Lucilla Violeta Puente Barnes Stewart

As an immigrant from Cuba, Lucy started her journey bouncing from Spain to England and then settling with her mom in Jamaica. Then in 1977, they immigrated first in New Jersey, then continuing to Tampa in 1978.

Lucy’s professional education started with first obtaining her GED, then continuing to St. Pete College, obtaining her qualifications as a medical assistant. This allowed her to begin her career, working for local doctors and hospitals. Recognizing the need to improve and build on her education, she returned to St. Pete College, graduating as a Registered Nurse.

In 1999, Lucy joined the Leary Technical Center as a Science Technical Instructor. While there, she was approached by students who wanted to take courses and test in Spanish. She soon discovered that very little curriculum was available to Spanish students. This inspired Lucy and after obtaining the necessary approvals, she began teaching the courses in Spanish.

Once she began teaching, Lucy visited with a local radio station to announce this new opportunity for the community. This resulted in hundreds of students wanting to pursue their studies in Spanish. This initially overwhelmed the school, however, accommodations were made and additional courses in Spanish were added. This allowed the school to expand on this opportunity.

As the demand grew for night classes, a house on Highland Ave was acquired and became the first facility to host Spanish classes. Through hard work and determination, Lucy and her students reconditioned the building, allowing them to continue to host additional courses in Spanish.

As the demand and attendance grew, Lucy recognized the need for the Spanish community to have their own Spanish language facility. Lucy visited with many local business owners including the HEDIC which is now Prospera with the goal of developing this facility. Recognizing the obstacles and challenges, Lucy believed that she needed to create a path of opportunity for her students and the community. Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, Lucy wanted “To leave a trail where none had existed before”.

Like many immigrants, Lucy has overcome obstacles and challenges in her quest to help others. She has faced financial and societal obstacles with determination and perseverance which gave her the drive to create a technical school. A school that helps students realize their professional careers.

THE NAME AGUILAS

Lucy has always drawn inspiration from her family and mentors. One story in particular has stuck with her. It was a story of an eagle that was separated from its family at a young age and was raised by a farmer with chickens. Because of its surroundings, it would scrounge the floor for worms and bits of food. But when the farmer realized that the eagle has higher potential, he takes it to a mountain top and encourages it to fly. It does so and while soaring through the clouds it realizes that if it had stayed on the ground with the chickens it would not have been able to reach its true potential.

Hence, Aguilas was adopted as the name of the school, to remind students that they all have potential to soar if they challenge themselves to fly.

Additionally, Lucy learned that eagles go through a period where they transform themselves with new feathers and a new beak. Lucy likened the transformation to her Latino community, who had to leave their countries and shed their careers. Beginning their own transformation in their new country and soaring to new heights in their profession.

Today Lucy still encourages her students to rise above the storms and excel in their dreams to become medical professionals.

Whether they are transitioning or starting a new career, Aguilas Technical Institute strives to provide  welcoming, family environment for its students.