The Shinning Star Awards

On October 30, 2010 the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber celebrated its event, “The Shining Star Awards,” during which nine chamber members were honored with excellence in their fields of work.



The evening was a continuous flow of one surprise after another. It was a spectacular night.

At 6:30PM,

to

the surprise of those who attended the Gala event, everyone was greeted by 28 

beautiful young women from the NUESTRA BELLEZA HISPANA Pageant of the Palm Beaches. Each one of the women approached arriving guests with a warm smile and introduced herself and the Latin Country she represents as she led guests to the cocktail area. The cocktail area was filled with the wonderful Puerto Rican melodies of Ramiro Malagon, guitar player, teacher, composer, and co-

author of the book, Brief History of the Music in Puerto Rico. It made for a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for mingling among established Chamber members and new members. 

As guests continued making their way through the ballroom, they were offered an eye-catching gallery of art from the Puerto Rican artist Elizabeth Erazo Baez. She displayed a wide collection of paintings that depict the Island of Puerto Rico.In that same cocktail area, each guest arrived at and was greeted by a staff member of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, a private non- profit organization that helps mothers receive the pre-natal care that they would otherwise not receive. Each guest was registered and provided the number of his or her table for the evening’s event.



At 8:15 the banquet room doors opened for the guests to locate their assigned tables and were once again greeted by those same 28 beautiful women standing and smiling as each one of the guests looked forward to the rest of the evening. 

The formal portion of the Gala commenced with news anchor Felicia Rodriguez introducing and thanking these 28 women from the NUESTRA BELLEZA HISPANA for volunteering their time, whereupon they received a well-deserved applause from all in attendance.

The Palm Beach Sherriff’s Office Chaplin Jose Rendon provided the initial prayers, after which Lou Galterio sang the National Anthem. Then, as a surprise gift from Mr. Galterio to the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber, and a surprise to most in attendance, Mr. Galterio beautifully sang the Puerto Rican National Anthem “La Borinquena” while a video displayed a transition from the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber logo to all of the National Flags of

the Hispanic countries.

Felicia Rodriguez commented on the goals of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber and the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and introduced the man responsible for organizing the Gala Shinning Star Award event, Santos Arroyo 

Santos Arroyo began by bringing forth Merryl Silverman Haber, who introduced Congressman Ted Deutch. Congressman Deutch praised the efforts, work and accomplishments of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber.

After the succession of surprises, Felicia Rodriguez I began the award presentation. The plaques were beautifully handcrafted in Puerto Rico by artist Enrique Rafael Carreras, who took 10 hours to create each. . The recipients were selected by the Chamber as champions in their fields as follows:



Educational Award, Dr. David Zimet

Healthcare Award, Dr. Alina Alonso

Governmental Award, Sheriff Rick Bradshaw

Media Award, Bernadette O’Grady

Professional Award, Dina Rubio

Company of the Year Award, David Lopez

Student of the Year Award, Sully Brito

The Chamber also it’s presented a surprise award for Volunteer of the Year to Sam Roman.

On the final award

The Lifetime Achievement award went to a man well known by every major Puerto Rican recording artist, government official and major Puerto Rican scholar. Rafi Escudero, A poet, composer, musician and community activist, not only reminded us of the reality of the Hispanic growth in the United States, but also sang a self composed danza and played the piano for all who attended.

Just as the beginning of the night started with a surprise visit of the Nuestra Belleza Hispana candidates, the evening finished with a powerful surprise: a video of Ramona Rosaly, who on that day turned 64 years old and did not know of the video, was played showing her in her youth along with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was overwhelmed with emotion and could not control her tears of joy – joy that touched the entire room.

A video of audience member Ramona Rosaly was played showing her in her youth with her husband, children and grandchildren. Ramona, who was coincidentally celebrating her 64th birthday, was overwhelmed with emotion and could not control her tears of joy – joy that touched the entire room.

This Gala began honoring our guests and continued by honoring our community leaders and culminated by honoring our mothers. The event, hosted by the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Palm Beach and Healthy Mothers, Healthy babies, was a first class affair and all who participated returned home feeling the fulfillment of a good year.

Leaving with a smile, I wondered with anticipation: what surprises will next year’s Gala bring?