What You Missed: The 2025 HACE Awards for Latino Excellence + Gallery
Story by Xitlally Velasco
More than 400 Latino high school students were celebrated for their academic achievements at the 2025 Hispanic Academic Challengers of Excellence (HACE) Awards Ceremony, held yesterday evening at Buena Vista High School. A proud part of the Community Academic Achievement Awards Committee (CAAAC), the annual event honors Omaha Public Schools (OPS) students who have earned a 3.0 GPA or higher, recognizing not only academic excellence but also leadership, resilience, and community spirit.
The evening included moving remarks from community leaders, a spirited mariachi performance by Mariachi Andariegos, and a special moment recognizing past HACE honorees for their continued success.
“The HACE Awards were created to spotlight the academic success, leadership, and perseverance of Hispanic students,” said CAAAC Board Member and Lozafina CEO Josefina Loza. “This isn’t just about grades — this is about character. This is about showing up, standing proud in your identity, and pushing forward even when the odds feel stacked against you.”
A glance at the run of show:
Mariachi Performance | Mariachi Andariegos
Welcome | Josefina Loza & Sahory Martinez of Lozafina
Master of Ceremonies | Yuridia Igbokwe of Lincua Academy
Blessing | Father Brett Jamrog
OPS Remarks | Viridiana Almanza Zavala, OPS Board Member
Community Remarks | Marcos Mora, CEO, Casa de la Cultura
Instructions for Receiving Certificates
Dorothy Johnson, CAAAC Chair
Presentation of Certificates
Javier Rodriguez-Miller of Omaha Public Schools
Maria Juan of the Latino Pilot Association
Tony Aguilera of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation
Itzel Lopez of the Latino Economic Development Council
Among the evening’s special guests was Nebraska State Senator Margo Juarez, a longtime advocate for education and strong neighborhoods. A former OPS Board member appointed in 2021 and reelected in 2022, Juarez now brings her passion for community and youth advocacy to the state level. She is also an active member of the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance (SONA) and a dedicated supporter of initiatives uplifting Latino students and families.
A big thank you to all of our CAAAC board members: Crystal Boyd of Omaha Public Schools, Dorothy Johnson of gener8tor, Jamar Dorsey of Avenue Scholars Foundation, Javier Rodriguez-Miller of Omaha Public Schools, Josefina Loza of Lozafina, Pastor Tremaine Combs of New Era Baptist Church Convention, Pastor Dwayne Hawkins of Antioch Baptist Church, Sherie Thomas of the Omaha Police Department, Susie Owens of Mentor Nebraska, and Tamara Bailey.
In appreciation for the following community organizations who made this all possible: Omaha Community Foundation, Omaha Public Schools, Our Lady of Guadalupe, New Era Baptist Church Convention, Lozafina Marketing and PR, Mariachi Andariegos, Latino Center of the Midlands, Lincua Academy, Casa de la Cultura, Latino Pilot Association, Barrientos Scholarship Foundation, Latino Economic Development Council, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc, and all of our many volunteers.
Take a look at some of the memorable moments from the evening in the gallery below!
