The Lakelander - Issue 89

LAKELAND’S AUTHENTIC LATIN MARKET

THE NEW LANGUAGE OF EDUCATION

MEET “COHATCH MOM”

MEGA MERCADO

With the kids out of school and enjoying the outdoors, don’t let allergies, scrapes, colds, and sprains hold them back from the summer fun. We are here to make sure your family receives care and treatment the same day at two convenient Urgent Care locations (near Southgate and Lake Miriam) with no appointment needed!

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Your Health. Our Promise.

This summer, be out with the family…not in with sniffles.

MEXICAN SO GOOD YOU’LL THINK YOUR GRANDMA COOKED IT Mega Mercado is built on authentic Mexican flavors cooked up by longtime chefs and bakers who serve savory dishes with pizazz and sweet treats for all ages, all in the context of a bustling market.

THE NEW LANGUAGE OF LEARNING

Mi Escuela Montessori is up to the challenge to showcase how bilingual learning with a self-directed philosophy can pay dividends for students and the entire community.

PUBLISHER

Curt Patterson

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OPERATIONS

Jason Jacobs

EDITOR, CONTENT STRATEGIST

RJ Walters

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jonathan Sierra

VP, FINANCE

Deb Patterson

GENERAL COUNSEL

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Curt Patterson | 863.409.2449

ADVERTISING SALES

Isaac Vargas | 407.619.3508

Jason Jacobs | 863.606.8785

EDITORIAL

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER

Jordan Randall

CONTRIBUTORS

Diego De Jesus

Victoria Bardega

CREATIVE

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Briana Chenot

Sydney Silva

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jordan Randall

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Jason Jacobs

DISTRIBUTION

David Heideman

ISSUE The Lakelander is published 12 times annually by Lakelander Media, 1505 Florida Ave. S, Lakeland, FL 33803. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission of The Lakelander is prohibited. The Lakelander is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions. Lakelander Media, 1505 Florida Ave. S, Lakeland, FL 33803 Customer Service: 863.701.2707 • thelakelander.com

WAYS OF LIFE WORTH EMBRACING

rooms with colorful details and clever expressions, and at times they have a hard time “landing the plane” so to speak, as some wives like to describe the point when their husbands just really need to wrap up a story

• Chimichurri works brilliantly to flavor meat, vegetables, rice, etc. but it is much more comparable to minced garlic than barbecue sauce because too much chimichurri and no amount of mouthwash will cut the taste

Before you complete the thought, Why do I want to read what a middle-age white guy has to say about Hispanic culture?, let me put this out there: my life would be far less rich, interesting and meaningful without my Hispanic friends’ warmth, wisdom, flair, and yes, food.

I grew up in predominantly white suburbs in middle-class communities in the Midwest, and my exposure to Latino culture was mostly related to Cinco de Mayo “celebrations” and the raucous fans I experienced every four years through my TV as part of World Cup viewing. Then, in my late 20s I moved to Lakeland, where Spanish was not just a class to take in school and I had to grapple with the reality of the different dialects and the cultural cues that mean one thing in Haiti and something completely different in Dominican Republic, even though the countries share an island.

Here are some general and imperfect observations and nuggets of wisdom I have learned, which you may nod your head at or shake your head at, depending on your experiences.

• Many of the Latinos I call friends are the best story-tellers I know; they talk with their hands, they captivate

• It’s complex and complicated to be an American but still try to pay homage to roots and traditions of other cultures and upbringings; there is an invisible, yet important line, where a person with Hispanic roots may “disappoint” their parents, grandparents, etc. because they have adopted a more Western approach to a certain holiday, style or tradition that was part of their family’s DNA; be sensitive to that

• If you can’t understand a Hispanic person’s joke, then the joke just might be on you because it’s probably about you!

I love the fact that my kids live in a community where people look and sound different than them and grew up with different experiences than we did. I love that every fall there is a highoctane celebration of Hispanic culture downtown at the Hispanic Festival. And I love that I have the privilege of living somewhere that so beautifully reminds me todos somos hijos de dios—we are all children of God.

RJ Walters EDITOR

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AUTO ACCIDENT?

CONTRIBUTORS

SYDNEY SILVA

For exceptional Chiropractic Care after a vehicle accident, contact Dr. Abraham and the professional team at New Hope Chiropractic in the Lake Miriam Publix Plaza.

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Sydney Silva was raised in Freeport, Maine and moved to Lakeland Florida to attend Florida Southern College. She is currently working to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts as a graphic design student. She is our design intern here at The Lakelander and is continuing to take classes over the summer. In her freetime, when she's not designing or studying, she enjoys photography and painting as other creative outlets as well as hanging with her animals, Charlie and Henry, and hanging with friends.

@ssquid.ink

JORDAN RANDALL

Jordan Randall is a 28-year-old photographer and digital media specialist from Upstate New York, and a graphic design graduate from Southeastern University. In his career, Jordan has worked with artists such as Bastille and Andy Grammer, and author Sadie Robertson.

You can find more of his work on Instagram at @ imjordanrandall.

VICTORIA BARDEGA

Victoria Bardega is a content creator based out of Central Florida who is passionate about building community. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism/public relations at Southeastern University, and has worked in marketing at a large non-profit and was a leader at a regional digital media company. She is gifted in photography, writing, social media and marketing.

When she's not photographing a love story or writing lifestyle pieces, she's making memories with her husband, Alan, and their sweet daughter, Valley. She loves team work, the Oxford comma, laughter, and endless cups of tea lattes!

front of the iconic Bartow Ford dealership along US-98 just south of Lakeland, there is a brick pathway that dealership President Benny Robles Jr. started constructing when he took over in 2017. Every brick represents an exceptional employee who epitomizes the excellence and loyalty that characterize a dealership that was opened in 1948 by Ernest Smith, and eventually sold to Benny’s father, Benny Robles Sr., in the late 1970s.

Through economic highs and lows, vast changes to the car industry, and even a pandemic, Bartow Ford has been home to hundreds of incredible employees who have served thousands of customers, all part of constructing a distinctive path to 75 years in business.

WRITTEN BY RJ WALTERS DESIGNED BY SYDNEY SILVA

“I'm so looking forward to 50 years from now, looking out there and seeing hundreds of names of people from Hispanic to Caucasian to Black that [shows] all the different people that have contributed to the success of Bartow Ford,” Robles Jr. said about the brick pathway. “It'll be like our little walk of fame.”

No two bricks are exactly the same, but they align almost perfectly, which can also be said of the people who have made Bartow Ford a Top 100 volume dealer in the United States.

Robles Sr. was born in Spain and then lived in Cuba with his family for nearly a decade, before they fled due to political unrest under Fidel Castro’s regime. Robles attended the University of South Florida, and after college he worked at Ford Credit, where he met Smith.

Although he and Smith—who was born and raised in Polk County and worked for the family construction business at a young age—experienced very different journeys through adolescence, ultimately their paths and missions converged, and the foundation they created at Bartow Ford is being built on by Benny Sr.’s namesake.

“It's crazy how well Ernest Smith passed along his philosophy of doing business and how identical my dad's feelings are on the way we treat employees and our customers,” Robles Jr. said, reminiscing about how he used to soak up infinite wisdom from his dad and Smith as they frequented the Pizza Hut buffet together years ago. “And then, you know, what a great job [my dad] did

“IF YOU COULD SOMEHOW, THEORETICALLY, TAKE ERNEST AND MY FATHER AND ALL MY BUSINESS PARTNERS AND PUT US IN SEVERAL ROOMS AND SAY, 'HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THIS ISSUE?' I GUARANTEE THE ANSWER WOULD BE EXACTLY THE SAME."

at relaying that message to me and my business partners because it's identical. If you could somehow, theoretically take Ernest and my father and all my business partners and put us in several rooms and say, ‘How would you handle this issue?’ I guarantee you the answer would be exactly the same.”

Part of the current leadership team includes minority owner Carlos Sandoval, who runs fixed operations at the dealership. He is 100 percent Mexican, and Benny Jr. said Sandoval is a reflection of the hard work of many people who move to America to seize opportunities not afforded to them in their home country.

“More so than ever I think there’s not as many people willing to do the hard work,” he said. “There’s a great advantage for anyone that’s come over recently from another country…or someone who is a second generation [American] because they have the opportunity to shine.”

The 44-year-old father of three constantly reiterates how blessed he feels to be leading a successful business where the employees feel more like family to him, but he’s quick to note that Benny Sr. certainly made him work for the opportunity.

“He was very particular about making

me work for everything, and I had to take out a loan to buy it. But I got a great deal, so I’m not complaining,” he says with his trademark grin and a chuckle.

Benny Jr. started washing cars at Bartow Ford before his 13th birthday, and one thing that has always been instilled in him is to treat everyone the same, whether it’s the vice president of Ford Motor Company or the waiter down the road serving you lunch.

When it comes to the idea of legacy, Benny Jr. isn’t trying to one-up what’s been done in the past, he’s just trying to put his mark on the brand, and hopefully create more opportunities for others to succeed.

Last year he helped pull off a first-ofits-kind “Concert on the Lot” featuring country music star Michael Ray, just the latest community event to draw people to the Bartow Ford campus.

But his big next move, that he’s been priming for, is adding another dealership to his portfolio. He is hopeful that could happen in the next two years, and ideally that location would be within a 90-minute drive of Bartow Ford.

“I have a logjam of leadership at the dealership. My managers are somewhat young and buying a new store would allow some of my managers to move on and move up,” he said. “I don’t want to grow irresponsibly and I never wanna be so aggressive that I hurt our original baby…but right now, numbers wise, we are running the most efficient we’ve ever been, so that makes me less nervous on taking a chance on a [new] store.”

"MY MANAGERS ARE SOMEWHAT YOUNG AND BUYING A NEW STORE WOULD ALLOW SOME OF MY MANAGERS TO MOVE ON AND MOVE UP."

WRITTEN BY DIEGO DE JESUS DESIGNED BY JON SIERRA

Lakeland Hispanic Festival is celebrating 25 years of bringing the Latin flare to Lake Mirror.

More than 60 vendors participated last year, and additional vendors for the 2023 event continue to sign up to be part of the celebration according to festival coordinator Claudio Eligio. Through his company Master Music he hopes to bring thousands of people in the Hispanic community, from Central Florida and beyond, together for a memorable event that will run from noon to 9 p.m. on September 30.

“Around the world, we make concerts in Mexico, Spain, Europe, France, and Caribbean Colombia,” Eligio says. “So I am a professional musician, and I know about events. So I am still doing events in a lot of places and with big venues, venues of 20,000 people, 15,000 people.”

Eligio is a musician by trade, having toured around the world with artists like Willie Colon, using his expertise to bring the beats, rhythms, and melodies that propel people to dance. He’s making it his mission to bring local performers to show Lakeland’s Latin flare and bring people to the dance floor.

“The best that we can do is to make a perfect and nice event every year for the people. They can hear nice music, with live music there are going to be a lot of people. Like last year, we bring a lot of people from Puerto Rico,” Eligio says.

The music is alongside authentic Latin food, creative street vendors, arts and crafts, games and more.

More than 4,000 people attended last year’s festival.

AT HOME

Ron DeSantis recently appointed Lakeland judge Meredith Sasso to the Florida Supreme Court, making her the fourth Hispanic justice DeSantis has appointed to the high court since taking office in 2019.

The Cuban-American Sasso has served as the Chief Judge at the Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal, located in Lakeland, since January 1, 2023. She served as a judge for the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal for four years prior.

“I am proud to appoint Judge Meredith Sasso to the Florida Supreme Court because her fidelity to the Constitution will help preserve freedom in our state for generations to come,” DeSantis said in a press release from the governor’s office. “As a CubanAmerican woman who understands the importance of our constitutional system and the rule of law, Judge Sasso will serve our state well.”

With Sasso's appointment, three women will serve on the Florida Supreme Court simultaneously for the first time in state history.

“I am incredibly honored that Governor Ron DeSantis is entrusting me with this position,” said Judge Meredith Sasso in the release. “The judiciary plays a critical and unique role in our constitutional government, and I am resolutely committed to upholding the rule of law for as long as I am privileged to serve.”

Sasso was chosen by DeSantis to lead the development of and launch the Sixth District Court of Appeal in Lakeland, which is currently located on Main Street while funding is identified to construct a new facility.

Before being appointed a judge, Sasso served as Chief Deputy General Counsel for Gov. Rick Scott, representing the governor's office in litigation before the Florida Supreme Court, the First District Court of Appeal, and state and federal trial courts.

Prior to starting her career in government, Sasso represented clients in large loss general liability, auto negligence, and complex commercial claims in state and federal courts at trial and on appeal. She also served as a guardian ad litem, representing abused or neglected children.

Judge Sasso received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2005 and her law degree from the University of Florida in 2008, where she was a member of the Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board. She was raised in Tallahassee, and is married with two children. She currently serves as an appointed member of the Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee. She is also a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network and the Federalist Society.

Sasso is replacing Judge Ricky Polston who retired from the high court earlier this year.

WRITTEN BY RJ WALTERS DESIGNED BY SYDNEY SILVA

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a stroke of good fortune a business opportunity showed itself two years ago to Johansi Santana, and as a result she was able to bring Lakeland’s first bodega to the center of downtown directly next to her Divicious Deli & Cafe Shop.

“I already had an idea that if we ever had a place we wanted to open a convenience store downtown,”

Santana says. “And, of course, it was perfect for us that it was right next door to the deli.”

bodega Market has been open since February, and business has been booming, with the market already burrowing its roots deep in the community thanks to the convenience and selection of products it offers customers.

“We have great foot traffic,” Santana says. “We’re also providing a need for the people that work

downtown. So, for example, you have clients that come, and they shop for their office—things that they’re going to need like oatmeals and crackers and cheeses and things they have it in the office.”

Santana grew up in New York City, where endless Hispanic-owned bodegas are sprinkled throughout the boroughs.

She was inspired by the memories of working at one of her father’s bodegas in New York on 106

WRITTEN BY DIEGO DE JESUS PHOTOS BY JORDAN RANDALL DESIGNED BY JON SIERRA

Street and Broadway Ave. in Manhattan.

Santana jokes that she’s always been short, so she would have to use a milk crate to peek her head over the countertop behind a plastic shield between the cashier and the customer.

The New York bodega is rustic but eye-catching, with bright colors that distinguish it on a bustling street. They’re part of the neighborhood, where frequent visitors can stop by and grab something quick.

Santana wanted to maintain that same neighborly presence of a bodega. Yet she wanted to change the design and make it distinct for Lakeland while maintaining her father’s memory. As you walk

JOHANSISANT

in, you are welcomed by various nostalgic Latin products like Goya, as well goods from local distributors.

“You know, I could find a distributor that sells expensive things,” Santana says. “But then the products in here are going to be super expensive, and that’s not what I wanted. I wanted something that people can afford.”

In the corner, under hanging bright light bulbs, is the bodega Market wine cellar, which includes a wide selection of wines at “a happy medium” price range including choices from light and sweet Moscato to rich and limpid white wine.

“The repeated customer already tells us a lot about how happy people are,” Santana says. “We have regulars already for bread, and we have regulars for pastries, and we have regulars for most

things. So that’s just amazing feedback to see them coming over.”

Handling Divicious and bodega was challenging at first, but she eventually learned to manage very different businesses. Unlike the bodega, Santana knew everything about cafes and delis to where it was nearly effortless for her to prosper with Divicious; bodega required a larger learning curve.

“So I had a little challenge here and there trying to get distributors, I think, because it’s not the same thing when you get a distributor for your meat and your coffee versus for retail products,” Santana says.

BODEGA MARKET

106 N. TENNESSEE AVE. OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 7AM TO 7PM

“YOU KNOW, I COULD FIND A DISTRIBUTOR THAT SELLS EXPENSIVE THINGS,” SANTANA

SAYS. “BUT THEN THE PRODUCTS IN HERE ARE GOING TO BE SUPER EXPENSIVE, AND THAT’S NOT WHAT I WANTED. I WANTED SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD.”

our o’clock in the morning––ceiling lights illuminate colorful, papel picado banners as Roberto Peralta, Manuel Saladana and their staff prepare their restaurant and marketplace for another day of business. Fresh, handcrafted conchas, empanadas, and other Mexican delights are on the list to be made on site––including tortillas by hand. The panaderos (bakers) start early so every customer coming into Lakeland’s Mega Mercado experiences sweet breads and baked goods the traditional Mexican way.

If you’ve ever heard of—or at least never visited—this quaint yet vibrant hole-in-the-wall,

Mega Mercado encompasses traditional Mexican dining with authenticity and pride. After opening under the leadership of local entrepreneur Don Hector, it has continued to serve the community as a staple for the last 15 years.

Dominican business owner Maria Peralta and her family first purchased the business from Hector almost five years ago. Peralta’s family has worked tirelessly to build a strong clientele for the beloved restaurant and marketplace that was first known to Lakelanders as “La Morenita.” On the weekends, you’ll find the line out the door as guests wait for their names to be called into the packed and lively restaurant space.

With a deep admiration and affinity for Mexican culture and delicacies, Peralta and her family revived the store by hiring lifelong Mexican bakers and LatinAmerican kitchen staff to bring true cultural flavors and recipes to every dish.

“Mexican cuisine has been our personal favorite over the years, and when we obtained ownership [of Mega Mercado] we knew we wanted to continue the legacy placed before us and committed to making it better,” explains Roberto.

Beyond the delicious enchiladas, tacos, mariscos and agua frescas, this nostalgic space offers visitors a true taste of Mexican culture. While the family owns several businesses in the Swan City community, Mega Mercado holds a special place in their heart as evidenced

by the hard work and attention to details that is their standard.

“We pride ourselves in the quality we bring to the table,” shares Roberto, who serves as his mother’s eyes and ears for the business. “Every dish brings a different aspect of Mexican culture that pays homage to the restaurant’s roots.”

When it comes to the why behind the business’s longevity, Roberto admits the natural diversity of Mexico’s culinary palette is what inspired the family to keep the Mexican business concept. They have cultivated a restaurant team of nearly 20 employees to help bring the place to life. Their restaurant menu has a bit of everything— tiene de todo from homemade tamales to flautas to quesadillas and more.

They craft all of their desserts inhouse, with the culinary direction of their panadero (baker), Don Miguel, who has been a baker for four decades.

The 70-year-old breadmaker played a pivotal role in training the other two bakers to master their skill to meet Mega Mercado’s demand for traditional confections like their iconic trés leches cake, which is soaked in three different milks to create a rich, moist treat.

“When you go to a cultural restaurant and notice a lot of natives

of that culture coming to enjoy the food, you know you’ve stumbled on something truly authentic. While we serve a variety of people in our community, we have a huge influx of regulars that are Mexicans who love our foods and our atmosphere,” expresses Roberto.

With piñatas dangling from above and their brick walls adorned by mural replicas of Mexican cities, customers feel a sense of the mestizos’ way of life.

“We’ve had returning customers come from all over Florida. We once had a family drive here all the way from Daytona Beach because they loved our horchata agua fresca and said no other place served one as delicious as ours,” shares Manuel, who helps run the family business.

“We always say we serve innovative comida de casa––which means our food reminds you of your Mexican grandmother’s cooking,” he continues.

Refreshingly good and crafted inhouse––their selection of agua frescas is unmatched, offering an array of favorites, such as horchata––an iced, cinnamon-infused milky beverage.

Mega Mercado also features a marketplace where locals can shop for Latin-American imports. They carry produce from all around Central and South America, including Hispanic households favorites, such as malanga (a root vegetable), plátano (plantains), guineo verde (green bananas) and more. You will also find a unique selection of carnes (meats) and helado (ice cream) to take home.

When the live mariachi band isn’t playing at the restaurant on Sundays, your ears are usually tickled by the romantic sounds of musica ranchera Mexican-ranchera style music.

"WE ALWAYS SAY WE SERVE INNOVATIVE COMIDA DE CASA— WHICH MEANS OUR FOOD REMINDS YOU OF YOUR MEXICAN GRANDMOTHER’S COOKING."

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2500 Drane Field Road, Suite 208, Lakeland FL 33811

Open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, their bilingual team of six servers host and serve customers in the main dining area. Their menu is available all day, including breakfast foods, featuring the Mexican classic huevos (eggs with salsa verde and

Like any authentic Mexican restaurant, Mega Mercado does not shy away from using picante sauces to keep things traditionally spicy and flavorful. Their success over the years has led to incredible opportunities to bring their authentic Mexican cuisine to catering venues for special occasions like weddings. “Our wedding cakes are very intricate and elaborate, like a good Mexican bakery would have,” shares Roberto.

Their take on the art of gathering continues to inspire their determination of providing the best quality of authentically LatinAmerican piquancies.

“

Somos familia ––we are family here. We work hard together. We spend more time together than with our own family [here at Mega Mercado],” shares Roberto. “Our attention to the details sets us apart. The team comes up with all of the recipes in-house. And everything we serve stays the same so you can enjoy it any time [expecting the same delicious flavors],” he adds enthusiastically.

MEGA MERCADO IS OPEN DAILY FROM 8:30 AM-9:00 PM

“YOU WON’T FIND THAT ANYWHERE ELSE.”

WE SPEND MORE TIME TOGETHER THAN WITH OUR OWN FAMILY [HERE AT MEGA MERCADO]”

A refreshing Mexican classic made out of rice, milk, vanilla and cinnamon.

A vibrant and delicious drink made with juicy mangoes, chamoy, and chile-lime seasoning.

A variety of fruits, lime juice and chili powder pack a powerful punch in a memorable presentation.

Strawberries, fresh cream, ice and water are blended to create the perfect summer retreat.

WRITTEN BY RJ WALTERS

PHOTOS BY JORDAN RANDALL DESIGNED BY SYDNEY SILVA

Colombian flag hangs on a cement block wall, colorful counting beads are neatly organized on racks around the room and small groups of students spanning up to three grade levels in each class are spread out on rugs where they are having spirited, but congenial educational conversations. Other kids are tucked comfortably into corners— deep in thought and harnessing books, a notebook and writing utensils—and teachers are bringing key points home on white boards and through engaging discussions.

Mostly you hear Spanish dialogue, sometimes you hear students switch to English, but no matter what classroom you peek into there is a remarkable sense of camaraderie and cultivated independence that creates an immersive and flexible learning environment.

Watching a 3rd-grader help a 2nd-grader work through a lesson in a secondary language is the norm at Mi Escuela Montessori, a school of more than 280 students located at the corner of County Road 540A and U.S. Highway 98.

“The teachers in the classroom are not just the teachers. The children are teachers as well,” said Kelly De La Cruz, Mi Escuela’s executive director and the visionary who went all in to get a charter approved and finally open in 2021 one of only a handful of public bilingual Montessori schools in the entire country. “Especially when you nurture that in them.”

For the 2023-24 school year, Mi Escuela will offer preschool through 6th grade, and in 2024 the school plans to add 7th and 8th grade. Preschoolers are fully immersed in Spanish and K-6 students are immersed in Spanish nearly 50% of the time. It is the evolution and refinement of something so unique that inevitably it takes teacher’s, student’s—and yes, parent’s—long-term buy-in and patience to see the fruits of the self-directed, dual language experience.

La Cruz has long had a strong desire to open a Montessori school that was accessible to all, to push back against the reality that many people see the more than 100-year-old learning approach as “a form of education for the elite.”

Kindergarten and up is free, aside from afterschool programs. The sponsor of the school charter is Polk County Schools, so Mi Escuela receives per-pupil funding each year through the state.

Enrollment for students prior to kindergarten is tuition based, but the school has a strong partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, who offers resources to help families apply for income-based scholarships through the School Readiness program.

After families apply for a student to enroll in Mi Escuela, they are placed in a computerized lottery, which truthfully any student in the state of Florida can opt in to.

De La Cruz said the school also offers some private scholarships, and she is motivated to connect with more partners to make Mi Escuela truly accessible for all because she believes so strongly in its benefit to kids and the community at large.

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Keith and Susan Wightman

Notable research studies from around the world continue to tout the benefits of being bi-lingual, including better memory retention, more self-control, stronger vocabulary, and an article in the February 2022 issue of the journal “Neurobiology of Aging'' even offered evidence it can protect against dementia.

Montessori philosophy is built on a foundation of fostering self-directed growth with a goal of nurturing children’s natural desires for knowledge, understanding and respect.

De La Cruz acknowledges that some children’s brains may develop better in a traditional classroom setting, but for the most part the Montessori method wonderfully equips children to become independent thinkers and prepare for life as a young adult and beyond.

“When you think of your work day…you do not go to work and have your boss say to you, ‘For the next 45 minutes you are going to read this report and answer these questions, and then I’m going to ring a bell, and it doesn’t matter where you’re at but you’re going to stop and then you’re going to go into the next thing,’” she said. “We give kids the opportunity to manage their day and also to be leaders really young…because whether you are 8, 18 or 48 years old, you have knowledge to share with your community.”

"WE GIVE KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE THEIR DAY AND ALSO TO BE LEADERS REALLY YOUNG… BECAUSE WHETHER YOU ARE 8, 18 OR 48 YEARS OLD, YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE TO SHARE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY."

La Cruz’s dream for this school is deeply personal; she taught at Lakeland Montessori for eight years, she is married to Milton De La Cruz, who is from the Dominican Republic, and she has experienced time and again the advantage and beauty of young people being bi-lingual, especially in Polk County, where at least 27% of residents were Hispanic as of 2022.

She recalls years ago when her daughter, Sophia, now 21, took a 6th-grade Spanish class, and for the first-time in her life she could hold a substantive conversation with her paternal grandmother.

“My mother-in-law stepped out onto the patio with me, and she burst into tears,” De La Cruz said. “She said, ‘I’m so, so happy. I always thought that I would never get to share my stories with my grandchildren because none of them speak Spanish.’”

She believes every student should have their culture affirmed and to have an educational experience that includes a broader vision of the world, and she’s more than willing to pour herself into making that a reality.

A student once gave De La Cruz a hand drawn photo that was an illustration of “Miss Kelly” in a hard hat. The artwork was metaphorical but accurately represented reality.

To make the school come to life, volunteers and staff turned over a building that had sat vacant for six to seven years, teachers were hired and some had to be trained in Montessori, and De La Cruz did not have an assistant principal during the inaugural school year. She was working 14-15 hour days for many months and said it became normal to come in before sunup and leave long after sundown.

She and her family also donated funds for the large wooden playground that is on site, hauled countless loads of mulch and constructed the playsets.

De La Cruz said one of the greatest blessings is that the teachers at the school mirror her passionate dedication.

“When you’re creating something…figuring out how to make all of the parts move all over the place and how to train all of the different players in different roles is really challenging,” she said. “But all of my teachers came in with grit, like they know it’s going to be hard, but we’re going to get this done and do it together. We have teachers who come in on weekends to practice giving lessons in a different language and teachers who dedicated their summers to becoming Montessori certified.”

"...ALL OF MY TEACHERS CAME IN WITH GRIT, LIKE THEY KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE HARD, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET THIS DONE AND DO IT TOGETHER."

MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY IS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF FOSTERING SELF-DIRECTED GROWTH WITH A GOAL OF NURTURING CHILDREN'S NATURAL DESIRES FOR KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT

ne intrinsic challenge to starting this kind of school is that it can take years to build a strong instructional understanding and language comprehension for kids. A school is truly “fully implemented” when kids who began in kindergarten are now in the highest grade.

De La Cruz said realistically it takes people five to seven years to speak a language effectively, so it’s helpful for parents, students and interested onlookers to understand a grade of “I” for incomplete is most appropriate when currently evaluating the school.

She proudly states that the school already has a “very robust special education program” and they are adding a resource room for the upcoming school year.

De La Cruz said the school's long-term growth and impact on the community will directly correlate with community influencers and business partners' willingness to share wisdom and resources with the students, encouraging them about the benefits of being bi-lingual and culturally aware. While it’s the broad vision that pushes De La Cruz to strive for excellence every day, it’s the specific victories that keep her going.

“There is a student who will be in kindergarten next year, and [when he came to us] he was dysregulated and could not control his body, he could not focus on any kind of work,” she said. “And now he’s entering kindergarten as a reader and he is able to sit down at a table and take a task from one point all the way through to completion.”

MiPueblo Flea Market has sprouted into an enclave for the Latin community in Lakeland. It’s a hub of hundreds of vendors representing a plethora of Latin American backgrounds who sell their specialty products that, in some cases, go back generations or, in others, demonstrate a novel passion toward a greater vision.

Before Mi Pueblo came to fruition, it was the Lakeland Farmers Market, and there were just a few regular Latin vendors. But since Giovanna “Joanna” Loyola Contreras took over, her vision of creating a home away from home for Latin-born people has been actualized.

When she came to the States from Peru, Joanna fell in love with the people, culture and environment of how Americans do business and decided this is where she wanted to start her own entrepreneurial journey.

Since then, Joanna has brought the essence of Latin America, its people and sprouted a minivillage that comes alive on the weekends along Swindell Road in north Lakeland. She bought the market five years ago to create a familyfriendly environment for the Hispanic community. Gauging by the lively crowds and passionate vendors, she has done well.

Joanna wanted Mi Pueblo to be distinct from the usual experience of going to a flea market. Attention to detail was imperative when bringing the air of Latin America onto the 13 acres the market sits on. Everything from the beaten dirt roads, the aroma of piquant meals and the variously colored buildings all emulate the ornamental aesthetic of a Latin village.

WRITTEN BY DIEGO DE JESUS PHOTOS BY JORDAN RANDALL DESIGNED BY JON SIERRA

Mi Pueblo, located at 2701 Swindell Rd. in north Lakeland, is an authentic Latin market.

One recent Sunday, a line of people along the main road of Mi Pueblo wrapped around a bright red shack waiting to get to the front door, where Olivia Mederos clamps tortillas on a press and fries them on a flat-iron griddle. For 10 years she’s been in the same shack bringing her children to work at Taqueria Mederos, specializing in antojitos or traditional Mexican street food.

Mederos was at the market long before it was so well established and has seen first-hand the vision Contreras has, not only for the market but also the people who make it special.

“The old owner wasn't worried about improvement and improving the quality here and helping the vendors,” Mederos says. “Joanna’s focus is helping and improving the process, improving the people and improving the vendors. Her focus is on the people.”

Joanna dubbed her market Mi Pueblo or "My People" to reflect her dream of turning the market into a place where Hispanics can come, feel comfortable and experience a family environment that is inviting to

"I WANTED PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THIS PIECE OF LAND, THIS TINY SWATH OF LAND AS THEIR PUEBLO, THEIR TOWN, THEIR CITY FOR HISPANICS TO VIEW."

(Left to right) Bibiana Gelves (General Manager), Giovanna Loyola Contreras (Owner), George Loyola Contreras (Joanna’s son), Akemi Loyola Contreras (Joanna’s daughter), Andrea Reyes (Assistant General Manager)

people of all ages and backgrounds.

“I wanted people to look at this piece of land, this tiny swath of land as their pueblo, their town, their city for Hispanics to view,” Joanna says. “This little piece is ours.”

Just across the road is Mi Pueblo Restaurant that serves Mexican and Peruvian dishes. It is owned by Joanna but managed by Andrea Reyes. The 21-year-old Reyes came from Venezuela with her family and brought with her an immeasurable work ethic that landed her the assistant general manager role after serving as a waitress for less than a year.

She learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business and continues to expand her knowledge under the watchful guidance of Contreras who took her under her wing. While working as a waitress at Mi Pueblo, Reyes bussed tables at another restaurant where she would connect with other

customers, and tell them her story and about Mi Pueblo. Through word-of-mouth, she sparked their curiosity about Mi Pueblo, driving more traffic to the market.

Ultimately, Reyes wants to establish her own cosmetics and clothing line and also become a veterinarian. Many like Reyes have been guided by Contreras’ impeccable managerial skills. The market has become a playground not only for unique businesses to build their base but also to thrive thanks to Contreras.

“They started off here or they built a solid foundation here and then they opened their own location afterward,” said George Loyola Contreras, Joanna’s son who works with his mother on the weekends.

Bibiana Gelves has been a general manager at Mi Pueblo for a year and also operates a booth where she sells Colombian children’s clothing and calzado ,

"JOANNA’S FOCUS IS HELPING AND IMPROVING THE PROCESS, IMPROVING THE PEOPLE AND IMPROVING THE VENDORS."

Olivia Mederos has been serving up tasty fare at the market for 10 years at Taqueria Mederos.

Mi Pueblo Restaurant serves up fresh Mexican and Peruvian dishes.

MI PUEBLO IS OPEN

EVERY WEEKEND, FROM 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. ON SATURDAYS AND FROM 8 A.M. TO 4 P.M. ON SUNDAYS

sandals, imported straight from Colombia. She utilizes a connection with her brother that allows her to browse catalogs and request whatever’s in demand.

She has locations at multiple flea markets that sell these articles of Colombian children’s clothing, which she notes are made with all-natural products to help prevent rashes. Knowing what sells has always been her forte, so when she noticed what Mi Pueblo was doing she saw the market as a gold mine of potential and instantly wanted to be a part of it.

With the same mission in mind, Contreras has opened a second Mi Pueblo in Belleview, Fla. thanks to the big loyal following of customers and vendors who follow Joanna because they know they’re going to

Top: Bibiana Gelves has been general manager of Mi Pueblo for one year.

Bottom: Bluette Clothing is a favorite spot for locals to find outfits.

be treated like family.

“The biggest objective I have for my locations is that when people come here, they feel at home, they feel relaxed, they feel at peace,” Joanna says. “To keep developing as business owners, as entrepreneurs, as women, men, sons, students and also as a place where we can mix all of our cultures while respecting the American culture and having the American culture respect the Latin culture.”

Mi Pueblo is open each weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday is when the market truly comes to life, and thousands of visitors come to envelop themselves in the wide cultural umbrella of Latin America, including eating authentic fare that leaves them immersed in culture and often has them coming back for more.

A Venezuelan Heritage That Paved the way for Local Success

mack dab between Nineteen61 and Linksters Tap Room is the up-andcoming coworking conglomerate COHatch, where you will be welcomed by sleek modern furnishing and Adriana Eraso’s warm smile behind her desk in the main lobby in the center of a vibrant community of professionals.

By title, Eraso is a community manager, but her uplifting affability and compassion for others have earned her the moniker “COHatch Mom.” For employees like fellow Community Manager Daniela Suasnavar, Eraso helped her bravely express her Hispanic culture in the workplace.

“She is just the definition of the word mother because she’s just warm,” Suasnavar says. “She is community. She looks out for you. She’s welcoming. She’s like a servant in any sense of the word. Like she’s just always looking to help the community.”

Eraso’s entrepreneurial spirit and kindness toward others is an extension of how her parents raised her. In Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, Adriana Eraso’s mom and dad sold clothing from the back of a 1970s van before they landed in Baltimore, carrying the values that would be the bedrock of the Eraso family name.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JORDAN RANDALL DESIGNED BY BRIANA CHENOT

Before they made the momentous step across the Caribbean Sea, Eraso’s father, Hugo Eraso, was in medical school in Caracas while her mother, Ligia Rico, attended university.

When she was 16, Eraso took the opportunity to visit Venezuela and be with family. Visiting her family gave her ample perspective on the difference between being Hispanic in Latin America versus the States.

“I think being a Hispanic Latina means all the beautiful things that come with that: the music, the food, the love, the warmth, the caring, the nurturing, the sense of community and family,” Eraso said. “I think it's, it's all of those things.”

Before joining the COHatch family, she worked as a territory manager for food delivery service Bite Squad, when its popularity was at its peak during the pandemic. She was looking for the next step and found a job application for COHatch on LinkedIn and fell in love with the mission.

“I think being a Hispanic Latina means all the beautiful things that come with that: the music, the food, the love, the warmth, the caring, the nurturing, the sense of community and family.”

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COHatch was founded to address and provide for local business owners’ needs to ensure their enterprises’ success. When Eraso joined COHatch only one year ago, she had to familiarize herself with local resources in Lakeland. That proved to be easy for her. Since then, Eraso has already made a memorable impact at COHatch. When asked if she feels like she is a leader in the Hispanic community, she responded she feels more of an “orchestrator” who wants to serve people by bringing them together.

“My parents were very big on bringing me and my brother into wherever they worked, and I even do that with my daughter now,” Eraso says. “It’s really kind of crazy, but by doing that, I always saw my parents working hard and instilling in me being open and welcoming and friendly and like this desire for wanting growth in themselves.”

After graduating, she worked in hospitality at LEGOLAND Florida for eight years. Lakeland was always a place she would drive through, and she noticed something special about Swan City.

Eraso and her husband, Oscar Gines, moved to Lakeland three years ago, purchasing a home at the height of the pandemic.

“The sense of community is so strong in Lakeland, we would come to the farmers’ markets and First Fridays,” Eraso says. “And what we realized really quickly was there’s something happening in Lakeland, like downtown is blooming, and people seem super happy here.”

Lakeland is home to an ever-growing and thriving Latin community of people like Eraso, who have lived by their parents’ legacy of their hopes, dreams, aspirations and the desire for a better future while helping others accomplish theirs.

Eraso looks at this growth with great pride as a Latina mother and has heavily engrossed herself in continuing the Hispanic community’s success in Lakeland by doing what she does best, bringing people together.

“And what we realized really quickly was there’s something happening in Lakeland, like downtown is blooming, and people seem super happy here.”

Courtesy of Lakeland Public Library

Soldiers and staff gather outside the regimental hospital in Lakeland. Troops were stationed in Lakeland while awaiting transport to Cuba to fight in the Spanish American war.