FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

Contact:   Silvia Hasak, Chairperson, Lee County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board
                (941) 652-7912 

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR LOCAL HISPANIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21, 2002) – Nominations are being accepted through April 12 for the 2002 Hispanic Achievement Awards, which recognizes those in our Hispanic community who have made a significant contribution to improving life in Lee County and bridging the differences between cultures. 

Awards will be presented in seven categories: Outstanding Student of the Year (Elementary/Middle School), Outstanding Student of the Year (High School/College), Educator of the Year, Outstanding Ministry, Volunteer of the Year/Community Service Award, Employee of the Year and Business Organization of the Year. 

To receive a nomination form, call Silvia Hasak at 652-7912. 

The awards banquet, which is in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo, will be held May 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Casa Cabana Restaurant, 2158 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.  To make a reservation, call Silvia Hasak at 652-7912. 

The awards – sponsored by the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board – recognize those persons who project a positive image on a daily basis, while overcoming cultural, language, economic, health or other barriers.  As effective communication is more than speaking the same language, the awards also honor those persons who open lines of communication and bridge the differences between cultures. 

The Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board of Lee County was established in 1991 and serves as an advisory group to the Board of Lee County Commissioners.  The 12-member board identifies and evaluates problems unique to the Hispanic community, reviews and recommends ways to ensure open communication between the Hispanic community and Lee County government, and promotes and fosters a better understanding of the problems facing the Hispanic community. 

One of the board’s visions, and a main goal of the awards, is to help eliminate stigmas and make noticeable the innumerable positive values of the Hispanic culture.