Huntley High School senior among students recognized by Hispanic Heritage Foundation

A Huntley High School senior was among 27 seniors across the Midwest recognized by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation earlier this month.

Mateo Hernández of Huntley received the gold level of the Youth Award in business and finance, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation said in a news release.

The high school seniors were honored for their leadership in the classroom and community during a virtual ceremony March 16.

Now in its 22nd year, the educational grant program recognizes Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories, including business and finance, as well as education, engineering, entrepreneurship, health care and science, media and entertainment, public service, social justice and technology.

Three students are recognized in each category, gold, silver and bronze, according to the release.

The awardees will receive grants for their education or to fund an idea or community project to encourage “actionable leadership,” according to the release. Recipients then will be mentored by past awardees as they prepare to attend college and into their careers through Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Latinos On Fast Track workforce development program.

“We are thrilled to honor yet another outstanding class of Youth Awardees who will carry on the tradition of excellence from past recipients,” said Antonio Tijerino, the foundation’s president and CEO. “There is no shortage of Latino talent across the United States, and we are grateful to our dedicated sponsors who understand the importance of investing in the youngest and most dynamic segment of our population. We’re in good hands as a community and as a country with these outstanding young leaders going forward.”