Hispanic Heritage Foundation Panel Speaks at Middle & Upper School Assembies

From Aldaine Wynter, Director of IDI: On October 2, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, our Middle and Upper School students were energized by a special visit from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to advancing education, workforce development, societal impact, and leadership, with culture serving as the cornerstone of its mission.

The panelists shared personal stories, professional journeys, and practical advice that connected directly to what students have learned about identity, belonging, and leadership. The panel included:

• Silvana Quiroz, 4x Emmy Award–winning journalist and media creator, who spoke about the power of storytelling and representation, encouraging students to use their voices to inform and uplift their communities.
• Giovanni A. Delfino, Emmy Award winner and founder and CEO of DelfinoCo, who mapped the path from idea to enterprise and emphasized civic leadership, mentorship, and building networks that last.
• Alice Ramos, writer and holistic coach, who guided students to reflect on identity and well-being, sharing strategies for balance, purpose, and confidence in academic and creative spaces.
• Zoila Fiorilo, founder of NovaZona Media and the Amigas Sin Filtros podcast as well as a loan officer, who highlighted financial literacy, community media, and the importance of amplifying diverse voices.

Students met real-world role models across journalism, entrepreneurship, coaching, and finance; they practiced asking thoughtful questions; and they left with concrete next steps for leadership, from telling their own stories to launching projects that serve others.

A huge thanks again to the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and our amazing panelists.