Hispanic Heritage Month recently culminated in the Town of Babylon with the 24th annual Hispanic Heritage Month Festival, which for the first time in two years, was able to be held in-person at Tanner Park Senior Center. Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez and Councilmen Terence McSweeney and DuWayne Gregory were all in attendance along with Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature Kevin McCaffrey and Legislator Jason Richberg.
The event, hosted by the Town of Babylon Department of Human Services and Commissioner Traci Fonville and Deputy Commissioner Marcus Duffin, featured a number of cultural performances by local groups and honorees who were recognized for their contributions to their communities. New York State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre was also in attendance.
This year’s Keynote Speaker was Jorge Rosario, a veteran and Senior Assistant Town Attorney in the Town Attorney’s Office. Honorees included Dafny Irizarry, founder of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association and a current teacher in the Central Islip School District, Dominique Ramos, a school psychologist with the New York City Department of Education; Krystal Hernandez-Barnett, Director of Social Studies K-12 for the North Babylon School District; John Franco, a Community Relationship Specialist for an insurance company, and Dorian J. Collymore, an 11-year-old budding artist from Copiague. Dorothy Santana, Founder of Latina Moms of Long Island served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
The event also featured performances by Vocal Point Choral Group, North Babylon high School, Mystina, Nuyorican Singer, Songwriter and Entertainer and DJ Blaz’n.
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