A May flood victim, a student activist, a school employee, and a priest- these are the unsung heroes that Conexión Américas will honor with the 2010 Orgullo Hispano Award this Friday, September 24th at 6:00 p.m. during their Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration:                

Francisco Reyes
Flood victim turned neighborhood leader
Conexión Américas' flood recovery response in Antioch

Karla Vazquez
Volunteer and student activist for the DREAM Act
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition

Adelina Winston
Family advocate and exemplary public servant
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools

Rev. Joseph P. Breen
First non-Latino AMIG@ WE LOVE honoree for his contributions to making Nashville a welcoming community for Latino immigrant families
St. Edward Catholic Church

Conexión Américas will also recognize three young writers from local high schools for their winning entries in the 3rd annual “My Hispanic Roots, My American Dream” Essay Contest:

Arturo Vazquez
Overton
1st place

Cynthia Ramírez
Cane Ridge
2nd place

Andrea Jacky Gómez 
Antioch
3rd place

Please honor these unsung heroes and young writers Friday at 6 pm at the Historic Cannery Ballroom in Nashville.

The annual Hispanic Heritage Fiesta follows at 7:00 p.m, featuring Latin American food, live Latin music by Kazique, artwork by Jairo Prado, and a carnival recreating a Central American folk tradition!

Local nonprofit Conexión Américas and the Mayor's New Americans Advisory Council will welcome parents as they drop off their children at school this Thursday morning with live music, free coffee and a simple message in several languages: "Be counted! Mail your Census form today!"

Mayor Karl Dean will attend the event, and Metro Nashville Public Schools will be represented by Meredith Libbey, assistant to the director of schools. The event will  be broadcast live by two Spanish language radio stations, La Sabrosita and Activa.

Volunteers who speak Spanish, Arabic, Kurdish, and English will be available to help parents fill out the Census form. Cole Elementary School, located at 5060 Colemont Dr. in Antioch, is a diverse community of almost 800 children, who represent primarily low-income families historically missed by Census counts.

For more information, contact Renata Soto, Executive Director of Conexión Américas: renata@conamericas.com

Hispanic Heritage Month begins today, September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

Here in Nashville, we are honoring four Hispanics who generously give back to our community:  www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article

http://www.pandltranslations.com

One of our favorite organizations here in Nashville is Conexión Américas, a non-profit dedicated to the economic, social and civic integration of Latinos in Middle Tennessee.  They help thousands of families every year, educating them on how to buy a home, start a business or improve their English skills.

Conexión Américas is calling for nominations for the first annual "Orgullo Hispano" award which will recognize four Latinos who quietly but persistently make their community a better place to live.  The winners will have demonstrated passion and a strong commitment for what they do while inspiring others to get involved.

If you know of an unsung Hispanic hero, call Conexión Américas to learn how you can nominate them - 615.269.6900, or download the nomination form (there's only one question you have to answer) from their website: www.conexionamericas.org.

http://www.pandltranslations.com