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Hispanic Heritage Board Seeks Student Applications, Peter Perez Award Nominations

The City of Aurora’s Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board (AHHAB) is accepting applications from high school students who are making a difference in the classroom and in the community.

The AHHAB will honor the City’s top students, along with young artists and essay writers, during its annual community breakfast scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at the Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road. The theme for the breakfast is “Inspiration for Success.”

Youth leadership and service awards will be handed out to high school students who have excelled in academics or sports. High school and college students also have the opportunity to apply for a portion of the $13,000 in scholarship money that will be awarded through the AHHAB.

Aurora elementary schools have been asked by the AHHAB to participate in a coloring contest for kindergarten through second grade, a poster contest for third through fifth grade and an essay contest for middle school students.

The AHHAB also will be celebrating the memory of Peter J. Perez by recognizing an adult who exemplifies leadership and commitment to the Aurora Hispanic community. Nominees, who must be 18 and older, must volunteer in the Aurora Hispanic community, demonstrate dedication to the City and serve as a positive role model.

Peter Perez went to Marmion Military Academy in Aurora and the University of Illinois, where he excelled in football and went on to play for the Chicago Bears. After football, Perez joined the Aurora Police Department, where he served for 21 years. He retired as a lieutenant in 1979 and then served as Kane County undersheriff for 13 years.

Perez was named the Aurora Exchange Club’s Policeman of the year in 1966 and was the first recipient of the Hector Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association in 1990. Perez died in 1999 at age 74.

Both competitions are open to Aurora residents only. Applications and nomination forms can be downloaded from the AHHAB website at www.aurorahispanicheritage.com. Forms can either be emailed to Events Coordinator Dee Basile at dbasile@aurora-il.org or sent to the City at 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60507. Other prerequisites may apply. Applications are due Friday, Jan. 13. More information is available by calling 630-256-INFO (4636).

Tickets to the breakfast are $20 and can be purchased by emailing Dee Basile.

Location: Aurora, Illinois