Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Michael Massimino, a Franklin Square resident and astronaut for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was a featured guest at Connecticut’s Discovery Museum and Planetarium’s National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Oct. 8. National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

During his visit, Massimino gave a multimedia presentation about his spaceflight missions, participated in a question-and-answer session and signed autographs.

A graduate of the H. Frank Carey High School, Massimino obtained a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Columbia University in 1984, master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and technology and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1988, a Degree of Mechanical Engineer from MIT in 1990, and a Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering from MIT in 1992. He was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1996.

A veteran of two spaceflights (STS-109 and STS-125), Massimino has logged more than 571 hours in space, and more than 30 hours during four space-walks.

The Town of Hempstead board observed National Hispanic Heritage Month during a special ceremony at Hempstead Town Hall on Oct. 4. Six local residents were honored for their contributions to the Hispanic community, their neighborhoods and the town.

This year’s honorees included Dr. Bertha Bravo, a dentist who practices in Hempstead Village, and Jessica Carrasquillo, manager of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Elmont branch.

Born and educated in Ecuador, Bravo graduated from the Universidad de Guayaquil with a degree in dentistry. As a single mother, she immigrated with her son to the United States in 1985 without knowing English, and without the support of an extended family in her new homeland.

Determined to become licensed to practice dentistry in the United States, Bravo learned a new language, overcoming financial difficulties and enduring hardships to achieve her goal. She attended New York University, and received a degree in dentistry in 1991. She later returned to New York University to obtain a diploma in cosmetic dentistry.

Bravo is very active in the Latino community, and recently launched the program “Education in Dental Health,” designed to help individuals better understand the importance of oral health.

Carrasquillo grew up in the Bronx, New York, but migrated to her parent’s native country of Puerto Rico in 1984. There, she attended elementary school through college, graduating from the Instituto de Banca y Comercio de Puerto Rico, in the field of Banking, in 1995.

Carrasquillo later returned to New York, graduating from Nassau Community College with a degree in business administration. She currently attends the CUNY School of Professional Studies, where she is pursuing a degree in business management. With an 11-year tenure with the Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Carrasquillo currently oversees a staff of eight. She also volunteers as an income tax assistant and for the Elmont Cardinals Sports Club, and has helped to promote financial literacy to its participating families.

Carrasquillo was presented last week with the 2011 Town of Hempstead Hispanic Heritage Award.

A Latino Art exhibit, “Ties of Brotherhood,” presented by the IKARUS Gallery Cultural Program, will be on display in the lobby of Hempstead Town Hall until Oct. 14.

The display features original paintings, drawings and photography from numerous local Latino artists. Viewing will be during Town Hall business hours, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays.