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| Jules Homero Escalante
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It has often been said that
once you have taken a dip in the crystal waters of Ambergris Caye you will want
to come back, over and over again. Many people testify to this saying and
believe it one hundred percent. Belize has attracted visitors from around the
globe but even more so it has drawn back people whose families were born and/or
raised in this beautiful Central American country. This week The
San Pedro Sun is pleased to
feature a young man who, although born and raised by Belizean parents in the
United States, has "come home" to make his contribution to this "island
paradise" - Jules Homero Escalante. On February
7 th, 1962, Rose and Wilfredo
Escalante, originally from Belize City, celebrated the birth of their son Jules
Homero in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jules, raised in the "land of jazz and Mardi
Gras," attended St. Angela Merici Elementary School and Archbishop Rummel High
School before enrolling in the University of New Orleans (UNO) where he majored
in business and accounting. Proud of their heritage, the Escalante's made
certain Jules learned about their birthplace by sending him to Belize for every
summer vacation. Jules grew up to be an
exemplary young man with great ambitions and respect for his community and
fellow man. From a young age he proved to be a responsible businessman, managing
a variety of establishments including a Thom McAn shoe store, a TV/VCR repair
shop, a computer business and an automotive repair shop. What Jules claims as
his pride and joy though, was his involvement in the "candy business." Jules
instructed over 1,000 young children from around the state of Louisiana how to
sell candy door to door. This, he says, taught the children the value of working
for their own money. As an incentive to improve the children's sales Jules would
organize tours to amusement parks such as Disney and Astro World for the
children who showed dedication to their work. "It made me happy to give these
children the opportunity to experience such wonderful places," Mr. Escalante
commented. Jules dedicated ten years of his life to the candy business,
providing countless children with their first taste of the skills needed for
business. While in New Orleans, Jules also found his soul
mate, and married Melinda Kelley on May 10 th, 1986. Their union has been blessed
with two beautiful children: Jennifer Rose (11) and Alexander Jules (9).
After several visits to his parents' homeland, Jules and
his family relocated permanently to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye on May
9 th, 1999 to help maintain
his parents' property. No stranger to "La Isla Bonita," Jules was hired
and functioned as general manager of Fido's Restaurant and Bar for the next year
and a half. Then, on January 1st, 2002 he accepted a new position as general manager for Rico's Surfside
Restaurant at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Besides taking care of the daily
operations at Rico's, Jules has gone a step further in guest relations and
ensures that all visitors are properly informed of all the wonderful trips
available in and around San Pedro, as well as on the mainland. More than a
general manager, Jules is known to be a wonderful public relations
representative and marketer of Ambergris Caye. In his continued efforts to
promote "La Isla Bonita" Mr. Escalante is also an active member of the Ambergris
Caye Chamber of Commerce. Living in this unspoiled piece
of paradise has been to Jules liking. He enjoys relaxing from time to time
participating in his favorite pastimes - fishing and snorkeling. Family is a
priority for Jules and his close relationship with his parents and children is
living testimony of this. Belize has stolen the heart of
Jules Homero Escalante. He gladly traded the fast paced life of New Orleans for
the slower way of life by the sea. Now more than ever, he is content to live as
one of the many "jewels" in "Our Community."
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