DALLAS, May 12 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR
WIRE/ -- The U.S.
Army is joining forces with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) to recognize
Hispanic students across America who have achieved success in the classroom and
demonstrated a commitment to their community.
Through this partnership, the Army is underscoring its dedication to
preparing young people for adulthood through discipline, leadership and
education.
As the Leadership Award sponsor of the
11th annual HHF Youth Awards, the Army will recognize top students with a
distinguished record of academic and civic accomplishments. Leadership Award recipients will be selected
from among high-performing students receiving Youth Awards in other categories,
including business, education, engineering, mathematics, journalism and sports.
"The U.S. Army is dedicated to
helping men and women develop the mental, emotional and physical strength needed
to be leaders. We share a commitment
with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to develop future leaders by providing
access to higher education, cutting edge technology and the real world
experience needed to succeed in life," said Col. David Lee, G-7, Deputy
Chief of Staff, Strategic Communication, United States Army Accessions Command.
"As sponsor of the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Youth Leadership Award,
we're acknowledging our shared values with HHF and demonstrating our commitment
to strengthening Hispanic communities."
Leadership Award winners will be announced
at HHF Youth Awards regional ceremonies across the nation from April through
June 2009. The Army will also honor one
national Leadership Award recipient, selected from among all of the regional
awardees, to be recognized at the HHF's National Youth Awards ceremony on July
1 in Miami.
The Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards were
founded in 1998 to identify and promote the next generation of Hispanic leaders
and role models by celebrating their accomplishments in the classroom and
community. Since then, HHF has honored more than 1,500 students and awarded
more than $3 million in educational grants.
This national leadership program is open to graduating high school
seniors who maintain an unweighted 3.0 GPA and have an outstanding record of
community service.
"The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is
proud to partner with the U.S. Army as we focus on education, community service
and leadership in moving the Latino community forward," said Jose Antonio
Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF.
"The Army's core values -- including duty, integrity and selfless
service -- embody the spirit of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards. Given the Army's ability to develop proven
leaders, their involvement with the Youth Awards provides a compelling example
for our students."
The Army will join HHF in recognizing
students at the following regional Youth Award events:
Phoenix Arizona State University May 14
San Antonio Our Lady of the Lake University May 19
Houston Rice University May 20
Miami Miami Dade College May 28
Chicago The University of Chicago June 2
New York The City University of New York June 4
Washington D.C. Capitol Hill June 9
Dallas The University of Texas at Arlington June 11
In addition to these events, the Army will
join the Foundation at the annual Hispanic Heritage Awards ceremony which will
take place on September 30, during Hispanic Heritage Month, at the Kennedy
Center in Washington, D.C.
About the United States Army Accessions
Command (USAAC)
SAAC, headquartered at Fort Monroe, Va.,
oversees recruiting and training of both enlisted soldiers and officers for the
U.S. Army. USAAC is composed of the
U.S. Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky.; the U.S. Army Cadet Command at
Fort Monroe, Va.; and the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson, SC.
About Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) is
a nonprofit organization which identifies, inspires, prepares and positions
Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce. Please visit www.HHFvideo.com for an
introduction to the mission or www.HispanicHeritage.org.
SOURCE U.S. Army
