Meet the Comadres of Pi Alpha
1. Letitia “Tish” Hernandez
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Letitia “Tish” Hernandez was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is a product of public education system in Lancaster, having attended George Ross Elementary, Reynolds Middle School, and J.P McCaskey High School. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Work from Millersville University and her Masters of Family Therapy from Drexel University. She currently works as a Certified Home and School Visitor for the School District of the Lancaster. Part-time, she works as a therapist, mentor, student and family advocate. She is super passionate about health and children. She is also certified as a holistic health coach. Her future goals are to make a living selling doTERRA Essential Oils and running her own retreat place.
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3. Kiersten Cunningham
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Kiersten Cunningham was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is a product of public education having attended George Ross Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, and J.P McCaskey High School. She graduated from Millersville University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Science. She works as a 9th grade science teacher at William Penn Senior High school in York City. At the high school, she has the responsibility of being an advisor to the class of 2019, as well as a homebound instructor. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in both STEM Education and Elementary Education. Her future goal is to own a childcare center.
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5. Tammy Pérez
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Hilda “Tammy” Perez was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is a product of public education, having attended Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, George Washington Elementary School, Edward Hand Middle School, and J.P McCaskey High School. She graduated from Central Penn College in 2008 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business. She has done an amazing job raising her nieces and nephews as her own. She loves her family and friends dearly, and considers her Comadres an extension of her family. As for her future, she is interested in pursuing a teaching degree or human services degree. She loves working with at risk youth in her community.
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2. Margarita Candaleria-Darden
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Margarita Candalería-Darden was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has been married for sixteen years, and has a daughter who is currently in college. She is a product of public education having attended Fulton Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, and J.P McCaskey High School. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Albright College and her Master’s in Administration of Justice from Shippensburg University. She was previously a Probation Officer for Lancaster County, and then went on to work as a Social Worker/Home and School Visitor for the School District of Lancaster. Currently, Margarita is a Clinical Coordinator for an all-girls residential program. Her goal is to continue to encourage young ladies to pursue an education at the university level and beyond.
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4. Joselyn Hernández
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Joselyn Hernandez is a Philadelphia native, and a product of both the Catholic and Public school systems. She graduated from William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs, and earned her International Baccalaureate Diploma. Passionate about education and the Spanish language, Joselyn started college as a declared Education Major, and continued her studies in Foreign Language Education and Spanish. She graduated from Temple University in 2014, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. She has taught students Spanish at the Philadelphia Military Academy and is currently in her fourth year teaching students Spanish at Science Leadership Academy. In the near future, Joselyn hopes to continue her education at Temple University, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
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6. Edalmira Hernández-Rivera
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Edalmira “Bebé” Hernandez was born and raised in Lancaster City. She is a graduate of the Lancaster City public schooling system, and is a part of the graduating Class of 1996 from JP McCaskey High School. Edalmira served for over five years as a dental assistant/expanded functions dental assistant at an inner-city clinic SouthEast Lancaster Health Services and received her certifications to practice both from Lancaster Career and Technology Institute. Edalmira then went on to earn her Associate’s degree from Harrisburg Area Community College in Early Childhood Education/Life Science. After earning her Associate’s Degree, she decided to enroll in Millersville University, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with a double minor in Sociology and Criminal Justice. Attending post-secondary education as a non-traditional student with two young children, Edalmira obtained her Master’s degree in Multicultural Education with a Certification in Secondary Education in Biology from Eastern University. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership at Widener University. Edalmira also works as an Environmental Science teacher at William Penn Senior High school in York City. She is a mother of three lovely children and is very active in her community.
