84 'Outstanding' Students, 3 Community Members Honored At Brookhaven's Hispanic Heritage Month Awards

FARMINGVILLE, NY — Brookhaven officials celebrated the town's 13th annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
last Friday at Town Hall, bringing together students, families, and community members for an evening celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture, heritage, and achievement.

The event, which was hosted by Supervisor Dan Panico and the town's Hispanic Advisory Board, recognized 84 outstanding high school seniors who achieved grade point averages of 97 or higher.

The town also recognized community honorees Sgt. Kevin Amaya, Rosa Montalvo Pacheco, and Maicol Cordoba for their
accomplishments and contributions to the community.

Panico said, "Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the people, traditions and stories that are an important part of Brookhaven."

“This was a special evening for our students, our community honorees and their families, and I am proud that the Town continues this tradition of recognizing their achievements and celebrating the Hispanic and Latino community," he added.

Councilman Jonathan Kornreich said that celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month "is an opportunity to recognize the students, families, and community members whose hard work, perseverance, and service strengthen Brookhaven every day."

“It was an honor to celebrate their accomplishments and share in the pride of their families," he added.

Councilwoman Jane Bonner said she was "honored to attend" the event, which "showcased the vibrant traditions, rich history and cultural heritage of our Hispanic and Latino
communities."

“It was equally inspiring to recognize 84 high school seniors
who achieved a grade point average of 97 or higher," she said. "Celebrating their remarkable academic accomplishments
alongside the culture and traditions that enrich our Town made the evening especially meaningful. These
students represent a bright future for Brookhaven, and I congratulate them, their families, and all of this year’s
honorees.”

Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig said the month "is the perfect opportunity" to officially recognize and celebrate the important contributions of our Hispanic and Latino constituents, both past and present."

“In every discipline and in every industry – from medicine to education to sports and entertainment – this community has made meaningful impacts to our country and the Town of Brookhaven," she said.

The evening also featured a performance by El Teatro Rodante Hispánico, bringing Hispanic culture, history and traditions to life.

Students and their families joined town officials, members of
the Brookhaven Hispanic Advisory Board, and members of the community for the celebration.

Brookhaven’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration is held annually to recognize the culture, history, achievements, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community and to honor local students and community members for their accomplishments.