Awardees will be honored across multiple virtual ceremonies, including the Journalism & Media Award Ceremony on Saturday, February 21.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today announced the Youth Awards recipients for the Journalism & Media category, presented by COMCAST NBCUniversal/Telemundo. A total of 30 outstanding high school seniors across the country will be honored for their dedication to serving others, vision, and leadership in the classroom and community. The honorees will be celebrated during a virtual ceremony on Saturday, February 21, at 6 PM AST/ 5 PM EST / 2 PM PST / 12 PM HST.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements and vision of these brilliant, young leaders, who will carry on the tradition of past Youth Awardees,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “We are grateful to our dedicated sponsors who understand the importance of investing in the youngest and most dynamic segment of our population. That investment will be worthwhile as we look to these students to move our community and America forward.”
Noelia Velazquez, 2024 Regional Youth Award GOLD recipient for Media and Entertainment and Miss Teen All American, will host the five virtual Youth Awards Ceremonies. She studies Entrepreneurship with minors in Journalism and Fashion at High Point University, where she is a Campus Ambassador, Women’s L.I.F.T. Fellowship Executive Council member, and HPU Vision anchor. Within Alpha Gamma Delta, she serves as Director of Philanthropy. Noelia also founded Girl Strong by Noe, a national initiative empowering young girls through confidence‑building workshops, and she proudly advocates for global cleft care as a Smile Train ambassador.
Click HERE to RSVP and learn more about this group of 30 high school seniors selected from ten regions across the United States:
Blue Region: DE, DC, KY, MD, NJ, PA, VA, and WV
GOLD – Santiago Campos – Washington, DC – District of Columbia International School
SILVER – Isabella Corchiarino – Stevensville, MD – Kent Island High School
BRONZE – Aina Traite Codina – Glen Allen, VA – Deep Run High School
Burgundy Region: OK and TX
GOLD – Joaquin Garcia – Roma, TX – Roma High School
SILVER – August Zimmerman – Waco, TX – Waco High School
BRONZE – Magali Roibon – San Antonio, TX – Alamo Height High School
Green Region: FL and GA
GOLD – Jordon Echevarria – Jacksonville, FL – Englewood High School
SILVER – Victoria Puente – South Miami, FL – Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
BRONZE – Lincoln Richey – Brooks, GA – Whitewater High School
Orange Region: AL, AR, LA, MS, NC, SC, and TN
GOLD – Lucas Miller – Chelsea, AL – Chelsea High School
SILVER – Joshua Haynes – Southaven, MS – Southaven High School
BRONZE – Izel De Jesus Sanchez – Hillsborough, NC – Orange High School
Pink Region: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, and WI
GOLD – Sophia Valdez – Hometown, IL – Oak Lawn Community High School
SILVER – Ian Mendez – Chicago, IL – Lane Tech College Prep High School
BRONZE – Isabel Bernal – Chicago, IL – John Hancock College Prep High School
Purple Region: CA and NV
GOLD – Tomás Carranza – Pasadena, CA – Don Bosco Technical Institute
SILVER – Ethan Price – Corona Del Mar, CA – Corona Del Mar High School
BRONZE – Marli Venegas – Exeter, CA – Exeter Union High School
Red Region: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, and VT
GOLD – Mariana Prieto – Bellerose, NY – Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
SILVER – Josefina Eliessetch – New London, NH – Kearsarge Regional High School
BRONZE – Rihanna Bonilla – Elmhurst, NY – Saint John’s Preparatory High School
Tan Region: AK, AS, GU, HI, PR, and VI
GOLD – Diego Ramos Rivera – San Juan, PR – Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola
SILVER – Kamila Gonzalez – Caguas, PR – Thomas Alva Edison School
BRONZE – Karolina Garcia – San German, PR – Mil Mascaras Arts Academy
Teal Region: CO, ID, KS, MT, NE, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, and WY
GOLD – Gianna Cid – Cedar Hills, UT – Lone Peak High School
SILVER – Ariana Espino – Boise, ID – Borah High School
BRONZE – Lily Martinez – Commerce City, CO – Prairie View High School
Yellow Region: AZ and NM
GOLD – Solei Rodriguez – Rio Rancho, NM – Rio Rancho High School
SILVER – Ramon Gonzalez – Tempe, AZ – McClintock High School
BRONZE – Gabriela Rodriguez Acosta – Ranchos de Taos, NM – Taos High School
Three students per region will be honored with gold, silver, and bronze medallions at five virtual ceremonies presented by The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive, Southwest Airlines, and COMCAST NBCUniversal/Telemundo. One national recipient per category will also be recognized and celebrated at the in‑person National Youth Awards ceremony.
Other supporters of the Youth Awards include Capital Wire PR, Es Tiempo, Freddie Mac, Intersect, Minecraft Education, and Teach for America.
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the Youth Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education, workforce development, societal impact, and leadership, with culture serving as the cornerstone of its mission. Through the 27-year-old Youth Awards, thousands of high school students from all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and D.C., have been recognized for their achievements in the classroom and community, and their focus on a career path in all STEM areas, entrepreneurship, media, public service, and other categories. Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org.
Follow HHF on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.
###
Media Contact: Nicolas@HispanicHeritage.org
