ASPIRA of Florida, Inc. celebrated its 21^st Anniversary Fundraising Gala on April 13, 2002 at the Miami Sofitel Hotel.

The event was a celebration of "21 Years of Building Leaders" and honored Lemuel (Lee) Ramos, former Board member of ASPIRA. Lee was presented with El Pitirre Award for his outstanding dedication, leadership, civic accomplishments and commitment to youth.

The evening began with a cocktail reception where the guests were entertained by Don Nestor Ramón Torres, the father of renowned flutist, Nestor Torres. The reception area featured a silent auction of donated artworks from Romero Britto, Obed Gomez, and the Damien B. Contemporary Art enhanced by artwork displays by Aspirantes.

(Raul Martinez, President/CEO, ASPIRA & Honoree Lee Ramos)

Master of Ceremonies, John Morales, of Univision 23, welcomed ASPIRA’s guests to the program portion of the evening. This included a presentation from ASPIRA President & CEO, Raul A. Martinez, on the impact and future of the organization, testimonials from two college bound ASPIRANTES, and an award presentation to honoree, Lee Ramos, delivered to him by ASPIRA’s Chairperson, Teresa Albizu-Rodriguez and close personal friend and colleague, Bob Chisholm.

Lee Ramos’s involvement with ASPIRA covered a period of over 15 years. From 1985 – 2000, Mr. Ramos was a member of the ASPIRA of Florida Board of Directors as well as the Chairperson from 1992 – 1994 and in 1998. From 1992 – 2000, he was a member of the ASPIRA National Board of Directors. He began practicing architecture in January 1963 and continued until February 2001. He is the recipient of three AIA Service Awards, seven National and State Design Awards and over five Civic Service Awards. Lee Ramos is now semi-retired and resides in Tequesta. Florida.

(Raul Martinez, Joseph Hailey, auction winner of two prized Britto paintings (in background) and Angelo Gonzalez, ASPIRA Vice Chair of Programming)

The evening concluded with the guests dancing the rest of the night away to the sounds of 5^th Avenue and Latin Grammy Award winner Nestor Torres. The event raised over $15,000 and will go towards ASPIRA’s nationally renowned dropout prevention programs.