SOPAS to Induct Berkeley
Educator into Hall of Fame

Tulare - The Society of Portuguese-American Students will present its fourth annual SOPAS-Most Valuable Portuguese American Awards 6 p.m. Sunday at the Tulare Community Auditorium.

In addition to honoring outstanding students in the Portuguese language programs at Tulare Union, Tulare Western and Mission Oak high schools, the program will recognize many community members for their contributions.

The organization also will induct Dr. Deolinda Adao, director of the Portuguese Studies Program at the University of California, Berkeley, into the SOPAS Hall of Fame.

Adao, who completed her doctorate in literature at UC Berkeley as a grandmother, has been instrumental in administering a $4 million scholarship program that allows students of Portuguese ancestry to attend Berkeley, said Dennis Borges, SOPAS advisor at Tulare Union.

“She has worked closely with students in our area who have attended UC Berkeley, making sure they have the tools to succeed in the top public university in our country,” Borges said.

Adao coordinated the first bilingual edition of the history of the Azores, which was recently presented in Tulare. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the ceremony, which also will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, which brought democracy to Portugal.

Community members and organizations receiving awards at the SOPAS event include:

• SPDES, Tipton, Organization of the Year.
The SPDES is the sponsoring organization for the Tipton Holy Ghost Festa and it is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Borges said.

• Joe Pinheiro and Sons, Dairy of the Year.
The Pinheiro family has been dedicated to maintaining a successful dairy with traditional values and is also heavily involved in community service, Borges said. Joe Pinheiro is an immigrant from the Azores, who came to the U.S. to study and decided to stay, he added.

• Maciel's Photography, Business of the Year.
This is one of the oldest Portuguese-American businesses still in downtown Tulare. The Maciels have photographed many of the most important events in the lives of Portuguese-Americans and Americans of all ethnicities, Borges said.

• Carmen Pinheiro, Volunteer of the Year.
She has been a true pillar in volunteerism and always finds time to help any organization that calls upon her, Borges said.

• Dave Caetano, Teacher of the Year.
He has been a leader in the agricultural program in the high school district, motivating many students in the classroom and as a coach, Borges said.

• Emily, Artist of the Year.
Emily is a local artist who has gone beyond the local community and is constantly promoting Portuguese language music and culture throughout California, on the East Coast and throughout Canada, Borges said.

• Manuel Sousa, Inspiration of the Year.
“Mr. Sousa was chosen by the students because of his sense of community service,” Borges said, adding “he is someone who inspires them to serve on community organizations.”

• Howard Berger, Honorary Portuguese-American of the Year.
First as principal at Tulare Union and now as Tulare Joint Union High School District superintendent, he has always supported the Portuguese language and culture programs, Borges said.

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