Nazareth College Hosts 12th Annual ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally
Nazareth College is pleased to host Latinas Unidas' 12th annual ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally, an event that historically draws as many as 200 girls ages 7 to 18 from the Greater Rochester area. City of Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and Councilwoman Jackie Ortiz are scheduled to attend the event. The theme for 2014 is: The Power of You: Excellence in the Making. This theme will be reflected in the workshops with a focus on self-identity, empowerment and self-expression through art. The ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally, will take place Saturday, April 19, 2014 from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Otto A. Shults Community Center at Nazareth College. This event is free, but requires registration at http://latinasunidas.org/susl. Nazareth College is located at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14618.
Nazareth College alumna Yolanda Benitez '84 has been announced to be the 2014 Madrina of the annual Latinas Unidas ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally. As the event Madrina (Spanish for godmother), Yolanda will get to address the participating girls, cheer and encourage them to enjoy the wonderful day full of activities prepared for them. The Madrina for the ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally is selected following a set of criteria with the objective to present the girls with an outstanding role model. Benitez holds a bachelor's in business administration from Nazareth College and as a Nazareth alumna, Latinas Unidas believes that she will be a great example for the girls visiting campus and learning more about college life.
For 2014, Latinas Unidas is looking forward to establishing new and strong relationships with the local colleges and universities in the Rochester area in order to expose young girls to college life. That is why this exciting new partnership with Nazareth College is so valuable and will be an amazing experience for everyone that attends. “The vibrancy and success of our young Latinas is important to the overall health of our community. In partnership with Nazareth College, the ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally will help to empower our future leaders and professionals by investing in them today. The Rally is a facilitator of excellence in the making,” said Joann Santos, Latinas Unidas Chair.
A key component of this event is the opportunity given to parents as well. The parent’s workshop will be called "Primero Tu" (You First). The dual focus for this theme is 1) to encourage mothers/caregivers to focus on their health and wellness first in order to 2) build the esteem of their children. The parent’s workshop will touch health issues that affect the Latino community as well as ways to combat them. The main objective here is the concept of having mothers/caregivers in a good mental, emotional and physical state, so they are able to help build the esteem in our girls which in turn leads to better choices.
Breakfast and lunch will be served, door prizes will be available, and girls will be eligible to win a Quinceañera gown and enjoy some Zumba demonstrations. The rally also includes a tour of the College and a Community Fair where local agencies and businesses are represented to provide helpful information. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information about the event and registration, contact Latinas Unidas at (585) 204-7142 or visit the rally site at http://latinasunidas.org/susl.
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
