Featured

Erika Acosta of Ash Fork Middle School earns 2024 Chicano For La Causa ‘Esperanza’ Latino Teacher Award

Erika Acosta
Ash Fork Middle School
Ash Fork Joint Unified School 
District #31
Ash Fork, AZ

Erika Acosta of Ash Fork Middle School has been named a 2024 ‘Esperanza’ Latino Teacher Award winner by Chicano For La Causa (CPLC).

“(May 6), we honored four outstanding teachers at the 2024 Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards,” CPLC stated on its Facebook page.

Congratulations to our honorees from across Arizona: Erika Acosta, Margaret Gallego, Gabriel Robles, and Lilian Williams

You are not just teachers— you are mentors, role models, and an inspiration to all. Your passion and hard work shapes the future of our community

As we celebrate your well-deserved recognition today, we also celebrate the countless lives you have touched

Gracias to our sponsors: Salt River Project, Cox, Amazon Fire TV, Southwest Airlines, and HUB International“

Image courtesy of Chicano For La Causa (CPLC). Visit https://www.facebook.com/reel/1393353514673484 to see video.

In a bilingual Facebook post on Acosta, “Her students say learning math with her is fun and easy. And they have the test scores to prove it! In a small town, once an iconic stop on Route 66, Ms. Erika Acosta gives her students hope to imagine a better future. Besides teaching math, this beloved teacher also coaches the middle school and high school basketball and volleyball teams! And in her free time, she is always eager to help—be it translating for Spanish-speaking parents, helping them with their taxes, or volunteering at her local church. Thank you for everything you do, Ms. Acosta. Congratulations on winning our 2024 Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards! Thanks also to our sponsors Salt River Project, Cox, Amazon Fire TV, HUB International, Southwest Airlines for helping us give back just a tiny bit of what Ms. Acosta gives us all.

***

Sus estudiantes dicen que aprender matemáticas con ella es fácil y divertido. ¡Y ellos tienen las calificaciones de exámenes para comprobarlo! En un pueblo chico, que una vez fue una parada icónica en la Ruta 66, la Srta. Erika Acosta les da a sus estudiantes esperanza para imaginar un futuro mejor. Además de enseñar matemáticas, esta maestra querida ¡también entrena a los equipos de baloncesto y voleibol de secundaria y preparatoria! Y en su tiempo libre, ella siempra está dispuesta en ayudar—ya sea traduciendo para padres hispanohablantes, ayudándoles con sus impuestos, o siendo voluntaria en su iglesia local. Gracias por todo lo que haces, Srta. Acosta. ¡Felicidades por ganar nuestro Premio Esperanza 2024 a los Maestros Latinos! Gracias también a nuestros patricandores por ayudarnos a devolverle sólo un poquito de lo que la Srta. Acosta nos da a todos nuestros.”

Featured

Flagstaff High School celebrates its 2024 Hispanic Convocation

Proud family members take photos of their youth at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation at Flagstaff High School. Photos by Ruth and Richard Eaton.

FLAGSTAFF — Nearly 80 students were recognized at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation held at Flagstaff High School on May 8, 2024.

The event included the introduction by Principal Libby Miller, the welcoming address by Ruby Sanchez Ramirez and the keynote address by Daniela Tirado Barva.

The Presentation of Students ceremony included Miller, Assistant Principal Frank Alvillar, Assistant Principal Matt Barquin and Athletic Director Jeannine Brandel.

Also see: 

Flagstaff High School Facebook 2024 Hispanic Convocation photos

Daniela Tirado Barva provided the Keynote Address at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation at Flagstaff High School.
Ruby Sanchez Ramirez provided the Welcoming Address at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation at Flagstaff High School.
Students take the stage for a group shot at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation at Flagstaff High School.
Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) Superintendent Michael A. Penca enjoyed the presentations at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation at Flagstaff High School.
Participants get ready to enjoy the reception at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation at Flagstaff High School.
Susan Mendez, left, and former teacher Sarah Cromer enjoy the festivities at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation at Flagstaff High School.

Featured

Bilingual report — NAU conducting survey on stress on Latina mothers. Also seeking Community Advisory Board members

FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University is conducting a survey on stress on Latina mothers.

Complete a 30–40-minute survey and receive a $25 gift card

After completing the survey, you may be selected to join our Community Advisory Board!

Total Compensation up to $350

The community advisory board members will inform the development of a stress and coping program for Latina mothers*
*biological, adoptive, step-moms, non-traditional mothers included

Estimated time commitment to participate in the research study: -30–40-minute online surveys at the start and at the end of the 6 weeks -90-minute meetings once a week for 6 weeks

Day/time to be determined based on availability of participants
You will be paid separately for each part of the study (survey and meetings)

Eligibility:

  1. Self-identify as Latina
  2. Mother of a child of any age
  3. Drank alcohol to cope with stress at least once withinthe last month
  4. Be a resident of Arizona

Contact:

Dr.Tara Bautista, Ph.D.
| Department of Psych Sciences | Tara.Bautista@nau.edu
| Call or Text: 928-220-2522

Event, Featured, News

CHAC, other County Diversity Councils celebrate the holiday season by participating in the 2023 Flagstaff Holiday Parade of Lights

District 2 Supervisor, and chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, Jeronimo Vasquez, top row third from left, gathers with members of the Coconino County Diversity Councils prior to the start of the annual Flagstaff Parade of Lights. Photo courtesy District 2 Director Jennifer Dufresne.

FLAGSTAFF — Despite of chilly evening that started in the low ’30s, throngs of families lined the streets of downtown Flagstaff to watch the annual Flagstaff Holiday Parade of Lights held on Dec. 9, 2023.

Presented by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the Vora Financial Group, the parade featured more than 60 entries, including Coconino County and members from the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), the County’s other Diversity Councils and other supporters.

Banners displayed on the decorated vehicles included those from CHAC, the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council and the African Diaspora Advisory Council.

Please see:

2023 Arizona Daily Sun — Gallery: Parading in the holiday season with the Flagstaff lights parade

See previous Parade of Lights photos:

Please see the 2023 Flagstaff Holiday Parade of Lights photos below. Click for larger image

News

CHAC takes part in 20th annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona

The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) took part in the 20th annual Celebraciones de la Gente held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21, 22, 2023 at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

CHAC and Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez were the among the Premier Sponsors for the event, which was also supported by  the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts and APS.

CHAC members attending the Day of the Dead celebration were CHAC Chair Patty Garcia, CHAC member Sedrick Capp, photo above, and past CHAC Chair Frank X. Moraga, photo below.

CHAC provided an information table with details on the organization and Coconino County.

Celebraciones de la Gente is a partnership between Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona honoring the cultural traditions of the Hispanic/Latino community in Northern Arizona.

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council