Washington, DC - The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced today the 21 outstanding Latino high school seniors from the Houston area who will be honored during the 18th Annual Houston Awards at The Health Museum: 1515 Herman Drive, Houston, Texas  (Reception 6 – 7 p.m., Ceremony 7 – 8 p.m.) The approximately 240 Youth Awardees in Houston and in nine other regions across the country were selected from 20,000 applicants and will receive grants as well as promoted as role models.    

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is proud to honor yet another class of outstanding young Latino leaders who will certainly make an impact on our communities and workforce as they move forward in their careers,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF.  “We thank our sponsors for their support as we focus on priority fields for America. We believe our Youth Awardees are leaders of today, not tomorrow. Frankly, we can’t afford to wait.”

The 2016 Youth Awards categories and winners are:   

Business & Entrepreneurship - Sponsored by BBVA Compass: Ronen J Melloul Business Gold Carnegie Vanguard High School, Jose Alberto Flores Rodriguez Business Silver Victory Early College High School, Helena S. Sampayo Business Bronze Veterans Memorial Early College High School

Community Service -Sponsored by Colgate Palmolive: Oscar Espiricueta Community Service Gold IDEA College Preparatory San Juan, Arturo M Longoria Community Service Silver Pasadena Memorial High School, Divina Ceniceros Dominguez Community Service Bronze Harmony Science Academy -Laredo

Education - Sponsored by Southwest Airlines: Jose A. Medrano Education Gold United South High School, Gidalti Cardenas Education Silver PHARR San Juan Alamo Memorial Early College High School, Anissa Hernandez Education Bronze United South High Schoo

Engineering - Sponsored by ExxonMobil:  Andrea C Zavala Engineering Gold Westside High School, Mark Torres Engineering Silver Science Academy of South Texas, Paulina Camara Bronze Engineering Juan Diego Academy

Healthcare & Science - Sponsored by CVS Health: Ingrid Jimenez Healthcare Gold United South High School,Ybi Huacuja Healthcare Silver Harmony Science Academy, Vanessa

Gutierrez Healthcare Bronze Robert Vela High School

Innovation & Technology- Sponsored by Entertainment Software Association (ESA): Nabihah Khalid Innovation & Technology Gold, Jenifer M Moralez Innovation & Technology Silver John B. Connally High School, Nery F Perez Innovation & Technology Bronze Chinquapin Preparatory School

Mathematical Sciences - Presented by Pricewaterhouse Coopers: Tristan Bernabe Mathematical Gold Deer Park High School South Campus, Cailin L Wong Mathematical

Silver I.H. Kempner High School, Clarissa Castillo Mathematical Bronze Veterans Memorial Early College High School

Parent Award - (resented by Learning Heroes): Cynthia Torres

For the first time, parents of one of the Youth Awardees will receive the Learning Heroes Parent Award in each of the regions in honor of the pivotal role parents play in the educational success of youth.  Learning Heroes mission is to equip parents and families with information and actions they can take to help their children succeed in school and life. Visit bealearninghero.org for more information.

The Youth Awards program honors students in 10 regions including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles San Jose, Phoenix, New York City, Atlanta, and Miami.  Recipients of the Youth Awards plus the applicants will be vetted and funneled into HHF’s Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) network where they will be connected to 100,000 students and professionals, access workshops/symposia/summits as well as internships and full-time positions with Fortune 500 Companies.  of the Youth Awards The spokesperson for HHF’s youth programs is singer Becky G, who received the Inspira Award for serving as a role model in the public eye.  

Additional partners of the Youth Awards include: AT&T, Direct Auto Insurance, Herbalife and NASCAR. After the regional ceremonies, the National Youth Awards will feature one national recipient in each of the categories and celebrate the young leaders in Miami, FL, with special appearances by celebrities.   

About HHF and LOFT  

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation focuses inspires, prepares, and connects Latino 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, Miami and Silicon Valley (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org). Follow Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Facebook and @HHFoundation on Twitter.