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Rochester City School District honors students, volunteers and performers at Hispanic Heritage celebration
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Summary
The Rochester City School District celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with awards for academic achievement, volunteer service and community leadership, performances by Borinquen Dance Theater and remarks from board and district leaders recognizing students and cultural history.
The Rochester City School District honored more than a dozen students and community leaders Thursday at its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, recognizing high academic achievement, volunteerism and community service and featuring a performance by Borinquen Dance Theater.
Board President Camille Simmons welcomed attendees and framed the event as a time to recognize Latino contributions to Rochester, and Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser congratulated students, saying, “Hispanic and Latino heritage is much more than history,” and urging the district to celebrate students’ leadership.
The ceremony presented several named awards. A teacher presenter introduced Ariel Bugs, recipient of the Roberto Clemente student award; Ariel accepted the honor and thanked family members. The Volunteer Youth Award was presented to Destiny Dalmo Gonzales of the School of the Arts; the presenter described the award as honoring “exceptional dedication to serving others.” Alicia Fonseca, executive director for bilingual education and world languages, presented the Latino community service award to Nadia Paulino, highlighting her work in financial empowerment and her role with Vision Federal Credit Union.
Principals and school representatives announced high‑academic honorees across the district. Michelle Sadick, assistant principal at East High School, named several top scholars, including Yadel Apud Rodriguez (98.26 GPA), Carlos Gaston Lopez (98.9) and Mitchell Nieves (98.78). Representatives from Edison/Madison Tech, James Monroe, Wilson (Joseph C. Magnet), Rochester Early College, School of the Arts, School Without Walls, Padilla High and World of Inquiry introduced additional winners and noted students’ post‑secondary plans and community work.
Borinquen Dance Theater opened the performance portion of the evening. Artistic staff described two pieces: a Mexican‑inspired flamenco set to the song “La Llorona” and a bomba choreographed by La Mari Santos. Hamid Betmotis, who introduced the pieces, said the works were intended to “amplify voices” and to teach youth about culture and identity. The company tied costume and music choices to themes of resistance and to domestic violence awareness month.
The event closed with thanks to families, the superintendent and district staff; there were no formal board actions or votes associated with the celebration.
The celebration combined recognition of student achievement with cultural performance and remarks from district leaders; organizers invited awardees and families to take photos and continue the festivities after the program.
