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Pete Perez Award/Student Contest Winners Announced

Dr. Eva Serrano, assistant professor at Aurora University and avid activist in the Hispanic community, has been named the 2012 Pete Perez Award winner by the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board (AHHAB).

Dr. Serrano will be honored as the keynote speaker at the AHHAB’s 10th annual community breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road, Aurora. The award honors the legacy of the former Aurora Police Officer and Kane County undersheriff and recognizes outstanding leadership and impact on the Hispanic community.

Dr. Serrano serves as the advisor to Aurora University’s Latin American Student Organization (LASO), which focuses on giving Latino students resources to expand their academic education. She has used the role as a platform to instill leadership among its members by having them attend national leadership conferences and sharing those teachings with other local Hispanic students. She also demands that all LASO members volunteer by mentoring students, participating in local events and assisting organizations with fundraising.

David Aquino, one of Dr. Serrano’s students and LASO president, said, “She gives so much of her time and effort to this organization. Because of her, we dream of more. She does not allow members to set limits on what they can accomplish and provides them with wisdom, experience and leadership.”

Pete Perez was a highly respected law enforcement professional who served for more than 34 years. He 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 by the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association in 1990. After his retirement, Perez continued to serve the community on the Kane County Merit Commission, which conducts testing for correctional officers and sheriff’s deputies. He died in 1999 at age 74.

This year’s theme for the community breakfast is “Inspirations for Success.” Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner will present awards to local students who participated in a coloring contest that was open to kindergartners through second-graders, a poster contest for third- through fifth-graders, and an essay contest for sixth- through eighth-graders. Youth leadership and service awards will be presented to high school freshmen through juniors, and scholarships will be given to high school seniors and students already enrolled in colleges and universities.

This year’s student winners are:

Coloring contest:

• Davin Colobong, St. Peter School
• Anissa Corral, Hill School
• Leslie Bazan-Gomez, Beaupre School

Poster contest:

• Krushi Patel, Hill School
• Liliana Rubio, Hill School
• Yair N. Guerrero, McCleery School

Essay Contest:

• Casha Wright, Cowherd Middle School
• Ana Laura Favela, Simmons Middle School
• Emmanuel Monjarraz, Simmons Middle School

Youth Leadership and Service Awards:

• Jennifer Garcia, East Aurora High School
• Jessica Jimenez, East Aurora High School
• Cesar Ortega, East Aurora High School

College/University Scholarships:

• Miguel Hernandez, East Aurora High School
• Galilea Sanchez, Rosary High School
• Jaely Pratt, West Aurora High School
• Marissa Martinez, West Aurora High School
• David Andre Aleman, West Aurora High School
• Veronica Soto, East Aurora High School

Higher Learning Scholars:

• David Aquino, Aurora University
• Marisela Soto, Waubonsee Community College
• Julio Flores, Waubonsee Community College
• Rosa Nevarez, American Academy of Art

Tickets still are available for the event and can be purchased for $20 each by calling Dee Basile at 630-256-3070.  For more information on the AHHAB, visit the group’s website at www.aurorahispanicheritage.com.

Location: Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road, Aurora, Illinois

Contact: Dee Basile, (630) 256-3070