcester and Southbridge. Although I was born outside of the United States in a small Caribbean Island, my family moved to Worcester when I was just a young girl,” said Vongphakdy. “I’m a proud product of Worcester Public Schools and before joining QCC, I had the privilege of working with Southbridge Public Schools for over four years. It is an honor to be here tonight to celebrate the achievements of some truly remarkable young Latinos.”
Masielle “Massy” Paulino, director of Ritmos Dance Company, licensed clinical social worker and former HACE recipient, delivered the keynote address, which broke down the three values that have guided her through professional and personal success: culture, community and connection.
“I’m a first-generation Dominican American. I’m proud of the culture I come from and I’m proud of the home I come from, specifically because of the morals it taught me. It taught me kindness, to dance and sing when times are tough, but more importantly it taught me our people’s resilience. Our people have been through migration, wars, financial stressors and yet have become business owners and entrepreneurs.”
Paulino led dancers from Ritmos in several performances throughout the event. Edmy Oritz and members of her group, Flamenco Worcester also entertained the crowd with cultural dance performances.
QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja closed the ceremony by addressing the students with an optimistic view of the future.
“You are the leaders and the hope for tomorrow. I find hope in your strength and your leadership, your abilities and your commitment. I find hope in all the people in our community that work hard to make this a better world,” Pedraja remarked. “Keep striving and be path setters for those who come behind you. One thing that comes to mind is ‘Sí, se puede’…‘Yes, we can’.”
Three students were honored with special awards:
- Elyna Peluyera from Abby Kelley Foster Charter School was the winner of the Marlyn Reyes Memorial Community Leadership Award. This scholarship is given to a student who strives to help others and influence policy in their community.
- QCC student Angelina Gonzalez was the winner of the Olga López-Hill Community Leadership Award. This scholarship is available to QCC students who plan to continue their education at Quinsigamond or transfer to another educational institution.
- Janee Bonilla from North High School was the winner of the Dolly Vázquez Cultural Award. This scholarship is awarded to students who embody Dolly’s passion for arts and humanities.
2024 HACE Scholarship Recipients
- Jheral Siguencia Altamirano, Burncoat High School
- Ashley Alvarenga, Worcester Technical High School
- Melina Fana Aquini, University Park Campus School
- Michael Arellano, Doherty Memorial High School
- Janee Bonilla, North High School
- Ashley Bonilla, North High School
- Joselyn Carrion, North High School
- Jubilee Castillo, Abby Kelley Foster Charter
- Leire Cuberes, South High Community School
- Pau Cuberes, South High Community School
- Gabriel Froes Froes, Doherty High
- Crissary Fuentes, Doherty High School
- Lilianna Gonzalez, Burncoat High School
- Angelina Gonzalez, Quinsigamond Community College
- Jeandry Hernandez, Worcester North High School
- Kevyn Urias Lopez, University Park Campus School
- Yariel Lopez, Burncoat High School
- Nyhia Ortiz, Southbridge High School
- Elyna Peluyera, Abby Kelley Foster Charter
- Legacy Perdomo, Worcester Technical High School
- Caiden Porter, Bancroft School
- Alexis Ramos, Southbridge High School
- Yaraceli Reyes, Burncoat High School
- Eileen Rodriguez, South High Community School
- Demetrie Romero, Bancroft School
- Julian Ruiz-Rosado, Abby Kelley Foster Charter
- Esther Talhadas, Worcester Technical High School
- Zuleika Trejo, University Park Campus School
- Oscar Vazquez, Southbridge High School