Event focuses on Latinos in South
By Ashley Boyd, Tuscalossa News, February 18, 2010
TUSCALOOSA | Latin America will take center stage Friday at the Hotel Capstone during the “Latinas/Latinos in the U.S. South: Immigration, Integration and Identity” conference.
IF YOU GO
What: Latinas and Latinos in the U.S. South, Immigration, Integration and Identity
When: 8:30-5:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Hotel Capstone, 320 Paul W. Bryant Drive
Info: Call 205-348-9764 or 205-348-3782.
Cost: Event is free; Luncheon is $20
The conference, hosted by the University of Alabama, will bring together activists and scholars to look at the lives of Latinas and Latinos in the southern U.S. It is part of a series of national conferences scheduled to address issues affecting the Latino community.
“It's an important conference because it's one of the first interdisciplinary conferences of the study of Latinos in America,” UA professor Michael Innis-Jiminez said.
Innis-Jiminez, a newly hired assistant professor of American Studies specializing in Latino studies, co-organized the conference with Suzanne Oboler, professor of Latin American and Latina/Latino Studies at John Jay College, where she edits “Latino Studies,” an international, peer-reviewed journal.
By presenting research about Latinos and their communities in Alabama and other parts of the South, Innis-Jiminez hopes to help local service providers, advocates and governments find solutions to issues that are new to Alabama.
“These scholars are examining communities that are going through or have gone through the same influx that Alabama is going through right now,” Innis-Jiminez said. “The Latino immigration network is much more established in Georgia and the Carolinas. Alabama is having to play catch up.”
The conference will feature speakers from universities around the U.S., including Rutgers, Emory, California State University-Long Beach, the University of California at Los Angeles, UC Berkeley, Stanford and the University of Texas, and a host of Latino advocacy and education organizations.
Saket Soni, founder of the New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice, will be the keynote speaker. Soni has worked with Latinos and African-Americans from all over the world in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and is experienced in Latino advocacy and legal rights.
Another featured speaker will be Caitlin Sandley, the organizing and education coordinator with the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, which works to improve the quality of life for Latinos in Alabama.
“I think it's a great opportunity to talk about what changes we've seen in our community,” Sandley said. “I'm excited that there will be a panel of people from the field who deal with these issues every day. It's important to know what the situation is.”
Work presented at the conference will be published in a special issue of “Latino Studies” focusing on the South. That issue will be the first of a series of special issues of the journal examining Latinos in U.S. regions.
Innis-Jiminez expects the conference will strengthen UA's support and involvement with the Latino community.
“I think this conference is a new beginning,” he said. “UA is in a great position to facilitate dialogue and programs that will help everyone. My hope is that this conference is the start of a new partnership between the university, community advocates, service providers, local governments and businesses.
“A thriving Latino community is good for everyone in Alabama.”
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Young Hispanics reshaping Chicago
Nuevo Chicago: How young Hispanics are reshaping the region
BY KARA SPAK AND DAVE NEWBART, Chicago Sun-Times, February 19, 2010
The wedding dress. The cake. The church. The props for la hora loca.
Alex Bellorin is planning a Chicago wedding that is part American, part Venezuelan and part Chinese in honor of her groom, Calvin Wong.
Her wedding would be incomplete without la hora loca, the Venezuelan crazy hour, she said.
"For one full hour, they mix all these Venezuelan songs, and people bring out bags of funny glasses, funny hats, noisemakers and horns and just go crazy," she said.
Bellorin, a 25-year-old Spanish teacher at Huntley High School, was born in the United States, the daughter of Venezuelan immigrants. She graduated from Northern Illinois University and lives in Schaumburg.
"I would say I'm Venezuelan, but I was born here, in the U.S.," she said. "I do consider myself American, but the way I was brought up, the culture, I feel a close connection to [Venezuela]."
She's not alone. In high school cafeterias, college dorms, Loop offices and River North nightclubs, a new generation of Latinos is rising, pushing toward success and often seamlessly weaving together elements of their heritage into the mainstream culture.
Overwhelmingly U.S. born, bilingual and optimistic about the future -- though lagging in education levels and facing a stubborn teen pregnancy rate -- Latinos are the largest and youngest minority group in the United States, according to a recently released report.
A minority ethnic group has never before made up such a large share of the youngest Americans. More than two-thirds of this group claim Mexican ancestry, according to the Pew Hispanic Center's report, "Between Two Worlds: How Young Latinos Come of Age in America."
About 7.5 million people between the ages of 16 and 25 -- 18 percent of all young adults in the United States -- are Latino. More than 320,000 young adults in Illinois are Hispanic, the fifth-largest concentration in the country.
The growing number of Latino youth has big implications for the future, experts said.
"By 2050, we project the Hispanic population overall will make up 30 percent of the U.S. population,'' said Mark Lopez, the Pew Hispanic Center's associate director and report co-author. "There is going to be a huge impact, and it's largely driven by U.S.-born Hispanics.''
Indeed, the report notes that two-thirds of young Latinos in the United States are natives. Many are children of immigrants who came to the United States since 1965, considered the third "great wave'' of immigration in the country's history.
"It's our baby boom,'' said Allert Brown-Gort, associate director for Latino Studies at Notre Dame.
Brown-Gort, co-author of an earlier report called "The State of Latino Chicago,'' pointed to the Chicago Public Schools, where more than 40 percent of students are Hispanic.
"When these kids come to maturity it's going to change the game, and we are not sure how,'' Brown-Gort said. "Where are we going to find ourselves when the work force goes from one in eight Latinos to one in four or one in three? If we look at the educational outcomes we have today, it's a little worrisome.''
While the Pew national survey of 1,240 Latinos 16 to 25 years old found the group valued career achievement, hard work and education, Latinos in this age group are less likely to be enrolled in high school or college and more likely to become teen parents than any other demographic.
The education gap is worse for Latino men, a recent study by the American Council on Education found. While Hispanic women and other groups have increased their bachelor's degree attainment rate, the rate for males has remained stable at 10 percent, the lowest of any group.
DePaul sophomore Quintilliano Rios, 20, who emigrated from Mexico City when he was 9, says Latino men are less likely to start or finish college because of family pressure to work and gang activity.
Rios, who graduated with straight A's from Thomas Kelly High School in Brighton Park, said his mom would come home after a long shift in a factory and remind him to stay in school. Now that he is in college, he is often the only Latino man in his classes.
"Guys don't have a lot of education traditionally," he said. "Guys would just start working.''
Coupled with the fact that Hispanic women have the highest rate of teen pregnancy of any group, both males and females end up having trouble staying in school.
"There are many things that have gotten in the way,'' the Pew Hispanic Center's Lopez said. When the center asked why Hispanics left school, "the top reason is they need to support their families. Another reason is they can't afford to go to school.''
A lack of money was why Dalmina Arias, a senior at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville and daughter of Mexican immigrants, said her father was unable to finish college in Mexico. And it's why he now pushes her to do well in high school.
"He tells me to get good grades, and you'll get a scholarship and that means money," Arias, 17, said. "He always tells me the sky is the limit."
But as the first one in her family headed to college, she has spent hours wading through confusing paperwork to get into school and find a way to pay for it.
"I did the [federal financial aid form] by myself, I did the college applications by myself," she said. "It was really hard, and I felt really, really pressured."
Having to go it on their own is all too common, Notre Dame's Brown-Gort said.
"We have an awful lot of kids that are going to college, but they are the first in their families to do so,'' he said. "They don't have any experience in going to college, and a lot of them don't finish.''
Despite the bleak statistics, 89 percent of young Latinos reported in the 2009 National Survey of Latinos recognize an education is necessary to get ahead.
Eberto Mora, who has worked at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville for 13 years, said he has seen a sea change in the attitudes of Latino students, who now make up about 40 percent of the student body at his school.
Mora, an associate principal, said the numbers of Hispanic students continues to increase, but those seeking English as a Second Language classes are declining.
"They are being pushed from home" to succeed academically, he said. "Just because mom and dad didn't do it doesn't mean you can't. We are becoming more of an established community and not just an immigrant community."
At Farragut Career Academy in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, faculty pushed 17-year-old senior Angel Reyes to join Escalera, a program through the Instituto de Progreso Latino to guide young Latinos through the college process.
Reyes credits his family for keeping him on the college track, though they did not go.
"Ever since I was a little kid, they would tell me to go to school," he said.
Living with his grandfather, who is in his 60s and continues to work as a landscaper, is also motivating, he said.
"It makes me want to get ahead and go to college and make life easier for my kids," he said. "If [my grandfather] is still around, I would like to make it easier for him, not make him work."
Latinos who make it through college and into the professional world are finding that their bilingual skills and easy ability to move between two cultures are increasingly sought-after workplace assets. And young Latinos are optimistic that their lot is going to improve: About 95 percent say they are "very'' or "mostly'' satisfied with their lives, while 72 percent expect to be better off financially than their parents.
"We have a lot of opportunities out here, being Mexican and American," said Monica Rodriguez, an 18-year-old American-born senior at Dundee-Crown High School. "We speak Spanish and English. We should try our hardest to finish high school, go to college and become something."
Businesses are taking note of this growing customer base.
"What is going on is an uprising of Latinos," said Vanessa Quintana, 22, a marketing major at Columbia College who has interned for several businesses geared toward Hispanics. "The Latino marketing segment is going to be a huge niche market."
Spanish teacher Bellorin, who has followed in the steps of her professionally successful parents, knows she is helping all of her Huntley High School students get ahead by teaching them Spanish.
"I'm preparing these kids for a more global environment," she said. "It's exposing kids to these different cultures."
BY KARA SPAK AND DAVE NEWBART, Chicago Sun-Times, February 19, 2010
The wedding dress. The cake. The church. The props for la hora loca.
Alex Bellorin is planning a Chicago wedding that is part American, part Venezuelan and part Chinese in honor of her groom, Calvin Wong.
Her wedding would be incomplete without la hora loca, the Venezuelan crazy hour, she said.
"For one full hour, they mix all these Venezuelan songs, and people bring out bags of funny glasses, funny hats, noisemakers and horns and just go crazy," she said.
Bellorin, a 25-year-old Spanish teacher at Huntley High School, was born in the United States, the daughter of Venezuelan immigrants. She graduated from Northern Illinois University and lives in Schaumburg.
"I would say I'm Venezuelan, but I was born here, in the U.S.," she said. "I do consider myself American, but the way I was brought up, the culture, I feel a close connection to [Venezuela]."
She's not alone. In high school cafeterias, college dorms, Loop offices and River North nightclubs, a new generation of Latinos is rising, pushing toward success and often seamlessly weaving together elements of their heritage into the mainstream culture.
Overwhelmingly U.S. born, bilingual and optimistic about the future -- though lagging in education levels and facing a stubborn teen pregnancy rate -- Latinos are the largest and youngest minority group in the United States, according to a recently released report.
A minority ethnic group has never before made up such a large share of the youngest Americans. More than two-thirds of this group claim Mexican ancestry, according to the Pew Hispanic Center's report, "Between Two Worlds: How Young Latinos Come of Age in America."
About 7.5 million people between the ages of 16 and 25 -- 18 percent of all young adults in the United States -- are Latino. More than 320,000 young adults in Illinois are Hispanic, the fifth-largest concentration in the country.
The growing number of Latino youth has big implications for the future, experts said.
"By 2050, we project the Hispanic population overall will make up 30 percent of the U.S. population,'' said Mark Lopez, the Pew Hispanic Center's associate director and report co-author. "There is going to be a huge impact, and it's largely driven by U.S.-born Hispanics.''
Indeed, the report notes that two-thirds of young Latinos in the United States are natives. Many are children of immigrants who came to the United States since 1965, considered the third "great wave'' of immigration in the country's history.
"It's our baby boom,'' said Allert Brown-Gort, associate director for Latino Studies at Notre Dame.
Brown-Gort, co-author of an earlier report called "The State of Latino Chicago,'' pointed to the Chicago Public Schools, where more than 40 percent of students are Hispanic.
"When these kids come to maturity it's going to change the game, and we are not sure how,'' Brown-Gort said. "Where are we going to find ourselves when the work force goes from one in eight Latinos to one in four or one in three? If we look at the educational outcomes we have today, it's a little worrisome.''
While the Pew national survey of 1,240 Latinos 16 to 25 years old found the group valued career achievement, hard work and education, Latinos in this age group are less likely to be enrolled in high school or college and more likely to become teen parents than any other demographic.
The education gap is worse for Latino men, a recent study by the American Council on Education found. While Hispanic women and other groups have increased their bachelor's degree attainment rate, the rate for males has remained stable at 10 percent, the lowest of any group.
DePaul sophomore Quintilliano Rios, 20, who emigrated from Mexico City when he was 9, says Latino men are less likely to start or finish college because of family pressure to work and gang activity.
Rios, who graduated with straight A's from Thomas Kelly High School in Brighton Park, said his mom would come home after a long shift in a factory and remind him to stay in school. Now that he is in college, he is often the only Latino man in his classes.
"Guys don't have a lot of education traditionally," he said. "Guys would just start working.''
Coupled with the fact that Hispanic women have the highest rate of teen pregnancy of any group, both males and females end up having trouble staying in school.
"There are many things that have gotten in the way,'' the Pew Hispanic Center's Lopez said. When the center asked why Hispanics left school, "the top reason is they need to support their families. Another reason is they can't afford to go to school.''
A lack of money was why Dalmina Arias, a senior at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville and daughter of Mexican immigrants, said her father was unable to finish college in Mexico. And it's why he now pushes her to do well in high school.
"He tells me to get good grades, and you'll get a scholarship and that means money," Arias, 17, said. "He always tells me the sky is the limit."
But as the first one in her family headed to college, she has spent hours wading through confusing paperwork to get into school and find a way to pay for it.
"I did the [federal financial aid form] by myself, I did the college applications by myself," she said. "It was really hard, and I felt really, really pressured."
Having to go it on their own is all too common, Notre Dame's Brown-Gort said.
"We have an awful lot of kids that are going to college, but they are the first in their families to do so,'' he said. "They don't have any experience in going to college, and a lot of them don't finish.''
Despite the bleak statistics, 89 percent of young Latinos reported in the 2009 National Survey of Latinos recognize an education is necessary to get ahead.
Eberto Mora, who has worked at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville for 13 years, said he has seen a sea change in the attitudes of Latino students, who now make up about 40 percent of the student body at his school.
Mora, an associate principal, said the numbers of Hispanic students continues to increase, but those seeking English as a Second Language classes are declining.
"They are being pushed from home" to succeed academically, he said. "Just because mom and dad didn't do it doesn't mean you can't. We are becoming more of an established community and not just an immigrant community."
At Farragut Career Academy in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, faculty pushed 17-year-old senior Angel Reyes to join Escalera, a program through the Instituto de Progreso Latino to guide young Latinos through the college process.
Reyes credits his family for keeping him on the college track, though they did not go.
"Ever since I was a little kid, they would tell me to go to school," he said.
Living with his grandfather, who is in his 60s and continues to work as a landscaper, is also motivating, he said.
"It makes me want to get ahead and go to college and make life easier for my kids," he said. "If [my grandfather] is still around, I would like to make it easier for him, not make him work."
Latinos who make it through college and into the professional world are finding that their bilingual skills and easy ability to move between two cultures are increasingly sought-after workplace assets. And young Latinos are optimistic that their lot is going to improve: About 95 percent say they are "very'' or "mostly'' satisfied with their lives, while 72 percent expect to be better off financially than their parents.
"We have a lot of opportunities out here, being Mexican and American," said Monica Rodriguez, an 18-year-old American-born senior at Dundee-Crown High School. "We speak Spanish and English. We should try our hardest to finish high school, go to college and become something."
Businesses are taking note of this growing customer base.
"What is going on is an uprising of Latinos," said Vanessa Quintana, 22, a marketing major at Columbia College who has interned for several businesses geared toward Hispanics. "The Latino marketing segment is going to be a huge niche market."
Spanish teacher Bellorin, who has followed in the steps of her professionally successful parents, knows she is helping all of her Huntley High School students get ahead by teaching them Spanish.
"I'm preparing these kids for a more global environment," she said. "It's exposing kids to these different cultures."
University, Hispanics strengthen ties
Liberty University Strengthens Ties with Hispanic Evangelicals, Adds Online Academy to its Agreement
The Latino Journal, Vol. 3, Issue 5
One year after forging an alliance with the nation’s leading Hispanic evangelical organization, Liberty University has renewed its partnership with the group and added its online curriculum, the Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA), to the agreement.
Lynchburg, VA (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 23, 2010 -- One year after forging an alliance with the nation’s leading Hispanic evangelical organization, Liberty University has renewed its partnership with the group and added its online curriculum, the Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA), to the agreement.
News Image
Our desire is to see Hispanic born-again Christians mobilized on both the vertical and horizontal planes of the cross, preaching salvation and transforming their communities.
The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) is the largest Hispanic Christian organization in America, representing more than 25,000 churches and approximately 16 million Hispanic Christians. As part of the agreement, Liberty works with the group to promote Liberty University Online and now Liberty University Online Academy for 3rd- through 12th-graders among its member base.
Jay Spencer, dean of Liberty University Online Academy, said the partnership “indicates the level of commitment to and the compatibility of our educational programs with NHCLC’s mission and vision.”
Through the development of this partnership, Liberty expects to be the school that Latino-Americans think of when seeking online education from the 3rd grade up.
“Our desire is to see Hispanic born-again Christians mobilized on both the vertical and horizontal planes of the cross, preaching salvation and transforming their communities,” said Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, NHCLC President. “This can only transpire via the platform of top-tier education.”
Rodriguez spoke at a convocation at Liberty in October 2008 and invigorated students with his unshakeable testimony and passion for spiritual revival.
“When our students heard Reverend Rodriguez speak, it was obvious that the NHCLC and Liberty were on the same page,” said Orlando Lobaina, Liberty’s Executive Director of the Study Abroad office. “Our common emphasis on family, faith and higher education make this partnership a natural fit.”
In 2008, after tracking demographic trends, Liberty and the NHCLC both saw a greater demand for higher education among Hispanic evangelicals who, according to the NHCLC, represent the fastest-growing demographic of the Christian church in America and the Western hemisphere.
From the outset, NHCLC chairman Dr. Gilbert Velez called the partnership “historic and prophetic” because it enables Latino children to “study in an environment that resonates with their biblical worldview.”
Dr. Jesse Miranda, Chief Executive of the NHCLC, sees the partnership and the emphasis on education as the primary concern for the Hispanic evangelical community as it fosters next-generation leadership that can holistically live and execute the Gospel.
About Liberty University Online
Established in 1971, Liberty University pioneered distance education in 1985, and is now the largest and fastest-growing Christian university in the world. Today, Liberty University Online hosts more than 45,000 distance learners and has the highest retention and graduation rates among top online universities. Liberty offers more than 40 accredited degree programs, from Associate to Doctoral, and 90 areas of specialization, all taught from a Christian perspective. For more information, visit www.luonline.com, or call (800) 424-9595.
The Latino Journal, Vol. 3, Issue 5
One year after forging an alliance with the nation’s leading Hispanic evangelical organization, Liberty University has renewed its partnership with the group and added its online curriculum, the Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA), to the agreement.
Lynchburg, VA (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 23, 2010 -- One year after forging an alliance with the nation’s leading Hispanic evangelical organization, Liberty University has renewed its partnership with the group and added its online curriculum, the Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA), to the agreement.
News Image
Our desire is to see Hispanic born-again Christians mobilized on both the vertical and horizontal planes of the cross, preaching salvation and transforming their communities.
The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) is the largest Hispanic Christian organization in America, representing more than 25,000 churches and approximately 16 million Hispanic Christians. As part of the agreement, Liberty works with the group to promote Liberty University Online and now Liberty University Online Academy for 3rd- through 12th-graders among its member base.
Jay Spencer, dean of Liberty University Online Academy, said the partnership “indicates the level of commitment to and the compatibility of our educational programs with NHCLC’s mission and vision.”
Through the development of this partnership, Liberty expects to be the school that Latino-Americans think of when seeking online education from the 3rd grade up.
“Our desire is to see Hispanic born-again Christians mobilized on both the vertical and horizontal planes of the cross, preaching salvation and transforming their communities,” said Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, NHCLC President. “This can only transpire via the platform of top-tier education.”
Rodriguez spoke at a convocation at Liberty in October 2008 and invigorated students with his unshakeable testimony and passion for spiritual revival.
“When our students heard Reverend Rodriguez speak, it was obvious that the NHCLC and Liberty were on the same page,” said Orlando Lobaina, Liberty’s Executive Director of the Study Abroad office. “Our common emphasis on family, faith and higher education make this partnership a natural fit.”
In 2008, after tracking demographic trends, Liberty and the NHCLC both saw a greater demand for higher education among Hispanic evangelicals who, according to the NHCLC, represent the fastest-growing demographic of the Christian church in America and the Western hemisphere.
From the outset, NHCLC chairman Dr. Gilbert Velez called the partnership “historic and prophetic” because it enables Latino children to “study in an environment that resonates with their biblical worldview.”
Dr. Jesse Miranda, Chief Executive of the NHCLC, sees the partnership and the emphasis on education as the primary concern for the Hispanic evangelical community as it fosters next-generation leadership that can holistically live and execute the Gospel.
About Liberty University Online
Established in 1971, Liberty University pioneered distance education in 1985, and is now the largest and fastest-growing Christian university in the world. Today, Liberty University Online hosts more than 45,000 distance learners and has the highest retention and graduation rates among top online universities. Liberty offers more than 40 accredited degree programs, from Associate to Doctoral, and 90 areas of specialization, all taught from a Christian perspective. For more information, visit www.luonline.com, or call (800) 424-9595.
Hispanic internet users targeted by telenovela
Univision to Launch Telenovela Web Site
The Latino Journal, Vol. 3, Issue 5
Univision Communications is continuing its push online with the forthcoming rollout of a video web site for telenovela soap-operas - an unmet niche category for Hispanics, which are increasingly moving online for entertainment and news.
"The world has shifted," says Joe Uva, Univision's president and chief executive. "Our audience is consuming more and more content on digital platforms and the go." (via the Wall Street Journal).
The site, which will launch in the spring, will offer episodes of telenovelas both online and through mobile phones, according to Journal. Besides Univision’s content, the site will also offer content from Azteca America, the U.S. network of Mexico's Grupo Salinas, Colombia's RCN Television SA and Dori Media Group Ltd.
Univision will also produce web-only shows for the site.
Building a Presence
Univision has been steadily building a larger presence online. Last year it launched an online ad network designed to help advertisers better connect with US Hispanics.
A wealth of research statistics support the growing presence of digitally savvy Hispanics. The online US Hispanic population reached a record 20.3 million visitors in February 2009, according to comScore, Inc., which noted that the Hispanic online demographic is expanding more than 50% faster than the overall US online population. Hispanics now make up 11% of the total online population.
Another survey, from ARAnet and ORC, noted a similar increased use of online sources for news and information among the college educated, Hispanics and those making more than $100K per year, compared with the general population.
The Latino Journal, Vol. 3, Issue 5
Univision Communications is continuing its push online with the forthcoming rollout of a video web site for telenovela soap-operas - an unmet niche category for Hispanics, which are increasingly moving online for entertainment and news.
"The world has shifted," says Joe Uva, Univision's president and chief executive. "Our audience is consuming more and more content on digital platforms and the go." (via the Wall Street Journal).
The site, which will launch in the spring, will offer episodes of telenovelas both online and through mobile phones, according to Journal. Besides Univision’s content, the site will also offer content from Azteca America, the U.S. network of Mexico's Grupo Salinas, Colombia's RCN Television SA and Dori Media Group Ltd.
Univision will also produce web-only shows for the site.
Building a Presence
Univision has been steadily building a larger presence online. Last year it launched an online ad network designed to help advertisers better connect with US Hispanics.
A wealth of research statistics support the growing presence of digitally savvy Hispanics. The online US Hispanic population reached a record 20.3 million visitors in February 2009, according to comScore, Inc., which noted that the Hispanic online demographic is expanding more than 50% faster than the overall US online population. Hispanics now make up 11% of the total online population.
Another survey, from ARAnet and ORC, noted a similar increased use of online sources for news and information among the college educated, Hispanics and those making more than $100K per year, compared with the general population.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Latino writer/director pushes urban culture
Empire Builder: Hip-hop icon & urban filmmaker Franc. Reyes
By Al Carlos Hernandez, Herald de Paris, February 7, 2010
HOLLYWOOD (Herald de Paris) – Franc Reyes is the writer/director of several motion pictures including The Ministers, Illegal Tender, and Empire. A Puerto Rican born in Spanish Harlem and raised in the South Bronx, Reyes started his career traveling the world as a dancer/choreographer. By the early 1990’s, after becoming an accomplished songwriter, Franc had written three Billboard Magazine top-forty songs for artists on the Columbia and Atlantic/Atco Record Labels. Soon after signing a music publishing deal with E.M.I. Publishing in 1996, and after reading and soaking in the books and works of the greats (i.e.: Martin Scorsese, Sidney Lumet, Francis Ford Coppola), Franc raised the money and wrote, then directed his first short film In The Deep South, a concept currently being developed for television. In 1998 Franc wrote the script for what would become his first feature film. Empire Music was a big part of Franc’s life so he co-wrote four songs for the films Motown Records soundtrack. This included the title track “Welcome To My Empire” sung by Latin superstar La India. After convincing legendary music producer Emilio Estefan Jr. to produce two of his songs and singer Jon Secada to sing one of them, he was able to get Ruben Blades, actor and music legend, to score his film. Shot independently in New York in 2000, Empire went on to become the highest grossing film at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002 leading to Franc signing a deal with Universal Pictures in 2003. More.
By Al Carlos Hernandez, Herald de Paris, February 7, 2010
HOLLYWOOD (Herald de Paris) – Franc Reyes is the writer/director of several motion pictures including The Ministers, Illegal Tender, and Empire. A Puerto Rican born in Spanish Harlem and raised in the South Bronx, Reyes started his career traveling the world as a dancer/choreographer. By the early 1990’s, after becoming an accomplished songwriter, Franc had written three Billboard Magazine top-forty songs for artists on the Columbia and Atlantic/Atco Record Labels. Soon after signing a music publishing deal with E.M.I. Publishing in 1996, and after reading and soaking in the books and works of the greats (i.e.: Martin Scorsese, Sidney Lumet, Francis Ford Coppola), Franc raised the money and wrote, then directed his first short film In The Deep South, a concept currently being developed for television. In 1998 Franc wrote the script for what would become his first feature film. Empire Music was a big part of Franc’s life so he co-wrote four songs for the films Motown Records soundtrack. This included the title track “Welcome To My Empire” sung by Latin superstar La India. After convincing legendary music producer Emilio Estefan Jr. to produce two of his songs and singer Jon Secada to sing one of them, he was able to get Ruben Blades, actor and music legend, to score his film. Shot independently in New York in 2000, Empire went on to become the highest grossing film at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002 leading to Franc signing a deal with Universal Pictures in 2003. More.
All Hispanic basketball league
All-Hispanic basketball league thrives
By Lionel Green, The Sand Mountain Reporter, February 6, 2010
When the Boaz Recreation Center on North King Street is closed on Sundays, members of the Hispanic community are running wide open.
A number of Hispanics play in the Azteca League, a popular all-Hispanic men’s basketball league filling the Boaz gymnasium with players, their families and fans on Sunday afternoons.
The Hispanics have been operating tournaments and leagues since 2007, according to longtime Boaz basketball director Mike Bryan.
Teams played the second round of games in the new season last weekend. The nine-game regular season will culminate with playoffs. After the season, the league breaks for three weeks and starts anew.
This season, 10 teams featuring up to 10 players each are vying for the league championship.
“It’s by far the biggest league we have,” Bryan said. “When they come, it’s a family affair. They stay all day with their whole family.”
Bryan, who officiates league games, said most everyone overcame the cultural differences quickly.
“We set down some ground rules to make sure they knew where we were coming from as far as violence and how to act,” Bryan said. “They’re just like we are. They’d rather play than fight.”
Bryan said the chief issues at the start involved behaviors like spitting on the gym floor and littering.
“It’s going good now,” he said.
Most of the players appear to be in their late teens and 20s, but a few older men play. The Hispanics play fast, going up and down the court as quickly as possible.
Bryan said they play an international style of basketball.
“They just get it and go,” he said. “Everything is real fast-paced. But they’re adjusting and playing more of an American style.”
The league charges $2 admission to games with 60 percent of the proceeds going to the city.
Bryan said the gym is for public use, and the Hispanics are part of the public.
“They’re here and they’re not going anywhere,” he said. “My job is to use this place. I don’t care who it is as long as they act right when they’re here.”
Cirilo Martinez, of Albertville, operates the league now. Bryan said Martinez is the third person to oversee Hispanic basketball leagues and is the best one yet.
Martinez said the Hispanics have a soccer league, but many of them enjoy playing basketball. He said most of them are from Albertville, where they work in the poultry industry.
“We work all week, so today’s the only day we have a chance to relax,” Martinez said while standing outside the gym Sunday. “I see this game like that. Don’t worry about your bills. You leave everything at your house. You come here and play for fun.”
Players play for a little money, too. Team registration fees are divided among the top three teams.
Martinez said he facilitated a major tournament on Sept. 16, Mexican Independence Day, which featured teams from all over the Southeast, and hopes to continue the tradition this year.
The Hispanics are not all Mexicans. Guatemalans, Puerto Ricans, and others with Hispanic and Latino roots are allowed to play in the league.
Martinez expressed a desire to include other ethnicities in the league. He said the league has tried to allow one or two whites or blacks on each team in the past, but this season is all Hispanic.
Martinez said the Hispanic players think “the Americans play more than us,” indicating they think the league is more equally competitive with only Hispanics.
“In the future, I expect to put one or two American players on each team,” Martinez said.
Manuel Jarquin watched the action from the sidelines Sunday and said he plans to join the league.
“It seems very good for the community,” he said. “A lot of young people can come and play. I think they enjoy it. It’s very good for health and gives them something to do.”
By Lionel Green, The Sand Mountain Reporter, February 6, 2010
When the Boaz Recreation Center on North King Street is closed on Sundays, members of the Hispanic community are running wide open.
A number of Hispanics play in the Azteca League, a popular all-Hispanic men’s basketball league filling the Boaz gymnasium with players, their families and fans on Sunday afternoons.
The Hispanics have been operating tournaments and leagues since 2007, according to longtime Boaz basketball director Mike Bryan.
Teams played the second round of games in the new season last weekend. The nine-game regular season will culminate with playoffs. After the season, the league breaks for three weeks and starts anew.
This season, 10 teams featuring up to 10 players each are vying for the league championship.
“It’s by far the biggest league we have,” Bryan said. “When they come, it’s a family affair. They stay all day with their whole family.”
Bryan, who officiates league games, said most everyone overcame the cultural differences quickly.
“We set down some ground rules to make sure they knew where we were coming from as far as violence and how to act,” Bryan said. “They’re just like we are. They’d rather play than fight.”
Bryan said the chief issues at the start involved behaviors like spitting on the gym floor and littering.
“It’s going good now,” he said.
Most of the players appear to be in their late teens and 20s, but a few older men play. The Hispanics play fast, going up and down the court as quickly as possible.
Bryan said they play an international style of basketball.
“They just get it and go,” he said. “Everything is real fast-paced. But they’re adjusting and playing more of an American style.”
The league charges $2 admission to games with 60 percent of the proceeds going to the city.
Bryan said the gym is for public use, and the Hispanics are part of the public.
“They’re here and they’re not going anywhere,” he said. “My job is to use this place. I don’t care who it is as long as they act right when they’re here.”
Cirilo Martinez, of Albertville, operates the league now. Bryan said Martinez is the third person to oversee Hispanic basketball leagues and is the best one yet.
Martinez said the Hispanics have a soccer league, but many of them enjoy playing basketball. He said most of them are from Albertville, where they work in the poultry industry.
“We work all week, so today’s the only day we have a chance to relax,” Martinez said while standing outside the gym Sunday. “I see this game like that. Don’t worry about your bills. You leave everything at your house. You come here and play for fun.”
Players play for a little money, too. Team registration fees are divided among the top three teams.
Martinez said he facilitated a major tournament on Sept. 16, Mexican Independence Day, which featured teams from all over the Southeast, and hopes to continue the tradition this year.
The Hispanics are not all Mexicans. Guatemalans, Puerto Ricans, and others with Hispanic and Latino roots are allowed to play in the league.
Martinez expressed a desire to include other ethnicities in the league. He said the league has tried to allow one or two whites or blacks on each team in the past, but this season is all Hispanic.
Martinez said the Hispanic players think “the Americans play more than us,” indicating they think the league is more equally competitive with only Hispanics.
“In the future, I expect to put one or two American players on each team,” Martinez said.
Manuel Jarquin watched the action from the sidelines Sunday and said he plans to join the league.
“It seems very good for the community,” he said. “A lot of young people can come and play. I think they enjoy it. It’s very good for health and gives them something to do.”
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Piano competition in honor of Latino musician
20th ANNUAL COMPETITION FOR THE CHARLIE PALMIERI MEMORIAL PIANO SCHOLARSHIP
Established by TITO PUENTE
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 3, Issue 3
HARBOR CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, a division of Boys & Girls Harbor, Inc. announces the Twentieth Annual competition for the CHARLIE PALMIERI MEMORIAL PIANO SCHOLARSHIP established by Tito Puente. The competition is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at the Harbor Conservatory located at One East 104th Street in Manhattan. For applications and guidelines and to schedule an audition, call (212) 427-2244 Ext. 557.
Serving as competition jurors are pianists, Sonny Bravo, Pablo Mayor, Gustavo Casenave and Dr. Martin Soderberg, Director of the Conservatory's Classical Music Program.
The Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Scholarship is awarded to intermediate and advanced pianists ages 12-25 for the study of Latin style piano. Applicants must demonstrate their talents in Classical and/or Popular Latin styles. The winner will receive one year's training free of charge at Harbor Conservatory with one of our specialists in the field of Latin piano. The Scholarship in memory of Charlie Palmieri was established by Tito Puente to further the inspirational musicianship of the great pianist. In style, versatility and instrumental virtuosity, bandleader/pianist/arranger Charlie Palmieri had few equals. In addition to recording, arranging and performing he taught music and Puerto Rican history in the CUNY system. The late great Tito Puente, the "King of Latin music", master timbalero, arranger, composer, and bandleader, also cared deeply about education for young students and the need for youngsters to continue and/or begin their musical studies, as well as to reaffirm pride in Hispanic culture.
Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts is proud of its 40 year history of helping young people gain a deeper appreciation of the arts through individual and group instruction, special ensembles, public performances, master classes, and faculty and guest artist recitals. The Harbor's world-renowned Latin Music program is complemented by equally strong Classical Music, Dance and Drama programs. With a curriculum that ranges from Contemporary Salsa and Latin Jazz to traditional Afro-Caribbean folkloric music, and a faculty of "who's who in Latin music" students study a variety of musical forms such as danzon, son, cha cha cha and mambo, as they learn music illustrating different periods and artists in Latin music history.
At the Conservatory students enjoy the unique opportunity to learn while playing classic music made popular by artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco and others. Profiled in People Magazine, New York Times, Daily News and on Channel 13 in the documentary, “Mi Mambo!”; the Conservatory’s Latin Music program has been a recipient of the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund, Celia Cruz Foundation, Johnny Pacheco Scholarship Fund, Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation, and Phish Fan’s Mockingbird Foundation.
For more information regarding Harbor Conservatory and its music, dance and theater programs, please call (212) 427-2244 ext. 573 or visit us on line at www.harborconservatory.org.
Established by TITO PUENTE
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 3, Issue 3
HARBOR CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, a division of Boys & Girls Harbor, Inc. announces the Twentieth Annual competition for the CHARLIE PALMIERI MEMORIAL PIANO SCHOLARSHIP established by Tito Puente. The competition is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at the Harbor Conservatory located at One East 104th Street in Manhattan. For applications and guidelines and to schedule an audition, call (212) 427-2244 Ext. 557.
Serving as competition jurors are pianists, Sonny Bravo, Pablo Mayor, Gustavo Casenave and Dr. Martin Soderberg, Director of the Conservatory's Classical Music Program.
The Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Scholarship is awarded to intermediate and advanced pianists ages 12-25 for the study of Latin style piano. Applicants must demonstrate their talents in Classical and/or Popular Latin styles. The winner will receive one year's training free of charge at Harbor Conservatory with one of our specialists in the field of Latin piano. The Scholarship in memory of Charlie Palmieri was established by Tito Puente to further the inspirational musicianship of the great pianist. In style, versatility and instrumental virtuosity, bandleader/pianist/arranger Charlie Palmieri had few equals. In addition to recording, arranging and performing he taught music and Puerto Rican history in the CUNY system. The late great Tito Puente, the "King of Latin music", master timbalero, arranger, composer, and bandleader, also cared deeply about education for young students and the need for youngsters to continue and/or begin their musical studies, as well as to reaffirm pride in Hispanic culture.
Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts is proud of its 40 year history of helping young people gain a deeper appreciation of the arts through individual and group instruction, special ensembles, public performances, master classes, and faculty and guest artist recitals. The Harbor's world-renowned Latin Music program is complemented by equally strong Classical Music, Dance and Drama programs. With a curriculum that ranges from Contemporary Salsa and Latin Jazz to traditional Afro-Caribbean folkloric music, and a faculty of "who's who in Latin music" students study a variety of musical forms such as danzon, son, cha cha cha and mambo, as they learn music illustrating different periods and artists in Latin music history.
At the Conservatory students enjoy the unique opportunity to learn while playing classic music made popular by artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco and others. Profiled in People Magazine, New York Times, Daily News and on Channel 13 in the documentary, “Mi Mambo!”; the Conservatory’s Latin Music program has been a recipient of the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund, Celia Cruz Foundation, Johnny Pacheco Scholarship Fund, Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation, and Phish Fan’s Mockingbird Foundation.
For more information regarding Harbor Conservatory and its music, dance and theater programs, please call (212) 427-2244 ext. 573 or visit us on line at www.harborconservatory.org.
The NFL and Latinos
The NFL and Latinos
Facts and figures about the NFL and the U.S. Latino market:
L.A. Times, January 10, 2010
The NFL has made inroads with a Latino population that accounts for nearly one in six U.S. residents over the age of 2. However, only a handful of current NFL stars claim Latin heritage, including Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Bears offensive lineman Roberto Garza and Lions guard Manny Ramirez, who are all Mexican American, and San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo, whose parents are Dominican. All were born in the United States. Other facts and figures about the NFL and the U.S. Latino market, provided by the league:
* NFL telecasts averaged 1.1 million Latino viewers during the 2009 regular season, the best numbers since 2003. That accounted for 6.7% of the overall audience.
* In 14 of the 17 regular-season weeks, NFL games were the highest-rated English-language program in U.S. Latino households, tying a record set last season.
* The regular-season finale between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 3 drew a Latino audience of 2.3 million, the largest ever for a regular-season game.
* Last year's Super Bowl between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 7.84 million Latino viewers in the U.S., 2 million more than the 2006 World Cup final drew.
* Fifteen NFL teams have Spanish-language content on their websites and 14 broadcast their games on Spanish-language radio, including the Cardinals and Cowboys, who also beam their games into Mexico. In addition, Univision radio airs 32 games nationally, including the playoffs, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.
* Telemundo, ESPN Deportes and Fox Sports en Espanol all feature programs devoted to the NFL.
- Kevin Baxter
Facts and figures about the NFL and the U.S. Latino market:
L.A. Times, January 10, 2010
The NFL has made inroads with a Latino population that accounts for nearly one in six U.S. residents over the age of 2. However, only a handful of current NFL stars claim Latin heritage, including Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Bears offensive lineman Roberto Garza and Lions guard Manny Ramirez, who are all Mexican American, and San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo, whose parents are Dominican. All were born in the United States. Other facts and figures about the NFL and the U.S. Latino market, provided by the league:
* NFL telecasts averaged 1.1 million Latino viewers during the 2009 regular season, the best numbers since 2003. That accounted for 6.7% of the overall audience.
* In 14 of the 17 regular-season weeks, NFL games were the highest-rated English-language program in U.S. Latino households, tying a record set last season.
* The regular-season finale between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 3 drew a Latino audience of 2.3 million, the largest ever for a regular-season game.
* Last year's Super Bowl between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 7.84 million Latino viewers in the U.S., 2 million more than the 2006 World Cup final drew.
* Fifteen NFL teams have Spanish-language content on their websites and 14 broadcast their games on Spanish-language radio, including the Cardinals and Cowboys, who also beam their games into Mexico. In addition, Univision radio airs 32 games nationally, including the playoffs, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.
* Telemundo, ESPN Deportes and Fox Sports en Espanol all feature programs devoted to the NFL.
- Kevin Baxter
Hispanic student stands as role model
Martinez stands as Hispanic role model
By Andy Marso • amarso@stcloudtimes.com • January 31, 2010
Like many high school wrestling coaches, Melrose's Vaughn Glasener is struggling to keep his numbers up.
Apparently grueling practices and restricted diets aren't all that appealing to the children of the most obese, television-loving nation on Earth. Go figure.
Glasener had 26 wrestlers last year and only one was a senior.
But this year, only half that many showed up.
"We've kind of scratched our heads a little bit," Glasener said. "We had a couple injuries and we had one kid move away, so that's three or four of them.
"But with the others, I don't know. It was kids who had kind of paid their dues (that didn't come back), too."
That being the case, Glasener would like to tap into a new demographic with the help of a role model that's hard to miss.
He's hoping junior heavyweight Donaldo Martinez, the son of Mexican immigrants, can help inspire more of the town's Hispanics to wrestle.
Remember the old "Be like Mike" Gatorade commercials featuring Michael Jordan?
Consider this a "Sea como Donaldo" campaign.
"He's been very positive for our team," Glasener said. "We're trying to get more Latino kids involved in extracurriculars and his family's been really supportive, which is great."
Martinez' parents both work at the Jennie-O plant in Melrose, but do their best to get to his meets. It's been harder this season, as apparently turkey is one sector of the economy untouched by the recession.
"One of the saddest things is that his parents have probably only been able to see him wrestle three or four times this year," Glasener said.
Hispanics made up 12 percent of Melrose's population in the 2000 census — a number that will likely be higher in this year's count. And Martinez seems like the right guy to get them interested in wrestling.
He went 26-12 last year and finished fourth at sections. He started this year 18-2, establishing himself as one of Central Minnesota's best 285-pounders.
He's willing to help recruit, too. He brought in his cousin Diego Hernandez, a 140-pounder who has stuck with the sport for three years even though he acknowledges practices aren't a romp through a field of daisies.
"(I'm) very tired after all the conditioning and live wrestling and everything," Hernandez said. "(Cutting) weight is kind of hard too. I like to eat a lot."
Being a heavyweight, Martinez doesn't have to worry about that nearly as much.
"I can pretty much eat what I want," he said with a grin that suggests he's fully aware of how much that infuriates his teammates.
That being said, Martinez, who also plays football and is a thrower for the track team, admits that conditioning might be his biggest weakness.
He's not a cut, intimidating heavyweight, but that sometimes works to his advantage because opponents tend to underestimate him. All of a sudden, he's on them much quicker than they thought possible.
"He's a little bit more than what you think he is when you first see him," Glasener said. "He has really good feet for a 285-pound kid. You can tell he's played some soccer."
Aside from conditioning, Glasener said he'd like to see Martinez work on his killer instinct. Physically he's like a dancing bear on the mat, but his personality tends more toward teddy bear.
He's shown flashes of no-mercy intensity, though. His propensity for pulling off clinching wins in tight duals without a hint of nerves has earned him the nickname "Iceman" and he pinned one opponent this year in nine seconds.
"Right off the whistle I saw what he looked like and in my mind planned out what I was going to do," Martinez said. "Pretty much just overpowered him."
Perhaps Martinez' sense of urgency is growing as he gets closer to the day when college coaches can start recruiting him.
He would be the first in his immediate family to go to college and said he feels some pressure to make sure it happens. His parents have carved out a good life for him and his brother by working long shifts at the plant, but they don't want that life for him, and he doesn't want it either.
"I want to do something where I only have to work eight hours (a day)," Martinez said.
Specifically, he wants to be a college wrestler, study criminal justice and eventually start a career in law enforcement.
Glasener said all three goals are within reach if Martinez keeps up his studies. He noted that good heavyweights are hard to find and said that Martinez' size, laid-back personality and ethnic background would make him a natural for law enforcement.
"The main security guy over at Wal-Mart in Sauk (Centre), he's already asked me about him," Glasener said. "They'd love to have a guy like Donaldo who's big, strong and bilingual."
Being a law enforcement ambassador to the Hispanic community can wait, though.
Right now he's got his hands full being Melrose wrestling's ambassador.
By Andy Marso • amarso@stcloudtimes.com • January 31, 2010
Like many high school wrestling coaches, Melrose's Vaughn Glasener is struggling to keep his numbers up.
Apparently grueling practices and restricted diets aren't all that appealing to the children of the most obese, television-loving nation on Earth. Go figure.
Glasener had 26 wrestlers last year and only one was a senior.
But this year, only half that many showed up.
"We've kind of scratched our heads a little bit," Glasener said. "We had a couple injuries and we had one kid move away, so that's three or four of them.
"But with the others, I don't know. It was kids who had kind of paid their dues (that didn't come back), too."
That being the case, Glasener would like to tap into a new demographic with the help of a role model that's hard to miss.
He's hoping junior heavyweight Donaldo Martinez, the son of Mexican immigrants, can help inspire more of the town's Hispanics to wrestle.
Remember the old "Be like Mike" Gatorade commercials featuring Michael Jordan?
Consider this a "Sea como Donaldo" campaign.
"He's been very positive for our team," Glasener said. "We're trying to get more Latino kids involved in extracurriculars and his family's been really supportive, which is great."
Martinez' parents both work at the Jennie-O plant in Melrose, but do their best to get to his meets. It's been harder this season, as apparently turkey is one sector of the economy untouched by the recession.
"One of the saddest things is that his parents have probably only been able to see him wrestle three or four times this year," Glasener said.
Hispanics made up 12 percent of Melrose's population in the 2000 census — a number that will likely be higher in this year's count. And Martinez seems like the right guy to get them interested in wrestling.
He went 26-12 last year and finished fourth at sections. He started this year 18-2, establishing himself as one of Central Minnesota's best 285-pounders.
He's willing to help recruit, too. He brought in his cousin Diego Hernandez, a 140-pounder who has stuck with the sport for three years even though he acknowledges practices aren't a romp through a field of daisies.
"(I'm) very tired after all the conditioning and live wrestling and everything," Hernandez said. "(Cutting) weight is kind of hard too. I like to eat a lot."
Being a heavyweight, Martinez doesn't have to worry about that nearly as much.
"I can pretty much eat what I want," he said with a grin that suggests he's fully aware of how much that infuriates his teammates.
That being said, Martinez, who also plays football and is a thrower for the track team, admits that conditioning might be his biggest weakness.
He's not a cut, intimidating heavyweight, but that sometimes works to his advantage because opponents tend to underestimate him. All of a sudden, he's on them much quicker than they thought possible.
"He's a little bit more than what you think he is when you first see him," Glasener said. "He has really good feet for a 285-pound kid. You can tell he's played some soccer."
Aside from conditioning, Glasener said he'd like to see Martinez work on his killer instinct. Physically he's like a dancing bear on the mat, but his personality tends more toward teddy bear.
He's shown flashes of no-mercy intensity, though. His propensity for pulling off clinching wins in tight duals without a hint of nerves has earned him the nickname "Iceman" and he pinned one opponent this year in nine seconds.
"Right off the whistle I saw what he looked like and in my mind planned out what I was going to do," Martinez said. "Pretty much just overpowered him."
Perhaps Martinez' sense of urgency is growing as he gets closer to the day when college coaches can start recruiting him.
He would be the first in his immediate family to go to college and said he feels some pressure to make sure it happens. His parents have carved out a good life for him and his brother by working long shifts at the plant, but they don't want that life for him, and he doesn't want it either.
"I want to do something where I only have to work eight hours (a day)," Martinez said.
Specifically, he wants to be a college wrestler, study criminal justice and eventually start a career in law enforcement.
Glasener said all three goals are within reach if Martinez keeps up his studies. He noted that good heavyweights are hard to find and said that Martinez' size, laid-back personality and ethnic background would make him a natural for law enforcement.
"The main security guy over at Wal-Mart in Sauk (Centre), he's already asked me about him," Glasener said. "They'd love to have a guy like Donaldo who's big, strong and bilingual."
Being a law enforcement ambassador to the Hispanic community can wait, though.
Right now he's got his hands full being Melrose wrestling's ambassador.
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