In U.S. Name Count, Garcias Are Catching Up With Joneses

By SAM ROBERTS

Published: November 17, 2007 (New York Times)

Step aside Moore and Taylor. Welcome Garcia and Rodriguez.

Smith remains the most common surname in the United States, according to a new analysis released yesterday by the Census Bureau. But for the first time, two Hispanic surnames — Garcia and Rodriguez — are among the top 10 most common in the nation, and Martinez nearly edged out Wilson for 10th place.

The number of Hispanics living in the United States grew by 58 percent in the 1990s to nearly 13 percent of the total population, and cracking the list of top 10 names suggests just how pervasively the Latino migration has permeated everyday American culture.

Garcia moved to No. 8 in 2000, up from No. 18, and Rodriguez jumped to No. 9 from 22nd place. The number of Hispanic surnames among the top 25 doubled, to 6.

Compiling the rankings is a cumbersome task, in part because of confidentiality and accuracy issues, according to the Census Bureau, and it is only the second time it has prepared such a list. While the historical record is sketchy, several demographers said it was probably the first time that any non-Anglo name was among the 10 most common in the nation. “It’s difficult to say, but it’s probably likely,” said Robert A. Kominski, assistant chief of social characteristics for the census.

Luis Padilla, 48, a banker who has lived in Miami since he arrived from Colombia 14 years ago, greeted the ascendance of Hispanic surnames enthusiastically.

“It shows we’re getting stronger,” Mr. Padilla said. “If there’s that many of us to outnumber the Anglo names, it’s a great thing.”

Reinaldo M. Valdes, a board member of the Miami-based Spanish American League Against Discrimination, said the milestone “gives the Hispanic community a standing within the social structure of the country.”

“People of Hispanic descent who hardly speak Spanish are more eager to take their Hispanic last names,” he said. “Today, kids identify more with their roots than they did before.”

Demographers pointed to more than one factor in explaining the increase in Hispanic surnames.

Generations ago, immigration officials sometimes arbitrarily Anglicized or simplified names when foreigners arrived from Europe.

“The movie studios used to demand that their employees have standard Waspy names,” said Justin Kaplan, an historian and co-author of “The Language of Names.”

“Now, look at Renée Zellweger,” Mr. Kaplan said.

And because recent Hispanic and Asian immigrants might consider themselves more identifiable by their physical characteristics than Europeans do, they are less likely to change their surnames, though they often choose Anglicized first names for their children.

The latest surname count also signaled the growing number of Asians in America. The surname Lee ranked No. 22, with the number of Lees about equally divided between whites and Asians. Lee is a familiar name in China and Korea and in all its variations is described as the most common surname in the world.

Altogether, the census found six million surnames in the United States. Among those, 151,000 were shared by a hundred or more Americans. Four million were held by only one person.

“The names tell us that we’re a richly diverse culture,” Mr. Kominski said.

But the fact that about 1 in every 25 Americans is named Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, Jones, Miller or Davis “suggests that there’s a durability in the family of man,” Mr. Kaplan, the author, said. A million Americans share each of those seven names. An additional 268 last names are common to 10,000 or more people. Together, those 275 names account for one in four Americans.

As the population of the United States ballooned by more than 30 million in the 1990s, more Murphys and Cohens were counted when the decade ended than when it began.

Smith — which would be even more common if all its variations, like Schmidt and Schmitt, were tallied — is among the names derived from occupations (Miller, which ranks No. 7, is another). Among the most famous early bearers of the name was Capt. John Smith, who helped establish the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown, Va., 400 years ago. As recently as 1950, more Americans were employed as blacksmiths than as psychotherapists.

In 1984, according to the Social Security Administration, nearly 3.4 million Smiths lived in the United States. In 1990, the census counted 2.5 million. By 2000, the Smith population had declined to fewer than 2.4 million. The durability of some of the most common names in American history may also have been perpetuated because slaves either adopted or retained the surnames of their owners. About one in five Smiths are black, as are about one in three Johnsons, Browns, and Joneses and nearly half the people named Williams.

The Census Bureau’s analysis found that some surnames were especially associated with race and ethnicity.

More than 96 percent of Yoders, Kruegers, Muellers, Kochs, Schwartzes, Schmitts and Novaks were white. Nearly 90 percent of the Washingtons were black, as were 75 percent of the Jeffersons, 66 percent of the Bookers, 54 percent of the Banks and 53 percent of the Mosleys.

Terry Aguayo contributed reporting from Miami

Now on Facebook...

I have created a new group on Facebook and we now have Karen Guevara from
Washington D.C. helping spread the word on our new group. Karen is an exceptional
woman, a graduate of Oxford and currently attending Georgetown for her Ph.D.

Thank you Karen for your leadership.

Hugo


http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6684713135

Latino Professional Associations

• Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting: Established in 1972; 27 chapters. The leading association of Hispanics/Latinos working in finance, accounting and related professions. Offers workshops, mentorships and other programs.
• Latin Business Association: Since 1976, it has grown to include 1,500 members on four continents. The aim is to promote growth of Hispanic/Latino-owned companies through business development, education and advocacy.
• National Society of Hispanic MBAs: Founded in 1988. Prepares Hispanics/Latinos for leadership positions in public and private sectors; links Hispanic/Latino professionals and MBA students with corporations and other organizations. More than 6,500 members in 28 chapters in the US and Puerto Rico.
• US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Started in 1979; More than 215 local member chambers in the US, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Composed primarily of entrepreneurs and those working for small businesses. Advocates, promotes and facilitates the success of Hispanic/Latino businesses.

Engineering

• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science: For more than 30 years, SACNAS has worked to improve and expand opportunities for minorities in scientific industries and academia. Includes graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers: Organized in 1974; now the largest Hispanic/Latino engineering and science organization. Offers professional development and networking to 8,000 members in 43 professional chapters; 179 student chapters.
• Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists: Founded in 1974. Open to all Hispanics/Latinos in technical and scientific fields; chapters throughout the US.

Government

• National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives: Started in 1984; 2,000 members at various levels of government.

Healthcare

• Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons: Founded in 1979; includes more than 39,000 physicians and healthcare professionals in the US and Puerto Rico. Promotes cooperation among Hispanic/Latino physicians while advancing professional and educational needs.
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses: Begun in 1975; 1,000 members. Mission includes professional development, collaboration with other Hispanic/Latino healthcare providers and networking.
• National Hispanic Medical Association: Founded in 1994. Represents 36,000 Hispanic/Latino physicians in the US; offers professional development while working to unite physicians with government and the private sector.

Law and Criminal Justice

• Federal Hispanic Law Enforcement Officers Association: Represents more than 20,000 Hispanic/Latino law enforcement professionals around the world; offers training programs as well as advocacy and networking.
• Hispanic National Bar Association: Since 1972, a professional organization for Hispanic/Latino attorneys, judges, law professionals and law students in the US and Puerto Rico; 22,000 members.

Media

• National Association of Hispanic Journalists: Founded in 1984; the national voice for Hispanics/Latinos working in television, radio, print, new media and other media-related professions. Its 2,300 members include journalism educators and students.

Real Estate

• National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals: Dozens of chapters throughout the US; mission is to empower Hispanic/Latino real estate professionals.

Social Work

• National Association of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Social Workers: Organized in 1983; includes social workers, other human services professionals and students interested in issues that affect Puerto Rican and Hispanic/Latino communities.

Technology

• Association of Latino IT Professionals: Founded in 2002; membership includes seasoned professionals and Hispanics/Latinos seeking IT careers. Offers opportunities for leadership and education through partnerships with industry, government and academia.

Source: monster.com

Upcoming Stories

By the end of the year I profile:

· Linda Caballero-Sotello, Mexican American, President, San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, one of the most powerful Latinas in the State of California. Previously she has served as the director of marketing and corporate communications at the San Diego Workforce Partnership, 2000-2004; and director of projects for INSITE97, a binational public arts education initiative, 1996-2000. Her professional affiliations include being a board member of the San Diego-Tijuana Sister Cities Society and a graduate of the LEAD San Diego leadership program. She has a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from U.S. International University in San Diego and a Master's in International Business from Webster/Regents College in London. She is one of five 2006 Union Bank of California Hispanic Heritage Month Local Hero Award recipients.

· Ramiro Licona, Entrepreneur, He is a dedicated family man and focused on growing his business. His daughter is attending UCLA and is also on the U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Team. The pride of Honduras and somebody that I admire and look for guidance.

· Ricardo Tejada, Investment Banker, USC, V|Nesto, Focused. Driven. Only 28 years old! Salvadoran American

· Jose Rivas, Serial Entrepreneur, You will learn how in order to become the first person in El Salvador to start a Helicopter Tour business, he flew his Helicopter from California to El Salvador stopping 20-30 times to refill the small tank on his helicopter. The passion of Entrepreneurship. A true Salvadoran American Success Story.

· Julio Melara was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1964, the second of three children born to Honduran immigrant parents. At the age of four his father left and he was raised by his mother Yvonne Guillen. Her love, work ethic and constant encouragement helped him overcome several hardships including a stuttering problem and no money for college after graduating from high school.

· Myrna Castillo-Almodovar, (CSUN, MBA LMU), Executive Director, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Mexican American. We started school together…got married around the same time…became Directors around the same time…and she had a Child(Kate) around the same time… Like she said…Kate and Daniel (my son) will be a great match She is 32 years old and I consider her a great friend.

· Dick Cook, Managing Director, Marsh, One of the most powerful Global Insurance Companies in the world. I have known him for a very short period of time but he has become already a very good friend. The Honorary Latino of the Month.

· Salvador Duran (UCLA/Author, Seen nationwide on Univision with Primer Impacto),
- Salvadoran American

· Glenda Martinez (Harvard Law, VP Univision and Sr Legal Counsel)…- Salvadoran American

· Masa Oki (VP Japan/Nippon Life) Oversees every Japanese Company in the U.S. on behalf of Japan Life...He has been to my house and has eaten Chorizo & Tamales– Honorary Latino of the Month

· Marc Mendez (UCLA/USC) – Private Equity Asset Management, CEO USAA Asset Management, Mexican American

· Adrian Triminio (UCLA/Berkeley Law) – Honduran/Salvadoran , A great friend to have. We have become very close friends and I look up to him. I am proud to have him on my close circle of friends and personal advisors.

· Manuel Romero, (UCLA), CEO Simplesend, Mexican American, one the few latinos in Web 2.0, just in case you get any email newsletters, read the end...

· Aaron Alcides, Senior Vice President, Malaga Bank, Salvadoran American

· Ruth/Rene Reynoso, El Alteno Foods, Mexican American, a great story...recently bought Dulceria Guadalajara...they own Factories and will become one of the most powerful distributors of Mexican Food across the U.S. A great family and people to know.

· Nikki Orellana, CEO Nikky Sports, Salvadoran American – An incredible story of survival. You will learn how his brothers ...with only three small guns ...where able to defend their home from Death Squads that were armed with Sub Machine Guns. It is a story of courage. It is story of the will to live another day.

· Jorge Miramontes, Anchor, Channel 62, Mexican American, One of the youngest News Anchors in television...and incredible story of never giving up on your dreams. A very close of mines and my family.

· Hector Michel, Business Analyst at Sony Pictures Entertainment - Mexican American, has worked at Warner Brothers in multiple positions ... we worked together from 2000-2004 and
he briefly worked for me from 2003-2004 while I was still at Warner. I consider him a great friend and has built Financial Systems on a global scale.

· Miguel Anaya, CEO, Cha Cha Cha Enterprises - UCLA, Mexican American, a true success story
and you will find out where those dishes where conceived.

· Carlos Sanchez, Executive Director, Latin America Digital Distribution (Warner Bros Digital), Colombian...(UCLA) (tri-literate) ...he is a great friend and has been at Warner for over 7 years and is now part of the new medium of distribution for filmed product.

· Roy Perez, CEO RMP Strategies, Inc. The man who Arnold listens to on a weekly basis and Vice Chairman of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I enjoy his personality...a great family man. They are a Husband/Wife team..they were recently honored at the White House. (Mexican American)

· Maria Contreras-Sweet - Chairwoman & Founder of Promerica Bank. A true success story and somebody that I am very proud to know. She is the first Latina to start a Bank.

· Adan Reinosa, USC, multiple Master degrees, 10-30 world patents, Inventor, gifted... I enjoy having drinks with Adan at Cheers (i.e. Taix).

· Francisco Leal (Yale & Harvard Law), A true Mexican American Success story. He is married to Dr. Sonia Molina ...which I profiled earlier this month. This is a Latino power couple.

· Jose Romero (UCI) I heard his amazing story from Carlos and is somebody that I have to profile on this blog. He came to the U.S. 7 years ago from El Salvador. He is currently a 4th year Ph.D. student at UCI in Computer Science. He is 24 years old. An amazing story!

· Carlos Vaquerano (Executive Director SALEF), his story will inspire you. His organization is the only Scholarship Foundation focused on helping students that are here illegally or in the State of California they are known as AB540 students. It is the only Non-Profit that I am involved in. I believe in his mission. Education is the foundation for change.

More to come as the association grows...

Hugo A. Hernandez, Founder, U.S.-LPA

h.hernandez03ATgmail.com

Amid Difficulty Lies Opportunity

Below is a young man…with a powerful story!

For more info please visit www.salef.org ...a 501(c)3 - Non Profit Organization

“As the oldest of four siblings from a low-income family of six, as well as being an undocumented student, it is extremely difficult for me to pay for my education. My family migrated from Mexico ten years ago due to deteriorating economic conditions. Both of my parents did not complete an elementary education. As a result, they are part of the large minimum wage workforce in America. Due to the lack of education of my parents, and their long working hours to support our family, I grew up with minimum guidance and support. People always react with surprise when they find out all the different types of jobs I perform in order to pay for my school tuition and to help my parents and younger siblings survive. I live in an underprivileged community where drugs, gangs, and violence tempt those my age and where youth find this path as an easier way to live their lives. The Assembly Bill 540, however, has inspired and given me the opportunity to pursue a higher education. Now I look forward to obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. I resort to this unique scholarship opportunity to help me attain my educational dreams so that I can ultimately help and encourage other students in their quest for a higher education.

Since the age of eleven, I have been selling flowers and oranges on freeway exits. Consequently, I have endured hunger, discrimination, robbery, and harassment from passers by as well as from the police. The police have given me tickets, sent me in front of a judge and transported me to jail like a criminal, when my only crime was trying to survive in “The Land of Opportunities.” In retrospect, I have learned that the only way to convert an enemy is through love. In this manner, I have brushed away the institutionalized racism I have encountered. I learned that my ultimate goal, duty, and responsibility are to contribute positively to my community and to ameliorate the plight of other disadvantaged individuals who undergo discrimination and oppression.

Currently, I work forty hours a week in a restaurant and do side jobs that deal with auto mechanics, tile settings, and plumbing assistance. I use my employment to pay for my education and to assist my family economically. As I work on these jobs, I have seen lots of discrimination towards undocumented people and minorities. Education will be the only way to help my family, peers, and community so that they may be liberated from inequality.

Earning a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering will give me the capacity to reach my career goal and long-term dream to teach others the profession of becoming an engineer. In addition, earning my degree will further help me in advocating my community by being a mentor, creating scholarships, and encouraging youth to pursue a higher education. Moreover, through SALEF I plan to use my education and experience to fortify our communities and to challenge the worlds social injustices. I believe that the social progress and prosperity of our community lies on us. Without action and education we cannot create a positive change for future generations.

Although many advise me to continue my education at a community college due to financial reasons, I am determined to reach my goals and committed to show that all it takes is perseverance and a strong desire for a better future. Regardless of all these obstacles I am focused on my grades, responsibilities at home, and on educating my community on legislation affecting immigrants. I am part of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and Students United to Reach Goals in Education (SURGE). Through these organizations I am realizing my short-term goal of helping to pass the Dream Act by sharing my testimony to teachers, students, congress legislators and journalists. In addition, I am assisting undocumented students in the college process. My American Dream is to get educated in order for me to instruct, assist, empower, and advocate on behalf of all those that are marginalized and neglected by an indifferent society.

Despite many upheavals and barriers I have completed my first year at Cal State LA. It has not been easy and I have been in the risk of dropping out due to lack of financial aid and yet, I always wind up making ends meet. With my job, side jobs and the generous financial aid of professors and friends, I have been able to pay for tuition. I seek from you an opportunity to reach my full potential and commitment to my community. Regardless of the myriad obstacles I will encounter along the way, I am determined to overcome each one of them with renewed motivation to continue to keep my dream alive.”

Ana Cubas - CAL & Princeton - A Salvadoran American Success Story

Ana E. Cubas is the Deputy Director of the Youth Policy Institute (YPI). YPI is a non-profit organization that serves low income students and families by providing technology training, workforce training, and after-school programs in the communities of Pico-Union/Westlake, East Los Angeles, and the Northeast San Fernando Valley. YPI also operates the Bert Corona Charter Middle School in Pacoima, and has received grants for a Pico Union Charter Middle School and a Bert Corona Charter High School. Ana holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with highest honors from U.C. Berkeley, and a Masters’ Degree in Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University.

Ana has extensive experience working in the public policy, education, and non-profit sectors. She worked for former LAUSD School Board President José Huizar for three years as his Director of Policy and Legislation. In this position, she helped the Board President establish his policy and political agenda, advised him on budget issues, and all policy and legislative matters before the Board of Education. Ana also worked in Los Angeles City Hall, first for the Chief Legislative Analyst’s Office as a Legislative Analyst, and then for Council President Alex Padilla as a Legislative Deputy. Ana began her public policy career working in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Department of Education, and then for the California Legislative Analyst’s Office in Sacramento.

Active in the Los Angeles community, Ana E. Cubas has been appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to serve on the Los Angeles City Information Technology Commission. Ana is also a former member of the Human Relations Commission. She is the Vice President of the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF) Board of Directors and of El Rescate. She also participated in the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Leadership Institute 2000, and the CORO Southern California Neighborhood Leadership Program 2003. She is a previous Executive Committee member of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats (1999-2000), and continues on as an active member. Ana also appeared on television for two years as a political commentator in the LA Chatroom, a public affairs show on the KJLA TV station. Ana was born in El Salvador and came to Los Angeles when she was ten years old. She is the first in her family to attend college. Ana resides in the Solano Canyon community of Los Angeles.

Francisco Menendez - UNLV Film School

During his time at UNLV Prof. Menendez is responsible for creating their production and screenwriting sequences, designing their non-linear lab facilities and beginning their Professional Film Crew Training Program.

Prof. Menendez was honored as Outstanding Graduate of the year at the University of Puget Sound in 1985, and received his M.F.A. in Film and Video at California Institute of the Arts in 1989. At Cal Arts Prof. Menendez was a teaching assistant for three years to the Oscar nominated British filmmaker Alexander Mackendrick who also served as his mentor in his training as a film director.

In 2001 was selected for the Showtime Latino Filmmaker with his film Medio Tiempo. His next feature-length Primo allowed him to explore the new world of High Definition workflows, and gave the opportunity to film department students to work on all aspects of the cutting edge pre-production, production and post-production.

Prof. Menendez began making movies at the age of nine in his native country of El Salvador. In the Spring of 1984 he took a break from his undergraduate work and returned to El Salvador to work for the news media. During that time he was a stringer for Time magazine and a liaison for Jane Wallace of CBS News. In 1985, he won the Dore Schary Award for his documentary of Mexican children along the U.S. border entitled Los Niños Thinking About Others.

After Cal Arts, Prof. Menendez continued to direct films and videos, and decided to work out of an academic setting so that he could develop his own personal projects. Before moving to Las Vegas he worked as a casting associate for Pagano/Bialy Casting, and ran their office on the 20th Century Fox lot. He also served as Assistant Editor to Kris Malkiewicz for the revised edition of the book Cinematography.

At UNLV he teaches advanced courses in screenwriting, directing, and Avid non-linear editing. His areas of research are narrative theory, new technologies and the restoration of Central American films. In Spring 2000 he was awarded the Rita Deanin Abbey Teacher of the Year. He was also honored by the Entertainment Development Corporation as a trustee. This recognition was for his commitment to education and his involvement in film production in the state of Nevada.

SCREENINGS, READINGS, RESTORATIONS:

Primo – co-writer/Director/co-editor – High Definition Feature – in progress

Episode 57: The Adventures of Captain Bob and Sparky – Writer/Director/Editor – Machinima Short.

Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival, Las Vegas, June 2007.

Episode 28: The Adventures of Captain Bob and Sparky - Director/Editor – Machinima Short.

Screened at the Sixtieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 2006.

Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival, Las Vegas, June 2006.

Showcased at the 48 hr Film Competition UNLV, November 2005.

Two Arabian Knights (1927), The Racket (1928), The Mating Call (1928) – Restorer

Screened at the XXXIV Mostra Internazionale del Cinema Libero, IL CINEMA RITROVATO, 19th edition, Saturday July 2nd - Saturday July 9th 2005.

Completed the test transfer from 35mm to DV, and evaluated the condition of the prints in collaboration with Jeff Massino from Flicker Alley Films. These three “lost” Howard Hughes classics were digitally restored in Los Angeles and aired nationally Turner Classic Movies, December 2004.

Brave and Stupid: Game Over - Director/Editor – DV Short.

Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival, Las Vegas, June 2005.

Showcased at the 48 hr Film Competition UNLV, November 2004.

Hip’s a Problem - director/editor – DV Short.

Screened at APES, San Salvador, El Salvador, November 2004.

Screened at the CineVegas Film Festival, June 2004.

Screened at the 48 hr Film Competition Edinburgh Film Festival,

August 2003.

Bath Time - director/editor – 16mm Film Short.

Screened at the Palisades Film Festival, May 2004.

Screened at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 2003.

Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival, Las Vegas, June 2003.

Medio Tiempo - writer/director/editor – 16mm Film Short.

Screening Ibero-American Film Festival, Boston, MA, July 2005

Latino Filmmaker's Showcase - Showtime Networks, September 25, 2001. Aired forty-five times since that date.

Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival, Las Vegas, June 2002.

Screened at Latino Youth Conference, Las Vegas, July 2001; the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, July 2001; the Fifty-fifth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Eastman Kodak Rochester, NY, August 2001, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2001; The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, Big Bear, CA, September 2001.

The Spaghetti Kid - director/editor - Digital Film Short.

Screened at the Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Emerson University, Boston, MA, August 1999,

and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2000.

American Souffle - writer - Feature-Length Screenplay.

Screenplay read at the Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Emerson University, Boston, August 1999.

SFLA News - editor/camera/director - Digital Video sequences.

Screened in the production of Los Angeles Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Los Angeles, CA, July 1998.

The Strange Marriage of Samuel Baskin - editor/director - Digital Film Short.

Screened at the Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Wisconsin, Osh Kosh, WI,

August 1997, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2000.

Hey Little Girl - editor/camera/director - Digital Video short.

Screened in the production of Los Angeles Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Los Angeles, CA, July 1997.

Backstage - writer/director - Feature-Length Film.

Selected and screened at the Slamdance Film Market, Slamdance Film Festival, Park City, UT, January 1996.

Screened at the Forty-seventh Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Temple University, August 1993, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2000.

Safety In Numbers - writer/director - Film short.

Screened at the Fiftieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 1996; Salvadoran Ministry of Culture, San Salvador, May 1993; Writer's Guild Theater, Los Angeles, CA, May 1992.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OFFICES HELD:

Chair, Papers and Panels, University Film Video Association, 2004 – 2006.

President of the Jury, Certamen Nacional de Cine y Video, San Salvador, El Salvador, May 2006.

Board Member, University Film Video Association, 2004 – 2006.

Advisory Board Member, CineVegas, International Film Festival 2001-

Director, Professional Film Crew Training Program, UNLV, 1999-

Board Member, CineVegas, International Film Festival, 1999-2001.

Ex-officio Board Member, Entertainment Development Corporation, 1998-2003.

Director, SCRIPT, Screenwriting arm of the University Film and Video Association, 1995-99. Board Member since 1993.

Chair, Media Writing Section, Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI, August 1997.

Chair, Media Writing Section, Fiftieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 1996.

Chair, Rediscovering Latin Cinema Section: Fifteenth Annual Ohio University Film Conference, Ohio University, Athens, OH, October 1993.

PUBLICATIONS:

“Battle in Scotland,”Article published in Creative Screenwriting Weekly, August 2005.

“Communities in Trouble: Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later,”Article published in Creative Screenwriting, Summer 2003.

“Loving Liza: A look into Gordy Hoffman.” Interview published in Creative Screenwriting, March/April 2002.

“The Real Pete Jones: Why He Deserved His Break.” Interview published in Creative Screenwriting, March/April 2001.

“Las Vegas of the Mind: Shooting Movies in and about Nevada.” Chapter published in Grit Beneath the Glitter, Cal Press, 2001.

“Blurring a Conservative Vision: Coppola's Transformation of Milius' Apocalypse Now.” Article published in Creative Screenwriting, Spring 2000.

“Redefining Originality: Luhrmann’s Conceptualization of Romeo and Juliet.” Article published in Creative Screenwriting, Spring 1998.

Review. Garrand, Tim. Writing for Multimedia. Journal of Film and Video, Volume 49, Number 3, Fall 1997, 68-69.

“Double Abandando.”

Article published in Creative Screenwriting, II, No. 3, Spring 1995.

“Reel-Life Experience.”

Article published in UNLV Magazine, Fall 1995.

“The Reconstruction: Learning to Write Cinematically.”

Article published in Creative Screenwriting, II, No. 1, Spring 1995.

“The Five Shot Sequence Exercise.” Article published in the Michigan Academician, XXVI, No. 1, Winter 1994.

SCHOLARLY PAPERS AND PUBLIC LECTURES:

“Visualizando el Guion” Five-day Master Class, Concultura, El Salvador, May 2006.

“Teaching Surprise And Suspense: Laying The Groundwork For Cinematic Narrative In Beginning Production” Paper presented the Sixtieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 2006.

“Virtual Landscapes: Creating New Fiction in a Cyber World.” Paper presented at the Thirtieth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, September 2005.

“Challenges and Possibilities of International Teacher Exchange.” Panelist at the Fifty-ninth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Columbia College Chicago, Il, August 2005.

“Machinimania: Art, Artifice Or Accessible Virtual Filmmaking.” Paper presented at the Fifty-ninth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Columbia College Chicago, Il, August 2005.

“Tendencias Formales en ‘Reality Television’ y Cine Propagandista: Uso de Convenciones de Guion y Discusion de un Nuevo Sistema Etico.” Public lecture, Salvadoran Press Association, El Salvador, November 2004.

“Cuentamelo Sin Palabras: Reimaginando Redaccion y Direccion de Historias.” Master Class, Salvadoran Press Association, El Salvador, November 2004.

“Taming Cutting Edge Technology: Shooting the HD Feature.” Paper presented at the Fifty-eighth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Toledo, OH, August 2004.

“New Technology and Collaboration: Shifting Gears in Film Academia.” Plenary session at the Fifty-eighth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Toledo, OH, August 2004.

“Testing the limits of HD 24p in Film and Digital Education.” Proposal presented at the General Assembly of CILECT (The International Organization of Film Schools), Helsinki, Finland, May 2004.

“24p and Telecined Film: Issues and Options in Editing.” Paper presented at the Fifty-seventh Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of South Carolina, SC, July 2003.

“Student Held Infra-Structure: How New Technology Shifted the Power in Film Academia." Paper presented at the Fifty-sixth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Ithaca College, NY, August 2002.

“The Big Disappointment and Other Peaks: Teachable Moments That Illuminate Screenplay Structure." Paper presented at the Fifty-sixth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Ithaca College, NY, August 2002.

“Go Ask Alice: How Lewis Carroll's Alice became a Third Person Shooter.” Paper presented at the Twenty-sixth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, September 2001.

“Making Film Together: Creating the Co-curricular Film Project." Paper presented at the Fifty-fifth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Eastman Kodak Rochester, NY, August 2001.

“Virtually a Movie: New Developments in Interactive Gaming." Paper presented at the Fifty-fifth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Eastman Kodak Rochester, NY, August 2001.

“Is Film Dead?” University lecture presented at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, October 2000.

“The Hero As Witness: Kubrick's Shaping Of Full Metal Jacket.” Paper presented at the Twenty-fourth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1999.

“Exploiting Conventions: Grim Fandago Tackles Film Noir And Other Genres." Paper presented at Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Emerson University, Boston, MA, August 1999.

“Using Reincorporation: Making Meaning in the Feature-Length Screenplay.” Paper presented at Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Emerson University, Boston, MA, August 1999.

Panelist, "The Road to Sundance." All-day seminar. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, November 1998.

“Reforming Memories: Transforming Personal Events

Into Material For The Screen.” Paper presented at the Twenty-third Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1998.

“Movie or Game? Blurring the Line Between Interactive Gaming and

Cinematic Story.” Paper presented at Fifty-second Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC, August 1998.

“Is It Film Or Cinelook™? Widening The Options For The Student Filmmaker.” Paper presented at Fifty-second Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC, August 1998.

"Becoming Cinematic," Master Class at Chapman University, March 1998.

“Faking Meaning: The Dangers of Film Theory in an Undergraduate Context.” Paper presented at the Twenty-second Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1997.

“The Hero in Cyberspace: Traditional Storytelling Elements in Multimedia Gaming.” Paper presented at the Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI, August 1997.

“Transitions Into New Technologies: Acknowledging Our Responsibility To Keep Up.” Panel presentation at the Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI, August 1997.

“Restoring History: Bringing Back The Shorts Of Baltazar Polio.” Paper presented at the Colloquium on Film Restoration, Chapman University, Orange, CA, April 1997.

“Undertaking a Feature-Length Film: Preparing To Go The Distance.” Paper presented at the Colloquium on Independent Film Producing, Chapman University, Orange, CA, November 1996.

“Oliver Stone’s Responsible Irresponsibility: Examining the Value of the Outlaw History.” Paper presented at the Twenty-first Colloquium on

Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1996.

“Pre-visualizing effectively for Film Production by Embracing the Digital Medium.” Paper presented at the Fiftieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 1996.

“Reflecting About 'Cultural Baggage' Through Personal Experience.” Panel presentation at the BEA Conference, Las Vegas, NV, March 1996.

“Los Populares Tambien Se Respetan: Examining Pedro Infante and Mario Moreno.” Paper presented at the Twentieth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, September 1995.

“Mastering the Principles of Film by Shooting on Digital Video.” Paper presented at the Forty-Ninth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Keene State, Keene, NH, August 1995.

“Film into Rollercoaster, Rollercoaster into Film: How Narrative Informed the Amusement Park.” Paper presented at the Society of Cinema Studies: One Hundred Years of Cinema, NY, NY March 1995.

“Surviving the Salvadoran Presidential Elections.” Public lecture presented at the Tenth University Forum series at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, February 1995.

“Molina's Different Fantasies: How Adaptation Changed the Spider Woman.” Paper presented at the Nineteenth Colloquium

on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, September 1994.

“Developing Personal Material for the Screen.” Paper presented at the Forty- Eighth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association,

Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, August 1994.

“The Central American Conflict Through the Gaze of the Mainstream.” Paper presented at the 98^th Annual Meeting of the Michigan Academy of Science Arts and Letters, Michigan State , East Lansing, MI, March 1994.

“Recovering Los Peces Fuera del Agua (The Fish Out of Water).” presented at the Fifteenth Annual Ohio University Film Conference, National Cinemas Revisited, Ohio University, Athens, OH, October 1993.

“Rediscovering and Preserving the Primary Experience.” Paper presented at Forty-seventh Annual Conference of the University Film and

Video Association, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, August 1993.

“El Mediometraje: Del Guion al Rodaje, un Doble Salto Mortal” (The Short Feature: From Writing to Shooting, A Daring Accomplishment).

Public lecture and screening presented at the Universidad de las Americas, A.C., Mexico D.F., July 1993.

“The Five Shot Sequence Exercise.” Paper presented at the ninety-seventh Annual Meeting of the Michigan Academy of Science Arts and Letters, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, March 1993.

Felipe and Carolina Telona - World Dancing Champions- A Salvadoran Mexican Success Story

Carolina & Felipe

CarolinanfelipeATaol.com

Titles

World Mambo Champions

2 Time World Salsa Champions

5 Time American Rhythm Grand Finalists

Current U.S. Silver Medialists

Theatrical Arts Champions

Argentine Tango Champions

Performing Credentials

Currently Featured Dance Artists on America’s Ballroom Challenge

Seen on PBS

Featured Performers for the Gracie Allen Awards

Featured Performers for the “dancers for Life Tribute” at the New York City Center on Broadway

Latin Choreographers for American Express Industrial Film.

Soloists aboard the “Queen Elizabeth 2” Swing Review with Ann Hampton Callaway

Soloists with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops orchestra live at the Kimmel Center

Assistant choreographers for Celine Dion Music Video and 2008 World Tour

Our Story

Carolina Orlovsky-Telona and Felipe Telona have been devoting their lives together in developing the ability to touch, move, and inspire both audiences and students of all ages thru the art of dance.

Carolina knew from a young age when she began studying ballet under the direction of Ms. Bella Kovarskya that she would grow up to be a dancer. At Eighteen Carolina boarded a bus bound for New York City. She went on to study at the Alvin Aliey American Dance Center, become a recipient of the Richard Ellner Scholarship and apprentice for two consecutive years in Ann Reinking's Broadway Theatre Project.

However, it was not until she met Felipe in the basement of a Dance Studio in New Jersey did she realize her true calling, the World of Dancesport. Shortly after their introduction two things began to blossom, both her love for him and her love of Competitive Dancesport.

A year later, Carolina and Felipe formed a partnership in both marriage and dance. They have since gone on to become 3-time United States Bronze Medallists, World Mambo, World Salsa Champions, and most recently United States Silver Medallists in the Professional American Rhythm division.
A 3rd Degree Black Belt, Felipe was offered both a football and baseball scholarship but his heart was set on dancing when he decided to turn professional after only three years of dancing as an Amateur, during which time he won the 1999 Blackpool Latin Formation team title.

He began his professional Career in New Jersey where after only three months with his first partner he placed Fifth in the U.S. American Rhythm division. A day after returning from the U.S. Championships he asked Carolina out on a date. And so began their courtship and shortly after their partnership, which is now going in its sixth year.