Youth Awardees are selected for their leadership in the classroom and community and will receive grants for their education, or to fund an idea or community project
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (March 1st , 2021) Today, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced the recipients of the Regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards (see names below). Local high school seniors will be honored for their leadership in the classroom and community during a virtual ceremony on March 2nd, 2021 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. (EST) Please visit www.rsvpya.com to register.
Now in its 22nd year, this educational grant program honors Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Business & Finance (presented by East Los Capital), Education (presented by Southwest Airlines), Engineering (presented by bp), Entrepreneurship (presented by TikTok), Healthcare & Science (presented by CVS Health), Media & Entertainment (presented by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers), Public Service (presented by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute), Social Justice (presented by Nike), and Technology (presented by T-Mobile). Colgate-Palmolive will provide educational grants through their Haz la U™ (“Make the U”) program to 100 of the students.
In each of the virtual ceremonies, three students (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) will be honored in every category. After the Youth Awards Regional Ceremonies conclude, one national recipient will be recognized in each of the categories and celebrated at the National Youth Awards Ceremony.
The Youth Awardees will receive grants for their education, or to fund an idea or community project to encourage “actionable leadership,” which is HHF’s call to action. Recipients will then be mentored by past Youth Awardees as they prepare to attend college and into their careers through HHF’s award-winning Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) workforce development program. To follow the Youth Awards virtual ceremonies online, use the hashtag #YA22.
“We are thrilled to honor yet another outstanding class of Youth Awardees who will carry on the tradition of excellence from past recipients,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO. “There is no shortage of Latino talent across the United States and we are grateful to our dedicated sponsors who understand the importance of investing in the youngest and most dynamic segment of our population. We’re in good hands as a community and as a country with these outstanding young leaders going forward.”
2020 Regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Recipients:
Business & Finance, presented by East Los Capital
Gold – Siena Ashdown – Murray, UT
Silver – Giselle Saldivar – Weiser, ID
Bronze – Sarai López – Prosser, WA
Education, presented by Southwest Airlines – The Official Airlines of the Youth Awards
Gold – Kathleen Julca – Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
Silver – Jazzell Tovar – Prosser, WA
Bronze – Mila Herszbaum-Harding – Omaha, NE
Engineering, presented by bp
Gold – Sara López – Sammamish, WA
Silver – Gabriella Arriaga – Garden City, ID
Bronze – Fabián García – Mabton, WA
Entrepreneurship, presented by TikTok
Gold – Eduardo García-Escobar – Denver, CO
Silver – Grace Lobato – Antonito, CO
Bronze – Jasmine Ruales – Lindon, UT
Healthcare & Science, presented by CVS Health
Gold – Brandon Sosa – Provo, UT
Silver – Nancy Rubio – Boise, ID
Bronze – Aurora Rangel – Johnstown, CO
Media & Entertainment, presented by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers
Gold – Gavin Bradler – Seattle, WA
Silver – Josemaría Azcui González, Aurora, CO
Bronze – Adriana Ripley – Eugene, OR
Public Service, presented by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
Gold – Jonathan Balderas – Wichita, KS
Silver – Haniel Morquecho – Boulder, CO
Bronze – Monica Juarez Velasco – Kuna, ID
Social Justice, presented by Nike
Gold – Sophia Rodríguez – Lincoln, NE
Silver – Charleigh Romero-Rodríguez – Pueblo, CO
Bronze – Jessica Fuertes-De Arcos – Omaha, NE
Technology, presented by T-Mobile
Gold – Xitlali Cruz – Chelan, WA
Silver – Faith Baca – Aurora, CO
Bronze – Davian Sandoval – Grand Junction, CO
Additional partners of the Youth Awards include American Federation of Teachers, Capital Wire, Crowell & Moring, Es Tiempo, Freddie Mac, Indie Desk, Mastercard, Pepco Holdings, and Teach for America. HHF also partners with thousands of high schools, colleges, community organizations, and media outlets.
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the Youth Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a national nonprofit focused on education, workforce, innovative leadership, and culture to meet the Latino community’s and America’s priorities. Through HHF’s 22-year-old Youth Awards program, hundreds of high-achieving Latinx high school students are recognized across the country and provided with grants for their education or in support of an idea for social impact. More than 5 million dollars have been provided and hundreds of the ideas and projects have been supported. Once they are vetted through the Youth Awards, alumni are connected to a larger network providing mentors, activities, and career path opportunities through the award-winning LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) program throughout college, grad school and into their careers.
Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org