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Scholarship Committee 2014
Spanish American Club scholarship available to Martin and St. Lucie counties 2014 grads
By Herman Santa
L to R: Melissa Bonet-James, Nancy Rozon, Herman Santa, Fe Vall de Ruten, and Isa Bryson
The Spanish American Club, Inc. (SACI) scholarship is available to graduating seniors who live in Martin and St. Lucie counties. The scholarship is administered by the Spanish American club, Inc. Scholarship Committee.
This year new board of directors are: President — Carlos Bonet, Vice President — Nancy Rozon, Treasurer — Ron Bryson, Secretary — Melissa Bonet-James, Public Relations — Tony Colón, Director — Al Feliciano and Substitute — Fe Vall de Ruten.
The scholarship committee is: Director — Herman Santa; Co-chairs — Nancy Rozon, Fe Vall de Ruten, Melissa Bonet-James and Isa Bryson. The SACI scholarship was established in 1994 for low-income Hispanic students. More than $18,000 has been awarded to local students. Thirty-two high school seniors from Martin and St. Lucie counties have benefited from the scholarships.
The scholarships are awarded based on career interest academic achievement, financial need and other criteria. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA).
Applicants must write a paragraph in Spanish the day of the interview, on why they feel they should be considered for the scholarship. Letters of recommendation are accepted. Two students will be selected ($750 each) after one-on-one interview by the Spanish American Club, Inc. Scholarship Committee.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements for consideration: (1) Martin or St. Lucie county senior. (2) Resident of either county. (3) Copy of the original transcript from the high school and (4) the student must read, write and speak Spanish.
Eligible students should submit the application by Friday, Feb. 28. Applications are available from Martin and St. Lucie counties Guidance Counselors. For more information email Herman Santa at hermansanta@comcast.net or visit http://www.spanishamericanclubinc.org. Please send all correspondence to Spanish American Club, Inc. P.O. Box 9356, Port St. Lucie, FL 34985
Becas del SACI para estudiantes hispanos de Escuela Superior 2014
El Spanish American Club, Inc. aceptará solicitudes hasta el viernes 28 de febrero de este año para dos becas para estudiantes hispanos de las Escuelas Superiores públicas de los condados de Martin y St. Lucie. Las becas de $750 cada una se les otorgará a dos jóvenes de herencia hispana que deseen continuar estudios universitarios en el estado de Florida. Para calificar, el solicitante debe ser de bajos ingresos, completar la solicitud del programa de becas del club, deberá tener un promedio mínimo de 3.0 y debe hablar, escribir y leer español. Las solicitudes están disponibles en la oficina del “Guidance Counselor” en los condados ya mencionados. Para informes contacte al correo electrónico hermansanta@comcast.net. Para más informació visite www.spanishamericanclubinc.org. Por medio de “La Voz”, agradezco al comité de becas, a los directores, socios del club, a los contribuyentes y a todos los que nos ayudaron a recaudar fondos para la beca del club.
Assembly 2014
Spanish American Club announces new directors for 2014
By Herman Santa
On Saturday Jan. 18, the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. (SACI) celebrated their 22nd Annual General Assembly at the Disabled American Veterans Club in Port St. Lucie to elect a new board of directors. The meeting was called to order by the president Carlos Bonet who also was the master of ceremonies. He conducted the general assembly and announced the candidates and other issues to be resolved.
Carlos Bonet was re-elected president along with treasurer Ron Bryson. Other elected officers also were installed: public relations, Tony Colon; director, Al Feliciano; secretary, Melissa Bonet; substitute, Fe Vall de Ruten; and vice president, Nancy Rozon. The business meeting ended with the awards ceremony. Bonet recognized his directors for their service, contribution and dedication to the club with gift certificates. The recipients of such gift certificates were: Al Feliciano, Nancy Rozon, Ron Bryson, Fe Vall de Ruten, and Raquel O’Connor. Other members that were recognized for their service were: Ivan Guanill, Tony Colon, Melissa Bonet, and Virginia Feliciano.
This was followed by the celebration of January’s birthdays. Members present celebrating their birthday were: Xiomara Guanill, Celia Santiago, Nereida Pellot, Felix Asencio, and Ray Matias. The D.J. played “Happy Birthday” for them and every one enjoyed the delicious birthday cake. Door prizes winners were: Yvonne Bonet, Dick Diamond, Melissa Bonet, Celia Santiago, Carlos Bonet, Nancy Rozon and Al Manzanares. D.J. José Ramírez took over the party and did a good job entertaining us until late in the evening.
Many thanks to the previous board of directors who donated the door prizes and those who helped with the decoration, the set -ups and planned the event. The new board extends its thanks to generous members and their guests who bought tickets for the 50/50 drawing and for the door prizes. The Spanish American Club, Inc. is a not-for-profit social organization comprised of members in Martin and St. Lucie who are dedicated to the promotion and preserve the Hispanic heritage on the Treasure Coast.
The next event has been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, to celebrate Valentine’s Day at the same location. If any person is interested in becoming a member of the club, please contact the president of the club, Carlos Bonet, at spanishkroke@aol.com. For more information please visit http://www.spanishamericanclubinc.org.
Nueva Junta Directiva del SACI
Por Herman Santa
Los socios del Spanish American Club, Inc. (SACI) eligieron la junta de directores para el año fiscal 2014. La Asamblea General Annual se celebró el pasado sábado 18 de enero en el Disabled American Veterans Club de Port St. Lucie. La nueva Junta Directiva está compuesta por Carlos Bonet; Presidente, Nancy Rozon; Vice Presidente, Ron Bryson; Tesorero, Melissa Bonet-James; Secretaria, Tony Colon; Relaciones Públicas, Al Feliciano; Vocal y Fe Vall de Ruten; Substituto. Después de la asamblea, los socios celebraron con un coctél y bailaron con el ritmo del D.J. José Ramírez hasta tarde en la noche. La próxima actividad está planeada para el sábado 15 de febrero en el mismo local. Para más información visite: www.spanishamericanclubinc.org.
Photo # 1 L to R: Tony Colón, Melissa Bonet, Carlos Bonet, Fe Vall de Ruten, Nancy Rozon, Ron Bryson and Al Feliciano
Photo # 2: Some members enjoying the celebration after the General Assembly
Photo #3 L to R: Yolanda Foy, Virginia Feliciano, Karen Diamond, Dick Diamond, Quique Alvarado, Stella Paez and unidentified guest
Board 2014
Message from the President 2014
Dear Members and Friends:
In 2013 I did not write a President’s Message because I was unsure of what to say or of the things to come. Now 2014 is here and I can dig into 2013 for a well of information about the Spanish American Club, Inc., its past and future members and the activities my family and I have been fortunate to participate in.
When my family and I arrived in Port St. Lucie in 2006 we were very happy to be in town, but there was something missing. We came from New York City and its cultural and artistic vibrancy. For us, Port St Lucie was lacking in activities and information for members of the Hispanic community. My wife and I were searching for our “Latin Flavor”. We tried various clubs, but none felt right or welcoming. We considered starting a club, but were not ready for the endeavor and the circle of friends we had were very limited. Then Ernesta Monroe invited us to a dance held by the Spanish American Club, Inc. Yes, finally a place where we can enjoy our culture and music in a friendly and familial environment.
Ernesta again invited us to attend another event by The Spanish American Club, Inc. She told us that things had gotten much better and that the Board of Directors at that time had made the necessary changes to improve the events even more.. She was very convincing and I now want to thank her for being adamant in our participation. As we participated on a monthly basis in the following events in 2012 we started becoming a part of the regular scene and feeling more and more welcome at the club.
We really appreciated the welcoming smiles and fun loving people we encountered. Herman Santa, then President and original founding member always had a smile and welcoming words. Little by little members approached us and introduced themselves and made us feel welcome. The music was great, the food abundant and the camaraderie was the icing on the cake. I decided to become a member of the club after participating in three events in 2012.
Some months later the club was in need of candidates for the board and I was approached by Nancy Rozon with the words, “You should run for President”, my response was, “are you crazy” people don’t really know me and I am not sure if I want to do it anyway. Herman Santa then joined the chorus and although I really did not want to do it, I felt a sense of pride that people that did not know me were willing to consider me for leadership of this club. After discussion with my wife and family I relented and accepted the nomination and consequently was elected President for 2013. I can now say that I have no regrets in either joining the club or becoming its President. 2013 showed the potential within people to be great.
My team on the board of directors helped me tremendously. I must remind everyone that it was all team work. Alex James (vice-president), Raquel O’Connor (secretary), Ron Bryson (treasurer), Nancy Rozon (Public Relations),Fe Vallderuten (director) , Al Feliciano (substitute) were the backbone of a very successful 2013 Board of Directors for The Spanish American Club, Inc. Herman Santa (founding member) cannot be left out as he continued to support the board and the club. Also being there to advise me when I needed guidance. They worked hard for the club and my success as your President and I thank them very much for their effort on our behalf.
I also would like to acknowledge the members of our club that are not of Hispanic heritage or ancestry, but nonetheless have participated and been part of the luster of the club. They help show that regardless of your culture, people are people and we all want a good life with people of common interests.
And last but not least I want to thank the general membership for their support and participation in our events throughout 2013. Your continued participation in our dances, the picnic, bowling, dominoes, gambling cruise and golf, shows that no matter your age, you are vibrant and active. Having been re-elected president, I now look forward to an active and participatory 2014.
Thank you for your continued faith in our board of directors.
Carlos A. Bonet – President
Back Row: L to R: Public Relation, Tony Colon; President, Carlos Bonet; Treasurer, Ron Bryson; and Director, Al Feliciano.
Front Row: Secretary, Melissa Bonet-James; Substitute, Fe Vall de Ruten, and Vice President, Nancy Rozon.
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