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Hispanic and Latino heritage – a source of pride and strength in Brentwood – took center stage at Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting, where trustees, educators, staff and community leaders were honored during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Additionally, the meeting closed with a big announcement: Stacey Brdey, principal of Southeast Elementary School, was appointed to succeed Assistant Superintendent Ann Palmer when she retires in December.

“The greatest part is, they are both Brentwood graduates,” said Superintendent Wanda Ortiz-Rivera of Brdey and Palmer. “They started here very early, and it really tells us a story about the strength of our teachers here.” Ortiz-Rivera added that she felt “blessed” to have worked with Palmer over the years.

Early in the meeting, Board President Eileen Felix, First Vice President Julia Burgos and Trustees Brandon Garcia and Maria Malave were honored as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month by Byron McCray, director of school safety, as well as Legislator Sam Gonzalez and a representative from Senator Monica Martinez's office.

Later, the Board of Education and Central Administration recognized six extraordinary honorees from the community: Dafny Irizarry, Celia Vollmer, Ursula Rivera, Ingrid Citrin, Maria Rodriguez, and Denisse Fuentes.

The meeting also included a swearing in ceremony for Jalline Guevara, ex-officio student board member, and a presentation from RENU Contracting and Restoration, who spearheaded the 9-11 memorial renovation at Brentwood High School.

🇵🇷 Dafny J. Irizarry
Dafny Joy Irizarry Ortiz, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, is the founder and president of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association. A Paul Douglas Scholar, she earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Stony Brook University, a master’s in education from Queens College, and an advanced certificate in educational leadership from Stony Brook. Irizarry teaches English as a New Language in the Central Islip School District and has held leadership roles including Board Chair Trustee for Suffolk County Community College and member of the New York State Commissioner’s Teachers Advisory Board. She also hosts a Spanish-language radio program and was recognized as one of Long Island’s Top 50 Women. In Brentwood, she helped launch the first summer camp for high school girls.

⭐ Celia Vollmer
Celia Vollmer has served the Brentwood Library for 26 years in roles ranging from safety trainer to community outreach coordinator. She is a longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross, where she has served as supervisor, instructor, and ambassador, earning the Clara Barton Leadership Award in 2014. Vollmer has mentored students through the My Brother’s Keeper program and advocated for fire prevention and community safety. She also volunteers with the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Brentwood Historical Society, Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, and multiple PTA and library committees, earning a reputation for her dedication to service and community engagement.

🇵🇷 Ursula Rivera
Ursula Rivera, a Brentwood graduate of Puerto Rican heritage, has spent the past 20 years volunteering in the community and supporting young athletes. She played a key role in expanding the local softball program from 12 to more than 80 participants, providing opportunities and mentorship to Brentwood youth. Rivera also serves as an attendance monitor in the school district, demonstrating a commitment to student engagement and community service.

🇵🇷 Ingrid Citrin
Ingrid Citrin, born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, moved to Brentwood at age seven and graduated from Ross High School in 1988. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University and a master’s in special education, beginning her teaching career at South Middle School in 1997. After 25 years in the classroom, she now serves as department head of special education at Brentwood High School. Citrin has also worked as an administrator for Empowering Minds Therapy and is known for fostering strong connections with students and families while supporting inclusive educational programs.

🇵🇷 María Rodríguez
María Rodríguez was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and moved to the U.S. at age 12, arriving with limited English. She began her Brentwood career in 2003 as a sixth-grade bilingual teacher and later became a Teacher on Special Assignment, supporting Students with Interrupted Formal Education. Since 2017, Rodríguez has served as assistant coordinator for bilingual education and ENL programs for grades K-12. Her work focuses on fostering inclusive classrooms and advancing educational equity for multilingual learners. She is married, a mother of three Brentwood High School graduates, and a grandmother.

🇸🇻 Denisse Fuentes
Denisse Fuentes, daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, grew up in Brentwood, attending Southwest Pre-K, Hemlock Park Elementary, West Middle School, and Sonderling High School. She began her career as a teacher and coach in the Brentwood School District and currently serves as a parent liaison and leader of the district’s Family Community Center. Fuentes supports families, guides parents, and helps bridge home and school, emphasizing community engagement and service. She has also coached softball and girls’ soccer at multiple schools.