Students in Yonkers Middle School Enjoy Showing of Award-Winning Dominican Environmental Documentary On World Turtle Day

The student members of the Cultural-Hispanic Club of Yonkers’ Middle High School, in New York City, participated in a fun-filled afternoon this past May 22 during the showing of the environmental documentary Cacú: un cambio por la vida (unofficial translation: Cacú: A Change for Life). The event was organized by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) as part of the activities it programmed to celebrate World Turtle
Day.

The showing began with the introductory remarks delivered by Paul Goris, engineer and coordinador of Funglode’s educational technologies. He thanked all the students present and highlighted the support received by Math professor Francisco E. Cruz and Mrs. Jael Rivas, education specialist and the high school’s professor of World Religions. Both coordinate the school’s Cultural-Hispanic Club.

Before the presentation, documentary producer Marvin del Cid and Dominican marine biologist Omar Shamir Reynoso were introduced to the students. Both spoke briefly on the making of the documentary and the importance of working to conserve the world’s turtle population.

After the documentary showing, both Marvin del Cid and Omar Reynoso participated in a lively question and answer session.  They also received very positive feedback from the students. Some students expressed special interest in learning more as to why Omar Reynoso decided to become a marine biologist and why his special interest in turtles.

Marine biologist Reynoso explained that this particular career helps scientists understand the wildlife that lives
in our oceans, how to protect them, and how humans interact with these living organisms.  He also highlighted that he became interested in marine turtles when he learned of the situation in the Dominican community of Manresa, situated in the southwest section of Santo Domingo, a very special place for marine turtles because it is an important region where they lay their eggs.

On the Cultural-Hispanic Club
The student club brings
together students interested in environmental issues, and who carry out educational activities to preserve the environment such as recycling activities, including workshops and collection of plastic products, among other activities.