Mayor, Council Honor High-Achieving Hispanic Residents

From an eighth-grader to a retired police officer and from a National Guardsman to an ER technician, Gloucester Township leaders paused Monday to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing nine high-achieving and active Hispanic residents.

The hour-and-a-half celebration came prior to the Township Council getting down to the business on its agenda for Monday night.

Recognized were retired Gloucester Township Police officer Genaro "Gene" Martinez, Timber Creek Regional High School senior Jorge Gonzalez, Highland Regional High School junior Eddie Olmo, 2004 Triton Regional High School graduate, New Jersey Air National Guardsman and Blenheim Fire Co. Sgt. Emanuel Pagan, Highland High sophomore Andrea Silva, Highland High sophomore Meah Jones, C. W. Lewis Middle School student Alejandro Perez, St. Jude's Knights of Columbus leader John Tirado, and youth sports coach John Ortiz.

"I am so very proud to be mayor of Gloucester Township. I'm so proud because of individuals who are standing right next to me," Mayor David Mayer said at the conclusion of the ceremony. "These are individuals you heard about this evening who give back to our community. That makes our community a very special place to live and to grow up."

Ortiz, a North Philadelphia native and ER technician at Albert Einsten Medical Center, told the audience he would live no where else but Gloucester Township.

"It's a blessing living in Gloucester Township,"  said Ortiz. "I've never felt part of something like here. Coming from North Philly ... maybe most of you might not know—very, very, very rough to get out of there, very hard. I'm one of the fortunate. I love living in Gloucester Township. It's a beautiful place. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

Ortiz is active with Timber Birch Athletic Association, Blackwood Kiwanis Little Leauge and Gloucester Township Stallions Football.

A bit about each of the other eight honorees follows:

• Genaro "Gene" Martinez is a lifelong township resident and a retired Gloucester Township Police detective, having served 25 years on the force. He has also served the Blackwood Fire Co., and is considered a life member. Martinez has owned and operated Blackwood based All-Green Turf Management Co. for 20 years now.
• Jorge Gonzalez has done well academically and outside the classroom during his time at Timber Creek. The owner of a 4.1739 grade-point average, placing him in the top 10 percent of his class, Gonzalez is also active with several extra-curricular clubs, including the school's swimming team.
• Eddie Olmo has also done well in the classroom, carrying a 3.566 GPA at Highland, where he is also a member of the school's tennis and soccer teams. He has had roles in the last two school musicals—Seussical and Into the Woods—and was sophomore class president for the 2010-11 school year.
• Emanuel Pagan is a 2004 Triton graduate who serves as sergeant of the Blenheim Fire Co. He is also a member of the New Jersey Air National Guard, where he has attained the rank of staff sergeant. Pagan's father, Enrique, was a 2010 honoree.
• Andrea Silva is a sophomore at Highland. She challenges herself with a mostly honors-level curriculum and is a member of the school's Renaissance Club and Spanish Club.
• Meah Jones is also a sophomore at Highland. She was described by guidance counselor Tiffany Strauss, who nominated Jones for the honor, as "an exceptional young lady that makes a difference in other people's lives." Jones plans to volunteer time this year at a local animal shelter.
• Alejandro Perez is an eighth-grade student at Charles W. Lewis Middle School. He and his father moved to New Jersey from Acapulco, Mexico, in the middle of his fifth-grade year. Perez could not speak one word of English when he moved to the United States, but "it did not take long for Alejandro to learn English and become a great student," according to C.W. Lewis English teacher Rose Bal, who nominated Perez.
• John Tirado was Grand Knight of the St. Jude's chapter of Knights of Columbus. During his time as Grand Knight, Tirado, a lifelong township resident, joined with then-Lt. W. Harry Earle, who is now police chief, and the Police Department's D.A.R.E. officers to organize an anti-drug-and-alcohol poster contest—the award money for which was funded by Knights of Columbus.

The Hispanic Heritage Month Committee selection committee was Willie Fontanez, Josie Washington and Carlos Castro.