Hispanic Heritage Month
2022 Honoree
Jose and Vicki Zamora
During National Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022, we are celebrating Jose and Vicki Zamora. These two Hispanic American champions have inspired generation after generation through their love of soccer. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when we recognize, celebrate, and support the Hispanic and Latino community's contributions to the successes of our region and throughout the country through academics, athletics, art, economics, civic service, and in countless other ways.
About Jose and Vicki Zamora
Jose and Vicki Zamora have had a tremendous impact on the local soccer community. For nearly 30 years, they have supported thousands of adults and children across our community in their love of the game of soccer. The Zamora’s started the International Soccer League of Rockford which is the largest soccer league in the region. Currently, over 70 youth teams play on Saturdays and almost 50 adult teams play on Friday night and Sunday. The Zamora family has helped youth build valuable life skills such as hard work, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication. For adults, soccer has built friendships and helped improve their health and wellness. Nobody loves this game more than Jose and Vicki Zamora. As the Zamora’s say, “live, love, and play soccer.”
2021 Honorees
Gloria Cardenas Cudia
Gloria Cardenas Cudia was the first minority member of the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners in 1990, and in 1997 she became the first Hispanic elected to the Rockford School Board. Gloria joined the District in 1993 as the Outreach Coordinator, and spent 18 years working to make sure youth, teens, and adults knew about the broad variety of programs, lessons, leagues, and events offered to improve their quality of life. She was the co-founder and president of Fiesta Hispana, president and board member of La Voz Latina, founder of the Salsa Business Network, and currently serves on the Rock Valley College Board. This is just a small sampling of the many boards Gloria has volunteered to serve on over the years. She has also been the recipient of numerous local, state, and national awards for community service. Gloria is a dedicated and inventive leader in the Hispanic community, and has focused her efforts to improve the lives of all who live in our community.
Armando Cardenas
In 2002, Armando Cardenas founded Domingos en el Parque, a popular summer concert series that provides cultural entertainment for all ages in the community. As an active member of the Latino community, Armando recognized that the Rockford Park District was providing summer concerts for certain segments of the community through Music in the Park, but felt that there was a need to provide similar programming for the Latino community. Domingos en el Parque was born, and to this day offers families a venue to experience their heritage through music and dance in an “open air” park setting. Armando retired after the 2010 season, but the concert series is still going strong today with new coordinators. Armando was also the first executive director of La Voz Latina in 1972, and continues to advocate for families and individuals in the Latino community through his volunteer work with the Coalition of Latino Leaders, Rockford Area Arts Council, and Winnebago County Crime and Public Safety Commission. He is highly respected throughout the community, and is known for resolving challenges and bringing people together for the good of the community.
Dr. Rudy Valdez
Dr. Rudy Valdez is an aerospace engineer who is also a strong community activist and major advocate for the Rockford Park District. Most recently, he volunteered his time with the District serving on the Operations Advisory Committee to review and analyze Park District operations. Rudy has 35 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, automotive, and the aerospace industry. Valdez volunteers with many organizations, including SWIFTT, a business advocacy group for southwest Rockford, and helped form the Coalition of Latino Leaders in 2011, which is made up of 25+ Latino groups that meet monthly to facilitate communication between different Latino organizations in the Rockford region. Valdez was named the winner of the Rockford Register Star’s 2013 Excalibur Award for his work with the Rockford Public Schools, Alignment Rockford, State of Illinois Charter School Commission, Boy Scout Blackhawk Council Executive Board, and La Voz Latina, among other organizations. He has a goal to use his experiences, training, and education to facilitate the knowledge growth of individuals, especially youth. Rudy Valdez’ contributions to connecting the District to the Latino community are endless.