Latino leaders honored
In celebration of Latino Heritage Month, Assemblymember Alex Lee recently honored five Latino community leaders along with co-host Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez. Honorees were recognized for their contributions to their communities. Lee’s District 24 includes Milpitas.
Three of the honorees have worked in various capacities in the Berryessa Union School District.
Elva Wilson taught Mexican Folklorico Dance at local elementary schools, and started a Spanish-language afterschool program for students. She also served as president of the district’s English Learners’ Advisory Committee. Since retiring, she has cofounded two local neighborhood associations.
Lourdes Calande recently retired from district after 25 years. She was born in Mexico City and moved to San José in 1992. During her time with the district, she served as a tutor, an English-learner aide and a second language translator/interpreter.
Hugo Jimenez is a lifelong resident of San José who served on the board of the Berryessa Union School District for 11 years. He also supported Berryessa students by actively volunteering for school district bond and parcel tax campaigns. He has organized neighborhood events including the Berryessa Art Festival and neighborhood cleanups.
Lee also recognized Jaime Jaramillo, executive director of Centro De Servicios, a nonprofit organization that serves over 12,000 low-income families annually and distributes 50,000 pounds of food to those in need every month; and Edda Rivera, who has worked for the City of Newark for over four decades.