DAMA’s Annual Dinner 2013

On October 18, 2013 DAMA held its Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony, which brought together many Dominicans and friends from Chicago and other States to celebrate its accomplishments and to carry on the mission of empowering Dominicans in all facets of life. To do so, DAMA presented to Lizbeth Núñez, a brilliant student of medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with the Dr. Ramón García Educational Award. She was chosen by a panel of three independent judges –consisting of Profs.

María de Moya, of Depaul University, Kara Morgan-Short and Kim Potowski of the University of Illinois-Chicago– because of her stellar performance in school, professionalism, and commitment to community service. DAMA acknowledged Dr. García’s continuous support, represented by Dr. Jesús Mancilla who described Dr. García’s desires to recognize and reward outstanding Dominican students.

DAMA was also deeply honored to recognize two outstanding individuals; thus, the Honorable Aníbal de Castro, Dominican Republic’s Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Washington received the DAMA Excellence Award for his distinguished career in journalism, writing accomplishments, and sustained public service as Ambassador to the United Kingdom and to the United States. He was welcomed by Dr. Gisselle Castillo, Consul General of the Dominican Republic. The Honorable Ariel Reboyras, Alderman for the 30th ward in the Chicago City Council, also received the DAMA Excellence Award.

Of Puerto Rican descent, Alderman Reboyras has been and is a genuine friend of Chicago’s Dominican community, who always promotes its culture and speaks on its behalf at the City Council. Both awardees and DAMA were recognized with resolutions sent by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and read by her representative Nettie Lasko-León.

Other important visitors joined in congratulating the awardees, among them Luis Arroyo State Representative for the 3rd District, Luisa Echevarría, Director of Community Relations Univision-Chicago, and Patricia Pérez, Director of the Dominican Republic Tourism Office in Chicago. Paula Gómez, a two-time Emmy Award Winner and nine times nominated for the same award for her work as news anchor/reporter and host, was the Emcee for the evening. DAMA thanks all the participants for helping us in recognizing the very best of the Dominican community in Chicago. Your presence at this event is a testament to that support.