The Sterling Heights Ethnic Community Committee awarded six honorees at its 16th annual Diversity Distinction Awards dinner on Sept. 27 at the Century Banquet Center. The Committee proudly partnered with the Sterling Heights City Council in presenting these awards to deserving individuals that make a difference in the community.
Awardees included:
Ofelia Fermil - Ofelia Fermil is a long-time resident of Sterling Heights and is a retired medical technologist. Since 2005, Ofelia has participated in medical missions in Sorsogon, Philippines and she is still a valuable volunteer, assisting with a mission to Sorsogon this past year. During the pandemic, Ofelia volunteered as a spiritual care minister with Ascension Oakland-Macomb and assisted the city of Dearborn fire fighters with their vaccine drive. Ofelia is an active volunteer with World Medical Relief and volunteers as an usher at St. Rene Catholic Church. Ofelia is a valued supporter of Sterling Heights events, volunteering at Sterlingfest, performing at the Cultural Exchange and representing her Filipino culture in the Memorial Day parade.
Michelle Horgan - Michelle Horgan is a Social Worker at Schoenherr Towers in Sterling Heights, providing a vast variety of social services to a diverse group of senior tenants for the last 10 years. Michelle worked effortlessly during the peak of the Covid pandemic, going door to door to distribute care packages, sanitizers, masks and food items to the 170 residents at the towers. During this time, Michelle coordinated with multiple non-profit organizations to ensure the residents’ needs were taken care of while many offices were closed down. Michelle’s exceptional service and efforts to the residents at Schoehnerr Towers has promoted equality, harmony and inclusion in the community. Michelle’s ability to understand and respect different cultures and ethnicities has enabled her to go above and beyond assisting residents and their families.
Ariel Sanchez - Ariel Sanchez was born and raised in the Philippines, immigrated to the United States in 2003 and is now a resident of Sterling Heights. After purchasing his first house in 2006, Ariel decided to study and train in real estate in order to help provide information for other immigrants coming to Macomb County and the surrounding area. Ariel has said the feeling of helping families achieve their American Dream is exciting and priceless. Ariel goes above and beyond to assist home buyers of all ethnicities in making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Ariel volunteers his time to promote his Filipino culture by regularly participating in events sponsored by the Ethnic Community Committee and also helps support a feeding program for hundreds of children in Sorsogon, Philippines, a sister city of Sterling Heights.
Dr. Sangita Shastri - Dr. Sangita Shastri was born and raised in India and migrated to the United States in 1996. She has been a resident of Sterling Heights for over 20 years. Sangita received her degree in Physiotherapy, working in a skilled nursing facility. Since 2001, Sangita has volunteered at Huron Academy in Sterling Heights where her three children attended, helping as a lunch mom and a Science Olympiad coach for many years. Sangita is also a certified CPR instructor with Red Cross where she educated families in Hamtramck and throughout the United States. She also volunteers in several Indian communities, helping to promote the Indian culture through events and education. Sangita also promotes her Indian culture in Sterling Heights, as leader of the ISKCON dance group. The group has been performing at the Cultural Exchange since 2015, along with the Meraki Fashion Shows and the Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade.
Mayuree Wadhawan - Mayuree Wadhawan resides in Macomb County, is a very active member of her Thai community and volunteers with several organizations that help promote her heritage. Mayuree is the current president of the Thai American Association of Michigan, in affiliation with the Buddhist Meditation Center in Sterling Heights where she serves as an honorary advisor. She is also a board member with the Council of Asian Pacific Americans and serves on the board with Kiwanis of Metro Detroit. During the Covid pandemic, Mayuree worked with volunteers from the Philippine American Community Center, the Philippine Nurse Association and the Center for Health Disparities Innovations & Studies, organizing several vaccine clinics. Mayuree is a Thai classical dance performer and instructor, and a member of PACCM Hula Dance Group. She has performed at both the Sterling Heights Diversity Awards Dinner and annual Cultural Exchange.
Sterling Heights Ethnic Community Committee Chair Carmen Williams said the committee takes great pride in selecting and honoring individuals, organizations and businesses for their efforts in promoting diversity throughout the City. “All of these honorees strengthen Sterling Heights’ quality of life through their dedication to making Sterling Heights a community of inclusion and cultural understanding,” Williams said. “Each winner of this year’s award has earned distinction, and we are very pleased to join the City Council in sharing their accomplishments with the community.”