By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY
Children from Centro Mater's theater program surround Ingenio Teatro's Rocio Alvarez during a performance of "Legends of Discovery," a play which centers on the discovery of America. The local theater company and child care center have been working together for over two years.
Photographer: COURTESY
Madelyn R. Llanes, left, program director of Centro Mater East I and II, poses with veteran teacher Clara Gesni and her husband, Roberto, and the Certificate of Merit she received from the City of Miami upon her upcoming retirement.
MIAMI | Centro Mater East in Little Havana celebrated another successful school year May 31 with a theatrical presentation by its after-school students, members of the center’s own theater program.
“Legends of Discovery,” which centers on the discovery of America, made its world debut earlier this year in Coral Gables with both Centro Mater and Ingenio Teatro students performing for the public.
The local theater company and child care center have been working together for over two years, a collaboration that has brought unique performing experiences to the children served by Centro Mater, including the start of their own theater program.
The performance was open to the public and attended by City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, who allocated $150,000 to Centro Mater in the past year. Archbishop Thomas Wenski was present to give Commissioner Carollo an appreciation award on behalf of Centro Mater.
The event also recognized an exceptional Centro Mater teacher, Clara Gesni, who is about to retire after over 30 years of service to the children and families served by the organization. Gesni received a Certificate of Merit from the City of Miami, presented by Commissioner Carollo.
Centro Mater operates under the auspices ofCatholic Health Services, providing quality early-childhood education and social services to 1,200 children from low-income families through five nationally accredited sites in Miami, Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens.
Photographer: COURTESY
City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo presents a Certificate of Merit to Clara Gesni, a Centro Mater teacher who is about to retire after over 30 years of service to the children and families served by the organization. Looking on, from left, are Madelyn R. Llanes and Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
