College Hosts 18th Annual Haitian Heritage Celebration April 20 - 30

SUNY Rockland Community College Hosts
18^th Annual Haitian Heritage Celebration April 20 - 30

Suffern, NY - SUNY Rockland Community College is hosting its 18th Annual Haitian Heritage celebration. Admission is free and open to the public unless otherwise specified.

Monday April 20, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 (approximately)

Haitian Film Festival

Cultural Arts Theater

Admission: Free and open to the public

“Pluie D’espoir” is a movie based on the story of a young peasant named Toussaint from the Haitian Provinces.  He has come to Port-au-Prince not only to survive, but also to strive with dignity and achieve a place for himself, his family and the coworkers he left behind.

“The Agronomist,” from Academy award winning filmmaker Jonathan Demme, tells the story of Haitian national hero, journalist, and freedom fighter Jean Dominique, the owner and operator of his nation’s oldest and only free radio station.

Tuesday April 21, 7:00 p.m.

Technology Center, Rm 8180 (Ellipse)

Panel Discussion: “The Law and You”

Admission: Free and open to the public

Topics: Immigration Issue, Traffic Tickets, Criminal Matters, Domestic Relation etc.

Keith I. Braunfotel, Esq., Scott D. Frendel, Esq. and Jaclyn M. Miller, P.C. Attorney at Law.

Wednesday, April 22, 12:30 p.m.

12:30 p.m. - Registration

1:00 p.m. - Basketball Tournament

Fieldhouse

Admission: Players must be RCC students or staff

Individual Trophies will be awarded to the tournament champs.

Thursday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Haitian Day: A Taste of College

Admission: Invited high school students

A Taste of College affords high school students the opportunity to meet current and former Haitian students who can share their college experiences; to attend classes taught by College faculty; to participate in a fact and trivia game; and to enjoy the foods of Haiti.

Thursday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Technology Center, Rm 8180 (Ellipse)

Admission: Free and open to the public

The History of the Haitian Flag

Lecture by Marc Mathelier, author and radio host. Reception to follow.

In Haiti, Flag Day is a major national holiday celebrated with great fanfare on the grounds of the National Palace.  The flag’s origin is tightly linked to a history of struggle for freedom.   Marc Mathelier, a native of Monrovia, Liberia, was born of Haitian parents. He currently works as a chemist for Reckitt Benckiser located in Montvale, NJ, and resides in Warwick.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Solages, Chair, Haitian Heritage Week Committee, at (845) 574-4322, esolages@sunyrockland.edu, Doreen Zarcone, Events Coordinator, at 845-574-4323 or dzarcone@sunyrockland.edu or visit www.sunyrockland.edu

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.