Wallace State celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College will celebrate Hispanic Heritage
Month with events at both the main campus in Hanceville and at the Oneonta campus
centers.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 each year to recognize
the countless contributions of more than 60 million Hispanic Americans to our culture
and society. Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States
today, and generations of Hispanic Americans have consistently helped make our country
strong and prosperous.
“Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope” is the theme for 2021. It
invites everyone to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and to reflect on how great tomorrow
can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope. It also encourages us to reflect on
all the contributions Hispanics have made in the past and will continue to make in
the future.
On Oct. 12, an open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Oneonta Technical Center
located at 728 2nd Ave. SE. La Jefe 98.3 FM will be on location with music and remote broadcasts. Bounces
houses, face painting and Chinito’s taco truck are included in the festivities. Free
tacos will be given to the first 100 visitors. Tours of the Technical Center will
be available. Staff will be on hand from Admissions, Financial Aid, Advising, Dual
Enrollment, Adult Education, Welding, Machine Tool Technology, Mechatronics, Diesel
by Distance and the Center for Career and Workforce Development to discuss opportunities
at Wallace State. The community is invited to attend.
On Oct. 11, Wallace State will welcome Juan Chavez and Dr. Paul J. Fontanez to the
Hanceville campus. Chavez will speak at 11 a.m. and Dr. Fontanez at 1 p.m., both in
the Bailey Center Auditorium. Chef Aaron Nichols and the Culinary Arts program will
offer a chef’s demonstration of authentic scallop ceviche with tortilla crisps in
the Bailey Center lobby. Chinito’s taco truck will also be set up at the main campus
near the Bailey Center from 11am-2 pm. Hispanic music and videos will accompany the
event. The Wallace State Cafe and Culinary Arts Program will also offer Hispanic Heritage
themed fare that week.id="attachment_18186" align="alignright" width="240"
Dr. Paul FontanezA veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Dr. Fontanez of Athens is the Deputy Director
for Architecture Assessment with the Missile Defense Agency, with whom he has served
since 2005.
He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton with a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Physics and Mathematics. He has also holds a Master of Science
in Systems Management with Honors (4.0 GPA) from Capitol Technical University, a Master
of Science in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, a Doctor of Philosophy
in Public Policy with an emphasis in Economic Development from George Mason University
and a Private Helicopter Pilot Certificate from Wallace State College.id="attachment_18183" align="alignleft" width="300"
Deputy Juan Chavez/The Blount CountianJuan Chavez is a deputy with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office and a graduate of
Wallace State, where he earned an associate degree in Engineering Technology before
transferring to Faulkner University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
A 2015 graduate of Oneonta High School, Chavez told The Blount Countian he had thought
about a career in law enforcement for some time but it wasn’t until he found himself
assisting local law enforcement and members of the Latino community as a translator
that things changed. His efforts caught the attention of Blount County District Attorney
Pamela Casey who suggested a career in law enforcement. He became the county’s first
Latino deputy in 2018.
“I believe this is what God wants me to do,” he said.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call 256.352.8000 or 205.625.4020.