2nd Annual ‘Noche de BOHEMIA’ Raise Funds For A Good Cause, Honors Student’s Memory

Last Saturday, the night sky was illuminated with stars, and so, too, was Club Commanche in Christiansted, where dignitaries and residents gathered to celebrate life and raise scholarship funds for deserving Hispanic high school seniors on St. Croix wishing to attend college.

But you would have to look closely to notice the dignitaries, among them included Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, her immediate predecessor Donna Christensen, and Sen. Sammuel Sanes, as everyone at the elegant affair was dressed for the occasion.

Local business owners — from iHOP to Glass 2000 and EPOK Signs and Banners — could be seen at the well-attended gathering mingling with other guests, all the while being serenaded by infectious Latin music.

Dancing at Noche de BOHEMIA: Bajo Las Estrellas

Noche de BOHEMIA: Bajo Las Estrellas or “Bohemian Night Under the Stars,” was put on by the St. Croix Hispanic Democratic Club. The event was described as “a night of storytelling, getting together with family, and close friends. It’s like an old-school Spanish Harlem kind of night, so that’s why we have a three-piece band, light hors d’oeuvre and drinks — it’s just a night of getting together and just being one with everyone,” according to Jeannette Karina Guzman, the club’s treasurer.

Everything about the atmosphere — from the lighting to the bar setup and seating — exuded a sense of warmth and intimacy.

“When people come, they can expect great food, great atmosphere, love and unity, good music, and just a good time,” Guzman added. “These days, with everything going on, once in a while it’s nice to be in an area where you’re not being judged or questioned, you’re just coming to have a good time.”

“Tonight’s event is actually the second annual, but it’s special this time around,” said José Nieves, club president. “This year, the club came together and put forth a Latino scholarship fund that will go to two Latin youth from the community of St. Croix. This is the first one, and it fits in perfectly with tonight’s event.”

Freddy Gomez

Another reason that made this year’s function special, according to Nieves, is that the scholarship has been named in memory of a young Latino high school student who lost his life in a drowning accident in December in Frederiksted. Nieves said Freddy Gomez was the quintessential example of what young Latino men should aspire to be. Gomez was a senior student-athlete at the Free Will Baptist School, with a solid GPA, and was very involved in the community. He would have graduated in June.

While introducing Gomez’s parents, Nieves became visibly emotional.

“This scholarship was dedicated to a very special person,” he managed.

Gomez’s father, who spoke briefly, thanked the Hispanic Democratic Club for honoring his son.

“I just want to give a great thank you, trying to express how much of an honor it is, to receive a phone call and ask for permission to use our son’s name, because ‘your son embodies the characteristics that we’re looking for in naming the scholarship’,” Mr. Gomez said.

“It’s mixed feelings, obviously, that we say that we’re very proud to be in this position right now,” he continued. “Still a little bit too early for us right now, but we are really honored, and again, we thank you for your concern.”

District President of the Democratic Party, Brad Nugent, also gave remarks.

“We’re so proud to announce the 2015 Freddy Gomez Latino Scholarship Fund,” Nugent began. “This scholarship was established to support high-achieving Latino high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from a high school, and who seeks to go on to college, a university, or technical school. It was named in the honor of Freddy Gomez, a well-known and beloved St. Croix high school student, who lost his life in a tragic accident just a few months before his own graduation.”

Last year’s event was held at Kings Alley Hotel in Christiansted, however because of limited space, the venue was changed to accommodate more people.

Former Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen

Congresswoman Plaskett spoke highly of the event, recognizing the importance of the Hispanic community, while promising to move forward the agendas of the territory as a whole, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or background, in her quest to make the U.S. Virgin Islands a better place.

Former Delegate Donna Christensen told VI Consortium she came to support the club and “have a good time.”

Sen. Sanes, who also gave the keynote address at the ‘Youth Wise Up‘ event earlier on Saturday, said attending community functions was something he loved doing as part of his job as a senator.

Looking into the future, Nieves expects the annual event to expand. And, in doing so, highlighting all the more the indelible contributions of the Latin community in the U.S. Virgin Islands.