(L-R) Manuel Garcia, McDonald’s; Arnoldo Cerda,
Goya; Kherri Jean, Johnson & Johnson; Cristina
Lopez, JCPenney; Kumarie Deokielal, American Airlines;
Henry Talavera, Polsinelli; Susie Garcia, McDonald’s;
Mark McClendon, Tarrant County College District; Vicky
Smith, Nissan; Jason Aristizabal, Keynote Speaker;
Larissa Rodriguez, Frito Lay; Keiry Flores, American
Airlines; Susan Fox Clemmons, American Airlines;
Lupita Colmenero, PSA Founder; Marlyne Roundtree,
American Airlines; Jessica Narvaez, Pinnacle Group;
Javed Nooriwal, American Airlines; and Robert Bard,
LATINA Style, Inc.
the key to their success in life,” says Lupita Colmenero,
President and Founder of PSA. “Studies show that
the more parents involve themselves in their
children’s life and education, the greater the
likelihood their children will succeed. We also
know parents need help and that is the reason PSA
exists. We can’t make this effort possible without
the support of great people and great corporations
such as the sponsors and partners of the 2017 POY
Awards. We encourage everyone to get involved in
the future of every child.”
Thanks to American Airlines, this year PSA was
delighted to have the 2016 CNN Hero of the Year,
Jeison Aristizabal as keynote speaker.
Aristizabal was born on July 5, 1983 with cerebral
palsy. During his childhood and adolescence, he
(L-R) Larissa Rodriguez, Sr. Sales Director, Frito Lay
North America; Levy Campos; Karla Campos; Gloria
Campos, Parent of the Year Henry Talavera, Shareholder
at Polsinelli, and Lupita Colmenero PSA President
and Founder.
endured long periods of rest, post-surgical in bed
and in wheelchairs. During his school years, he was
a victim of bullying and was socially isolated facing
adversity which led to lack of opportunities. However,
with the unconditional support of his mother, he
overcame the social barriers that were presented
throughout his childhood. Aristizabal became a
strong advocate and made his mission to help
others. In 2001, he founded the Association for the
Disabled of the Valley in his home garage providing
life opportunities to children with disabilities in the
District of Aguablanca in Cali, Colombia. In 2006, he
participated in a national TV reality show called
“Tengo una Ilusión”, and became the winner of a
house that he uses to provide special services for
over 150 children.
(L-R) Jonathan De la Cruz, Bertha De la Cruz, Parent
of the Year, Cydya Thomas, Sr. Specialist Inclusion
& Diversity, JCPenney and Lupita Colmenero, PSA
President and Founder.
In 2016, CNN INTERNATIONAL network honored
Aristizabal as CNN Hero of the Year. The international
recognition was broadcasted live on CNN, and
opened doors to him worldwide allowing him to offer
benefits to more children. Aristizabal is currently
studying law at the University of Santiago De Cali,
Colombia, and he is determined to improve the quality
of life of children with disabilities.
The 12th POY was a success thanks to the
collaboration and support of partners, sponsors, staff,
parents, and teachers. Pinnacle Group provided
each POY honoree with a desktop computer and
Hewlett Packard Enterprise provided laptops to the
children that nominated the winners. PSA thanks its
partners for making it possible to celebrate and
recognize parental involvement in schools. American
Airlines, NISSAN, Goya Foods, Walmart, JCPenney,
Pinnacle Group, Hewlett Packard Enterprise,
Educational Testing Service, McDonalds, LATINA Style,
Inc, El Hispano News, Comerica Bank, Polsinelli Law
Firm, Frito Lay and Southwest Airlines.
LS
Want to comment or have any questions on
this article? Email us at info@latinastyle.com
(L-R) Johnny Quezada, Eileen Suarez, Mark McClendon, Ed.D. Vice Chancellor for Finance Tarrant County College District, Claudia Vivar, Larissa Rodriguez,
Bertha De la Cruz, Henry Talavera, Jonathan De la Cruz, Alejandra Leal, Gloria Campos, Karla Campos, McKenzie Cole, Corey Cole, Carolina Velez, Juan Velez,
Martha Oro, Omar Velez, Imelda Mendez, Odalys Mendez, Angel Adrian Lopez, Mayola Bartola Balero, Cristina Candia Lopez-JCPenney Director, Inclusion & Diversity, Lupita
Colmenero, Jesse Cortez-Hewlett Packard, Global Inclusion Effectiveness Lead inclusion & Diversity, and Robert Bard, LATINA Style, Inc.
LATINAStyle Vol. 24, No. 1, 2018 www.latinastyle.com 31
/www.latinastyle.com
link