Palm Desert Mayor to Speak On Memorial Day

Palm Desert Mayor Karina Quintanilla to Speak on Memorial Day and Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony

PALM DESERT —Mayor Karina Quintanilla will speak at this city’s Memorial Day Peace Pole dedication ceremony, Tom Swann Hernandez, of AMVETS Post 66 Veterans for Peace announced.

Th ceremony will take place on Memorial Day May 27 at 9 a.m. at the Community Rose Garden in Palm Desert Civic Center Park, 43900 San Pablo Ave., Corner of Fred Waring Drive

The ceremony is free and open to the public. Other speakers have been invited but not yet confirmed, Swann Hernandez said.

For those unfamiliar with Quintanilla, Swann Hernandez offered the following resume.

Quintanilla has been a Coachella Valley resident since 1984 and has lived in Palm Desert since 2002. After graduating from Cathedral City High School in 1997, she attended University of California, Riverside where she received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish.

In 2012, Quintanilla completed the coursework for a credential program to teach Spanish. She is currently in pursuit of a master’s in public administration.

When Quintanilla returned to Palm Desert, she reflected on the impact of education and the educational attainment rates for the region. She made a personal commitment to find a way to make a difference. Her career in education spanned universities, vocational schools, nonprofit and for-profit institutions, in both the public and private sectors.

These diverse experiences developed her ability to connect with individuals and advocate for their needs so they can reach their goals. She still maintains contact with former advisees who, in addition to being great people, succeed in their fields as doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, medical assistants, and other essential workers.

While at CSU San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus (CSUSB-PDC), Quintanilla developed a tutoring program to reduce the time required to transfer from College of the Desert to CSUSB-PDC and was awarded $240,000 from the Cal-Wellness Foundation to pay for professional tutors at two local high schools.

In 2015, Karina was selected by Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) for their Leadership Institute where she honed community engagement and leadership skills. Through HOPE, Karina and her fellow participants lobbied State Senators in Sacramento to pass Senate Bill 4, Health for All, bringing accessible healthcare to all Californians, as well as Senate Bill 15, which redirected unused funds for Cal-Grant Scholarships.

Quintanilla’s passion for translating came from being her family’s translator since age 5. She became aware of the impact of culturally competent translations and how her linguistic abilities could serve others. Quintanilla put them to use in translating documents and two books. Local author and publisher Vicki Mills credited Quintanilla as co-author of the Spanish version of her book “Any Body Can Enjoy Computers.” The book was an opportunity to help bring computer literacy to Spanish-speaking adults in a digital age.

In 2005, Quintanilla was hired as Career Guidance Specialist at her alma mater, Cathedral City High School, where she was Co-Coordinator of the Scholarship Program. She was a founding member of the HEAL Health Academy Advisory Board. In 2013 she returned as a long term substitute Earth Science teacher. She was also a four year member of the Band Booster for the Cathedral City High School Royal Regiment, serving as a board member, chaperone and live translator during meetings.

A blood donor since 1996 and registered bone marrow donor since 2000, Karina has donated more than 11 gallons of whole blood, platelets and plasma in the Coachella Valley. She is an organ donor, believing that everyone should have an opportunity to live the healthiest and happiest life possible.

Of all the accomplishments Quintanilla has achieved in her career and time in the Coachella Valley, she is most proud of her family. Her teenage daughters inspire her, give her purpose and aspire to leave tomorrow a better place than the present. Quintanilla’s values were shaped by her family as they grew up in Thousand Palms.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

• We Honor Our Heroic War Dead

PEACE POLE DEDICATION

• May Peace Prevail on Earth

GOLD STAR FAMILIES

SPEAKERS

MUSIC

MEMORIAL WREATH

Following the dedication, Veterans for Peace AMVETS Post 66 will hold its 18th Annual Memorial Day Awards Luncheon from Noon to 2 p.m. at Cimarron Golf Resort, 67603 30th Ave., Cathedral City. Cost is $28 for chicken alfredo and includes tax and tip, dessert and beverage. A sliding scale is available for low-income. Make checks payable to “Veterans for Peace.”

Awards will be given to:

HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

BRENDA VOSBEIN
Silver Helmet Award

JUSTIN ELZIE
Special Achievement Award

CESAR GUZMAN
VA Hospital Employee of the Year

LIEUTENANT GUS ARAIZA, PALM SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Special Achievement Award

RALPH PERRY
Friend of the Veteran

RABBI SALLY
Lifetime Achievement Award

Music By Steve Petersen & JB

 

Call Tom Swann Hernandez at (760) 324-5670 for reservations. Space is limited.