HEEF Annual Awards Dinner coming up on Oct. 17

The Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) has announced their 15th Annual Apple of Gold Awards Dinner, coming up on Oct. 17. This annual event should definitely be circled on your calendar!  It is always very well attended and the proceeds help a number of fantastic Latino students to pursue their dreams of higher education.

The Orange County Hispanic Educational Endowment Fund (HEEF) provides community support for students at all levels along the education continuum. HEEF supports scholarships, programs and institutions that respond to the educational needs of Hispanic youth. Their mission is to inspire, enhance and improve opportunities for Hispanic students.

Here is the official HEEF Awards Dinner Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE

Contacts: Dr. Juan Lara 626-390-0176

John Palacio 714-856-5214

Shelley Hoss 949-553-4202

For immediate release
“APPLE OF GOLD” AWARDS RECOGNIZE
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

The Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) announces the recipients of the 15th Annual Apple of Gold Awards for excellence in teaching and educational leadership. Educators who will be recognized at the October 17th Apple of Gold Gala Awards Dinner at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel include: Excellence in K-12 Educational Leadership: Patrick Yrarrazaval-Correa – Principal, Carr Intermediate School, Santa Ana Unified School District; Excellence in K-12 Education – Most Promising Teacher: Herminia Rodriguez – Math Teacher, Valley High School, Santa Ana Unified School District and Excellence in Community College Education Instruction, Arnold Guerra III, Ph.D. , Physics Professor, Orange Coast College, Coast Community College District. Recipients were nominated by their principal, superintendent or president, and supported by their peers, students, and parents.

In addition to recognizing local teachers and administrators who inspire and encourage students to strive for a university education, with the Apple of Gold Award, HEEF provides scholarships for college students and creates partnerships with the business sector to support higher education and nurture the next generation of community leaders.

Proceeds from the dinner go to the scholarship general fund and to its 29 sub funds targeting majors from the arts to business, engineering, law, medicine and technology. Today, the fruits of this investment are being made evident at graduation ceremonies across the county and the state. HEEF scholarship recipients are completing bachelor’s degrees as well as doctoral programs at prestigious institutions. Of note, one local student is in their 2nd year at Boalt Law School. She had previously won HEEF scholarships as a graduating high school senior and a community college transfer student. She completed her MSW at Columbia University. This is but one example of students who have come through the K-14 pipeline and transferred to a four-year university and continued their education in graduate and professional schools. They make us proud and reflect Orange County’s commitment to future generations.

Hispanic leaders and representatives of the greater Orange County community united to establish HEEF, formally launching the campaign in January 1994 with the goal of raising $1 million within five years. In 1998, HEEF celebrated the attainment of its $1 million goal. As of December 31, 2007, HEEF’s endowment stands at nearly $2.9 million.

As a resource to academically talented Hispanic youth, HEEF’s goal is to enhance educational opportunities and resources at early ages to reduce school dropout rates and to improve students’ educational expectations and opportunities. Since 1996, HEEF has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships to over 1,100 deserving individuals.

HEEF is a component fund of the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), which was founded in 1989 to serve as a charitable organization for local needs. OCCF’s investment guidelines ensure the best return possible while protecting the Fund’s principal.