The Dominican-American Cultural Institute names its Student Plaza in honor of Mrs. Engracia Franjul de Abate
The Dominican-American Cultural Institute (ICDA) held a heartfelt event to name the institution’s Student Plaza in honor of Mrs. Engracia Franjul de Abate, recognizing her invaluable dedication, work, love for education, and commitment to the institution over the course of 38 years.
The event was led by Mrs. Darys Estrella, President of the ICDA Board of Directors, who delivered the welcome speech. In her address, she highlighted Mrs. Engracia Franjul de Abate’s career, emphasizing her commitment to education and tireless work in empowering underprivileged communities. “Her legacy is a testament to a life dedicated to service, education, and social transformation,” Estrella expressed.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished individuals, including members of the ICDA Board of Directors, family and friends of Mrs. Engracia Franjul de Abate, as well as collaborators and members of the educational community.
As part of the tribute, Mrs. Elizabeth de Windt, who served as Executive Director of the Dominican-American Cultural Institute from 1991 to 2013, presented a portrait of Mrs. Engracia Franjul de Abate. Later, the commemorative plaque was unveiled, officially designating the ICDA Student Plaza with her name.
Mr. Frank Abate, representing the family, gave an emotional speech of gratitude, highlighting his mother’s love and commitment to education and the community.
The ceremony concluded with an invitation for attendees to enjoy an exhibition featuring Salvador and Engracia de Abate’s pictographic collection in the institution’s Exhibition Hall.
Through this designation, the Dominican-American Cultural Institute pays eternal tribute to a visionary and exemplary woman whose impact will continue to inspire future generations of students and professionals.
Students celebrate Read Across America Day at the Domínico Americano School
On March 3rd, the Domínico Americano School joined the celebration of Read Across America Day, a day dedicated to promoting reading and a love for books in all their forms. On this day, students had the opportunity to read for 10 to 15 minutes, whether using books from the school library, those they brought from home, or digital formats.
This event, celebrated nationwide, aims to inspire young people to discover the power of reading, fostering imagination, knowledge, and the enjoyment of stories. In every classroom, students immersed themselves in their reading, creating an atmosphere of focus and reflection.
The celebration of Read Across America Day not only highlights the importance of reading in education but also demonstrates how this practice can connect people and enrich our culture.
Students receive a certificate for the value of the month of February: “Reverence for Life and Perseverance”
Last February, the highlighted value was Reverence for Life and Perseverance. We are proud to see how our students demonstrate these values in their daily lives, facing challenges with determination and commitment.
We congratulate the certificate winners for their dedication and perseverance, qualities that reflect their constant effort to improve themselves. This recognition is just a glimpse of their personal and academic growth.
Let’s keep growing together and building a future full of achievements!
Our students are participating in the Youth Chat 2025 event: a day of learning and empowerment
We are thrilled with the participation of our students in Youth Chat 2025, a unique event dedicated to youth development. This space for conversation and learning allowed our students to connect with successful role models, share experiences, and build their future together.
Youth Chat 2025 aims to empower Dominican youth by providing them with the tools and inspiration needed to achieve their dreams. Through talks, exchanges, and motivation, participants were able to strengthen their vision and commitment to personal and professional growth.
We congratulate our students for taking advantage of this valuable opportunity, demonstrating their dedication to continue learning and growing on their path to success.
This event has left a significant mark, and we remain focused on a future full of achievements and possibilities.
Dominico Americano School Participates in the Vex IQ Rapid Relay Competition and Wins Second Place
On February 15th, St. George School hosted the Vex IQ Rapid Relay competition, organized by Villa Campa, where various schools participated, facing a challenge full of ingenuity, strategy, and teamwork.
Domínico Americano School was represented by three teams: Angels, Sky Falls, and Robotic Manager. During the competition, each of these teams showcased their talent, effort, and technical skills. However, it was the Robotic Manager team that stood out, achieving an impressive second place in the competition and also receiving the Best Team award.
The Vex IQ Rapid Relay competition is characterized by requiring participants to design and program robots to perform specific tasks within a limited time. In addition to technical skills, the event places great emphasis on teamwork and strategy, factors that were essential to the performance of the Domínico Americano School teams.
The Robotic Manager team, in particular, stood out for their adaptability and focus on solving the challenges they encountered during the event. This victory reflects the effort and dedication that the students have put into their training, as well as their ability to work together and overcome obstacles.
We congratulate all the teams from Domínico Americano School for their dedication and effort in the competition. We also extend our congratulations to all the participating teams, who demonstrated an impressive level of skill, teamwork, and passion for robotics. This event has been an excellent opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen collaboration between educational institutions, and we are proud of the participation of our teams.
This achievement reinforces the commitment of Domínico Americano School to robotics education and to shaping young people with the skills to face future challenges. The students return with valuable experiences that will motivate them to continue excelling in future competitions.
Color, history, and tradition: this is how our spectacular Carnival Gala was experienced
The Carnival Gala was a showcase of talent, creativity, and cultural pride from our students, who, grade by grade, transported us through various eras and traditions with presentations full of color, music, and energy.
The celebration began with 7th grade, who took us on a journey through Europe with their “European Carnival.” Dressed in traditional costumes, performing folk dances, and offering joyful interpretations, they showcased the best of the old continent’s traditions.
Then, 8th grade took us back to the ancestral roots of the Caribbean with a heartfelt presentation inspired by the Taíno era. Their dances, attire, and stage presence paid tribute to the indigenous culture with great respect and authenticity.
Meanwhile, 6th grade amazed the audience with their portrayal of the Diablos Cojuelos, a vibrant, energetic, and colorful display that clearly demonstrated the talent and dedication of our youngest students.
The magic continued with 9th grade, who presented two of the most iconic figures of Dominican carnival: Calife and Roba la Gallina. With striking costumes, humor, and creativity, they delivered an unforgettable performance.
10th grade delighted us with their representation of Tiznao and Pintao, blending dance, narrative, and body expression to tell the story of these traditional characters with a passionate and colorful performance.
11th grade stood out with a powerful interpretation of the traditional Gagá, conveying its energy and intensity through rhythmic movements, vibrant costumes, and an admirable teamwork effort.
Finally, 12th grade brought the event to a spectacular close with their presentation of La Voz del Carnaval. Their performance combined dance, music, and stage expression to capture the festive and cultural essence of Dominican carnival, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.
Each performance reflected the dedication, creativity, and teamwork of our students and teachers. This Carnival Gala not only celebrated our roots but also strengthened our cultural identity and community spirit.
Altheia Celebrates Valentine’s Day with a Successful Bake Sale
Our Altheia seniors successfully celebrated their Valentine’s Day sale, an event that stood out for its spirit of unity and fellowship. Every detail of the gathering reflected the close friendship that unites its members, creating an atmosphere full of magic and warmth.
Beyond the exquisite snacks, attendees shared joyful moments with laughter, cherished memories, symbolic Cupid gifts, and serenades that brought a special touch to the event.
Thanks to everyone’s support, this activity was a resounding success and raised funds for graduating students. A memorable day that strengthened community ties and celebrated the true meaning of friendship.
We celebrate our outstanding students for embodying the values of the month of January: Resilience and Integration
During the month of January, our school promoted two fundamental values for personal growth and healthy coexistence: Resilience and Group Integration. These values were worked on in the classroom, through group activities, and in daily school life, reinforcing the importance of overcoming challenges with a positive attitude and becoming an active part of a team.
As part of this initiative, we held a certificate award ceremony for students who demonstrated the meaning of these values through concrete actions. Each student was chosen for their ability to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties, adapt with flexibility, and show a spirit of collaboration and empathy within their group.
This recognition not only highlights their effort but also inspires the entire school community to continue cultivating attitudes that create positive, supportive, and resilient environments.
We congratulate all the students who were recognized on this occasion. You are an example of how values are lived beyond words, through actions that make a difference every day.
Dominico Americano School Students Achieve Second Place in International Technology Competition
A team of students from our school has impressively achieved second place in the Junior category of the international competition organized by Coded – Coding Education, recently held in Orlando, United States. This outstanding performance was achieved after a week of intense collaboration and effort, during which the students presented their innovative project, EcoOtter Park, a proposal that fuses skills in programming, design, and critical thinking within the field of technology and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
The competition brought together teams from 16 schools from countries such as Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and Honduras, where the team from Dominico Americano School stood out among the best, securing one of the 20 spots available for the next international edition of the competition in Tokyo 2027.
In addition to the competition, the students participated in an extensive training program provided by Coded, which included a series of workshops focused on the latest technological and design trends. Among the courses and activities carried out, participants delved into areas such as programming and web design, digital animations, aerospace, and theme park design. They also had the opportunity to explore science and technology in iconic places like Universal Studios and Disney.
The EcoOtter Park project stood out for its innovative and unique proposal, the result of the students’ effort and dedication in applying what they had learned during their preparation. Through this work, they demonstrated not only their technical skills but also their ability to work in teams, solve complex problems, and propose creative solutions.
“We are very proud of our students’ performance and grateful to Coded for offering such an enriching platform. This second place is just the beginning of a bright future for these young innovators,” said Linda Mauad, director of Dominico Americano School.
This achievement highlights the growing importance of technological competencies in the educational and professional development of young people, consolidating Dominico Americano School as a reference in the training of future leaders in science and technology.