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For many, Spain represents origin,  the roots of language, culture, and traditions that continue to shape communities across the world.

For us, Spain has never been simply a destination. It has been a living bridge connecting generations, friendships, and shared experiences that have shaped both our personal and professional paths.

Barcelona, in particular, holds a special connection for many families in Polk County. In the early 1990s, an educational exchange program transformed lives on both sides of the Atlantic. Families welcomed students into their homes, young people crossed oceans, and everyone involved discovered that the most powerful form of communication is often not spoken,  it is felt.

These bonds did not fade with time. Instead, they grew into an extended family connected by shared memories and enduring affection.

Spain, motherland, has been a constant presence in our lives. Long before I coordinated cultural exchange programs, I studied there myself. Spain shaped me in lasting ways, strengthening my command of the language, yes, but also shaping my worldview, something that I was able to share as an educator.

Years later, students from Barcelona began arriving in Polk County through an educational and cultural exchange program. Local families opened their homes and their hearts. I had the privilege of guiding and supervising those students and host families, witnessing how exchange moved far beyond academics and became deeply personal.

Many arrived as students and left as family. And the story did not end when they returned to Spain. Over time, many Polk families traveled to Barcelona to visit “their” students, sharing meals, meeting parents, attending weddings, celebrating new beginnings. What began as an exchange became a lifelong bond.

I have come to believe something simple and true: friends are the family God allows us to choose.

One of those students was Javier García Ibarra. He first came to Polk County during his high school years and later chose to continue his education at Florida Southern College, strengthening his connection to our community in a lasting way. That decision marked the beginning of a relationship that time has deepened.

Today, working alongside his brothers José and David, as owners of Heretat Casa Corselles, Javier invited us to celebrate our Golden Anniversary there. To mark fifty years of marriage in a country where I once studied, invited by someone who first came into our lives as a student and whom  we love today like family, was one of those perfect circles that only time knows how to draw. It was a legacy made visible.

After months of hard work, our students are preparing for assessments and getting ready for the summer.

Our seniors are also preparing for the excitement of graduation season.

I always look forward to these annual rites of passage, which truly symbolize a collective celebration for our entire community.

Many people must work together to help a student earn a diploma and prepare for their future beyond high school.

I want to thank everyone for supporting our seniors and getting them to this fateful moment, including parents, guardians, mentors, bus drivers and attendants, nutrition workers, paraeducators, administrators, guidance counselors, nurses, school safety guardians, school resource officers, custodians, and so many more!

I am proud to say that Polk County’s graduation rate recently reached a historic height, increasing to 87.7%, the highest rate in recent memory.

In May, thousands of additional PCPS graduates will compose the Class of 2026.

I love watching the excited and nervous smiles on their faces, as I shake their hands during their graduation ceremonies. It’s fun to imagine how the passage of time and more experiences will transform them into our future doctors, nurses, soldiers, police officers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and parents.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Respectully,
Fred Heid
Superintendent of Schools

NOTE: The graduation schedule can be found by visiting polkschoolsfl.com/graduation. Some of these ceremonies will be livestreamed on the PCPS YouTube Channel (youtube.com/polkcountypublicschools).

You’ve chosen the date for your special day, and the excitement begins…along with the preparations. The venue, ceremony style, invitations, flowers, catering, music, photography, and video. Before long, what started as a joyful plan can turn into a long list of decisions and unexpected stress.

If you truly want to enjoy the process and feel like a guest at your own celebration, hiring an event planner can make all the difference.

“Many times it’s simply impossible to handle everything ourselves. We end up sacrificing time and energy that should be spent enjoying the moment. An event planner becomes a guide and a trusted partner who looks after every detail,” explains Violeta Villagrán, an event specialist with Amy’s Gifts & Party Planning in Winter Haven.

Beyond organization, a planner helps connect ideas with the reality of a budget and creates a clear style that reflects the spirit of the celebration. Their experience working with vendors also saves time, helps compare prices, and prevents costly last-minute decisions.

“There are always unexpected moments in any event, but when you’re used to handling them, everything flows much more smoothly,” Violeta adds.

Hiring an event planner isn’t a luxury, it’s an investment in peace of mind. When the coordination is in expert hands, hosts can focus on what truly matters: celebrating, sharing the moment, and enjoying a day they will remember forever.

Every wedding, every quinceañera, every special event has one thing in common: it tells a story. And in 2026, that story is showing up in the décor more than ever before.

Event coordinator Minnie Rivera (@minnierivera713) sees it in every celebration she designs. For her, trends aren’t just about fashionable colors or dramatic installations. They’re a way of capturing the essence of the people at the center of the moment. Before she talks about flowers or structures, she listens. She wants to know how the couple met, what holds them together, which memories matter most. For a quinceañera, she asks about her dreams and how she wants to feel on that unforgettable night.

This year, weddings are embracing soft butter tones, muted peach, sage green, and powdery blues for a look that feels elegant without being overdone. For couples who want something richer and more expressive, touches of terracotta and burgundy add depth and personality. Quinceañeras are leaning toward lavender, dusty pink, and shimmering silvers, creating spaces that feel modern, delicate, and full of wonder.

Roses remain a timeless symbol of love. Hydrangeas add fullness, tulips bring freshness, and carnations, thoughtfully reimagined, are making a stylish comeback.
But above all, Minnie believes everything must make sense. The lighting, the florals, the smallest details should reflect that one unique story. Because when design comes from the heart of those celebrating, it stops being a trend and becomes a memory.

And in the end, that’s what truly lasts.

“Trends may inspire, but emotion is what truly transforms a space”

Speaking with Lemay O James, a renowned violinist trained by great masters in his native Cuba who rose to become first violin of the National Symphony Orchestra of Havana, feels like enjoying a refreshing sip of water. Yet the true privilege is hearing him perform.

He began studying music at the age of seven, inspired by his mother’s dream of seeing him shine on great stages. “I studied at the Conservatory of Music and at the National School of Art in Havana. At 19, I auditioned for the Philharmonic and earned my position. We performed on international stages, and while in Mexico I made the decision to stay, a risky step considering the position I held in the orchestra.”

That journey eventually brought him to Tampa, where he began performing in restaurants throughout Ybor City. “In one of them I met Teresa Martínez, who got me a scholarship and  opened doors to larger stages. I auditioned for the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, and since then I have performed at dozens of important events and major receptions.”

For Lemay, music is his vitamin, his energy, and his passion. “I enjoy everything I do through music, from performing for distinguished personalities to bringing my talent to a simple nursing home. What truly makes me happy is playing at weddings, interacting with the couple, moving from table to table, and sharing my music with the guests. That is bringing happiness, and that is my true reason for being,” the artist concludes with the simplicity and warmth that define both his artistry and his spirit.

For Latino families, a quinceañera is far more than a birthday. It marks the transition from childhood into young womanhood, a symbolic step toward maturity celebrated with pride, emotion, and deep family meaning.

Many parents plan and save for years to create an unforgettable evening for their daughter. Yet beyond the gown, the music, and the décor, the heart of the quinceañera lies in its message. Through every tradition, the blessing, the dance, the gathering of loved ones, families reaffirm their guidance, love, and commitment as their daughter steps into a new stage of life.

Dressed like a princess, the quinceañera becomes the center of attention. But what truly shines is the support surrounding her. She is celebrated not only for who she is, but for the woman she is becoming.
Across Latin America and throughout the United States, the tradition continues to evolve while preserving its cultural essence. Each family shapes the celebration in its own way, yet the purpose remains constant: honoring a daughter’s journey with pride and hope.

A beautiful example is Astrid Neu, daughter of Sandra Neu of Gimenez y Carrillo, LLC, longtime friends of ¡VivaPolk! Magazine.

“My daughter’s quinceañera was more than a grand celebration. It was a declaration of love, pride, and gratitude for the extraordinary young woman she has become,” Sandra shared.

We congratulate Astrid and wish her a future filled with joy, dreams, and blessings.

That kind of hug that begins as a spontaneous, simple gesture but, when it lasts just a little longer, becomes a quiet refuge, a moment where the world seems to slow down and everything feels calm again. Most hugs last only about three seconds. Yet specialists in emotional wellness and neuroscience have observed that when a hug extends beyond 20 seconds, the body responds differently. Intentional physical contact can stimulate the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which strengthens human bonds and helps reduce stress.

THE INVISIBLE POWER OF HUMAN CONNECTION

In a fast-paced world where many interactions happen through screens, a hug remains a universal language that needs no translation. A long embrace can communicate support, safety, and presence. It can say “I’m here” without a single word.

Stress and anxiety increase cortisol levels, the hormone associated with tension and emotional strain. Research suggests that affectionate physical contact may help reduce this response, promoting relaxation and overall well-being. It is not a magic solution, but it is a powerful reminder that human connection has real effects on how we feel.

That hug we share when reuniting with someone we love, the one we offer during difficult moments, or the embrace that celebrates a joyful milestone can become more than a symbolic gesture, it can be a necessary pause for both body and soul.

Perhaps we cannot control everything happening around us, but we can choose to move closer, connect with intention, and offer authentic presence. Maybe, in those extra 20 seconds, we discover a simple and deeply human way to care for our emotional health, and for the people we love.

At 19 years of age, Alberto Bonfil left Barcelona determined to change his destiny. Hours later, he landed at Tampa International Airport without speaking English, without financial resources, and carrying more questions than certainty. He had left school after tenth grade to dedicate himself fully to tennis, guided by the constant belief of his mother, Dori, who always saw in him a potential that had not yet taken shape.

Trained by Roland Garros champion Sergi Bruguera, one of the most respected figures in world tennis during the 1990s, he learned that talent opens doors, but discipline is what allows you to walk through them. Tennis was not only his passion; it was his opportunity. He arrived in the United States with a clear goal: to earn a college scholarship that could transform his effort into a future.

In 1995, he came to Lakeland through the exchange program connecting Barcelona and Polk County. Everything was new: the language, the culture, the education system. Still, one thing was clear from the beginning: “I came looking for a college opportunity. I knew tennis could open that door.” Soon he realized the real challenge was only beginning.

To enter college, he first had to pass the GED, the exam equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. That meant moving from a tenth-grade education into a university classroom, in another language and within a completely different culture.

At times, it felt impossible. He turned it into motivation.

He studied with discipline, asked for help, and allowed himself to be guided. Passing the GED was not just an academic requirement; it confirmed that reinvention was possible.

At Florida Southern College, he did more than compete, he left a mark. He became a three-time All-American, a national recognition awarded to the top collegiate athletes in the country. He was also named Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year and served as the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) during his four years. He led historic seasons and set records that remain part of the program’s legacy, including the Hall of Fame.

Beyond athletics, he earned his degree with a major in Business and later completed his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

Today, after more than two decades as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, leading The Bonfil Team, he helps families plan their futures with the same discipline that shaped his own journey. In his office, a tennis racket reminds him of where he began. At home, his wife Heather and their children, Lily, Emily, and Max, represent what he values most.

Tennis remains part of his life. He plays, teaches, and supports his son on the court. But now the scoreboard is measured differently: in stability, character, and legacy.

Three decades later, Alberto has lived longer in Polk County than in Barcelona. He maintains a strong connection to his roots and continues to honor Dori, the mother who believed first.

Because the leap of faith he took at nineteen did more than change his path. It defined his destiny.
 

As Mother’s Day and Father’s Day approach, I find myself reflecting on the important role both parents play in shaping who we become.

In many cases, like mine, children have the opportunity to grow up with their parents present in their lives. However, this is not the reality for everyone. For that reason, I also want to recognize grandparents, uncles, teachers, relatives, friends, and neighbors who often step into that role and make a meaningful difference in a child’s life.

This recognition is important because many parents feel overwhelmed by work responsibilities, social commitments, and other obligations that sometimes prevent them from being present during important moments. There are also situations in which a child’s upbringing is deeply influenced by those individuals who lovingly take on a parental role.

If you are fortunate enough to celebrate these special days with your parents, remember that this is one of the many reasons to appreciate, respect, and show them how much you care.