Wa-Hi Latino Club Presents Leadership Awards

Recently Walla Walla High School Latino Club students were recognized for their exceptional dedication to the community and for their personal achievements over the past few years. As members of the Walla Walla High School Latino Club, which has a partnership with the Learning for Life program, 12 individuals received the “Young American Award” and 13 students received the “Learning for Life Leadership Award”. The “Learning for Life Leadership Award” is a distinguished award for those who have provided exceptional leadership to our program. Awardees have demonstrated exceptional dedication and given their time to make our program a success.

This year’s awards went to: Aylin Contreras, Clarissa Cortez, Yaritza Garcia, Martha Diaz, Andy Flores, Zoe Hernandez, Arthur Lopez, Emely Olivos, Dalia Olmos, Andrea Ruiz, Noemi Sarmiento Kiara Soto, and Cecilia Torres.

The first “Young American Award” was presented in 1968. The award is given to students who have achieved excellence in the fields of art, athletics, business, education, government, humanities, literature, music, math, religion, science, or service and have been involved in service to their community that adds to the quality of life.

This year’s awards went to: Ermine Cakmak, Kayla Crain, Jazmin Duran, Anthony Fernandez, Yamile Gutierrez-Bernal, Alondra Hernandez, Erika Ibarra-Perez, Minahil Ijaz, Andrea Lamadrid, Christian Moreno, Veronica Ocampo, and Selina Ruiz.

In addition, special recognition was given to the Club’s student officers for their leadership this year. This year’s activities included a successful on campus Cinco De Mayo event in which over 450 people attended. This year’s Latino Club officers are: Veronica Ocampo, president, Christian Moreno, vice president, Daila Olmos, secretary, Andy Flores, treasurer, and Andrea Ruiz, activity coordinator. Community Council executive director, Mary Campbell presented certificates to Latino Club members Andrea Ruiz and Yaritza Garcia for their participation in the process to determine the next Community Council topic study.