Senate Holds Fourth Annual Unidad Latina Conference

The New York State Senate held the Fourth Annual Unidad Latina conference, co-hosted by Molloy College in Rockville Centre and Círculo de la Hispanidad on June 28.

That's when hundreds of community, business, and elected leaders attended the daylong conference to further increase economic opportunities for the growing Hispanic population in New York .

The conference "helped community leaders share insight into ways that we can work together to create a brighter future both for our state’s Hispanic communities and all New Yorkers,” Senate Majority Coalition Co-leader Dean Skelos said.

It also "proved to be very informative and helpful in crafting public policy in the months to come,” he added

The conference featured policy workshops, networking opportunities, and speakers from the private and public sectors. Joining Skelos were Sen. John Flanagan (R-C-I, East Northport); Sen. Kemp Hannon (R, Garden City); Senator Carl Marcellino (R,
Syosset); Sen. Jack Martins (R-C-I, Mineola); Sen. Phil Boyle (R-C-I, Bay Shore); Assemb. Brian Curran (Lynbrook); and Assemb. Nicole Malliotakis (R-C-I, Brooklyn/Staten Island).

Also in attendance were Dr. Drew Bogner, president of Molloy College; Gil Bernadino, executive director and founder of Círculo de la Hispanidad and President of Unidad Latina; and others. The featured speaker for Saturday’s Líderes Luncheon was Cynthia López, Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office and Media Entertainment.

The luncheon also included an awards presentation for the third
annual Unidad Latina scholarships to 20 college-bound high school seniors.

Students were nominated by their senators to receive $2,000 for college.

The scholarship winners were: Patricia Cháves, Hicksville; Erika Goyzueta, Westbury; Jasmine Kapamas, Massapequa; Yasmine G. Koutsivos, Elmont; Krystal Rosado, Elmont; Adriana Sealey, Brentwood; Michael C. Pereira, Brentwood; Alisha Luz. Crespo, Bay Shore; Carina Rodriguez, Rockville Centre; Jillian Delacruz, Lynbrook; Gabriela Santana, Island Park; Bryan Kristian Rosado, Valley Stream; Anthony Cassonetto, Wantagh; Ashley Villatoro, Bethpage; Dario A. Collado, Copiague; Andrea Agurto, Willston Park; Cynthia M. Arevalo-Morales, Hempstead; Catherine Canales, Plainview; Nataly Fernandez, Central Islip; Giselle Hernandez, Plainview.

In addition, three individuals received $500 scholarships: Christian Ramos, Valley Stream; David Coronel, Island Park; Odette Peralta, East Meadow.

Special awards were presented throughout the conference to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Hispanic community, including:

•  The Unidad Latina Achievement Award: Cynthia López, commissioner of the New York City Office of Media and Entertainment
• The Unidad Latina Legacy Award: Pedro Zamora, president of Zamora Entertainment, Inc.
• The Unidad Latina Businessman of the Year Award: Leo Fernandez, owner of L.A. Fernandez Insurance Agency
• The Unidad Latina Businesswoman of the Year Award: Glenda Guzman, licensed real estate associate;
• The Unidad Latina Community Advocate Award: Yashira DeLeón, community initiatives manager,. Girl Scouts of Nassau County
• The Unidad Latina Excellence in Public Service Award: Ana-Maria Hurtado, Commissioner and WIB director at the Town of Hempstead Department of Occupational Resources