The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund (HHSFMO) officially launches the 2013 scholarship application period on Monday, April 15.  The applications deadline is May 31, 2012.

Be sure to review the ”Eligibility Requirements,” and “Frequently Asked Questions” before completing the scholarship application.

Since its inception in 2000, the HHSFMO has awarded more than $744,500 in scholarships to 195 students in Central Florida.  The HHSFMO recognizes the continuing need for quality education, the financial challenges of our community, and the difference scholarship support can have in a student’s academic success.

Each scholarship will be credited directly to the student’s account at the college/university in which he/she is enrolled.  The scholarship award must be used for tuition, lab fees and/or books.

Today, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida announced that Lizette Valarino will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Don Quijote Awards ceremony on Saturday, December 1st.

Lizette will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her impact on the Hispanic community in Central Florida. For more than 12 years, during the terms of Mayors Mel Martinez and Richard Crotty, Lizette managed community outreach as a liaison to the Hispanic Community for Orange County’s Administration. She also organized the County’s first Translation Team, ensuring better communication to all citizens.

In 200, Lizette started the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando. Since its inception, the fund has awarded scholarships to 195 Hispanic students. Today, Lizette continues her service as the Fund’s volunteer Executive Director.

Congratulations to Lizette! We are so proud of you.

Orlando FL. (October 21, 2012) – In its 13^th consecutive year, the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando (HHSFMO) recognized the outstanding academic achievements of 21 Hispanic students by awarding $5,000 scholarships to each for further advancement of their college education. The annual “Gowns & Guayaberas Scholarship Award Ceremony” was held on Saturday, October 20th at Disney’s Contemporary Resort drawing a crowd of over 300 business, community and political leaders for the Central Florida region.  Meet the 2012 Scholars.

Funds for the scholarship awards are provided from private and corporate donations. “It never ceases to amaze me how our community responds to this most important need.  Central Florida’s businesses and community leaders understand what an investment they are making by helping to secure the education of these talented young men and women,” said Lizette Valarino, Executive Director and Founder of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund.  Thanks to all supporters.

The HHSFMO also continued their partnership and collaboration the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County (HBACF), this is the fourth year in which both organizations match funds to provide a scholarship to a law student at one of our local law schools. This year’s recipient attends the F.A.M.U. College of Law. This is the fourth consecutive year of the partnership between the two HHSFMO and the HBACF.

As guest speaker, HHSFMO was honored to welcome Ana Roca Castro. Mrs. Roca Castro is founder of Latinos in Tech Innovation and Social Media (#LATISM), an organization dedicated to the empowerment of the Latino community in the areas of education, health, technology and business through the use of tech innovation and social media, who delivered a powerful message of inspiration.  She also serves as CEO of Premier Transmedia and is the publisher of Plaza Familia.

2012 supporters of the HHSFMO include Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Wells Fargo, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Darden Restaurants, Orlando Health, and many more.  Thanks to all supporters.

During the morning of October 2nd, a few of our 2012 Scholarship recipients were on hand when Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners issued the proclamation for Hispanic Heritage month.  They were delightfully surprised when the Mayor invited them to approach the dais for a picture with the entire board!  We are so proud of our students! (Photo courtesy of Judi Kerr, Orange County Government) — with Karen Vergara, Laura Figueroa, Doris Melendez, Amanda Enriquez, Julio Suárez, and Diana Fis.

Orlando, FL (August 16, 2012) – The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando (HHSFMO), a 501(C)(3) organization, announced today the recipients of the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Scholarship during an event held at the Enzian Theater in Maitland. The winners of the 2012 Scholarship were on hand as well as many of the parents of students, members of the HHSFMO Board of Directors and event sponsors. The recipients will be honored during the 13^th Annual Gowns and Guayaberas Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

This year, the HHSFMO will once again provide over $105,000 in scholarships.  The funds will be distributed to 20 Central Florida students who will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.  A volunteer committee selected students based on their grade point average, an essay and financial need.

The 2012 HHSFMO scholarship recipients are:

Andres Aranguibel

Sara Bolivar-Wagers

Amanda Enriquez

Laura Figueroa

Monica Figueroa

Catherine Gutierrez

Jorge Hernandez

Jeannice Machado

Rachel Machado

Angelica Millan

Jessica Pachay

Esperanza Perez

Carlos Puentes

Ingrid Redondo

Alnelys Rentas-Herrera

Monica Restrepo

Jose Reyes

Angela Rodriguez

Sharina Vidal

Cierra Winston

In addition, thanks to a partnership with the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, HHSFMO will also provide an additional scholarship to Diana Fis, a law student at F.A.M.U. School of Law.

The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando has become the largest non-profit organization in Central Florida dedicated to providing scholarships for Hispanic students pursuing a college or university degree.  To date, the fund has awarded more than $744,000 to help 195 exceptional students attending local colleges and universities.

The HHSFMO’s Annual Gowns and Guayaberas Scholarship Awards Ceremony is the organization’s primary fundraising venue for the scholarship program.

“This scholarship program is completely community driven – a community that recognizes the social and economic value of a well-educated workforce,” said Lizette Valarino, Executive Director for HHSFMO. “It is through the generosity of our business and community partners and sponsors, that this award is possible. And it is always exciting to be able to recognize and reward the hard work of these outstanding students with such brilliant potential!”

“For the past twelve years, the HHSFMO has been investing in the academic and professional dreams of talented Hispanic students in Central Florida.” said Julio F. Suárez, Board Chairman for HHSFMO. “With this new class of scholarship recipients, that brings the total number of individuals and families that have been touched by the HHSFMO to 195. Congratulations to the 2012 HHSFMO scholars and their families.”

This year’s sponsors include: Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation, Century Link, Darden Restaurants, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Florida Blue, Hispanic Bar Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, Lockheed Martin, Orlando Health, OUC-The Reliable One, Rosen Hotels, Universal Parks & Resorts, University of Central Florida, Walt Disney World and Wells Fargo, among many others.

For more information about the scholarship program, the Gowns and Guayaberas Scholarship Award Ceremony, becoming a sponsor, or to make a donation, please contact Lizette Valarino at hhsfmo@aol.com.
 
 
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PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

• PHOTO #1: The 2012 Hispanic Heritage Scholarship winners were announced at a press conference on Thursday, August 16 hosted by Maitland’s Enzian Theater.  The students attend the University of Central Florida, Seminole State College, Stetson University, Florida Technical College and the FAMU School of Law.  Photo by: Jonathan Aponte. Download Photo #1
• PHOTO #2: Members of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund, join the student recipients of the 2012 scholarship awards at a press conference on Thursday, August 16 at the Enzian Theater.  This year, the HHSFMO will once again provide $100,000 in scholarships.   Each student receives a $5,000 scholarship.  Photo by: Jonathan Aponte.  Download Photo #2

COVERAGE

• El Sentinel – link to article
• La Prensa – link to article
• Osceola Star – link to article

On Thursday, August 16th, the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando will hold a press conference to introduce the 2012 scholarship recipients.  Here are the details of the press conference:

• Date:  Thursday, August 16th
• Time:  9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
• Location:  Enzian Theater, 1300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751 (Map & Directions)

To attend, please RSVP to hhsfmo@aol.com

Under the direction of HHSFMO board members Edwin Mouriño, Angelo Guevara, and Michael Montalvo, the 2012 Selection Committee has been evaluating all eligible scholarship applications.  This year, the HHSFMO received a record 483 scholarship applications, which is an 85% increase from 2011.

To date, the Selection Committee has met twice to review the selection criteria, assemble review teams, set timelines, and review applications.  The Selection Committee is now entering the last stages of its work.  The committee should complete its selection and notification process by Friday, August 3rd.
 
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee is made up of volunteers from throughout the Central community.  The HHSFMO would like to thank the following individuals for their time, commitment, and objectivity:

• Janice Abrew – Rosen Hotels & Resorts
• Tobi L. Allen – Lockheed Martin
• Julio Aponte – Greenberg Traurig
• Adriana Comellas Macretti – State Farm
• Jose Costa – Nodarse
• Jason Delvalle – Wells Fargo Advisors
• Iris Diaz – SunTrust Bank
• Alejandra Diaz-Labrecque – NASCAR
• Kristi Mitchell – Bright House Networks
• Paulette Nassiff – Lockheed Martin
• Annette Perez – Popular Community Bank
• Deborah Rios-Barnes
• Lucia Soto – Fairwinds Credit Union
• Lola Stein – Progress Energy
• Terry Torres – OUC – The Reliable One
• Michael Valenzuela – M&I Bank
• Oskar Torres – Turner Construction

 
The Evaluation Process
Each application is evaluated by two members of the Selection Committee.  Each application is graded on the following factors:

• Quality of the essay that applicant submitted
• Demonstration of leadership and/or academic recognition
• Examples of volunteerism and/or work experience
• Letters of recommendation submitted by each applicant
• The applicant’s cumulative GPA

The 2012 Selection Committee, composed of volunteers from throughout the Central Florida community, is currently evaluating and grading all scholarship applications submitted that met the May 31 deadline and stated requirements.  The committee volunteers will evaluate each application based on the student’s grade-point-average, examples of volunteerism and work, examples of leadership and honors, and the quality of the essay and letters of recommendation submitted along with the application.

This is a highly competitive process.  A total of twenty students will be selected as the 2012 HHSFMO scholars.  The HHSFMO will notify these twenty students of their selection by the end of July.

In addition, a new Board of Directors was sworn in by Orange County Judge Antoninette Plogstedt at the Overlook Room of the Orlando City Hall.  Over the next two years, the board plans to expand the scholarship program, elevate the organization’s profile, and integrate scholars and alumni into its programs.

The 2012 – 2012 HHSFMO Board of Directors includes:

Julio F. Suárez – Chair
Darden Restaurants

Michael Montalvo – Chair Elect
Wells Fargo

Tanya Easterling – Secretary
Florida Blue

Cecilia Farner – Treasurer
4 Rivers Smokehouse

Lizette Valarino – Founder & Executive Director
The Idea Factory

Jaime Piñero – Immediate Past Chair
CenturyLink

Omar Carmona Sánchez – Director at Large
Andrade Meléndez

Angelo Guevara – Director at Large
Lockheed Martin

Guillermo Hansen – Director at Large
Osceola Star

Angela Lagos – Director at Large
Universal Parks & Resorts

Mercedes McCall – Director at Large
Regions Bank

Lourdes Mola – Director at Large
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Edwin Mouriño – Director at Large
Lockheed Martin

Giorgina Pinedo Rolón – Director at Large
Gio Communications

Paul Roldan – Director at Large
Algen Financial Services

Marisol Riversa Romany – Director at Large
Orlando Health

Ramón Ojeda – Advisor
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando

Diego “Woody” Rodríguez – Legal Advisor
Orange County Public Schools

Congratulations to Lizette Valarino, HHSFMO’s founder and executive director, for being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women That Make a Difference event.

The award was presented by La Prensa and Impremedia on Saturday, March 31.

To learn more about the award and event, please click on the following link (en Español) – http://www.laprensafl.com/article/20120405/IMPORT01/304059977