Lozafina to Participate in 2025 HACE Awards Celebrating Latino Academic Excellence
Photo Courtesy of the Latino Center of the Midlands
Latino academic excellence will take center stage this April as the 2025 Hispanic Academic Challengers of Excellence (HACE) Awards honor 400-plus high school students who have earned and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The annual ceremony, organized by the Community Academic Achievement Awards Committee (CAAAC) in partnership with Lozafina Marketing & Public Relations and Omaha Public Schools (OPS), will be held on Thursday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Buena Vista High School, 5616 L Street in Omaha.
This year's Master of Ceremonies will be Yuridia Igbokwe, a Latina entrepreneur and cultural connector who leads Lincua Academy, a language and translation consultancy that bridges cultural and linguistic gaps. She’s also the force behind the Lincua Network and a passionate advocate for launching the first live Latina community radio station in Nebraska.
The evening will open with a live performance by Mariachi Andariegos, followed by an invocation by a representative from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. A welcome message will be delivered by Josefina Loza and Sahory Martinez of Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations, who will share the event’s purpose and recognize past HACE award recipients.
“The HACE Awards are about more than just academic honors,” said Loza. “They are a reflection of community pride, visibility, and the importance of lifting each other up. Lozafina is proud to help celebrate our youth and highlight the excellence within our Latino community.”
Among the evening’s featured speakers is Marcos Mora, Executive Director of Casa de la Cultura. Mora is a longtime Omaha activist, cultural educator, and community builder. He leads efforts to promote Latino arts and traditions through cultural preservation, youth programming, and civic engagement. In a recent interview with KIOS’s Riverside Chats, Mora shared how Casa de la Cultura has become a year-round hub for community growth and celebration, including its leadership role in Omaha’s Cinco de Mayo festivities.
Also taking the stage as a reader is Itzel Lopez, a strategic community leader known for her exceptional ability to build authentic relationships across philanthropy, government, nonprofits, and industry. Lopez is a DACA recipient, a tech-savvy fundraiser, and a passionate advocate for equity. She is one of the founding members of the Latino Economic Development Council (LEDC) and her mission centers on reducing disparities and promoting social mobility among historically underserved communities.
Other presenters include Javier Rodriguez-Miller of OPS and Maria Juan, president of the Latino Pilot Association at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Additional readers will be announced soon.
In addition to honoring high school seniors, the CAAAC committee will also recognize middle school students through the HOPE Awards (Honoring Outstanding Performers in Education). Hispanic/Latino students in grades 7 and 8 who achieved a 3.0 GPA or above during the first semester will receive their recognition via mail, ensuring that younger students are acknowledged for their academic success as well.
CAAAC is currently seeking volunteers to support the event. Latino community members are encouraged to participate by greeting attendees, assisting with logistics, or simply attending to show support.
“Representation matters,” said Sahory Martinez of Lozafina. “It’s important to take the time to recognize these students, because it tells them they’re on the right path, and that their future is full of possibility.”
The HACE Awards are supported by a network of community partners, including Omaha Public Schools, Our Lady of Guadalupe, New Era Baptist Church Convention, Lozafina, Lincua Academy, Casa de la Cultura, Latino Pilot Association, Barrientos Scholarship Foundation, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc., and others.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in formal or semi-formal attire. The ceremony is open to families, educators, and community members who want to help uplift the next generation of Latino leaders.
To volunteer or learn more, email office@lozafina.com