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Sam Delgado, the vice president of external affairs for Verizon New Jersey, was honored by The North Ward Center in Newark at its annual Three Kings Day celebration.
Delgado, a long-time resident of Newark's North Ward, received the award in recognition of his corporate involvement on behalf of Verizon in support of the community.
Sam Delgado, vice president of external affairs for Verizon New Jersey, was honored by The North Ward Center at its annual Three Kings Day celebration. From left to right: State Sen. Teresa Ruiz; Delgado; Stephen N. Adubato, founder of The North Ward Center; Adrianne Davis, executive director of The North Ward Center and Fran Adubato. In background are the Three Kings portrayed by Robert Treat Academy students Nicholas Scott-Hearn, Maurice Ware and Matthew Aquino.
"As a Puerto Rican and a Newarker, I'm honored to be recognized as part of this longstanding tradition at The North Ward Center," Delgado said.
Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center, said Verizon has been a strong supporter of community groups in Newark, including The North Ward Center. Dennis Bone, the president of Verizon New Jersey, was recently honored at The North Ward Center's 11th Annual Gala.
"Sam Delgado is so deserving of this honor today because he truly is someone who cares about this community," Davis said.
The North Ward Center has been celebrating Three Kings Day, or El Dia de los Reyes Magos, for more than 20 years. The holiday is celebrated throughout Latin America.
Stephen N. Adubato, the founder of The North Ward Center, said Three Kings Day became one of the holidays celebrated at The North Ward Center to include the growing Latino population in the North Ward. More than 100 people attended the celebration, held in the foyer of The North Ward Center's historic administration building.
"Celebrating Three Kings Day has become an important event for The North Ward Center," Adubato said. "It's a great way to bring the community together."
Three Kings Day commemorates the Epiphany – the day when three kings bearing gifts followed a star that led them to Bethlehem, where they found the baby Jesus and presented him with gifts.
As part of the celebration, three people dress up as the Three Kings – Balthaszar, Melchior and Gaspar. This year, three Robert Treat Academy students – Nicholas Scott-Hearn, 14, Maurice Ware, 13 and Matthew Aquino, 14 – played the roles.
Guests were entertained by Trio Cristal and the Robert Treat Academy Chorus, which sang "El Nacimiento" and "We Three Kings."
