Jorge Paneque, Daylin Sosa, and Jean Paul Sandoval (center) pose with Maria Apollo, Rafael Rodriguez Teresita Díaz, and Dr. Rolando Díaz at the awards ceremony held at Mesón Madrid Reataurant in Palisades Park on January 25, 2012.

Two students from Union City High School garnered first and third place in “The José Martí” essay contest while a Memorial High School student won the second spot on the competition, sponsored by The Cuban Lions Club of West New York, Hudson County. Jean Paul Sandoval, a senior from UCHS won the competition while Daylin Sosa a senior from Memorial High School took second place, and Jorge Paneque from UCHS placed third in the only Spanish language essay contest in Hudson County. This is the second consecutive year that UCHS earns first place against Memorial High School. The students are selected by their teachers from SLN III and Spanish AP classes, two students per class are allowed to present their work in the final competition. The Lions Club of West New York selects the topic based on Cuban writer and patriot José Martí. This year’s topic was “A biographical perspective of José Martí.” Congratulations to all the winners and participants!

Vivian Leon González was recognized by the Cuban Lions Club of West New York for her altruistic work. She has dedicated a good part of her life to help children who suffer chronic diseases, spending a great deal of time with the blind, children with cancer and muscular dystrophy. Here she poses with the President of The Cuban Lions Club of West New York, Dr. Rolando Díaz and Rafael Martel. Martel and De Leon are old schoolmates, Emersonians, who graduated from the now legendary Emerson High School last century, but not too long ago. I was really happy to see Vivian again after many years, and very proud of the work she does. Vivian, like many other Emersonians who came from Cuba in the early 70′s represent the best of our generation. Congratulations!

Integrantes de la directiva de la revista Cambio recibieron un reconocimiento especial de parte de Los Leones Cubanos de West New York por haberle brindado su apoyo a las actividades del club.

La poetisa Milagros Rodriguez junto al Presidente del Club de Leones Cubanos de West New York, Dr. Rolando Diaz.

Rigoberto Paneque y Yaquelín Salgado, padres de Jorge Paneque junto a su hijo y al Dr. Díaz.

Paul Sandoval’s mother, Rosa Villanueva proudly poses with his son Jean Paul Sandoval, winner of the “Jose Marti” essay contest.

Maria Sharapova of Russia gestures as she celebrates after victory in her semi-final women’s singles match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic on the eleventh day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2012. Sharapova won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. (Photo by William West/AFP/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a stroke during her quarter-final women’s singles match against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2012. Sharapova destroyed Makarova in two: 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the semis of the tournament. (Photo by Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)

LA HABANA, Cuba, enero, www.cubanet.org –El reciente derrumbe de un deteriorado edificio de apartamentos en una céntrica zona de la capital trae nuevamente a colación el tema de la grave crisis habitacional que enfrenta el país. Lamentablemente continúa prohibida en Cuba la compraventa de solares yermos y de azoteas libres. Y con prohibiciones como esas, el gobierno aspira a que en 2012 se construyan 23 mil viviendas por esfuerzo propio.

Entonces, sin lugar a dudas, el país vería erigir no exclusivamente casas o edificios estatales con bellos diseños, sino, además, modernos barrios residenciales en las barriadas y municipios más pobres de la capital, y hasta en las ciudades del interior.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates winning her fourth round match against Sabine Lisicki of Germany 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 during day eight of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 22: Kim Clijsters of Belgium celebrates winning the second set in her fourth round match against Na Li of China during day seven of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. Clijsters won a hard fought match 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to make the round of 16 of the Australian OPen. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Sabine Lisicki of Germany plays a stroke during her women’s singles match against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia on the sixth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2012. Lisicki won 2-6. 6-4. 6-2. (Photo by Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a shot against Nicolas Mahut of France in their third round men’s singles match on day six of the 2012 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2012. Djokovic won 6-0, 6-1, 6-1. Photo:NICOLAS ASFOUR