Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Youth Awards to honor High School Students from Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico

The Youth Awardees will receive grants for their education, or to fund an idea or community project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards recipients for the Tan Region, (see names below), which includes Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Local high school seniors will be honored for their leadership in the classroom and community during a virtual ceremony on March 20^th, 2021 from 7:00 pm (PR) / 3:00 pm (AK) / 1:00 pm (HI). 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 – Niheshly Quiñones – Guaynabo – PR

Silver – Andrés Rodríguez – Cayey – PR

Bronze – Victoria Torres – Caguas – PR

Education, presented by Southwest Airlines – The Official Airlines of the Youth Awards

Gold – Julia García Galindo – San Juan – PR

Silver – Pennelope Alers – Carolina – PR

Bronze – Rebecca Morales – Caguas – PR

Engineering, presented by bp

Gold – Vanderlei Carvalho – Kailua Kona – HI

Silver – Kimberly Burgos – Aguadilla – PR

Bronze – Sebastián Pérez – Aguadilla – PR 

Entrepreneurship, presented by TikTok

Gold – Luis Bou – Guaynabo – PR

Silver – Elián Villarrubia – Isabela – PR

Bronze – Mortimer Lugo – Carolina – PR

Healthcare & Science, presented by CVS Health

Gold – Arelis Palou – Caguas – PR

Silver – Amanda Morales – Caguas – PR

Bronze – Sophia Schwantes – Sitka – AK

Media & Entertainment, presented by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers

Gold – Xavier Cintrón Muñiz – Peñuelas – PR

Silver – María López – Caguas – PR

Bronze – Leyra Rodríguez – Dorado – PR

Public Service, presented by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

Gold – Diego Norat – Caguas – PR

Silver – Mariana Rodríguez Rivera – San Juan – PR

Bronze – Génesis Rodríguez Toro – Canóvanas – PR

Social Justice, presented by Nike

Gold – Sebasstian Adriano – Caguas – PR

Silver – Matías Coss – San Juan – PR

Bronze – Carlos Escalera – Mercedita – PR

Technology, presented by T-Mobile

Gold – Kevin Acevedo – Caguas – PR

Silver – Valentina Bohórquez – Caguas – PR

Bronze – Brian Marchand – Vega Alta – PR

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) Follow HHF on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

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CONTACT: Nicolas@HispanicHeritage.org