The 36th Annual HACE Awards Inspire the Next Generation of Leaders

For the last 36 years, Quinsigamond Community College has partnered with leaders in the Latinx community to honor the area’s Latinx youth. On October 20, during a virtual ceremony, the annual Hispanics Achieving and Celebrating Excellence (HACE) event awarded 33 Worcester and Southbridge high school Latinx youths with scholarships.

Students receive scholarships that ranged from $350 - $450 to help put them on a pathway to a successful future. The HACE  awards honor those students who have excelled in arts, academics, athletics, community service, leadership and civic/political engagement. Once again, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty proclaimed October 20 as H.A.C.E. Day in the City of Worcester with an official proclamation.

“I look forward to the HACE Awards every year. It is a tribute to the best and brightest young people in the Central Massachusetts Hispanic community, and the scholarship money provided by the Awards is a jumpstart for each recipient to achieve their dreams. I have no doubt that these students will be leaders in business, sports, academic achievement, and public service in the years to come,” said Senator Harriette L. Chandler, HACE Committee member since 1985.

The keynote speaker for the event was Ivette Olmeda, who addressed this year’s HACE theme, “Stronger Together,” a nod to the pandemic and the disproportionate impact it has had on the Latinx population, and the power of working together to persevere through challenging times.

“Sometimes when bad things happen in our life, they put us on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us,” she said.

Chairing the annual event since 2006 was QCC’s Director of Community Engagement, Déborah L. González, Ph.D.

“For 36 years, HACE has lifted and encouraged our local Latino youth to be the best version of themselves, to aspire to fulfilling futures, and to achieve the highest of their potential,” Dr. Gonzalez said, telling the student award winners, “This year was a test of your resiliency...continue on your path with resiliency and hope. You made history going through the challenging times in this century.”

Southbridge High School HACE award winner Aaliyah Aponte summed up her thoughts on this year’s theme.

“Stronger together means to me taking the time to honor one another and communicate with each other...that through all obstacles or any circumstances we may face, together, we can make the impossible possible,” she said.

Three students were also honored with special awards:

• Olga López-Hill Community Leadership Award winner: QCC student Merari Alvarado. This $600 scholarship is available to QCC students who plan to continue their education at Quinsigamond or to transfer to another educational institution.
• Marlyn Reyes Memorial Community Leadership Award winner: Southbridge High School student Yarelis Diaz
• Dolly Vázquez Cultural Award winner: Nathaniel Hernandez, Arts/Music Police Partnership.

QCC President Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D. closed the event with words of inspiration and hope to the students.

“Learn from your hardships. It’s going to make you stronger. It’s going to define your character and it's going to shape you into the person you will become. I know you will be wonderful...a great person and a great leader in our community,” he said, adding, “Thank you to the amazing HACE sponsors and volunteers. Your support and commitment to our Latinx youth is an investment in our economy and our collective future.”