HONORESS 2024
Mayor, Guillermo Nurse
Gran Marshal
Mayor, Guillermo Nurse, was born in the former U.S. territory of the Panama Canal Zone and raised in Pedro Miguel, a town within the Canal Zone. He is one of 12 siblings and the son of Clifford and Rebecca Nurse. Guillermo is also the proud father of six children. After serving for 22 years in the United States Navy, Guillermo retired as a Chief Petty Officer. He eventually made Oxford, North Carolina his home, where he resides with his wife, Kirsa, and has developed a deep connection with the city and its people.
Alberto González Tang
Grand Marshal
Founder & Artistic Director of Conjunto Nuevo Milenio
Alberto González Tang is a Panamanian native born in the province of Colón. With a passion for dance that began at the age of 5, he studied with renowned traditional dancers and musicians throughout Panama. His professional dance career took off with the Conjunto Musica, Danza y Tradición at the University of Panama's Colón extension.
Krishna Camarena Surgeon
International Grand Marshal
Oriunda de la provincia de Colón, Krishna Camarena Surgeon, posee títulos en Maestría y Post grado en Docencia Universitaria, Licenciatura en Bellas Artes con especialización en Danza; Profesorado en Educación Media; Técnico en Folklore y en Diseño Gráfico. Realizó, además en dos períodos, una Estancia docente y de investigación en el Campus de Melilla de la Universidad de Granada, España; Diplomado en Liderazgo en Inclusión Social y Acceso a Derechos de la OEA.
Bishop Orlando Findlayter
Parade Ambassador
Bishop Orlando Findlayter was born in Colón, Republic of Panamá. He is the founder and Senior Pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship, located in Brooklyn, New York. A church with ministries that extends beyond the four walls of the building and impacts the community with the Word as well as through educational and social programs.
L. Jimmy McCormack
Community Service
Jimmy McCormack H., affectionately known as "Jimmy Mack," is an accomplished accounting professional and community leader. Born in Colón, Panamá, to a pharmacist father of Jamaican descent and a teacher mother of Colombian ancestry, Jimmy is the ninth of eleven siblings.
Eric Rolando Roachford
Community Service
Born in the province of Colón, Panamá, Chef Dupeiro has become a world-renowned pastry chef, recognized for his exceptional skills and achievements. With over 30 years of experience, he has excelled in creating exquisite pastries for social and private events, and has even served his delicacies to celebrities and former US Secretary of State, New York State Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Panamanian Square Dance Group
Distinguished Cultural Organization
The Panamanian Square Dance Group is a vibrant organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating its rich heritage through the joy of dance and community service. Since its founding in 2001, this quadrille dance group has performed at various events and venues, including Brooklyn's Borough Hall, churches, nursing homes, and parks.
Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel A. Iglesias
Orgullo Panameño
Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel A. Iglesias, who was born in Panama and moved to the United States as a young child, grew up in Brooklyn. Miguel has always had a passion for protecting those who are most vulnerable, which inspired him to become a police officer in April 1991. His commitment to serving has been evident throughout his career spanning over 30 years with the New York City Police Department.
Edwin Pitti
Orgullo Panameño
Edwin Pitti is a 17-time Emmy Award-winning Panamanian journalist with over 14 years of experience. He serves as a national correspondent for Televisa Univision in Washington, D.C., covering the White House, Congress, and federal government. Recognized as one of the most trusted political voices in Hispanic media, Pitti was recently awarded his second National Emmy for contributions to Noticiero Univision.
Drums and Bugles International Marching Band, Inc.
Distinguished Cultural Organization
Established in 2017, Drums and Bugles International Bands, Inc. unites numerous marching bands, their families, and other community organizations to engage in local, national, and international activities.
First Panamanian Marching Band
Distinguished Musical + Cultural Organization
The First Panamanian Marching Band of Brooklyn is a non-profit organization, that serves the Brooklyn community by providing children, youth, and adults with the musical art of marching band as an alternative and cultural exchange.
First Veterans Marching Band
Distinguished Musical + Cultural Organization
The United Panamanian Veterans Marching Band was founded on May 1st 2012, by a group of conscious Panamanians from different walks of life with a common traditional marching and musical experience from our native land, Panama.
Panamanian Square Dance Group
Distinguished Cultural Organization
The Panamanian Square Dance Group is a vibrant organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating its rich heritage through the joy of dance and community service. Since its founding in 2001, this quadrille dance group has performed at various events and venues, including Brooklyn's Borough Hall, churches, nursing homes, and parks.
First Panamanian Marching Band
Distinguished Musical + Cultural Organization
The First Panamanian Marching Band of Brooklyn is a non-profit organization, that serves the Brooklyn community by providing children, youth, and adults with the musical art of marching band as an alternative and cultural exchange.
First Veterans Marching Band
Distinguished Musical + Cultural Organization
The United Panamanian Veterans Marching Band was founded on May 1st 2012, by a group of conscious Panamanians from different walks of life with a common traditional marching and musical experience from our native land, Panama.