The Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Parade and Festival on Sunday June 1, 2025 once again shined a spotlight on the rich heritage and vibrant leadership of the city’s Latino community. Among those honored this year was Ms. Georgina Nieves, Assistant Principal of Sacred Heart High School, who was named Ambassador for Education—a recognition reserved for local leaders making a lasting impact. Click here to view our press release.
Each year, the Yonkers Hispanic Cultural Foundation selects individuals who exemplify leadership, service, and cultural pride. In a letter announcing her selection, Mr. Luis A. Muñiz Jr., President of the Foundation, called Nieves “an inspiration for our community and a beacon of hope for the future of our youth in the City of Yonkers.”
“You really make a difference in the lives of the young people you serve. May God bless you and thank you for all you do,” Muñiz added. “This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your achievements as you continue to inspire our community into the future.”
Nieves, a proud Cuban and Puerto Rican American, said the honor combined her heritage with her vocation. “Being named Ambassador for Education for this year’s Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Parade and Festival was an honor that united two of my greatest sources of pride—my Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage and my career in education,” she said.
As an educator at one of Yonkers’ longstanding Catholic high schools, Nieves has steadfastly advocated for faith-based learning rooted in cultural values. “I hope to bring visibility to the important role Catholic education plays in the Yonkers community,” she said. “Our academic rigor and Christian values are compatible with the values taught in many Hispanic homes. The importance of community, compassion, and unity—principles that are deeply ingrained in Hispanic culture—are central to all we do in Catholic schools.”
Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, praised Nieves for her leadership and example. “Georgina Nieves exemplifies what it means to lead with both faith and cultural pride,” Sr. Mary Grace said. “She brings extraordinary dedication to the students of Sacred Heart High School and to the wider Yonkers community. This honor is a beautiful affirmation of her lifelong commitment to Catholic education and Hispanic heritage.”
Nieves used the occasion to encourage students and families to view education as a lasting legacy. “Knowledge is a powerful tool that cannot be taken or diminished regardless of the challenges we may have to confront on our individual life journeys,” she said. “As a first-generation American on my maternal side, I understand firsthand how education is a path through which we can honor the sacrifices of the selfless grandparents and parents who came before us.”
Sr. Mary Grace added, “It is especially fitting that Georgina was honored at a celebration that uplifts Hispanic identity and legacy. She is a tireless advocate for her students, and her work reflects the deep values of faith, family, and hope for the future.”
The Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Parade and Festival continues to be one of the city’s most anticipated celebrations, highlighting the contributions of the Latino community while preserving its traditions. “Our functions and activities will always emphasize the empowerment of arts, culture, education, and traditions by preserving the cultural,” Muñiz stated on behalf of the Foundation.
Reflecting on the day, Nieves said the highlight for her was seeing young people proudly embrace their heritage. “The day was a great celebration of the strength of the Hispanic/Latino community and the many contributions we have made to build and strengthen the wider community,” she said.
With this recognition, Georgina Nieves joins a proud legacy of local leaders whose dedication continues to shape Yonkers for the better—one student, one family, and one celebration at a time.
Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers, N.Y., offers a four-year, co-educational, college-preparatory education rooted in the Catholic tradition and inspired by Capuchin-Franciscan values. The school empowers students to become compassionate and knowledgeable citizens by providing experiences that foster a love of learning, character development, leadership skills, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Pictured Above: Georgina Nieves, Ambassador for Education at the 2025 Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Parade and Festival, stands with students, faculty, and staff from Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers, N.Y., during the celebration on Sunday, June 1, 2025
