April 18, 2018, LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s largest non-profit organization supporting Latino higher education, will recognize the achievements of top HSF Scholars and parents, and the leadership and commitment of an outstanding community organization and an educational partner, for their contributions to advancing higher education for the Latino community, at HSF’s Annual Leaders in Education Awards (LEA) Dinner. The dinner will take place on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live.

HSF Alum Mekahlo Medina, co-anchor of NBC4 weekend morning news program “Today in LA” will emcee. Mr. Medina, a long-time HSF supporter, earned his bachelor’s degree at New Mexico State University with the help of an HSF Scholarship.

“We look forward to celebrating each of our honorees for their outstanding achievements,” said Fidel A. Vargas, President & CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. “Each is an extraordinary role model in advancing Latino higher education in this country and living proof of the profound impact such efforts can have in strengthening communities and securing a better future for our nation. With Mekahlo Medina emceeing, some surprise announcements, and the opportunity to learn about our distinguished awardees, we anticipate an exciting evening!”

A highlight of the program will be the announcement of the male and female HSF Scholar of the Year. The ten 2018 Leaders in Education Awards’ Scholar of the Year finalists are students who have each demonstrated outstanding academic performance and exemplary leadership. The five female finalists are Carolina Garcia, Columbia University; Elena Hoffman, University of Pennsylvania; Chrystabelle Ramirez and Natalie Sahagun, The University of Texas at Austin; and Casey Young, Stanford University. The five male finalists are Juan Bermudez, Duke University; Humberto Caldelas II, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Jorge Nunez, Yale University; Daniel Parra, Stanford University; and Austin Regalado, The University of Chicago.

Awards will also be given in the following categories:

LEA Parents of the Year – Nunila & Vicente Rodriguez for supporting, encouraging, guiding, and inspiring their children to pursue higher education.

LEA Community Partner of the Year – The Valley Alliance for Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) for its outstanding history of providing scholarships to students in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley and its partnership with HSF, to empower Latino youth with Scholarships and Support Services.

LEA Educational Partner of the Year – The College Board for its prodigious contributions to advancing the quality of education and access to education across the nation, as well as its partnership with HSF to help locate top-performing, rising Hispanic juniors and seniors who may be eligible for HSF programs and scholarships,

Representing HSF’s Board of Directors, will be Chair of the Board, Gene Camarena (President and CEO, La Raza Pizza, Inc.); Danny Acosta, Partner and Managing Director, The Boston Consulting Group; Linda Bagley (Deputy General Counsel, The Walt Disney Company); Michael Bender (Chief Operating Officer, EyeMart); Kimberly Casiano, President, Kimberly Casiano & Associates; Walter Dolhare (Head of Markets Division, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC); Angel L. Morales (Founding Board Chair, UA Charter School for Computer Science); Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow (President & CEO, The Oliver Group, Inc.); Anthony Salcido (Vice President, Corporate Controller, Toyota Motor North America; and Fidel A. Vargas, President & CEO, Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

LEA’s 2017 Platino Sponsors are: The Boston Consulting Group, Toyota Motor Sales USA, College Board, and Wells Fargo & Company. Oro Sponsors: Camarena Adelante Foundation; Esther Rudis & Associates; Hustle, McNamara Family Foundation; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP; Target Corporation; UPS Foundation; and The Walt Disney Company.

About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund empowers Latino families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional Hispanic American students as possible. As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, the Fund has awarded over $550 million in scholarships and provides a range of programs for students, HSF Scholars, Alumni, and parents. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, please visit: HSF.net.