This fall marks the 40th anniversary of Roberto Clemente Community Academy. To celebrate this anniversary, the school will be highlighted in the 2014 Puerto Rican People’s Parade. Ten students at Clemente created individual posters in a contest for the official poster of this year’s parade. The posters promote the parade’s theme of a culture of educational excellence, and students drew inspiration from the school, community, and their Puerto Rican heritage. Giovanni Valentin’s work came in second place, winning $100. In first place was Maricella Colon’s artwork featuring Taino symbols as well as elements important to Roberto Clemente Community Academy. Maricella Colon won $200 and the honor of having her artwork featured as the official poster for this year’s parade.
On Tuesday May 20, 2014 Casa Puertorriqueña hosted a reception for the student artists and their families. During the reception, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center – in collaboration with Roberto Clemente Community Academy – revealed the Roberto Clemente Cabezudo. Cabezudos are traditional carnivale costumes that include large heads made from a paper mache-like material. The students at Clemente worked with Puerto Rican artists Pedro Adorno and Sara Arroyo to create the Cabezudo last week. During the parade, Clemente students will walk with the Roberto Clemente Cabezudo to celebrate the school’s anniversary.