Celebrating Local Latinos
Join us as we celebrate our people that are right here at home, contributing to our community and making us proud with their accomplishments!
Violeta Yaz
We’ll start by honoring our very own Violeta Yaz! She is currently the bilingual meteorologist for the @telemundo62 team based in Philadelphia, And is a two time Emmy Award winner!!! She proudly grew up in our city and graduated GHS in 2003. Earlier this month she came back to town to visit our Boys and Girls club kids to read “The Meteorologist in Me” which she translated into Spanish. She has been a pride of our city for many years. THANKS VIOLETA FOR MAKING US SO PROUD!!!!
Jessica Archeval
Jessica Archeval was born in Jersey City to Puerto Rican parents, second youngest of six siblings, one being her biggest role model and an esteemed Hispanic Aliance of Garfield honoree, Alejandrina Banch more affectionately known as SUGAR. Jessica attended Garfield public school from 2nd grade till 8th grade then went on to further her academics at ICHS. After graduating she went on to be the first in her family to obtain a full academic scholarship and become an alumna of the #1 nationally ranked New York School Interior design with a BFA in Interior architecture and design. After graduating Jessica landed an interior design position at the #1 NJ Architecture & Design firm, top 100 in the country. Jessica ultimately resigned as Design Project Manager to go on and start her own business JLA Interiors, built on an impeccable foundation with 10 years of experience, her goal is to continuously provide her clientele with turn-key boutique design services. Specializing in high end residential and commercial interiors, Jessica has independently built JLA as a lifestyle brand bringing her energy and passion into all of her designs. Aside from running her business, Jessica truly enjoys being the role model she wishes she had in the industry to help guide and support during uncharted territory. She helps aspiring interior designers, actively mentors and employs designers from all over the country hoping to make a positive impact in their careers. A dominant female empowerment advocate Jessica is always networking with like-minded businesswomen and sharing her knowledge key speaking for multiple business events and panels. She has given back to our community by volunteering at the Boys and Girls club and most recently donating design services to the Garfield Boys & Girls Club for their renovations to the reception, art room and stem room. Characterizing herself as a true Garfield boilermaker and proud Puerto Rican, Jessica has integrated her roots and community into every step of her life. She truly is a powerful Latina! Thank you Jessica for making our community so proud!
Michael “Mike” Garcia
Did you know Hispanics have been contributing to our city for decades!!! As is the case with our beloved Michael “Mike” Garcia. Mike was born in Garfield in 1952. His father immigrated from Spain in the 1940’s chasing the American Dream. Mike graduated Garfield High School in 1970 and would go on to marry his high school sweetheart Debbie in 1972. They have 4 children, Michael Jr, Eric, Jason, Ashley, and 6 grandchildren. The Garcia family was raised in Garfield in the same home they reside in till this day. In the early 80’s Mike began his contributions and volunteerism for our city. He began running the ‘mother’s club’ for the Garfield Little League in 1982 and then as boys athletic director for the Garfield Junior Boilermakers. Mike became the third director of the Garfield Junior Boilermakers. During Mike’s tenure, the Garfield Jr. Boilermakers became the largest volunteer organization in the city’s history. The youth football program had over 400 children, coaches and volunteers which Mike treated as “one big family.” In 1992, Mike became Chairman of the City of Garfield’s 75th Anniversary committee. He led a successful citywide campaign which resulted in a year-long celebration highlighted by bringing the circus back to Garfield and a visit from President George H.W. Bush. His outstanding year culminated in numerous awards including Man of the Year (YMCA), Outstanding Volunteer of the Year (Bergen County Executive), Community Service Leader Citation (US Senate) and Community Leadership Award (Garfield City Council) just to name a few. Mike has served as a member of the Garfield Recreation Committee, president of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the City of Garfield Recreation Committee and a former liaison of the Garfield High School PTSA. In 2017 Mike became co-chairman once again for the City of Garfield’s 100th Centennial, who helped organize dozens of successful events including a parade, fireworks, a street fair and a carnival. Currently Mike serves on the planning board and the Garfield Events planning committee. THANK YOU MIKE FOR MAKING US SO PROUD AND PAVING THE WAY FOR HISPANICS IN GARFIELD!!!!!
Fiorella Consuelo Zapata
Fiorella Consuelo Zapata was born in Lima, Peru where she grew up with her sister till the age of…. She immigrated to the United States in 1998. She eventually settled in North Bergen graduating High School in 2010. Fiorella graduated with a 4.1 average and was an honors student. She was accepted to Rutgers University and received several grants and scholarships. She went on to recieve her Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting and Spanish. She then went on to work as an accountant for Liberty helicopters in Newark, which is the largest sightseeing company in New Jersey. Quickly after college Fiorella realized she had a calling for physical fitness and competition. After years of dedication to her health and body she went on to compete in the National Physique Committee (NPC), one of the largest bodybuilding organization in the United States, as a bikini athlete. She competed from 2011 to 2018 where she placed several times including 4th in 2018 Novice division and Open division. In 2017 NPC Bodybuilding 1st place Novice division winner and 4th place Open division. Due to her several notable placings Fiorella has been qualified to compete at national level, a dream she will carry out in the very near future. She has been a Beast Sports Nutrition Ambassador from 2017-2019 and held demos and events for the company during all the local body building expo. For as much as Fiorella had accomplished she admitted to us she felt as if she could give more to her community. In 2016 she moved to Garfield and went on to take the Civil Service Police exam. She was hired in 2019 and was part of the academy class with 2 other women contributing to the increase of females on the Garfield Police force by 100%. She is proudly the third Latina Police Officer in the history of Garfield. When she’s not working for the city she shows her love for animals as a dedicated volunteer for the Associated Humane services in Newark of which she has been a dedicated volunteer for years. Thank you Fiorella for making us so proud.
Marlene Martinez
Police Officer Marlene Martinez was born in the Bronx, New York. She was born to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents. She is the oldest of 3 women. They moved to New Jersey in 1994 and attended Media High School in West New York graduating in 2005. Marlene credits an experience with a Hispanic Army National Guard recruiter as one that in her words, “undoubtedly changed my life”. 3 years post 9/11 and despite her mother reservations, Marlene’s desire to be part of the greatest military in the world surpassed those hesitations and at the age of 17 enlisted in the Army Nation Guard. She completed 6 months of bootcamp and advanced training school. In 2008 she became a mother to her beautiful son Josiah. When Josiah was 5 months old Marlene was notified that her unit was being activated and she would be deploying to Iraq, an experience she describes as heartwrenching. Faced with the reality that she would be leaving her 5 month baby and missing out on the rest of his first year of life she did what any POWERFUL WOMAN would do. She took a deep breath and remained committed to her country and went off to fight for our freedom. She returned safely after one year of deployment and went on to college to obtain her degree in radiology technology. She moved to Garfield in 2015 and took the civil service exam in the hopes continuing a life of service. In 2019 she was hired as a Garfield Police officer and was 1 of three women which led to increase the amount of women in the department by 100%. Marlene is the recipient of the Iraqi campaign medal and the army achievement medal. She is also a recipient of a PBA defribulation award after only being on the road a few short months. Congrats on all your achievements P.O. Marlene Martinez!!
Laura Alvarez
Let us introduce you to Laura Alvarez. Laura was born and raised in the Bronx until the age of 26. She was raised by her mother and grandmother. She is the proud mother of five amazing children Christian, Bryan, AJ , Efrain III and Sofia and is the wife of Efrain Velazquez. Laura moved to Garfield with her 3 eldest children in 2009. Though she was new to the community and did not have anyone here to help her she did research and learned that she had time to enroll her two eldest boys for football. Laura was new to the world of sports and after working full-time she still managed to have her sons at practice and games while sitting on the sidelines with her then three year old son. She decided that while her sons practiced and played she would volunteer her time around the field. After football came wrestling, basketball and baseball. Laura enjoys volunteering her spare time around her children’s sports and helping around in a town where she found acceptance and community. Laura is very involved not only around the city’s sports but also with school events and many other community activities. She is currently employed by the Garfield Board of Education as a substitute and is also employed by the Boys and Girls Club of Garfield as a Program Director. She has her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice and a concentration in Social Services from William Paterson University. GRACIAS LAURA!!!
Mayelin De La Cruz
Let us introduce you to Mayelin De La Cruz. She was born in the Dominican Republic. She moved to the U.S.A. in 2003. Mayelin has a dual Bachelor of Arts of Anthropology and Philosophy. She specializes in biomedical ethics and has a Master of Science in Bioethics from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Mayelin is an alumni of the Sherwin B. Nuland Summer Institute in Bioethics at Yale University. She currently works as a business development manager at Emerest Health of New Jersey. This past fashion week, she modeled for Hope Latino Fashion Week, a platform created to showcase and bring together Hispanic talents and designers from all nations. Not only is she a proud resident of Garfield but she gives back to her community by collaborating and bringing her heart and passion as a member of the Hispanic Alliance of Garfield. GRACIAS MAYELIN!
Detective Francisco Sanchez
We at the Alliance know the importance of our first responders and what better way to show our pride and gratitude for their service than to honor and acknowledge the very FIRST latino police officer in the history of the city of Garfield. Detective Fransisco Sanchez was hired 24 years ago and currently serves as a student resource officer in the schools. In 2016 he saved the life of a 5 year old choking boy which earned him the departments life saving award and local news notoriety. Thank you for your service Detective Sanchez!
Andrea “Dre” Espinosa
We also honor the very beloved Andrea Espinosa . She has been the physical education teacher for Garfield High school for 10 years. She has worked alongside numerous organizations including volunteering her time to the Alliance and we could not be more proud to honor her.
Luis “Papo” Cornier
And last but not least… we are particularly honored to be able to recognize our beloved Luis “PAPO” Cornier. Though he left us way too soon, he has impacted so many that till this day (years after his passing) there are still kids who write his name on their wrestling shoes. There was no platform in his prime to honor a Latino man such as himself, but we are here now and we will not let your memory be forgotten. Nor will we forget to honor a man so deserving for his selfless service to our city.
