VALORES LATINOS n POR MAYRA LA PAZ/PL
José Antonio Meléndez Rodríguez
B
orn January 9, 1962, In Nicaraguas a
Meléndez gives motivational talks and has
Nicaraguan American guitar player,
written a book. He campaigns actively for
composer, singer, and songwriter
the pro-life cause.Meléndez now resides in
who was born without arms. His mother
Branson, Missouri with his wife, Lynn.
took thalidomide while pregnant, which
Meléndez has won Unity Awards Male
caused his disability. Meléndez has learned
Vocalist of the Year UCMVA in 2000, 2002,
to play the guitar with his feet
and 2004, and. In 2002, he took Artist of the
Meléndez began playing and singing in
year. He received the Branson Entertain-
the Los Angeles area in 1985. On Septem-
ment Award for Best New Artist in 1999,
ber 15, 1987, Meléndez sang Never Be the
the “Inspirational Hero Award from the
same while playing the guitar with his feet
NFL Alumni Association at the Super Bowl
in a special performance for Pope John Paul
XXIII and has received special commenda-
II. Visibly moved, the Pope descended from
tions from the State of California for his
his chair and embraced Meléndez. The
work with young people and from Presi-
Pope told Meléndez, “My wish to you, is to
dent Reagan, regarding Tony “as a positive
continue of giving, this hope to all, all the
role model for America”.
people,” which inspired him.
Meléndez spoke candidly about the
cial Artists written by Jean Kennedy Smith
His band, Tony Meléndez and the Toe
effect disability had on his life and work in
and George Plimpton and published by
Jam Band, has a busy concert schedule.
the book Chronicles of Courage: Very Spe-
Random House.
Jacki Álvarez
N
ació en California, pero radica en
tacadas “Fringe Festival Orlando” “Orlando
Nicaragua desde los seis años. Se
Science Center” y “Osceola Arts”.
destacó como una campeona en el
Se inicia como presentadora de tele-
Tenis de mesa a corta edad en Nicaragua,
visión y radio, consiguiendo en esta área
lo que le permitió conocer varios países de
social, un nicho muy importante para el
diferentes continentes y representar inter-
desarrollo de la ayuda comunitaria, que
nacionalmente a su querida Nicaragua obte-
fue lo que la inspiró a conectarse con la
niendo muchos premios y reconocimientos.
voz hispana en la Florida, con múltiples
Siempre fue muy apasionada por el tea-
fundaciones y organizaciones civiles y po-
tro y la actuación, se preparó durante unos
líticas.
años para crecer en el desarrollo de sus
Jackie es una idealista y soñadora de la
cualidades histriónicas. Con la guía de la
fuerza humana. Su mensaje a la mujer la-
primer actriz Sharon Riley, el productor y
tina es: “sigue tus sueños y que nadie te
actor Roberto Alexander, junto a Luigi Gar-
detenga y que nos unamos las mujeres, de
cía en Escenario Inc. donde realizaron dife-
esa manera transformaremos el mundo con
rentes presentaciones siendo las más des-
amor armonía y respeto”.
30 | PORTADA LATINA | PRIMAVERA 2020
