ÁùºÏ±¦µä 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: ÁùºÏ±¦µä 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 ÁùºÏ±¦µä 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 ÁùºÏ±¦µä ISD staff member, Latino or not, who has provided public and civil service to benefit Latino students and/or families in ÁùºÏ±¦µä 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 ÁùºÏ±¦µä for more than 12 years;
- Working closely with the school district and providing many outreach opportunities, including interviewing ÁùºÏ±¦µä staff, participating in telethons and promoting ÁùºÏ±¦µä'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 ÁùºÏ±¦µä 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 ÁùºÏ±¦µä for a minimum of two consecutive years.
The Hispanic ÁùºÏ±¦µä Leadership program, an affiliate with and initiative of the Greater ÁùºÏ±¦µä Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is being recognized for:
- Partnering with ÁùºÏ±¦µä on numerous campaigns, establishing relationships with more than seven ÁùºÏ±¦µä schools, three ÁùºÏ±¦µä superintendents and countless students and staff since 2009.
To see a list of honorees since 2009, visit .
For more information, email Victor Rodriguez, victor.rodriguez@austinisd.org.