An independent committee has selected Mrs. Paulita Ramona Ridderstaat, affectionately called Mrs. Ita, as the winner of the Mr. Ovito Tromp Award for 2026. The presentation of the Mr. Ovito Tromp Award 2026 to Mrs. Ita will take place during the celebration of the Arubian Festival, the traditional celebration of our Anthem and Flag at Centro di Bario Noord (CBN).
The Mr. Ovito Tromp Award recognizes Mrs. Ita for her long and invaluable volunteer work in the Noord community and beyond. The board of Centro di Bario Noord visited Mrs. Ita at her home last Thursday to deliver the happy news that CBN will present her with the Mr. Ovito Tromp Award 2026 as a token of great appreciation for all her contributions as a volunteer in various fields.
Mrs. Ita shared that she did not expect this award and that she is doubly happy to accept the Mr. Ovito Tromp Award, also in memory of her mother. Her volunteer work comes from a deep family tradition: as the daughter of Dorothea “Do” Ridderstaat-Gil (1930-1997) and Mr. Chepi Ridderstaat, she inherited a vision of community responsibility. Her mother, who dedicated decades to volunteer work, was the main inspiration for her path.
Mrs. Ita is married to Mr. Henk Monah. She went to study in the Netherlands in 1969 and began her professional life in Aruba in 1974 as an assistant to doctors Dr. Weststrate and Dr. Berlinski at Centro Medico San Nicolaas. In 1990 she returned to the Netherlands to continue her specialization. From 1992 until retirement age, she worked at Horacio Oduber Hospital as a nurse.
In Aruba, her volunteer work spans several decades and areas:
- Member of the board of Centro di Bario Noord (CBN)
- Volunteer for the Wilhelmina Cancer Fund for 27 years, after her mother’s passing
- Leader of the AMG group
- Leader of the Aruban Girl Scouts Guild
- Board member of SAC, later named Honorary Member of SAC
- Singer in the Coro di Sta. Anna
- Provides guidance and prayers for families during funerals
Mrs. Ita continues to offer guidance, assistance, and informal advice to youth, adults, patients, and grieving families. Her work is characterized by humility, positivity, and silent but effective dedication, with an unparalleled social and cultural impact on strengthening our youth, supporting adults, cancer patients, and contributing to Carnival.
The independent committee emphasized that Mrs. Ita represents a beautiful soul with a heart of pure gold, and her impact on the community is visible in the leaders she has shaped and the comfort she has provided for decades to many who consider her family and are eternally grateful.
The public is invited, especially residents of Noord and Aruba in general, to attend the presentation of the Mr. Ovito Tromp Award 2026 to Mrs. Ita:
Event: Arubian Festival – Celebration of Anthem and Flag
Location: Centro di Bario Noord (CBN)
Date & Time: March 18, 2026, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Award Presentation: Mr. Ovito Tromp Award to Mrs. Ita at 12:15 pm
