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Julia De Burgos celebrates seasonal festivities
By Arooj Ashraf, La Prensa Correspondent
Julia De Burgos Cultural Art Center celebrated Parrandon Navideno 2011 on Dec. 16, with more than 400 people attending to enjoy musical performances, plays, and games. Children’s favorite characters Dora, and Elmo made a special appearance while the Three Kings passed out candy. Home Depot volunteers helped children make toy cars.
This year’s program was hosted at the Cleveland Public Theatre to accommodate guests and surpassed expectations. Students from Latino Unidos of Cleveland State University dressed as Three Wise Men and helped alongside the Young Latino Network and Advocated of Culture and Knowledge.
Students from Esperanza Inc. performed an adaptation of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and found themselves relating to the moral of the story. Gabriela Johnson, an eleventh grade student from Strongsville High, played the role of reindeer Blitzen; “It is never OK to hurt someone for any reason,” she said. Johnson said she has experienced bullying, name calling, and taunts by other students growing up and relates to the pain Rudolph feels.
Other performances included singing and dancing by Los Borinquen Boyz and Explosión Divina. Modelos De Nuestros Sueños girls presented a poem, “Navidad Latina,” to honor the memories of loved ones passed away. Food was available for $1, and the popular flan competition left mouth-watering impression on everyone.
Taisha Ortiz was crowned, Ms. Puerto Rico Image; “I am so happy, I am shaking,” she said. The crowning was a surprise to Ortiz who said being part of modeling group has helped her overcome her shyness and she looks forward to learning to express herself better.
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