Hispanic Heritage Month: Highlighting Our Students and Staff
October 5, 2022
Meet Erika Rodriguez- Regional Director of Career Services at Pembroke Pines and South Miami
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month means learning about different Hispanic cultures and the contributions each country has made.
What is your cultural background?
Both of my parents are from the Dominican Republic and I was born in Massachusetts
What is one thing you would like to share about your culture that you wish more people knew?
The Dominican flag has three colors: red, white and blue. Along with the national anthem and the coat of arms, the flag is one of Dominican Republic’s national symbols. Each of the colors of the flag has a meaning. The white of the cross in the center represents salvation, the red rectangles represent the blood of the heroes who fought for the independence, and the blue rectangles stand for liberty. (Santana, 2020)
Founding father Juan Pablo Duarte designed the flag. It’s the only in the world to have the image of the holy bible in it. The bible is open to the Gospel of John chapter 8, verse 32, which reads: “And the truth shall make you free”. (Santana, 2020)
Who is a person that you found to be influential (within the culture or your life personally) that made an impact?
he women who made an impact in the Dominican culture were Las Hermanas Mirabal/ The Mirabal Sisters who were killed during Trujillo’s regime. These women stood up for what they believed in, despite the threats that they faced. They were well educated, brave and selfless women.
Nacida en Denville, NewJersey en el 1978. Soy Puertorriqueña de pura cepa por herencia de ambos padres, abuelos, bisabuelos, y tatarabuelos, criada en Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Residente de la Florida desde el 1998, en la ciudad de Kissimmee por los últimos 24 años. Graduada en el 2013 de FTC Kissimmee campus en Cosmetología y Técnica de Uñas. Actualmente estudiando Medical Assistant Certification with Basic X-ray machine operator en el Kissimmee campus.
(Translation) I was born in Denville, New Jersey in 1978. I am Puerto Rican through and through by heritage from both parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents, raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. I have been Florida resident since 1998, in the city of Kissimmee for the last 24 years. I graduated in 2013 from FTC’s Kissimmee campus in Cosmetology and Nail Technique, and I am currently studying for a Medical Assistant Certification with Basic X-ray machine operator at the Kissimmee campus.
Meet Oscar Angulo- Director of Admissions at Pembroke Pines Campus
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
The opportunity to put on display your pride for your heritage.
What is your cultural background?
A mix of Cuban and Nicaragua.
What is one thing you would like to share about your culture that you wish more people knew?
My culture’s hospitality and genuine love for life and people.
Who is a person that you found to be influential (within the culture or your life personally) that made an impact?
My Grandmother’s influence was infectious, her vitality and the lessons of family unity. She lived to 101 years old.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Nicaragua is known as the land of poets. Lake Nicaragua is Central America’s largest lake and has Sawfish, Tarpon and Sharks.
Meet Juan Rosario- X-ray Instructor at Pembroke Pines Campus
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic heritage month gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of the Hispanic community and how influential we are in the past, present, and future of America.
What is your cultural background?
My parents are from the Dominican Republic and I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. I moved to South Florida and to complete my studies and start my healthcare career.
What is one thing you would like to share about your culture that you wish more people knew?
I am very proud of my Hispanic culture. Some people might not know that not only do we have great leaders in the arts, music, and sports, we also have had many impacts in medicine and politics. I am sure we, as the Hispanic community, will make a real difference in the future of this great country.
Who is a person that you found to be influential (within the culture or your life personally) that made an impact?
My family has been very influential in my life. The support and togetherness of the Hispanic culture is the guiding light for me. While growing up in the inner city, where most kids have little optimism for the future, I leaned on my family and friends to get to where I am at today, becoming a leader and healthcare professional in South Florida.
Meet Precious Mendez- Student at Kissimmee Campus
My name is Precious Mendez, I am from Kissimmee Campus (Medical Assistant X-Ray Program) and I am Puerto Rican!!!
Meet Natanael Nieves- Student at Lakeland Campus
I am from Puerto Rico!!
The campus I attend is Florida Technical College from Lakeland.
The Program I have enrolled to is Electrical with PLC (Programable Logic Controller).
Meet Brenda Ignacio- Student at Lakeland Campus
Brenda is Mexican and attends our Lakeland campus where she is enrolled in our Medical Assisting Technician Program!
Meet Kalina Calderon- Student at Lakeland Campus
My name is Kalina Calderon, I am Portuguese and Peruvian, I attend the Lakeland FTC campus and I am enrolled in the Evening Electrical program.
Meet Katherine Muniz- Student in the Medical Billing and Coding Program
My name is Katherine Muniz, I am Puerto Rican and I am in the Medical Billing and Coding program.
Meet Lizette Santiago- Student at Lakeland Campus
My name is Lizette Santiago. I am a proud Puerto Rican woman with my beautiful Puerto Rican children. I attend the Lakeland campus online only. I am currently enrolled in the Allied Health Management bachelor’s degree program.
Meet Maria Torres – Student at Kissimmee Campus
Maria Torres is in our Baking and Pastry program at our Kissimmee campus and is from Puerto Rico!
Meet Eduardo Rafael Collazo – Student at Kissimmee Campus
My name is Eduardo Rafael Collazo I am from San Juan Puerto Rico studying Medical Assisting at the Kissimmee Campus.
