Casita Maria Center for
Arts and Education celebrated Fiesta 2017 on Tuesday, October
17th, 2017 at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Each year at Fiesta, the
Casita Maria Gold Medal of Honor is awarded to outstanding
individuals in recognition of their contribution to the worlds
of arts, education, and philanthropy.
This year, Casita Maria honored three exceptional women: Rosaura
Henkel, the Mexican philanthropist extraordinaire for her work
with “Duerme Tranquilo” and service to numerous hospitals; New
York’s own Elizabeth T. Peabody for her dedication to mental
health and compassionate leadership to The Maria Droste
Counseling Services, and Julia Salvi, the co-founder and
visionary behind the renowned Cartagena International Music
Festival.
The evening’s host was FOX TV’s Audrey Puente, the daughter of
the great
Latin percussionist Tito Puente, himself a Casita alumnus and
former honoree.
The Dinner Chairmen were Jacqueline Weld Drake and Prince
Dimitri of Yugoslavia. The Gala Co-Chairmen were designer
Carolina Herrera and husband Reinaldo Herrera.
Casita Maria’s annual benefit was an elegant, festive evening
that commenced with cocktails, followed by seated dinner, music
and dancing to The Bob Hardwick Sound. Guests included Veronica
Anner, Tina Beriro & Simon Beriro, Geoffrey Bradfield, Craig
Dix, Sissi Fleitas, Joanna Fisher & Bryan Fisher, Dr. and Mrs.
Duane Hampton, William Haseltine, Julie Juarez, Roy Kean, Margo
Langenberg, Ed Lavano, Mary McFadden, Haydee Morales (Executive
Director of Casita Maria), Mary McFadden, Jose Parla, Ann Rapp,
Ben RodriguezCubenas, Christine Schwarzman, Pepita Serrano,
Martin & Jean Shafiroff, Hunt Slonem, Barbara & Donald Tober,
and Barbara & Bruce Winston.
Dinner Chairman Jacqueline Weld Drake exclaimed, “Another celebration of
Latino life in New York with its spontaneity, its enthusiasm,
and its boundless ability to support the arts and the
community.” Haydee Morales, Executive Director of Casita Maria,
declared, “Casita Maria stands as a beacon of light and a place
for individuals and families to find support.” “I am the
daughter of Latin jazz great Tito Puente,” explained Program
Host Audrey Puente, a meteorologist on FOX 5 news WNYW-TV. “My
father was a Casita kid and so it’s really meaningful to come
here and join you to celebrate tonight.” Ms. Weld Drake
proceeded to award Elizabeth Peabody with the Gold Medal. “I
thank you all at Casita Maria for this wonderful honor. I am
very touched,” said Ms. Peabody. “By bringing children and
families together in the community, Casita Maria helps them
follow their dreams, increase their self-esteem, and aspire to
attend college and work careers.” Ms. Weld Drake then bestowed
the Gold Medal to Julia Salvi. “Today, we can build a better
world, more compassionate, more inclusive, for future
generations. Thank you,” Ms. Salvi remarked. Pepita Serrano of
Hola said, “I thank you. It means a lot to Mexico. It means a
lot to the world.” She then presented the Gold Medal to Rosaura
Henkel, who thanked everyone in Spanish.
The Fiesta journal included letters from New York Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo; Senator Charles E. Schumer; Mayor Bill de
Blasio; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.; 85th District
Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo; New York City Councilmember Rafael
Salamanca, Jr., and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. The Honorary
Chairs were Violaine and John Bernbach and Pepita Serrano.
Fiesta Vice Chairs included Daniel and Estrellita Brodsky,
Catholic Charities of New York, Rebecca and Miguel Fuentes, Jr.,
Michèle Gerber Klein, Pierre Levai, Marcia Levine, and Annabelle
& Alberto Mariaca. Fiesta Co-Chairmen were Tony Bechara, Marifé
Hernández and Joel Bell, Ann B. Remos, Benigno Rodriguez-Cubenás,
Yolanda Santos De Garza, and Adrienne and Gigi Vittadini.
Pachanga Chairs included Carolina Alverez – Mathies, Peter
Levin, Alexandre Leviant and Gabriel Rivera-Barraza.
ABOUT THE CASITA MARIA CENTER FOR ARTS & EDUCATION: The mission
of the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education is to empower
youth and their families by creating a culture of learning
through high quality social, cultural, and educational
opportunities. Casita Maria was founded in 1934 by Claire and
Elizabeth Sullivan, two schoolteachers in the living room of
their apartment. Their goal was to give the children of recently
arrived Latino families the support they needed to meet the
challenges of a new language and a novel school system. The hope
was that the young would thrive in their new homeland and lead
their parents and their community to full participation in the
American Dream.
By developing innovative responses and programs as issues arose,
relocating to the South Bronx as its community moved around the
city, Casita has been able to effectively serve each new
generation. By 1961, Casita was offering programs and essential
services to thousands of New Yorkers. Even when the Bronx
“burned” in the 1970's, Casita remained a safe haven and a
gateway to opportunity. Today, Casita Maria is an institution, a
driving force for scholastic enrichment through its vital after
school and educational programs that focus on the arts and
technology. |