Austin ISD's Department of English Language Learners is hosting the Latino Academic Achievement Awards. The ceremony will recognize students for scholastic accomplishments and community leaders for community service, advocacy and volunteerism.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 2
Where: AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd.
What: The theme for this year's Latino Academic Achievement Awards is "Today's Dream is Tomorrow's Reality." The event is open to the public.
This year's honorees are:
Latino Parent Volunteer Award: Lupita Muñoz Odom
The Parent Volunteer Award is given to a person of Latino origin who is a parent or family member of a current Austin ISD student and who has volunteered a significant amount of time in a school-specific or districtwide capacity for a minimum of two consecutive years.
Odom is being recognized for:
- Serving Pleasant Hill Elementary School's library for the past eight years, helping decorate, organize and set up book fairs;
- Serving on the school's Campus Advisory Council; and
- Serving as an active member of the school's PTA.
Latino Community Service Award: Emafely Garcia Amador
The Latino Community Service Award is given to a person, not currently an Austin ISD staff member, Latino or not, who has provided public and civil service to benefit Latino students and/or families in AISD for a minimum of two consecutive years.
Amador is being recognized for:
- Working with the Hispanic community to better educate, empower and inform parents of school-aged children;
- Being a supporter of AISD for more than 12 years;
- Working closely with the school district and providing many outreach opportunities, including interviewing AISD staff, participating in telethons and promoting AISD's services for the district's Hispanic community; and
- Leading a Univision team of 15 staff members in their participation of Read Across America Day.
Latino Excellence in Advocacy Award: Hispanic Austin Leadership program
The Latino Excellence in Advocacy Award is given to an organization, Latino-focused or not, which has provided outstanding support in advancing Latino academic achievement and promoting educational outcomes in AISD for a minimum of two consecutive years.
The Hispanic Austin Leadership program, an affiliate with and initiative of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is being recognized for:
- Partnering with AISD on numerous campaigns, establishing relationships with more than seven AISD schools, three AISD superintendents and countless students and staff since 2009.
To see a list of honorees since 2009, visit www.austinisd.org/laaa/past-honorees.
For more information, email Victor Rodriguez, victor.rodriguez@austinisd.org.