PUNTA GORDA — Maria Lara enjoys sharing her Hispanic culture with others — whether they share her heritage or any other ethnic background.
Lara is the Council President for Charlotte Harbor League of United Latin American Citizens, a group that strives to obtain civil rights for Hispanic Americans in the United States through community-based programs.
A “Celebración Cultural Hispana” was held at the Punta Gorda Library on September 26 that included music, dance, poetry, theater and a student art exhibit.
More than 100 people attended the event.
“This is our third annual celebration,” Lara said. “Our student art show features 54 entries from Charlotte County School students — and they’re all winners to us.”
Autumn Papol read a poem she wrote titled “Abuelas’s Last Dance.”
“Although I am not of Hispanic heritage, I feel very connected to the woman in this poem,” Papol said.
Diana Gomez performed a festive Hispanic dance.
“I truly love dancing and I love my heritage,” Gomez said.
Kiko Valdez played guitar and sang “Guantanamera” with several people in the audience joined along singing.
The Charlotte County Children’s Theater Choir, led by music director Sara del Castillo, performed several songs, including solo performances by members Lorelai Peer, Curtis Clark and Ian Montero.
The Hispanic Heritage Recognition Award was presented to Lucy Huyke-Garner for decades of service to the Latino community in Charlotte County.
“This lady is very special,” Lara said. “She was born in Colombia and after her parents brought her to the U.S. she earned a master’s degree from Florida University and was afforded a fellowship by the American Association of University Women to pursue her doctorate in social work.”
Huyke-Garner is former president of the American Red Cross, and she was involved with the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, facilitating the Hispanic outreach program.
“Lucy volunteered her time with several organizations in addition to being a family disaster volunteer with Red Cross and a counselor for Charlotte County Alzheimer’s Family Support Group,” Lara said. “She has organized many voter registration events and was the founder and director of the homeless student’s program at Charlotte County Schools.”
“I love my country very much and I’m so proud to accept this award,” Huyke-Garner. “I want to encourage everyone to be an activist — don’t keep quiet — your voice needs to be heard.”
A student art exhibit was on display for guests to peruse. All winners received a gift certificate and a gift card.
The winners were announced at the end of the event: Moncerrah Flores-Alvarez (Port Charlotte High School) received “Best Overall,”; Kevin Borges (Charlotte Preparatory School) was awarded “Most Creative”; Isabella Orsino (Charlotte Preparatory School) was awarded “Best Cultural Heritage Theme” and Autumn Papol (Charlotte Preparatory School) was awarded “Excellence in Creative Writing” for her poem “Abuelas’s Last Dance.”
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