NEWPORT BEACH, California, Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) is pleased to announce its 23rd Anniversary Celebration Dinner on Thursday, November 10, 2016. The event will take place at the Westin South Coast Plaza, located at 686 Anton Boulevard in Costa Mesa. The annual fundraiser is HEEF’s signature event to support its scholarship program for Hispanic youth in Orange County, and recognize outstanding individuals who positively impact the lives and education of Hispanic students.
In addition to announcing the 2016 student scholarship recipients, this year’s HEEF Anniversary Celebration will include a memorial tribute to Dr. Juan Francisco Lara. Dr. Lara served at UCLA and UCI for 35 years, in roles including UCI’s Emeritus Assistant Vice Chancellor, and Dean at UCLA. He was a founding member of HEEF, and an advocate for underserved Hispanic students seeking higher education. This year, HEEF will inaugurate the Dr. Juan Francisco Lara Visionary Leadership Award, as well as acknowledge these honorees:
- Apple of Gold for Excellence in Education: Nancy Dervis, Santa Ana Unified School District Educator for 35 years, Retired
- HEEF Scholar Alumnus Award: S. Oliver López Nájera, Ph.D. Biostatistics, Chapman University
- Corporate Partner Award: Peter Villegas, Vice President, Latin Affairs, The Coca Cola Company
- The Inaugural Dr. Juan Francisco Lara Visionary Leadership Award: Dr. Silas H. Abrego, CSU Board of Trustees, formerly serving in national capacities advocating for Latinos
Shelley Hoss, president of the Orange County Community Foundation which stewards the HEEF endowment, says, “It is incredibly inspiring see HEEF’s growth and how it has evolved to meet the needs of deserving students. We congratulate HEEF on the difference they make in the lives of so many of Orange County’s most promising young people.”
About the Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund
HEEF was established at the Orange County Community Foundation in 1994. The focus of HEEF is to provide scholarships, mentoring, and support to Hispanic youth in Orange County, California. Funds are dedicated to students in early learning and pre-college stages, and on scholarships for those that are college bound. Since 1994, more than $2.5 million has been awarded to thousands of students. For more information, visit www.heef.org.
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Beth Binger
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