Paraprofessionals

Marlon Lett, a paraprofessional at PS 128 in the Bronx, holds up the Humanitarian Award he received at Parafest for connecting with and empowering students. Priscilla Castro, the interim acting Paraprofessional Chapter chair, and event emcee Anthony Harmon, the UFT staff director, congratulate him.

Paraprofessionals from each borough display the awards they received to honor their work as they pose with Castro (second from left), UFT President Michael Mulgrew (back row, middle) and New York Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson of Queens (right).

Paraprofessionals fill the Grand Ballroom of the hotel for the luncheon and awards ceremony.

Former Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Shelvy Young-Abrams, who retired last year after 53 years of service, is one of three UFT heavyweights honored with a special award at the event. She received the inaugural Velma Hill Award, named for the chapter’s founder and first chair.

Paras (from left) Shiuli Debi of PS 15 in Queens; Supti Paul of the HS for Law and Public Service in Manhattan; Florence Dent of the HS for Law and Public Service; and Alo Saha of PS 143 in Queens, enjoy cotton candy and popcorn at the Carnival.

American Federation of Teachers Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus, a former UFT vice president and paraprofessional and the national union’s first Latina officer, dances onto the stage to give her keynote speech as Mary Vaccaro, the UFT vice president for education, looks on.

Event emcee Anthony Harmon, the UFT staff director (left), congratulates Reginald “Reggie” Colvin, who retired last fall as the UFT special representative for the Paraprofessionals Chapter, as he receives the inaugural Shelvy Young-Abrams Award for his contributions to the chapter. Young-Abrams retired as chapter chair last year.

Paraprofessional Chapter Executive Board Member at Large Michael Santos, dressed as a ringmaster, cheers on Wei Fong Liao, a retired para who worked at PS 124 in Chinatown, as she spins the prize wheel.

Martha Vargus, a para at East West HS of International Studies in Queens, tries to win a prize by shooting hoops at the Carnival.

Estela Melendez, a para at PS19 in Queens, enjoys a massage from a student who learned massage techniques especially for the event. Students from five career and technical education high schools showed off their skills in health and cosmetology at the Carnival.

Dalila Calabrese (center), a para at PS/IS 192 in Brooklyn, practices taking a mind break to relieve stress during the “MindUp for Life/Mindfulness” workshop.