School Scholars Have Been Recognized For Their Achievements

New York State’s Upstate Hispanic Heritage Month Committee (HHMC) announces that 15 Latino recent high school graduates from upstate counties are this year’s recipients of scholarships based on demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills and community involvement. The students, who are enrolled at various colleges this fall, were honored at an award ceremony Thursday, Sept. 28, at the New York State Museum, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
The HHMC has celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month since 1997, granting over $75,000 to 99 talented youth to encourage high school students to pursue higher education, become productive members of society, and give back to the community. Private contributions and the participation of various state agencies with in-kind donations, under the leadership of Governor George E. Pataki, have made recognition of these students possible.

Acknowledging the growing population and influence of Latinos in the United States, Congress expanded Hispanic Heritage Week in 1989 to a month-long celebration from Sep. 15 through Oct. 15. The HHMC honors this observance each year with a culturally relevant kickoff event in mid-September at the Empire State Plaza and a special awards ceremony in late September at the state museum, where students and also outstanding community leaders are recognized. This year’s keynote speaker, Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia, addressed the awardees and related her remarks to the 2006 theme of “Hispanics: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today”.
This year’s honored students represent the following counties: Albany, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Schenectady, Sullivan and Ulster.

List of awardees are below:

2006 Hispanic Heritage Month Scholars

Albany County-Danielle Rovito;

Dutchess County-Anthony Millan;

Erie County-Jorge, Mecias-Frias, and Crystal M. Collado;

Monroe County-Brianna Diaz, Eliud Mendez and Amanda Vargas;

Montgomery County-Stephanie Viquez;

Oneida County-Nicole Pena;

Onondaga County-Caroline Taromino;

Orange County-Raquel Rodriguez and Juan Canales;

Schenectady County-Katerina Gross;

Sullivan County-Edeliz Flores and

Ulster County-Claudia Quintanilla.