16th Annual Youth Award Applications Open!

Opportunity for Young Latino Leaders to be Celebrated at Ceremonies, Receive Educational Grants, and Join Leadership Pipeline in College, Community and Workforce 

WASHINGTON, DC – Latino high school juniors across America can apply to the Youth Awards program presented for the 16^th year by Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF). The 2014 Youth Awards applications are available at hispanicheritage.org and must be postmarked no later than September 15, 2014.  Actress Genesis Rodriguez, the official spokesperson for the 2014 Youth Awards, will be part of a national public awareness campaign as the recipient of the Inspira Award at the 2013 National Youth Awards.

HHF President and CEO Jose Antonio Tijerino said, “As the fastest growing segment of the population, it is important we meet America’s priorities in the education, community and workforce.  Beyond celebrating the young leaders, they are funneled into our ‘leadership cycle,’ which will put them on a fast track for leadership in the classroom, community, and workforce.  It starts with the Youth Awardees who embody the promising future of America.”

Recipients are selected for their accomplishments in the classroom and community and are awarded grants to use for their college education or to fund a community service effort. The young leaders are also positioned to serve as role models for their peers and offset negative stereotypes for Latinos.

In each of the 10 regions, three students (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) will be honored in various categories including those listed below. The 2014 regions include: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington, DC.  Students from across the USA can apply in the region nearest to their area of residence in an effort to ensure all Latino students have an opportunity for the Youth Awards. If selected, the students only have to attend the awards event to receive their award.

The 2014 Youth Awards categories are:

• Business & Entrepreneurship – sponsored by BBVA Compass
• Education – sponsored by Southwest Airlines
• Innovation & Technology – sponsored by Entertainment Software Association
• Engineering & Mathematics – sponsored by ExxonMobil
• Healthcare & Science – sponsored by CVS Caremark Workforce Initiatives

Additional partners of the Youth Awards include: Cesar Chavez Foundation, NRCCUA, OCI Group, The Raben Group, Saber es Poder, and Voto Latino. In the fall (October – December), regional ceremonies with influential audiences and surprise speakers will take place in honor of the students and their families at top universities. After the regional ceremonies, the National Youth Awards will feature one national recipient in each of the categories and will celebrate the young leaders in San Juan, Puerto Rico with celebrities taking part. The 2014 National Youth Awards will mark the first HHF event held in Puerto Rico.

About HHF and LOFT

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit originally established by the White House in 1987, inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities.  HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions.  HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Los Angeles, New York and the LOFT Institute is housed at Michigan State University (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org). Follow Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Facebook and @HHFoundation on Twitter.

HHF’s award-winning LOFT leadership and workforce development program is divided into 10 “Tracks,” or industries, which are priorities for America including Innovation & Technology, Science & Healthcare, Engineering, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Education, Public Service, Law, Media & Entertainment, and Latinas.  Tens of thousands of students and young professionals are connected to each other and to mentors and resources; over 50 trainings, workshops, and informal Charlas are hosted across the country; creative initiatives are executed; and hundreds of minorities are placed into internships, mentorships, fellowships and full-time positions with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.  Visit www.loftinnovation.org, and join http://loftnetwork.org to get on the fast track to leadership.  Follow LOFTinstitute on Twitter.