Two students honored by Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Carmen Moedano believes in treating others others with respect and simply "doing the right thing."

Diana De La Torre has found that with hard work, she will achieve her dreams of a university degree.

And because they live by those codes, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation is honoring them as positive role models.

Two Yuma-area high school seniors are among 21 regional recipients of Hispanic Heritage Youth awards for their leadership in the classroom and community, the foundation has announced.

They and the other student award recipients and one teacher will be honored for their leadership in the classroom and community and promoted as role models for their peers during a ceremony ThursdayMay 15 at Arizona State University.

The awardees will each receive educational grants of $3,000 for the Gold Medallion award, $2,000 for the Silver Medallion and $1,000 for the Bronze Medallion. The teacher, to be announced at the awards ceremony, will be honored for making a significant impact on students' lives.

Moedano, a senior at Yuma High, was selected for a Silver Medallion in the leadership category, while De La Torre, a senior at San Luis High School, was selected for a Bronze Medallion in the academic excellence category.

Moedano, the daughter of Alma Patron of Yuma, plans to attend Brown University.

"I hope to graduate from Brown University and major in English and then pursue a medical degree, and I want to be an oncologist, specializing with children."

While she hopes her academic dreams serve as an example for others, Moedano tries to serve as a good role model for others youths by showing respect to others and "just doing the right thing," she said.

"I just want to be a good role model in every aspect."

De La Torre, the daughter of Salvador and Ana De La Torre, will be going to the University of Arizona in the fall. She plans to major in and pursue a career in biochemistry.

She wants her goals to serve as an example for other Hispanic youths that they can attain their dreams of higher education. "If we work hard, it can be done."

De La Torre said one of her goals is to establish a scholarship fund for others to pursue their dreams of college.

Regional committees select awardees from the thousands of applications submitted by graduating high school seniors of Hispanic descent. Selection criteria include academic achievement, community service and category focus.

After regional award ceremonies, the foundation will choose one national award recipient in each of seven categories.

The regional honorees "represent the next generation of emerging Hispanic professionals, and we are committed to providing them with opportunity and support," Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, said in a news release.

"I'm very honored to be receiving this award," said Moedano.

Added De La Torre, "I would like to thank the Hispanic Heritage Foundation for helping me reach my dream."

For more information about the foundation, visit www.HispanicHeritage.org.