Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow recognized a record 27 students with scholarships as part of the annual Emporia Cinco de Mayo Celebration in downtown Emporia. Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
Organizers and attendees of Emporia’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in the downtown corridor Saturday were all in agreement that you couldn’t have asked for more perfect conditions for the wildly popular community event.
Blue skies and mild temperatures welcomed thousands of individuals to the 800 and 900 blocks of Commercial Street to sample food, music and culture courtesy of Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow and Emporia Main Street, which once again partnered to host the event. Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration commemorating Mexico’s defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1856.
While that moment in history remains at the core of Emporia’s celebration, Hott President Mike Torres says the event has also become a celebration of people and culture from all across Latin America. He says he sees the event as an opportunity to build bonds, understanding and unity within Emporia.
Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods agreed with Torres’ point, adding Emporia is a unique community made up of many cultures and the celebration helps to promote “Why uniqueness is good.”
One of the main highlights for the event was the presentation of HOTT scholarships to local students and this year’s presentation was one for the record books, quite literally, according to Patricia Saenz Reyes of HOTT, who told KVOE News this year they awarded the largest number of scholarships in HOTT history.
In total, just over $13,000 was distributed among the recipients, with several matches provided by Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College for incoming students. Saenz Reyes thanked both institutions for their generosity, noting they are opening the door to possibility for these students and their families.
The full list of scholarship recipients is as follows:
Michelle Alanis-Jaimes
Jose Mauel Arevalo Garcilazo
Maria Jesus Arevalo
Xochitlthl Bastida
Yadira Cuevas
Lindsay Thalia De La Luz
Yedir De Hoyos
Payge Jennifer Diaz
Yanet M. Espinoza
Chelsea Gomez
Jasmin Rubio Guzman
Natalia Hernandez Saldana
Yulianna L. Hernandez
Ariana N Leon Angulo
Mildred Hernandez Saldana
Karla Morales Garcia
Yesica C Morales Ayala
Lya K Orozco
Ailany Ortiz
Aileen A. Palomino
Yisel Perez
Karina Gonzalez Rios
Lindsey Solis
Miranda G Treto
Rosario Treto
Heidi Umana
Cristobal S. Velazquez
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
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