In a stunning apartment on Park Avenue last week, Christmas cheer could be heard by all as Jacqueline Weld Drake continued her beautiful Christmas tradition of welcoming the children of the Casita Maria Choir to her art-filled, gorgeously decorated residence. The talented (and impeccably dressed) South Bronx students, aged eight through ten, performed classic Christmas Carrols including Jingle Bells, Silent Night, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, and a spirited rendition of Feliz Navidad, led by their Teaching Artist Horacio Martinez. The students were undoubtedly excited to find presents for them after their performance, each selected and wrapped specifically by Drake herself.
Founded in 1934, Casita Maria is a cultural arts and education center located in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Our mission is to empower youth and their families by creating a culture of learning through high-quality social, cultural, and educational opportunities.
On top of the holiday cheer, guests also watched as the annual The William E. Simon Scholarship, for students enrolled in Roman Catholic High Schools within New York was bestowed to Mia J Fernandez Sanchez, who is enrolled at St. Catherine’s and Neveah Byrd enrolled at Monsignor Scanlan High School. The William E. Simon Scholarship was established in 1985 by William E. Simon through a gift to the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education. Since then, Casita Maria has been administering the scholarship fund to South Bronx children attending Roman Catholic High Schools. This year, Casita Maria will award two $1,500 William E. Simon scholarship, renewable for up to four years, to a student enrolled in a Roman Catholic High School with an excellent academic standing.
Joining the fun were Casita Maria board members Martha Bograd, George Corton, Sissi Fleitas, Michèle Gerber Klein, Alberto Mariaca, Patrick Moran, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, and Jean Shafiroff, and Kristina Rivera Lugo, Interim Executive Director of Casita Maria as well as friends including Steven M. L. Aronson, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Sharon King Hoge, Mercedes Bograd Levin, Alicia Lubowski-Jahn, Alice Lutz, and Christopher English Walling.
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, the oldest Latin charity in New York City, provides high-quality arts education to over 1,000 students each day. It works hard to create a safe, welcoming community, enriching and uplifting youth and families, producing well-rounded individuals who go on to fulfill their dreams. Hear more here!