Belizeans receive Order of the British Empire awards

By Aaron Humes: Delayed due to the pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings, on, appropriately, National Heroes and Benefactors Day, Governor-General Froyla Tzalam officially conferred appointments to The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of New Year Honours 2020 and 2021 to 12 Belizeans.

At the George Price Center for Peace and Development, appointments for membership as Ordinary Officers of the British Empire (Civil Division) (OBE) went to Dr. Marvin Manzanero, for contribution to public health and public service; Judith Marie Alpuche, for contribution to social work and public service; and Penelope Kay Casasola, for services to community and health education volunteerism.

Created Ordinary Members of the British Empire (Civil Division) (MBE) are Ambassador Lou-Anne Burns Martinez, for contribution to foreign service and public service; Commissioner of Police Chester Clyde Williams, for contribution to public security and public service; Elisa Nayeli Montalvo, for contribution to public service and the field of law; Brigadier General (Ret’d) Steven Ortega, former commander of the Belize Defence Force, for contribution to public security and public service; pioneering beauty salon creator Yolanda Mapye Smith, for contribution to entrepreneurship and community service; Alex Chang, for contribution to entrepreneurial leadership and community; disc jockey and radio personality Elden “Stone Jam” Hyde, for contribution to music; and Pedro A Salazar, for contribution to community activism.

The insignia for the late Ambassador Elozequi “Elito” Urbina, Sr., who was conferred MBE for his contribution to education and political leadership, was received by his family.

Not present at the ceremony were Faith Babb and Aurelio Garcia, who will be conferred their honour at a later date. Babb, former Government Minister and member of the House of Representatives, will be conferred OBE for contributions to community, politics, and women’s development, and Mr. Garcia will be conferred MBE for community activism.

Congratulations to all recipients.

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