Salsa is plentiful, as is encouragement

Following encouragement from local and national Hispanic leaders Friday night at the second annual Salsas Dinner Gala, 16-year-old Karla Llamas plans to get more involved in her community and continue pursuing her dream to become a pediatric nurse.

The Carson High School senior was one of 200 guests at the dinner gala at the Plaza Hotel Conference Center, featuring noted speaker J.R. Gonzales, a national leader in the Hispanic business community.

"His speech was so touching, so it does affect me," said Llamas, who moved from Mexico with her family at the age of 9. She was fluent in English by 10. "It makes me want to do more for my community - I do a lot already, but I want to do more."

She plans to volunteer at the Nevada Hispanic Services Carson City office, where she already spends a lot of time in youth programs.

Young people, such as Llamas, are the ones who are going to help shape the future of the Hispanic community, said Gonzales, past board chairman and president/CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

"Education is the no. 1 concern in the sustainability of any community," he said. "Out of the 44 million Hispanics living in this country, only 10 percent have a post-secondary education."

He urged a collaborative spirit in business and immigration reform, a hot-button political issue that has divided the nation.

"This story is the American story," Gonzales said about immigration. "Before it was the Italians, the Irish, the Chinese. This is a continuing saga. This is the same as what we've heard of in the 1800s."

From 1990 to 2005, the Hispanic population in Northern Nevada grew by 7 percent, he said. The Census Bureau predicts that by 2050, one out of every four people in the country will be Hispanic.

The September dinner event started as a way to celebrate the local Hispanic community and honor dedicated service workers at the start of Hispanic heritage month.

Ricardo Salas, a Carson High School junior, was honored as Hispanic youth of the year. He cited the language barrier as one challenge, and he's helping by translating for other Spanish speakers while going about his day.

"Recently I was at the post office and I helped an elderly Hispanic couple who were trying to get their Visa pictures," he said. "That made me feel really good."

Yaraseth Lugo, employee of the year for Nevada Hispanic Services Carson City, works as the youth and district immigration coordinator.

"I think the most important change in immigration law would be ratifying the immigrant working class," she said. "I think there are people in our community who deserve to grow in this country and to make this country a better place for everybody."

Ana Castro, honored as community member of the year, said she spends a good part of her work day translating for Spanish speakers. She works as the office manager for Capital Auto Insurance.

Citizens for Affordable Homes Inc. was selected as organization of the year. About 27 percent of those who build self-help homes with the nonprofit are Hispanic, said Ron Trunk, chief executive officer.

"The current administration's goal is to increase minority home ownership by 200,000 by 2010, and we're doing everything we can," he said.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

If you go

WHAT: Salsa Y Salsas! Festival

WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today

WHERE: Legislative Plaza, South Carson Street

FEATURES: Food, live music and dance, mariachi and salsa bands, salsa dance contest, salsa tasting competition

Sponsored by Nevada Hispanic Services of Carson City. Call 885-1055 or 887-1294.