FeatureD Alumni:

Class of 1982

Rosa Maria Palomino

Conchita taught me many things including a love for learning and the importance of community. Whenever I meet a fellow alumnus for the first time, our Conchita experience is one of the first things we want to share with one another.

After graduating from Conchita Espinosa in 1982, I attended St. Brendan High School (1986) and then Florida International University (1990). Soon after, I became the franchise manager and buyer for Cohen’s Fashion Optical, a New York-based luxury retail and medical outfit. In 1997, I heard a higher calling and entered the education profession where I have worked as an educator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Little Havana where I teach children from the Spanish-speaking immigrant community. Having a bilingual education has been tremendously valuable.

I think we need to tell people about the valuable lessons we learned at Conchita. Too often, the rush of life and work distractions make people lose sight of what is important. I felt I needed to reach out to the community.

So last year, I joined the creative team to produce the Thursday late night radio program “Miami After Dark” on WZAB 880AM. Our program serves as a platform to discuss current events, politics, and urban living. We discuss topics that are often too complicated for the evening news but shape and define our everyday lives. We’ve had politicians, entertainers, artists and many others join us on the program.

I am grateful to Conchita for giving the confidence and foundation to follow my dreams and always keep learning.