Union City, NJ, May 31, 2011 -  7th Grade History students at Union Hill Middle School in participated in a Nueva York Hispanic Heritage celebration event which was brought to them by Power to Learn on behalf of the New York Historical Society. Senator Robert Menendez and Joshua Perea of the New-York Historical Society we among the guests for the students' presentation. Before the start of the presentation, students interacted with Mr. Perea who discussed El Museo Del Barrio, a partner of the Historical Society. Cablevision's VP of Education Trent Anderson then opened the program with welcoming remarks from Principal Victoria Dickson, and Cablevision's VP of Government Affairs Adam Falk, introduced special guest Senator Robert Menendez, who himself is an alumnus of their school. Prior to the event, the students viewed the documentary Nueva York, which traces epic post-World War II migrations of Latinos across the country.  Students then gave presentations on the topic of Latino culture, including poetry readings from Cool Salsa by author Gina Valdes and Love Poem for My People by Pedro Petri, as well as artwork created by the students. Mr. Anderson then presented Mario Vargas, Chairman of the Hispanic Directors Association, with a $1,000 donation from Cablevision on behalf of the school to support the work this charity does in the community. A Q&A followed with Senator Menendez.

Video of Event  (03:32 mins)

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Senator Menendez applauded Cablevision's Power to Learn and the New-York Historical Society for the "Nueva York" program, noting, "It's vital that young people today are aware of the positive influence Latinos have had on our city and our country and the vital role they continue to play in helping to shape our nation.  Their contributions can be found in almost every element of our history. Through programs such as these, students can have a much greater appreciation of and pride in their Hispanic heritage."

Principal Dickson added, "I'd like to thank Cablevision and the New-York Historical Society for making this cultural program available to us.  I'm sure every student here today now has a deeper understanding of the key role that Latinos have played through the years in our culture."