Hispanic Scholarship Fund Recognizes Top Latino Scholars Across Southern California

LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation's largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education will recognize HSF Scholars and parents, Community Partners, and other leaders for the contributions they are making to advance higher education for Latino students, at the Leaders in Education Awards to be held May 8, 2014 at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live!

Emmy Award Winning Producer and HSF Board Member Nely Galán will serve as the emcee, and over 300 guests are expected to attend, including leaders from major corporations, elected officials, educators, HSF Scholars and Alumni, and various other community leaders.

"We love having an opportunity to recognize and applaud the outstanding accomplishments of HSF Scholars, parents, and leading partners," says Fidel A. Vargas, President & CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. "Their contributions serve as beacons in advancing Latino higher education."

This year's honorees include 10 Southern California HSF Scholars who represent a new generation of students that are making a difference. The five female finalists are Veronica Cortes, California State University – San Marcos, Patricia Leal-Gutierrez, University of California – Los Angeles, Adriana Ramos, Claremont McKenna College, Amy Lopez Rivera, University of Redlands, and Karen Villegas, University of California – Los Angeles. The five male finalists are Francisco Arca, University of California – Irvine, Ruben España, University of Southern California, Osvaldo Gonzalez, University of Southern California, Joshue Leyva, University of California – Los Angeles, and Martin Vazquez, University of California – Los Angeles.

This year's HSF Parent of the Year award recognizes a couple – Ana Maria Marinez and Gabriel Marinez Herrera of Oxnard, California – who, despite facing significant challenges, supported, encouraged, guided, and inspired their children to pursue higher education.

The Community Partner of the Year is GE Hispanic Forum, an employee-based affinity group, which is being honored for their partnership with HSF, in supporting Latino students' academic development and access to higher education.

HSF has named law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP the 2014 Corporate Partner of the Year in recognition of its long-standing philanthropic commitment and professional support of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

HSF's Board of Directors will be present at the event, in addition to Ms. Galán, these are Chairman of the Board James McNamara, Founder and Chairman, Panamax Films, LLC, Treasurer of the Board Anthony Salcido, Vice President, North American Financial Integration, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

HSF's 2014 corporate sponsors include Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo; Platino Sponsors McNamara Family Foundation, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and Toyota; Oro Sponsors Anheuser-Busch, American Honda Motor Company, and Delta; and Plata Sponsors Mattel and Union Bank.

About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Latino students, as well as related support services.  HSF seeks to give students all the tools they need to apply to college, do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come.  As the nation's largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, the Fund has awarded over $430 million in scholarships and provides a range of ancillary programs for students, HSF Scholars, and their families. HSF further strives to make college education a top priority for every Latino family across the nation, mobilizing our community to proactively advance that goal – each individual, over a lifetime, in every way he/she can.  For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: www.HSF.net.

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SOURCE Hispanic Scholarship Fund