Framingham Youth Council Issues Proclamation on National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month

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FRAMINGHAM – The Framingham Youth Council voted unanimously Sunday night, October 4, on a proclamation supporting National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.

The proclamtion was proposed by Youth Council Chair Isabella Petroni at the Council’s September meeting.

The Youth Council’s Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee reviewed the proclamation at its September meeting and voted unanimously to support it to the full Youth Council to approve in October.

The vote last night was 10-0.

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The proclamation was made to support the Hispanic and Latinx youths in the City of Framingham. The purpose was to recognize the month, and to be allies to the Hispanic and Latino communities in the City of Framingham.

The proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month celebrates the Hispanic and Latino community and highlights its countless achievements; and

WHEREAS, the observation began in 1968 as Hispanics Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson, and was enacted into federal law on August 17, 1988, calling upon all the people of the United States to observe this time with ceremonies, activities, and programs; and 

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WHEREAS, many Latino Americans trace their roots to the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas- including the Arawaks, the Nahua, the Incas, the Maya, and the Tainos, some trace their roots to the Spanish explorers, or to the Africans who were brought as slaves to the New World; and

WHEREAS, September 15 to October 15 is recognized as National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is a time to honor the invaluable ways Hispanics and Latinos contribute to our common goals, celebrate their diverse cultures, and to work towards a stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous society for all; and

WHEREAS, Hispanics have enhanced and shaped our city’s character and

WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latino Americans represent a significant and fast-growing demographic of the City of Framingham, we honor the invaluable ways they contribute to our great city; and

NOW, THEREFORE the Framingham Youth Council proclaims September 15 – October 15, 2020 as National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the City of Framingham and encourages our community to join us in celebrating the great contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our community.

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The Youth Council is comprised of 13 individuals – one from each of Framingham’s nine districts nominated by the district city councilors, two nominated by the City Councilors at large; and two appointed by the Mayor). Members must be between the ages of 13-22, and must reside in Framingham.

The 13-member Youth Council was created by the Framingham City Council in 2019, when then Framingham High senior Petroni wrote an ordinance asking that the legislative branch of the City change the Charter to create a Youth Council. She wanted the youth of the City to have a voice in City government just like the Council on Aging.

The 2020-2021 Youth Council members are:

Chair: Isabella Petroni, District 8 resident and at-large appointee

Vice Chair: Chloe Mills, at-large appointee

District Youth Councilors:

• District 1 Jordan Summerfield
• District 2 Annabel Francis
• District 3 Haley Strange
• District 4 Ashwina Bangari
• District 5 Hamza Rifki
• District 6 Alison Jones
• District 7 Joy Kunda
• District 8 Esther Celoy
• District 9 Gaina Jean Pierre

Mayoral appointees to the Youth Council are Gabryela S.M. Dias and Avi Padyachee

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Editor’s Note: In full transparency, Petroni is my daughter.