The Latino/a Education Association at San Jose City College hosted a celebratory event in honor of Carmen Castellano, whose name appears at the top of the new Fine Arts Center on campus, for her continued dedication to the community at the Mexican Heritage Plaza on Oct. 26.

“Most of the campus community knows that we had a beautiful opening ceremony for the new art building in September, but L.E.A. wanted to do a more intimate celebration for her,” Interim Dean of Humanities & Social Science Division Jesus Covarrubias said. “This is just one of the ways that the Latino community is saying thank you.”

Carmen Castellano has worked closely with L.E.A. since she assisted in the restructuring of the association, which was initially created to be a firm voice for teachers, faculty and students against equality issues in the community.

“I have known Carmen for more than forty years, and we formed this group together with many other others to protect all of us as Latino teachers,” Luis Gutierrez, a co-founder of the Latino Education Association and retired SJCC art teacher said.

Eleven years since she and her husband, Alcario, collected a $141 million California state lottery jackpot, Carmen Castellano continues to advocate for students and teachers even though she is now retired.

It was that large deposit that has aided Castellano in offering several scholarships every year to students and donating an undisclosed amount to finance the construction of the new building.

“It gives me a sense of pride for the Latino community that there has been Latino recognition for the arts,” Castellano said. “I am really pleased that San Jose as a city has finally decided to honor Latinas by making me the first Latina to have her name on a building.”

A small group of students, teachers and faculty stood up to voice heartfelt experiences and gratitude toward Castellano.

SJCC History Professor David Yancey summed up Castellano’s character by reiterating First Lady Michelle Obama’s words. “The money didn’t change them; it revealed the quality of people they are,” Yancey said.

Following the speeches, the event ended with an encore performance by Mariachi Cobre de San Jose and another round of buffet that offered freshly made carne asada tacos.

Aside from her dedication and contributions to L.E.A. and the SJCC Art Department, Castellano has also offered several academic scholarships for students at SJCC and recommends all students to apply for all scholarships they are eligible for.

“This is really a tribute to L.E.A. and the support we give each other as we continue to be the voice for Latinos,” Castellano said.