OCCHA to mark 40 years of service at dinner Friday
OCCHA will be celebrating 40 years of service during a scholarship banquet Friday at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center. Among those involved with the event are Atty. Miriam Ocasio, board president, left; Virginia Hernandez and Maria Olverson, gala committee co-chairwomen; and Susan Nieves, executive director. Photo by: ROBERT K. YOSAY | THE VINDICATOR.
Staff report
BOARDMAN
OCCHA will celebrate 40 years of service in the Mahoning Valley during its annual fundraising and scholarship gala Friday at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center, 7440 South Ave.
Cocktails will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30. Live entertainment will be by Steve Fazzini, and dancing with music by DJ Chico will be from 8 to 11. There also will be a 50-50 raffle and auction.
Master of ceremonies will be Henry Guzman, OCCHA’s first executive director.
Tickets are $50 per person; the reservation deadline is Wednesday.
This year’s scholarship recipients are as follows:
OCCHA Scholarship: Maria Donato-Fazal of South Range High School.
Caraballo/Vettori Scholarship: Monica Esparra of Ursuline High School.
Dr. Servio Becerra Scholarship: Edwin Figueroa Jr. of Poland Seminary High School.
Romero Scholarship: Alexandria Cancel-DeFabio of Boardman High School.
Hispanic Professional Scholarship: Jada Colon of Campbell Memorial High School.
LAMA Scholarships: Jacqueline Placeres of Campbell Memorial and Daniel Rivera of Austintown Fitch High schools.
In addition, Shorty and Elba Navarro Scholarships were awarded to 22 Hispanic students at Youngstown State University.
This year’s chairwoman is Maria G. Olverson, administrative assistant at OCCHA, and co-chairwoman is Virginia Hernandez. Dinner committee members are Margarita Santiago, Sara Cuevas, Rosa Tirado, Patty Garcia, Leoncio Tirado, Elba Navarro and Mary Isa Garayua.
For information call Susan Nieves or Olverson at 330-781-1808 or email molverson@sbcglobal.net.
OCCHA is a nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for Hispanics and others in our multicultural community by providing social, economic, cultural and educational programs.