HomeMy WebLinkAboutHispanic Forum Awards 2005By LAURA HENSLEY
Eagle Staff Writer
Latino achievers celebrated
Five garner top accolades
at Hispanic Forum Awards
Design. Magdalena Arevalo, a
recent Mexican immigrant
who is committed to address-
ing local immigrant issues,
was named Hispanic of the
Year.
"There are a lot of Hispanics
in the community that do well
and are never really recog-
nized," said Greg Rodriguez, a
member of the Hispanic
Fnrnm and macter of rpm-
monies at the event. "We real-
ly want to recognize the people
and highlight their work and
their influence.
"All of these people are role
models."
Martin Valdez Vivas, a
recent graduate of A &M Con-
solidated High School who
plans to attend Princeton Uni-
versity in the fall, was given a
9;4.0)0 scholarship and named
Student of the Year. He, like
other award recipients, was
visibly touched by the honor.
"My friend asked me one
day, `Why do you study ? "' said
Vivas, who graduated with a
4.237 grade -point average.
"That question stuck with me
the rest of the day, and it got
back to me being Hispanic.
Being told you are less and not
as good as other students,
that's disgusting. That's why I
study. That's why I work hard.
I feel that drive."
Members of the Hispanic
Latinos who have made spe-
cial contributions to the com-
munity were honored Satur-
day night at the annual His-
panic Forum Awards.
Winners in four categories
were announced.
Patricia "Trish" Burk,
director of the local affiliate of
Habitat for Humanity, was
given the Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award. Business of the
Year went to Manuel and
Theresa Rodriguez of Manuel
and Theresa' School of Nair
Forum made a surprise
announcement during the gala.
They said enough contribu-
tions had been made to give a
$750 scholarship to each of the
other four nominees for Stu-
dent of the Year. Those nomi-
nees are Manuel Gutierrez,
Aracely Veronica Santoy and
Lucas Ybarra of Bryan High
School and Karla Orozco of
A &M Consolidated High
School.
About 525 people attended
the black -tie gala at the College
Station Hilton. Following a din-
ner and the awards ceremony,
live music was provided by
Tejano bands Grupo Aviso and
Grammy - winner Emilio
Navaira y Grupo Rio. It was the
first time the 7- year -old awards
ceremony was celebrated in
such a fashion.
Vickie Garcia, president of
the Hispanic Forum, said the
format was a success.
"We wanted to wow the
crowd, and we've done that,"
she said over the loud thump-
ing of Tejano music. "I think
this is really a celebration. It's
a great way to honor all of the
nominees and make it more fes-
tive."
• Laura Hensley's e-mail address
is laura.hensley@theeagle.com.
Eagle photo /Patric Schneider
Honored Saturday night by the Hispanic Forum were (from left):
Theresa and Manuel Rodriguez, Business of the Year; Patricia Burk,
Lifetime Achievement Award; Martin Valdez Vivas, Student of the
Year; and Magdalena Arevalo, Hispanic of the Year.