Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education’s Fiesta 2018 at New York’s Plaza Hotel was an evening to remember. Each year at Fiesta, the Casita Maria Gold Medal of Honor is awarded to outstanding individuals in recognition to their contribution to the worlds of arts, education, and philanthropy, and this year was no different. Casita Maria honored three exceptional philanthropic individuals: Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Mary Snow, and Carlos Souza.
Cuban Actress Sissi Fleitas was the evening’s host and Dinner Chairmen were Jacqueline Weld Drake, HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, and Carlos Mota.
Casita Maria’s Chairman Jacqueline Weld Drake presented all three honorees with their Gold Medals of Honor and said: “I am proud to say that in 2018, our programs daily serve more than 1,000 promising young members of the Bronx, East Harlem and Harlem communities” said Board Chairman Jaqueline Weld Drake. She went on to say, “Looking ahead to what’s in store in 2019 and beyond, Casita Maria will continue to advance our mission and work to build a brighter, more creative, and culturally rich future for our children and all future residents of the South Bronx and East Harlem.”
The Honorary Chairs were Elizabeth Peabody, Christine Schwarzman, and Lynn Wyatt, and American-Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto performed two songs with guitarist Guilherme Monteiro.
Guests included: Nicky Hilton Rothschild, James Rothschild, Valesca Guerrand-Hermes, Francisco Costa, Olivia Palermo, Carlos Souza, & Amy Fine Collins.
Pictured:
Dayssi Olarte De Kavanos, Mary Snow, Carlos Souza
Gugelmann, Carlos Souza, Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Olivia Palermo