Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards 2014

Nominations are open for the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA). The award is given every year to recognize exemplary Hispanics who have made outstanding contributions toward improving the quality of life within the Hispanic community. The nominations must be postmarked by Thursday, July 31, 2014.

The MHHA Committee will review nomination entries and select the most outstanding nominees to receive the 2014 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards. Mayor Annise D. Parker and the Houston City Council will salute the winners at Council session every Tuesday during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15). All winners will be presented an award at the MHHA reception celebration on October 7, 2014.

The nomination categories for 2014 are:

• Art In the Community – recognizes the contribution of an individual whose outstanding efforts has enriched and nurtured the creativity in the Hispanic community through Art programs. Art programs may include visual, music, dance, theatre and quilting/embroidery. In addition to an application, nominations for this award must include a biography highlighting the services rendered by the nominee for which this award is to be presented.
• Community Activist – recognizes the outstanding volunteer efforts of an individual dedicated toward improving and educating the Hispanic community thru public and community service. In addition to an application, nominations for this award must include a biography highlighting the services rendered by the nominee for which this award is to be presented.
• Education – recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to increasing educational opportunities in academic, healthy living, and sportsmanship, in the Hispanic community. In addition to an application, nominations for this award must include a biography highlighting the services rendered by the nominee for which this award is to be presented.
• Youth Activist – recognizes a young Hispanic between the ages of 15 thru 25 for outstanding work in the community thru volunteerism. All community projects must demonstration leadership qualities that inspire our youth to become the future leaders in the Hispanic community. In addition to an application, nominations for this award must include a biography highlighting the services rendered by the nominee for which this award is to be presented.
• Lifetime Achievement – recognizes community leaders who have led a lifetime of community service in the Hispanic community. In addition to an application, nominations for this award must include a biography highlighting the services rendered by the nominee for which this award is to be presented.

The 2013 award recipients were:

• Lifetime Achievement: Dolores “Lolita” Guerrero
• Art in the Community: Macario Ramirez
• Community Activist: Mario Martinez
• Education: Nicolas Kanellos, Ph.D.
• Youth Activist: Nohemi Chavez

The 2012 award recipients were:

• Lifetime Achievement: Janie and Frumencio Reyes
• Community Activist: Sylvia Louise Gonzales
• Education: Rick Cruz
• Youth Activist: Genry Santibanez
• Art in the Community: Tony Diaz

For more information, including the nomination form, visit the City of Houston’s page on the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards.

— Written by Sandra Fernandez

Sandra Fernandez

Sandra Fernandez is a professional communicator, tech enthusiast, book lover, and blogger. You can find her main blog at SandraSays.com and more of her writing at HispanicHouston.com.