Read about Aquarium honorees from our community.
Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific/Robin Riggs
January 21, 2025
Virginia Carmelo with Aquarium's Vice President of Marketing and Communications Cecile Fisher Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific
Virginia Carmelo was honored at the Aquarium’s Moompetam festival in September 2024.
She is dedicated to supporting and uplifting the indigenous community through activism and using language, song, and dance to preserve and perpetuate Tongva culture. Carmelo has served as a tribal council member and tribal chairperson of the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation of the Los Angeles Basin for over a decade.
Aquarium’s Vice President of Animal Care Nate Jaros with the President of House of Puerto Rico Martin Crespo Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific
The House of Puerto Rico, San Diego was the honoree at the Aquarium’s Baja Splash festival in September 2024.
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to cultural preservation, inclusivity, and making a positive community impact. Their work includes providing disaster relief assistance for Puerto Rico after hurricanes Maria and Fiona, a youth scholarship program, and bringing people together to celebrate and preserve Puerto Rican culture through La Casita (museum) in San Diego and its events and programs.
Honoree Soup Pha with Aquarium Board Member Sam Limon Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific
Soup Pha was honored at the Aquarium’s Southeast Asia Day in October 2024.
He is a Khmer, Lao, and Thai multi-international recording artist signed with Sastra Music and Film of Cambodia and SG music. He serves on the committees for the Asian World Film Festival, FilAm Creative’s Southeast Asian representative, and Long Beach Sankranta. His philanthropic work includes actively supporting Southeast Asian community events throughout the world, doing so since he was 12 years old. Pha performed a song he wrote for the Aquarium called “Ocean Family” during the ceremony.
Aquarium’s Director of Philanthropy Peter Chang with the Director of the Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles and Consul of the Korean Consulate General Sangwon Jung. Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific
The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles (KCCLA) was honored at the Aquarium’s Autumn Festival in November 2024.
KCCLA is dedicated to expanding the knowledge of Korean culture. It features an art gallery, museum, library, and auditorium for performances, monthly films, and lectures. The Center is open to the public and offers guided field trip tours for local teachers and students. Welcoming everyone, KCCLA encourages the community to learn about the rich history of Korea that spans more than 5,000 years.
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