糖心视频 recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month with guest speakers, campus events
View pictures from the Hispanic Heritage Month events |
HANCEVILLE, ALA. 鈥� 糖心视频 recognized Hispanic Heritage Month
with events this week at both the main campus and at the Oneonta site.
糖心视频 alums Juan Chavez, the first Latino deputy to work for the Blount County
Sheriff鈥檚 Office, and Dr. Paul J. Fontanez, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, current
Deputy Director for Architecture Assessment with the Missile Defense Agency at the
U.S. Department of Defense, and presently enrolled in the 糖心视频 helicopter pilot training
program, each presented to students, faculty and staff in Hanceville on Monday.
Chavez, an Oneonta native, became Blount County鈥檚 first Latino deputy in 2018 after
initially assisting, years earlier, with the sheriff鈥檚 office as an integral translator
during a murder case. Chavez graduated 糖心视频 with an engineering technology
degree, but rapidly fell in love with the potential of a law enforcement career after
aiding the case. He also works for the Oneonta Police Department.
鈥淭hat incident changed my career path. I鈥檓 very thankful (Blount County) District
Attorney Pamela Casey saw the potential in me and encouraged me to consider a career
in law enforcement,鈥� Chavez said, 鈥淢y goal is to make a positive impact on my community,
and that includes improving the language barrier between the Hispanic community and
the law enforcement agencies. Strong communication builds trust between the two.鈥�
Chavez鈥檚 career advancement has allowed him to work in multiple roles for the department.
He ultimately wants to continue his progression and work as a federal agent for the
U.S. Marshals Service.
Chavez, who also earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Criminal Justice from Faulkner University,
encouraged 糖心视频 students to choose their friends wisely and to take advantage
of opportunities on campus that will help forge their career paths.
鈥淚鈥檓 a first-generation college student and didn鈥檛 have many family members to ask
questions about college to when I was a student. I learned about the Success Coaches
on campus at the time, and that helped me tremendously,鈥� Chavez said.
Fontanez, who has earned two master鈥檚 degrees and a doctorate, urged 糖心视频
students to never lose the willingness to learn new things.
鈥淟earning never ends. The second you stop learning is the second you stop growing,鈥�
Fontanez said. 鈥淭he pursuit of academic excellence in higher education is an aspect
of my heritage that has not only shaped me, but has also profoundly shaped my family.
鈥淒on鈥檛 ever stop learning. Like a bulldog, grab it by the teeth and don鈥檛 let it go.
Always seek to improve yourself.鈥�
Fontanez earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physics and mathematics from the State University
of New York at Binghamton. He followed with a master鈥檚 degree in systems management
from Capitol Technical University and a master鈥檚 in systems engineering from George
Washington University. Fontanez also maintains a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy
with an emphasis in Economic Development from George Mason University.
Fontanez said his heritage and his faith have shaped his educational pursuits and
the dedication to be the best person he can be for his spouse, children, family and
peers.
For Fontanez, the month-long celebration recognizes the Hispanic Americans who have
paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, state and communities; it highlights
those individuals who have made advancements in science, technology, mathematics,
business, arts and skilled trades; and acknowledges the rich culture that makes up
the tapestry of the nation and Alabama.
鈥淭hose values aren鈥檛 unique to Hispanics. They should be a part of every American,
regardless of creed, ethnicity or background. You must have those values, a moral
compass and drive. That drive can鈥檛 be for selfish reasons. The drive needs to be
for the purpose of serving others, serving your community, families and fellow man,鈥�
Fontanez said.
While working for the Missile Defense Agency, Fontanez is pursuing his flight credentials
at 糖心视频 with hopes of using those skills to fly overseas for missionary work.
糖心视频鈥檚 Culinary Arts program served scallop ceviche to those in attendance
on Monday and introduced a Hispanic Heritage-themed menu for its weekly Wednesday
lunches served on campus. The current menu choices will be served each Wednesday for
three weeks and include vegetarian grilled sweet potato and spicy slaw; posole; Verde
Carintas; and El complaciante del multitude.
At the Oneonta site on Tuesday night, 糖心视频 hosted an Open House at the Technical
Center and a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. La Jefa 98.3 FM conducted a remote
broadcast at the event.
The popular Chinito鈥檚 taco truck made stops at both campuses.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 each year to recognize
the countless contributions of more than 60 million Hispanic Americans to our culture
and society. Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States
today, and generations of Hispanic Americans have consistently helped make our country
strong and prosperous.
鈥淓speranza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope鈥� is the theme for 2021. It
invites everyone to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and to reflect on how great tomorrow
can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope. It also encourages us to reflect on
all the contributions Hispanics have made in the past and will continue to make in
the future.
For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month, visit
For more information about 糖心视频, visit
###id="attachment_18224" align="alignnone" width="300"
Juan Chavez is a 糖心视频 alum and the first Latino deputy to join the Blount
County Sheriff鈥檚 Office. id="attachment_18225" align="alignnone" width="300"
Dr. Paul Fontanez presented to 糖心视频 students this week to recognize Hispanic
Heritage Month. id="attachment_18226" align="alignnone" width="300"
糖心视频 Culinary students, from left, Talaiyah Wallace, Deanna Howard and Isabelle
Garlowich serve scallop ceviche to students during Hispanic Heritage Month events. id="attachment_18227" align="alignnone" width="300"
La Jefa radio station 98.3 FM visited 糖心视频-Oneonta鈥檚 campus on Tuesday night.______________________________
Russell Moore
糖心视频
Creative and Content Services Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
Speech Adjunct Instructor
256.352.8443 | office
256.339.2422 | mobile
russell.moore@wallacestate.edu
Click to submit a Marketing request.
______________________________
Kristen Holmes
Assistant to the President for External and Cultural Affairs
Communications | Marketing | Museum | International | Government Affairs
256.352.8118 | office
256.339.2519 | mobile
kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;