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SALT LAKE CITY — Prominent members of Utah's Hispanic community were recognized Tuesday for their ongoing service.
The Salt Lake County Council is the latest entity to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, following the state and Salt Lake City. Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 has been full of celebrations across the state, as Utahns recognize Latinos, which make up 1.5% of the state's total population.
"We have some very important and prominent members of the Hispanic community in our midst tonight that we're just thrilled to honor," Councilman Dave Alvord said.
Those recognized made contributions ranging from religious service and civic engagement, to interpreting for fellow community members.
Noelia Voigt
Noelia Voigt, who was recently crowned Miss USA, is the first Venezuelan-American to hold the title and that of Miss USA and Miss Utah USA. In addition to repping both Utah and her Venezuelan roots on the national stage, Voigt is also a published children's book author, interior design student and advocate against dating violence.
"Noelia embodies the essence of the transformational leader and is a force for good," Alvord said.
Silvia Araoz
Silvia Araoz is a Peruvian immigrant who has dedicated herself to serving the immigrant community, including preparing individuals for naturalization tests and connecting them with adult education programs.
"She's usually called upon for Spanish interpretation and plays many more roles, such as raising funds to support Hispanic community members, connecting them with job opportunities, teaching them basic skills and more," said Joseph Genda, the county's new American and refugee liaison.
Mayra Sanchez
Mayra Sanchez is the founder of Comunidad Materna en Utah, which helps expectant Hispanic families through educational workshops, individual mentoring and doula services.
"She goes in and out, doing the best she can to help connect them with resources that they might need during pregnancy as well as after," Genda said.
Claudia Gonzalez
Claudia Gonzalez has been a pioneer in advocating for health care needs for women and the Hispanic community. Her work has stretched across multiple nonprofits, including Alliance Community Services.
"When people need care or people need help, they know that they can go to Claudia and she will find a resource," Councilwoman Ann Granato said. "They said she was an unsung hero, but I don't even know how that is possible because she does so many wonderful things for people."
Frank Bedolla
Frank Bedolla has spent over 15 years advocating for Latino youth, including working with the county's youth services and founding Fathers and Families Coalition of Utah, a nonprofit helping underserved youth and families through programs that offer mentoring and job development skills training.
"Growing up, Frank struggled. He dropped out of school in the 10th grade and worked as a dishwasher," Councilwoman Suzanne Harrison said. "He was transformed in his life through the Job Corps training program. ... It inspired him to give back and focus on prevention to help our youth and the communities that they live in thrive."
Jennifer Tarazon
Jennifer Tarazon is the first Latina to serve as a commissioner for the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.
"She's been instrumental in the state agency, working more closely with the Latino small business community, and she has spent many hours in the community and nonprofits ensuring the agency's processes are not only transparent but also culturally competent," Councilwoman Laurie Stringham said.
Gloria Vindas
Gloria Vindas is a California transplant who has worked with New Leaders for America and the Salt Lake County Republican Party to increase civic participation among the Hispanic community. She has also advocated against masking and critical race theory in schools.
"Gloria Vindas is passionate about defending the principles of liberty because she lived through government's destruction of her and her family's rights in another state. Utah now benefits from her tireless efforts to restore the constitutional limits, divisions and balance of government power to secure our rights," Councilman Sheldon Stewart said.
Pastor Manuel Romero
Pastor Manuel Romero served in Midvale and surrounding areas for over two decades. His ministry focuses on new Americans, who he helps adjust to life in a country and pursue educational opportunities.
"He frequently visits these families with his son, Eric, to help them with immigration, workforce and nutrition needs. His ministry also focuses on providing food, clothing and school supplies to new families settling in the county," Alvord said. "To Manuel, every action — no matter how big or small — can make an impact in these families' lives."
Luz Gamarra
Luz Gamarra has pioneered mentoring programs for immigrants and students in Salt Lake County, including the County Council's ESL and peer-mentoring programs. Her work is reflective of the role of ESL classes in her own life after immigrating to Utah from Peru. She started from scratch after working as a prosecutor in Peru, but eventually took ESL classes and earned multiple degrees from Utah colleges and universities. She now serves as the council's lead academic adviser for humanities and ESL students, and is working on a doctorate degree.
"Luz has demonstrated a visionary leadership," Councilman Jim Bradley said. "She believes everyone can start a chain of success."
Miriam Padilla Vargas
Miriam Padilla Vargas is the co-director and co-founder of Bomba Marile, Utah's first and only Puerto Rican bomba group. Padilla has used the group's platform as a tool to educate Utahns about the traditional music and dance style, to create a slice of home for Puerto Ricans in the Beehive State and to fundraise for Puerto Ricans during natural disasters. The group routinely performs at festivals throughout the state and holds free community workshops.
"(She) has also spent numerous hours working with at-risk youth in middle and high school throughout Salt Lake County, helping them better understand their identity and culture and how they can find hope in their ancestral arts and traditions," Councilwoman Dea Theodore said.
Correction: A previous version incorrectly stated Voigt had been crowned Miss America instead of Miss USA.
