Aurora’s Fiestas Patrias, which started three years ago as a celebration of Mexican independence, has come to mean much more to the area’s Latinos.

It brings together children and adults to celebrate the diversity of Aurora’s Hispanic community.

The theme of this year’s festival was uniting the Latino community, said Tony Martinez, chairman of the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board, which coordinated the 135 volunteers for the event.

“Different cultures within our Hispanic heritage really came together to put on this event,” he said. “It’s the largest Latino festival in the Western suburbs.”

The event also was about promoting and supporting Latino businesses in Aurora and the Fox Valley area to spur economic growth in the community, he added.

Martinez said the festival drew roughly 12,000 to 15,000 people from throughout the region.

“I love that there is good environment … dancing and having a good time,” said Yulissa Plascencia, 15, of Aurora.

Plascencia, whose parents are Mexican immigrants, said she has lived all her life in the United States. She appreciates the festival because it offers the diverse Latino community a chance to interact.

“We all come together and celebrate our heritage,” she said.

That’s also what Patricia Morales of Aurora enjoys most about the event. Morales, who came to the U.S. 20 years ago, said she likes being reminded of her Hispanic heritage, something she wants her three daughters to appreciate as well.

“I feel happy because I remember my country,” she said. “I like everything, the food, the clothes … the (Mexican) flag. I try to come here every year.”

2011 Community Breakfast Program

Adolfo Lopez, a devoted Georgetown Elementary School parent, has been named the Pete Perez Award Recipient for 2011 by the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board (AHHAB). 

Lopez will be honored at the Board’s annual Community Breakfast on Friday, January 21, at 7:30 AM, at Gaslight Manor, 2485 Church Road, Aurora. Tickets are $18 per person and go toward the Board’s Scholarship Fund that recognizes the community’s accomplished youth from Kindergarten through the university level. 

Each year, the Board solicits recommendations from the Aurora community to identify leaders, athletes, artists, writers and others to honor the legacy of the late Pete Perez. The recipient is selected for their outstanding leadership and impact on the Hispanic community. 

Lopez has exceeded his role as a parent by ensuring that his involvement in the Indian Prairie School District 204 fully represents the interests and concerns of over 1,200 Latino families. As the Title I Parent Liaison for Georgetown Elementary School, Lopez is dedicated to ensure that parental involvement is a priority. A major part of his volunteer work focuses on promoting Hispanic parental involvement through various strategies and improving Hispanic students’ educational success. Lopez also serves as a board member of Georgetown Relief Efforts Neighborhood Organization (GRENO) and has helped to increase the level of Hispanic involvement in community clean-up and beautification efforts. Lopez was nominated by Lily Guzman of Georgetown Elementary School.

Pete Perez was a highly respected Aurora police officer who was named the Aurora Exchange Club’s Policeman of the Year in 1966 and was the first recipient of the Hector Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association in 1990.  After his retirement, Perez continued to serve the community on the Kane County Merit Commission, which conducts testing for correctional officers and sheriff’s deputies. 

The 2010 AHHAB honoree was Gonzalo Arroyo, the director of Aurora’s Family Focus.

This year’s theme for the Community Breakfast is: “Inspirations for Success, Character, Choices and Community: Why I am a role model.” The keynote speaker is Representative Linda Chapa LaVia and the event will also feature the Honorable Mayor Thomas J. Weisner, Mayor of Aurora, presenting the awards to local students who participated in a coloring contest (K-2), poster contest (3-5), and essay contest (6-8).  Scholarships will also be presented to high school seniors and students already enrolled in colleges and universities. 

This year’s winners are:

Coloring Contest (Kindergarten through 2^nd grade)

First place: Ariana Zepeda, Beaupre School, 2nd grade

Second place: Natalie Garcia, Nancy Hill School, Kindergarten

Third place: Ian Nicholas Ortega, Annunciation, 1st grade

Poster Contest (Grades 3 to 5)

First place: Alicia Davalos, Gombert School, 5th grade

Second place: Estefani Cazarez, Beaupre School, 4^th grade

Third place: Ana Ruiz, Beaupre School, 5th grade

Essay Contest (Grades 6 to 8 )

First place: Fabian A. Guerrero Jr., Jefferson Middle School, 6th grade

Second place: Lorena Madrigal, Cowherd Middle School, 8th grade

Third place: Ayamel Marcial, Waldo Middle School, 8th grade

Youth Leadership & Service Award (Grades 9 to 11)

Antonio Vazquez, East Aurora High School

Elizabeth Saldana, East Aurora High School

Vanessa Valenciano, East Aurora High School

Erick Tapia, East Aurora High School

College/University Scholarships, Grade 12

Octavio Escalante, West Aurora High School

Juan Molina, West Aurora High School

Carolina Galindo, Rosary High School

Jenny Karime Hernandez, East Aurora High School

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

Higher Learning Scholarships, Ages 18-21 already enrolled in College/University

Jomar Mendoza, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis

David Ferrel, Aurora University

Karina Diaz, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

David Aquino, Aurora University

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Dee Nila Basile at 630.256.3360. 

The Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board celebrates Perez by honoring an adult who exemplifies leadership and commitment to the Aurora Hispanic community.  Nominees, who must be 18 and older, must volunteer in the Aurora Hispanic community, demonstrate dedication to the City and serve as a positive role model.

The AHHAB will honor the award winner during its annual community breakfast scheduled for 7:30-9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road.  The theme for the breakfast is “Inspiration for Success, Character, Choices and Community: Why I am a role model.”

Peter Perez went to Marmion Military Academy in Aurora and the University of Illinois, where he excelled in football and went on to play for the Chicago Bears.  After football, Perez joined the Aurora Police Department, where he served for 21 years.  He retired as a lieutenant in 1979 and then served as Kane County undersheriff for 13 years.

Perez was named the Aurora Exchange Club’s Policeman of the year in 1966 and was the first recipient of the Hector Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association in 1990.  Perez died in 1999 at age 74.

Perez Award nomination letters may be e-mailed to Events Coordinator Dee Basile at dbasile@aurora-il.org or mailed to the Special Events Office, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite A, Aurora, IL 60507 or faxed to (630) 256-3379.  Names and contact information should be provided.

The City’s top high school students, along with young artists and essay writers, also will be honored at the breakfast next month. 

Youth leadership and service awards will be handed out to high school students who have excelled in academics or sports.  High school and college students also have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship through the AHHAB.

Aurora elementary schools have been asked by the AHHAB to participate in a coloring contest for kindergarten through second grade, a poster contest for third through fifth grade and an essay contest for middle school students. 

Residents interested in applying for any of the contests may download an application from the AHHAB website at www.aurorahispanicheritage.com.  Other prerequisites may apply.  Applications are due Wednesday, Dec. 15.

The AHHAB will honor the City’s top students, along with young artists and essay writers, during its annual community breakfast scheduled for Friday, Jan. 21, 2011. The theme for the breakfast is “Inspiration for Success, Character, Choices and Community: Why I am a role model.”

Youth leadership and service awards will be handed out to high school students who have excelled in academics or sports. High school and college students also have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship through the AHHAB.

Aurora elementary schools have been asked by the AHHAB to participate in a coloring contest for kindergarten through second grade, a poster contest for third through fifth grade and an essay contest for middle school students.

Residents interested in applying for any of the contests may download an application from the AHHAB website at www.aurorahispanicheritage.com. Other prerequisites may apply. Applications are due Wednesday, Dec. 15.

The AHHAB also will be celebrating the memory of Peter J. Perez by recognizing an adult who exemplifies leadership and commitment to the Aurora Hispanic community. Nominees, who must be 18 and older, must volunteer in the Aurora Hispanic community, demonstrate dedication to the City and serve as a positive role model.

Peter Perez went to Marmion Military Academy in Aurora and the University of Illinois, where he excelled in football and went on to play for the Chicago Bears. After football, Perez joined the Aurora Police Department, where he served for 21 years. He retired as a lieutenant in 1979 and then served as Kane County undersheriff for 13 years.

Perez was named the Aurora Exchange Club’s Policeman of the year in 1966 and was the first recipient of the Hector Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association in 1990. Perez died in 1999 at age 74.

Perez Award nomination letters may be e-mailed to Events Coordinator Dee Basile at dbasile@aurora-il.orgor mailed to the City of Aurora Special Events Office, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite A, Aurora, IL 60507 or faxed to (630) 256-3379. Names and contact information should be provided. The deadline is Dec. 15.