|
Ronald Thompson |
|
He received a scholarship to attend McMaster University in Canada where he obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. While attending university he met and married his lovely wife, Millicent, who is a Registered Nurse trained in England, and they are the parents of two sons.
Migrating to Rochester in 1970, Mr. Thompson immediately became active in the community and taught in the Rochester City School District for 29 years until his retirement in 1998. During the course of his career, he has mentored students of all ages, and his past students state that he was "tough". However, because of his encouragement, those students attended college and have come to appreciate the positive influence that Mr. Thompson had on their lives.
Sharing his humanitarian outlook both here and abroad, Mr. Thompson has dispatched funds to Jamaica on a number of occasions for people who are less fortunate. For example, he was responsible for sending finances to Jamaica to purchase a prosthetic leg for an amputee who had limited mobility. In addition, he provided for the medical expenses of a gentleman in Jamaica who needed cataract surgery. Further, he routinely provides the hospital and clinic with medical supplies.
Oftentimes, Mr. Thompson becomes aware of minority teachers experiencing hiring problems in the school district and he acts on their behalf by clearing the way and opening doors. In addition, he is a steadfast advocate for those who experience problems receiving benefits such as heat, food, medical care, and legal assistance. He has also been known to accompany others to the hospital to ensure that the doctor understands the patient, and more importantly, that the patient understands the doctor's instructions.
As a member and usher of AME Zion church for many years, Mr. Thompson and his wife have planted hundreds of flowers on the church grounds. He is a member of the Rochester West Indian Festival Organization. He is also a member of the Ham House Committee which preserves the HAM house which was a part of the Underground Railroad during slavery and is now a historical landmark. He is a member of the Prostate Cancer group and educates men on prostate cancer, stressing the importance of early detection, follow-up and treatment.
With a charitable spirit, Mr. Thompson has helped many in his neighborhood by plowing snow or mowing lawns when his neighbors are ill or unable to manage. In his spare time, he teaches the art of gardening, and each year generously supplies products from his vegetable garden to others. For all of his accomplishments, Mr. Thompson remains a humble person but he is certainly a Jamaican of whom we can be very proud. |
|
Rochester Jamaican Organization, Inc. P.O. Box 24287 Rochester, NY 14624
Phone: 585-234-2119
Email: rochesterjamaicanorg@yahoo.com
|
|
To contact us:
|
|
Ronald Thompson 2007 Community and Leadership Award recipient |
|
Ronald Thompson was born in the Parish of St Mary, Jamaica, West Indies to Clifford and Florence Thompson. At an early age, he was taught by his parents that education was very important. As a young boy, Ronald helped his father with the farm, the animals, and other duties before going to school. It was difficult at times, but he attributes his success in life to his humble beginnings and the role model set for him by his father. After successfully passing the Cambridge Higher School Certificate Examination, Mr. Thompson taught in his home school for a few years. |
|
Pearl Rugless Honored 2008 Community and Leadership Award Recipient |
|
Pearl Rugless continued; whatever else was necessary to ease their transition to Rochester. In Mrs. Rugless’ words “It wasn’t easy but I would do it again.” Mrs. Rugless was one of the founding members of the Caribbean Club where she served as president for 25 years. Through that organization she initiated the annual Thanksgiving dinner for seniors and the less fortunate.
Always seeking to give back to the land of her birth, Mrs. Rugless was always the one to mobilize help for Jamaica after any catastrophe or natural disaster such as hurricane Gilbert in 1988. She collected hospital supplies, clothing, personal hygiene products and anything else she could find to ship to the needy Jamaicans.
Mrs. Rugless had been and continues to be a role model to all Caribbean people in the greater Rochester area. She serves on the Advisory Board of Sojourner House and served as advisor to Rochester city school teachers, she took a group of city schoolteachers to Jamaica so they could experience the culture first-hand and get a better understanding of the backgrounds of their Caribbean students.
Mrs. Rugless has instructed 6th graders in the city school district and 7th graders at mercy high school on etiquette and serves as a member of the Grapevine Organization- a dedicated group of women working for the social justice in the Rochester metropolitan area. Mrs. Rugless is also Vice president of the Genesee Street corridor of merchants; an organization committed to upgrading and maintaining the quality of life in that neighborhood. Forever the selfless giver, Mrs. Rugless volunteered as a senior companion for unity health care in 2006, visiting seniors in their homes, reading to them and helping them to run errands as necessary. In March 2008 Mrs. Rugless was awarded The ELI RUBIN SECOND HALF HERO award for services rendered in the community. Once again it is time for us to honor one of the truly great Jamaican women of our generation. The Rochester Jamaican Organization is pleased to recognize the stalwart of our community as they would say in Jamaica let’s all “Big up Miss Rugless.” |
|
Pearl Rugless |
|
Karen Iglesia Honored 2009 Community and Leadership Award
Karen Iglesia was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and moved to Rochester when she was ten years old. As a child, Karen was always encouraged to study science and math; she went on to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Buffalo and the University of Rochester . While at Buffalo, Karen was elected student body president controlling a budget of over $2,000,000 - she was the first black female student body president for a major SUNY school. She was also the president of the National Society of Black Engineers student organization. While in college, Karen worked at Bausch and Lomb in the Chemical Engineering Laboratory.
Upon completing college, Karen decided that Engineering and corporate America was not rewarding enough and so took a position at Baden Street Settlement as Director of Education. In this role she was able to utilize her Engineering and Math skills to develop hands-on engineering programs for high school students. She also started her own high school chapter of National Society of Black Engineers with high school students from throughout the Greater Rochester area. Her team traveled throughout the United States competing in math and science bowls, and robotic competitions. One of her greatest accomplishments is developing an engineering program at Baden Street where twenty five at risk ninth graders were introduced to Science, Technology and Engineering. Four years later 100% of the students graduated from high school - eleven of these program members pursued Math and Engineering in college. Karen is still the advisor of the National Society of Black Engineers Pre College program for three Rochester area schools. Karen is President/CEO of Iglesia Services Incorporated, the largest urban tutoring company in Upstate, New York and the fifth largest urban tutoring company in the United States . Iglesia Services has contracts with Monroe County, City of Rochester, City School District, RIT, Catholic Family Center and Center for Youth to name a few. Karen started her business while still employed at Baden Street and serving as an adjunct at Brockport Educational Opportunity Center. Karen started the first free SAT Prep Course for students in Rochester preparing over 10,000 students for the SAT Test. After 12 years, her business now has over 170 employees, with two free-standing locations and renting space in over 16 schools. Services are provided to over 2000 students in Rochester and she has opened another location in Syracuse with anticipated student enrollment of over 1000 students. Karen’s involvement in the Rochester community is not limited to her business. She has been a Judge and sponsor for the Miss Carifest pageant, member of the Urban League of Rochester Black Scholars Board, sponsor of the Stop the Violence basketball tournament held July 23-25, 2009 as well as sponsor for the Child Well Being in Caribbean Families Workshop hosted by the Rochester Jamaican Organization. Karen is also on the RCSD Community and Parent Committee and annually provides scholarships for 3 students through the Urban League of Rochester. Her activism extends to Jamaica where she visits and talks at various schools in Montego Bay each year and provides money and school supplies to Springfield All-Age School.
The Rochester Jamaican Organization is pleased to recognize the contributions of Karen Iglesia to the Rochester community and Jamaica. We salute her efforts to educate future generations and improve the lives of children. Karen—you have made us proud! |
|
Karen Iglesia the Community Leadership and Service Award recipient 2009 |
