12th ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE YOUTH AWARDS' APPLICATION DRIVE LAUNCHES IN SEARCH OF YOUNG LATINO LEADERS IN 12 MARKETS ACROSS AMERICA
Latino high school seniors eligible to apply for
Educational Grants and to be honored as role models
at High-Profile Regional Events
WAHSINGTON - The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today announced the launch of its 12th annual Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards, which identify, promote and prepare Latino leaders in the classroom and community. Applications are now available online at https://webmail.hmc1.comcast.net/OWA/redir.aspx?URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hispanicheritage.org%2f. HHF and its sponsors will once again provide more than half a million dollars in educational grants to over 200 Latino high school seniors across 12 regions throughout the country. Applications must be submitted electronically by midnight March 6, 2009 . Information about applications will also be available at SUBWAY® Restaurants.
The Youth Awards Regions include: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose/San Francisco-Bay Area, Phoenix, Chicago, Miami, New York, Philadelphia/New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.
However, students across America can apply to their closest region and, if selected, simply have to attend the event to receive the Youth Award.
"It is critical we recognize and reward the remarkable accomplishments of our youth and more importantly position them as role models for younger Latinos," said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. "We recently conducted a survey of Americans with Zogby which alarmingly found that only 35 percent believed Latinos would make a positive impact as the largest minority going forward. The Youth Awardees we highlight through our program not only dispel that misperception but make all Americans optimistic about our future. We thank our dedicated sponsors for believing in the Latino community."
Students are selected for their accomplishments in the classroom, community and for their interest in several categories. Three students (Gold, Silver and Bronze) will be honored in each of the six categories in each of the 12 regions. The 2009 Youth Awards categories are:
Business, for students who are interested in entering the field of business – sponsored by the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA)
Education , for students with a interested in being teachers or entering the educational field – sponsored by Southwest Airlines Engineering and Mathematics, for students with a strong interest in the fields of mathematics, engineering, or technology; sponsored by ExxonMobil
Journalism, for students involved in print, broadcast, photo or online journalism; sponsored by NBC Universal and TelemundoSports, for students who excel in athletics; sponsored by SUBWAY® restaurants Science & Healthcare, for students interested in the field of healthcare and science.
In addition, the US Army will recognize one of the 18 regional recipients for their exceptional Leadership in each of the 12 regions (12 total Leadership Youth Awardees).
"It is critical we recognize and reward the remarkable accomplishments of our youth and more importantly position them as role models for younger Latinos," said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. "We recently conducted a survey of Americans with Zogby which alarmingly found that only 35 percent believed Latinos would make a positive impact as the largest minority going forward. The Youth Awardees we highlight through our program not only dispel that misperception but make all Americans optimistic about our future. We thank our dedicated sponsors for believing in the Latino community."
Students are selected for their accomplishments in the classroom, community and for their interest in several categories. Three students (Gold, Silver and Bronze) will be honored in each of the six categories in each of the 12 regions. The 2009 Youth Awards categories are:
Business, for students who are interested in entering the field of business – sponsored by the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA)
Education , for students with a interested in being teachers or entering the educational field – sponsored by Southwest Airlines Engineering and Mathematics, for students with a strong interest in the fields of mathematics, engineering, or technology; sponsored by ExxonMobil
Journalism, for students involved in print, broadcast, photo or online journalism; sponsored by NBC Universal and TelemundoSports, for students who excel in athletics; sponsored by SUBWAY® restaurants Science & Healthcare, for students interested in the field of healthcare and science.
In addition, the US Army will recognize one of the 18 regional recipients for their exceptional Leadership in each of the 12 regions (12 total Leadership Youth Awardees).
In an effort to recognize the important contributions of teachers in the students' success, each of the Youth Awardees will nominate an educator who has made a difference in their life and one will be presented the Teacher Award by the Staples Foundation for Learning in each region.
The Youth Awardees are chosen by regional selection committees in each of the regions. In the spring, Youth Awards Ceremonies will be coordinated at top colleges and universities in each of the 12 regions in honor of the young role models and the sponsors.
The success of the Youth Awards program is predicated by the support of thousands of high schools and community organizations including the Hispanic College Fund, Teach 4 America, Voto Latino, NRCCUA and HBI. In addition to the category sponsors listed above, the Youth Award Partners include AstraZeneca, UPS, AT&T, Teleflora and POM.
After the local ceremonies, the Regional Youth Awards recipients are narrowed down to one national Youth Award recipient for each category. Those individuals will be honored at the National Youth Awards presentation where each student receives an additional educational grant of $5,000 and a laptop computer. The National Youth Awardees will then be presented with their award onstage during the 22nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards in Washington , DC at the venerable Kennedy Center on Sept. 30, 2009 .
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization which identifies, inspires, promotes, and prepares Latino leaders through educational, cultural and workforce programs. For more information, please visit https://webmail.hmc1.comcast.net/OWA/redir.aspx?URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hispanicheritage.org%2f or for an introduction to HHF's mission visit https://webmail.hmc1.comcast.net/OWA/redir.aspx?URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hhfvideo.com%2f.
The Youth Awardees are chosen by regional selection committees in each of the regions. In the spring, Youth Awards Ceremonies will be coordinated at top colleges and universities in each of the 12 regions in honor of the young role models and the sponsors.
The success of the Youth Awards program is predicated by the support of thousands of high schools and community organizations including the Hispanic College Fund, Teach 4 America, Voto Latino, NRCCUA and HBI. In addition to the category sponsors listed above, the Youth Award Partners include AstraZeneca, UPS, AT&T, Teleflora and POM.
After the local ceremonies, the Regional Youth Awards recipients are narrowed down to one national Youth Award recipient for each category. Those individuals will be honored at the National Youth Awards presentation where each student receives an additional educational grant of $5,000 and a laptop computer. The National Youth Awardees will then be presented with their award onstage during the 22nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards in Washington , DC at the venerable Kennedy Center on Sept. 30, 2009 .
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization which identifies, inspires, promotes, and prepares Latino leaders through educational, cultural and workforce programs. For more information, please visit https://webmail.hmc1.comcast.net/OWA/redir.aspx?URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hispanicheritage.org%2f or for an introduction to HHF's mission visit https://webmail.hmc1.comcast.net/OWA/redir.aspx?URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hhfvideo.com%2f.
