Sterling YWCA’s Sifuentes will be Fiesta Day parade grand marshal

STERLING – Raquel Sifuentes, immigrant outreach caseworker at the YWCA of the Sauk Valley, has been chosen as this year’s Fiesta Day parade grand marshal.

Sifuentes, of Sterling, was among a group of applicants by the chamber’s Hispanic Business Leaders Committee.

She moved to the United States from Mexico in 1995, graduated from Sterling High School, and attended Sauk Valley Community College, studying accounting and business, the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce said in a news release.

In her role at the YWCA, which she has held since 2008, Sifeunetes has connected immigrants to community resources, and providing interpreting and translation services among other community outreach.

She also works with Sauk Valley Community College to offer the Families United for a Strong Education program, in which workshops are held to teach families about educational opportunities and ways to overcome barriers that limit their academic success, the Chamber said in its release. Sifuentes also has collaborated with immigration project agencies to offer citizenship workshops that help immigrants learn about the citizenship process and guide them on the path to becoming naturalized citizens.

“Raquel is an integral member in our Hispanic community in the Sauk Valley,” Chamber Executive Director Kris Noble said in the release. “The work she does on a daily basis makes such an impact on the future of this community. It’s an honor to work with her on the SVACC’s HBLC and to have her lead the 68th annual Fiesta Day parade as the grand marshal.”

The parade will start at 1 p.m. Sept. 18. Registration to enter the parade remains ongoing.

Because of road construction in Sterling, the parade’s traditional route has changed. It will begin on 10th Street in Rock Falls, travel north and cross the First Avenue Bridge into Sterling, turn left onto Second Street, then head north on Locust to Third Street. It then will turn west and end on Avenue C.

For information or to register, go to https://www.saukvalleyareachamber.com/fiesta-day-parade.html or call 815-625-2400.