SIES 57th Annual Dinner-Dance, (from the left): SIES President Gilbert Medina, Business Representative Benjamin Arana, Local 3 President John E. Marchell, Assistant Business Manager Louie Restrepo, honoree, Local 3 Treasurer and Director of the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund, Michael Yee, co-honoree and President of the Jose Lopez Scholarship Fund, Albert Robles, Dance Chairman Arlo Bodden, Co-chair Diannery Perez and Political Affairs Liaison Humberto Restrepo.
The Santiago Iglesias Educational Society (SIES) hosted their 57th Annual Dinner-Dance on Saturday, October 17th at the Joint Industry Board auditorium. As one of the oldest existing New York State Latino-based labor organizations affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the SIES uses the dinner-dance as a function to showcase the historical role the organization has played within the Latino community and organized labor. Dance Chairman Arlo Bodden opened the presentation part of the program by thanking the members and dance committee for their help setting up the affair. He introduced SIES President Gilbert Medina, who welcomed everyone and recognized the Local 3 officers and affiliated clubs of Local 3 who were in attendance. After his remarks, Gil called on Business Representative Benjamin Arana to present this year’s awards.
This year the organization honored Local 3 Treasurer and Director of the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund Michael Yee with the Jose Lopez Memorial Award in recognition of his years of dedicated service to Local 3. The co-honoree was the President of the Jose Lopez Scholarship Fund, Albert Robles. Both honorees were presented with the traditional Panama hats and Guayabera shirts, both of which have come to symbolize the working man in Latino culture.
With close to 600 in attendance, the night was a tremendous success, filled with the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. Everyone enjoyed a fun night of dancing and dining.
