Artist in the Spotlight: Oswaldo Guayasamin

Oswaldo was born in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, on July 6, 1919. He graduated from the School of Fine Art in Quito as painter and sculptor. He carried out his first exhibit when he was 23, in 1942. He achieved in his youth all National Awards, and was credited, in 1952, at the age of 33, the Grand Award of the Biennial of Spain and later the Grand Award of the Biennial of Sao Paulo. His last exhibits were personally inaugurated in the Palace Museum of Luxemberg in Paris, and in the Museo Palais de Glace in Buenos Aires, in 1995. painnd later the Grand

He died on March 10, 99, when he was 79 years old.

His work has been shown in museums in all capitals of America and in many countries in Europe, for example, in Leningrade (L'Ermitage), Moscow, Prague, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, and Warsaw. He carried out 180 individual exhibits, and his production was fruitful in paintings, murals, sculptures and monuments. He has murals in Quito (Government and Legislative Palaces; Central University; Provincial Council); Madrid (Barajas airport); Paris (UNESCO headquarters); Sao Paulo (Latin American Parliament). In his monuments "A la Patria Joven" (To the Young Country) (Guayaquil, Ecuador); "A la Resistencia" (To the Resistence) (Rumiñahui) in Quito.

To see more of his work visit: http://www.guayasamin.com/pages_ing/index.html

Shelbie Bruce shares her current projects with HHF

Hope everyone is having a FANTASTIC Summer!!!

I’m so blessed to be able to share with you a very exiting project that both my brother Robby and I were able to work on together for the first time. We just filmed a short film called “El Tux”. This screen play won the New York Latin Film Festival. It was written and directed by Paco Farias, based on his life. It will show on HBO during the month of September, which is Hispanic Heritage Month and will also be featured at the beginning of each film at the July 22nd New York Latin Film Festival. We hope you like it!!! The message of the film will hopefully touch your life in a way that you’ll see people for who they are, not for what they have.

God bless you all and never stop dreaming!!!

Visit: Shelbie Bruce Official Website

Michael Monroy Wins National Contest

Short Biography:

• Michael Monrroy, age 18, of Sterling, Virginia.
• Born in Arlington, Virginia.
• Parents from Bolivia and Colombia.
• Former graduate of Park View High School, in Sterling Park, Loudoun County
• Former Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Award Winner for the Washington DC area.
• Current undergraduate sophomore at the American University in Washington DC.
• Majoring in political science and business.
• Aspires to one day run for Congress and the U.S. Senate.

The Major News:

I have won the SiTV presents Crash the Parties with Voto Latino national contest! Yesterday, I was in Washington DC all day. In the morning, I received professional press training, and was mentored by CNN's famous anchor Rick Sanchez, and later in the day, I was honored in a ceremony on Capitol Hill where I was introduced by actress Rosario Dawson to a packed room full of media, congressman, political celebrities, and people who supported me in this contest.I gave an acceptance speech, was interviewed by the Washington Post, CNN, Roll Call and various other media outlets.In addition, CNN is flying me out to their studio headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia for a whole day.Also, SiTV is currently shooting a documentary about the contest. A camera man from SiTV followed me around all day today as I took him to places around DC including American University and the Capitol.Also, check out Rosario Dawson mentioning my name on MSNBC on the Morning Joe show:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25812934#25812934

Keep checking in with the crashtheparties08 website and see my report from the Republican National Convention and more in the coming days! http://www.crashtheparties08.com/#poll

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTES, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU!!!!
-Michael

“LITTLE MISS CEO” by Shelbie Bruce

Words will never do justice to the unbelievable news I’m about to tell you. Here is the true definition of “perseverance”. I just shot a Pilot Presentation that has been in the works for the past 3 years. Here again is another example of “WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY”. I was approached by this team of writers and producers about a year after “Spanglish” with a script for a movie. The team allowed me to conduct the meeting in an office where I was asked to sit behind the desk as if I was a big shot. At the age of 13, I sure did. Well, I came prepared after reading the script, with very detailed comments about the likes and dislikes I had, of the movie. My parents, brother, agents and the movie’s writers, where all in there just listening. At the end of the meeting the writers thanked me for the meeting and as they were walking out, I guess in awe of my professionalism and preparation to not only being able to answer all their questions but, to give my input on the matter, an idea came to them. Three or four weeks later, my parents and I received a draft for a Pilot Idea called “Little Miss CEO”. We thought it was a very good idea, sent our comments and forgot about it, like you have to do in Hollywood. Earlier this year, almost three years after our initial meeting, to our surprise and shock, we heard from them again. They were not only ready with a full script but, they were also ready to shoot a Pilot Presentation.
Later on I will give you more details on the project. Right now, we are in post production and I’m not at liberty to say much, but, stay tuned for more, OK.

God bless you all and Dream Big!!!

Visit: Shelbie Bruce Official Website

Foundation News

Hispanic Heritage Awards October 9th
Jul 09, 2008

The 22nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards will be held October 9, 2008 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Artists, celebrities, visionaries, community activists and business leaders will be honored at the event, which has come to be known as the most prestigious Hispanic honor and event in the United States.

“For 22 years, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation has recognized leadership, creativity and vision – attributes that continue to move our diverse and vibrant community forward,” said Dr. Pedro José (Joe) Greer, Jr., Chairman of the Board and a past Hispanic Heritage Awards Honoree. “We are proud to celebrate the best of America through our Honorees and inspire the next generation of leaders and role models through our year-round programs. October 9 promises to be a very special evening in Washington in the tradition of past celebrations.”

Last year’s Honorees included: Cong. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Cong. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) for Education; Actress and Activist Rosario Dawson for Vision; Seismologist Dr. Ines Cifuentes for Math and Science; Hall of Fame Baseball Legend Tony Perez for Sports; and the Cast of Love in the Time of Cholera for the Arts, which included Director Mike Newell and Actors Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Hector Elizondo, Javier Bardem, Ana Claudia Talancón, Oscar-Nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Laura Harring. This year promises to be an even greater celebration.

Visit www.hispanicheritage.org

HHF Honors Leadership in Public & Private Sectors & Media

The Inspira Award was created to honor Latino leaders who inspire youth in the public and private sector, and in the media. Last year’s Inspira Awardee was Actor Wilmer Valderrama. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa and Exxon Mobil CEO and Chairman, Rex Tillerson were honored on Capitol Hill during the 11th Annual Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards in Washington, D.C., which also recognized more than 20 outstanding students from the region. CSI Miami Star Adam Rodriguez was honored with the Inspira Award at the 2008 National Youth Awards, held in Kansas City, MO, for serving as a role model to Latino youth in the public eye.

“The Inspira Award recognizes those who have taken a leadership role in breaking barriers and creating opportunities for Hispanic youth,” said Tijerino. “We commend Rex Tillerson for his vision in encouraging and facilitating young Latinos to focus on science, technology, math and engineering through our Youth Awards and countless other efforts including the National Math and Science Initiative. We applaud the lifetime of commitment of Rep. Hinojosa who is our champion from barrios to Capitol Hill on the issue of increasing educational opportunities for Latinos. And we thank Adam Rodriguez for being a positive role model, both on and off screen. These individuals are truly an inspiration.”

To read more: http://www.hispanicheritage.org/press_news.php?id=136

Introducing Shelbie Bruce

Hi Everyone!!!!

Welcome to my first blog. I’m Shelbie Bruce best know for my role as Cristina in the Movie “Spanglish”. I was 12 years old back then and have changed a bit since then. My goals and dreams have changed as I’m more aware of the world I live in. Reason why I felt the need to accept the great honor of being able to blog for you all. When I was younger my motivation for life, aside form God and my parents, was my acting. All I could think of was the next audition or job I was going to get or prepare for. After being invited to several charity events as a guest speaker, presenter, celebrity, etc…, I realized that acting was just the medium for a much bigger and exiting picture, a picture that would allow me to dream big and believe in myself so that I could motivate and inspire others to follow in my foot steps. I know I’m only 15 years old but, I can tell you that age should not restrict any one who wants to dream big.

Yes, I am an actress who has realized that acting is the venue to be able to touch other’s lives and hopefully you reading this blog will motivate you to “ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS”. I would like to close by sharing my favorite quote that my parents have always told my brother Robby and I. “WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY. JUST TRUST IN GOD AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF”.

Visit: www.shelbiebruce.com

Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Staples Foundation for Learning Announce Continued Collaboration and Recognition of Teachers

Staples Foundation for Learning Demonstrates Ongoing Support of Educational Leaders Making a Difference in the Latino Community

WASHINGTON -- The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), a national non-profit organization that identifies, inspires, promotes and prepares Latino leaders in the community, classroom and workforce, today announced the renewal of a $100,000 grant from Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS). This year, SFFL's support will fund the second annual Hispanic Heritage Teacher Award, an award that acknowledges influential teachers across the country for making a positive impact on the lives of Latino youth and inspiring students to reach their full potential even in the face of great challenges. Since 2006, SFFL has provided HHF with $200,000 in support of their Latino education programs.

To read more: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_July_9/ai_n27894383

Hispanics To Play Key Role in November Elections

July 14, 2008
David Squires

America's largest ethnic minority, the diverse Hispanic community, finds itself in an important strategic position for the 2008 presidential election. Voting as a unified bloc, the community can provide the swing votes that land hotly contested states -- and perhaps the White House -- into the hands of either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.

Hispanic leaders say they want straight talk and details on issues key to Hispanic people from both presumptive nominees, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain."For the first time, politicians are going to realize that what they say about the Hispanic community is very important," said Mavel Velasco, president of the Hispanic Leadership Forum, a nonprofit organization in Hampton Roads that brings together Hispanic leaders to exchange ideas and information. "I'm not saying Hispanics will vote as a bloc; they are not monolithic.

To read more: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2008/7/14/hispanics_look_to_play_key_role.htm

Foundation News

National Youth Awards Recipients Announced

The 2008 National Youth Awardees were selected from 10,000 applicants and more than 250 regional recipients from across the United States. Each National Youth Awards recipient will receive a total of $8,000 in educational grants, a laptop computer, and a trip to Washington, D.C. where they will be recognized on stage at the star-studded 22nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards in Washington, DC on October 9, 2008.

The National Hispanic Heritage Youth Award recipients in the seven categories are:

Academic Excellence: Marcus Andrew Garcia of Turlock, California – Turlock Christian High School, presented by the Sprint Foundation

Business: Yadira Torres of San Antonio, Texas - South San West Campus High School, sponsored by the National Society of Hispanic MBAs

Education: Raquel Goya of Phoenix, Arizona – Pinnacle High School, sponsored by Southwest Airlines, which is also the Official Airline of the Youth Awards

Engineering and Mathematics: Cynthia Reyna of Houston, Texas - Charles H. Milby High School, sponsored by ExxonMobil

Health and Science: Grecia Margarita Gonzalez of La Puente, California – Nogales High School, sponsored by AstraZeneca

Journalism: Albert Matthew Parisi-Esteves of Rochester, New York – Brighton High School, sponsored by NBC Universal/Telemundo

Leadership: Nicolas Esteban Mendoza of Alpine, California – Steele Canyon Charter High School, sponsored by Sallie Mae ,which is also the Official Student Loan Partner of the Youth Awards

Sports: Sara Louise Egozi of Miami, Florida – Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, sponsored by SUBWAY® Restaurants

To read more visit: www.Hispanicheritage.org

Senator Barack Obama’s New Strategy for a New World

As Prepared For Delivery
Washington, D.C.
July 15, 2008

Sixty-one years ago, George Marshall announced the plan that would come to bear his name. Much of Europe lay in ruins. The United States faced a powerful and ideological enemy intent on world domination. This menace was magnified by the recently discovered capability to destroy life on an unimaginable scale. The Soviet Union didn't yet have an atomic bomb, but before long it would.

The challenge facing the greatest generation of Americans - the generation that had vanquished fascism on the battlefield - was how to contain this threat while extending freedom's frontiers. Leaders like Truman and Acheson, Kennan and Marshall, knew that there was no single decisive blow that could be struck for freedom. We needed a new overarching strategy to meet the challenges of a new and dangerous world.

Such a strategy would join overwhelming military strength with sound judgment. It would shape events not just through military force, but through the force of our ideas; through economic power, intelligence and diplomacy. It would support strong allies that freely shared our ideals of liberty and democracy; open markets and the rule of law. It would foster new international institutions like the United Nations, NATO, and the World Bank, and focus on every corner of the globe. It was a strategy that saw clearly the world's dangers, while seizing its promise.

As a general, Marshall had spent years helping FDR wage war. But the Marshall Plan - which was just one part of this strategy - helped rebuild not just allies, but also the nation that Marshall had plotted to defeat. In the speech announcing his plan, he concluded not with tough talk or definitive declarations - but rather with questions and a call for perspective. "The whole world of the future," Marshall said, "hangs on a proper judgment." To make that judgment, he asked the American people to examine distant events that directly affected their security and prosperity. He closed by asking: "What is needed? What can best be done? What must be done?"

What is needed? What can best be done? What must be done?

To read more: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newstrategy

John McCain's Strategy for Victory in Afghanistan

Today, John McCain Outlined A New Comprehensive Strategy For Victory In Afghanistan. The status quo in Afghanistan is unacceptable, and from the moment the next President walks into the Oval Office, he will face critical decisions about Afghanistan.

John McCain Is Calling For A New Strategy In Afghanistan That Applies The Tried And True Principles Of Counter-Insurgency Used In The Iraq Surge. As President, John McCain will turn around the war in Afghanistan with a comprehensive strategy for victory. In Afghanistan, we need an integrated, nationwide civil-military campaign that is focused on providing security for the population.

John McCain's Comprehensive Strategy For Victory In Afghanistan:

John McCain Will Work With Our Allies To Ensure Unity Of Command In Afghanistan. One of the reasons there is no comprehensive campaign plan for Afghanistan is because there is no unity of command. Today, there are no less than three different American military combatant commands operating in Afghanistan, as well as NATO. The top commander in Afghanistan needs to be just that: the supreme commander of all coalition forces operating a successful counter-insurgency strategy that integrates all instructs of our national power.

To read more visit: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/Read.aspx?guid=e92e0317-02b3-4345-82f9-9eac8bb0a50d

"The browning of America" by Carolina Peña

There’s a phrase I heard for the first time this year and it was sure to produce mixed reactions. However you chose to interpret the phrase, whether you see the so called ‘browning of America’ as a positive or negative transformation, it’s an undeniable reality that is not confined to the usual multi-ethnic hubs found in Florida, New York, California, and Texas (although some would argue that Texas was always brown and the border really crossed them!). The fact is that this is happening all over- Atlanta, New Orleans, Reno, Oklahoma City, Boise, and Kansas City, to name a few places.

Yet, as this growth that is evident on the surface, it unfortunately overshadows other areas of growth in our community that are less appealing to the media. I will discuss more of these ahead, but for now I will argue that ‘the browning of America’ is a sweeping statement that assumes a narrow-minded change in demographics.

This change is well beyond color. We are talking about an ethnicity that is among the most diverse in its combination of African, European, Meztizo, Asian, and Native American. It includes first, second and third generation Hispanic Americans of various levels of cultural assimilation, income and education. And they are top priority audiences for politicians and businesses. Ever since the 2000 Census revealed important data on the growth of the Latino population, the attention seems to seldom shift to the depth of this growth.

Now, given that I work for the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and was awarded the 2005 Philadelphia Regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Award in Journalism, I’d like to provide more observations based on my experiences and career focus.


For the past three and a half years I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with the HHF’s Youth Awards and LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) while doing side projects in print and broadcast media while completing my degree in Public Communication and Marketing at Montgomery College and now at American University. These experiences have opened a window into the real ‘the browning of America’ that is beyond the ‘colored statistics’.

Through the Youth Awards we see tens of thousands of students from across the country taking the time-consuming effort to apply for scholarships. They represent only a small piece of the pie that includes an increasingly diverse group of students in age and economic status. This will be the fastest growing segment of the population in the next 15 years, where second-generation Latinos will represent 36% of all Hispanics based on me2, the first major Latino youth-only national study. And with our growing buying power and influence, here are a few things to consider in our evolving identity:

Will we identify ourselves as Latino/Hispanic or American?
Will we speak our parent’s language or loose Spanish all-together?
Will our values be driven by our culture or our parent’s culture and religion?
Will we consume English-only or a bilingual mix of media?
How will we find a way to reconnect with our culture?

And a policy question that also came to mind… Will affirmative action have any relevance?
In matters of identity, as the meaning of ‘being Latino’ evolves, perhaps these results from the me2 survey conducted in 2006 will provide some clues:

Being Latino means more than just speaking and looking Spanish; to YLA it means being family oriented (84%), proud (83%), hard working (81%), passionate (80%), tied to tradition (77%), religious (71%), and believing in higher education (60%) and giving back to their community (53%)

World News

Betancourt reunited with family



Ingrid Betancourt has been reunited with her children - a day after being freed from more than six years of captivity in the Colombian jungle.

The French-Colombian politician was among 15 hostages rescued without a shot being fired as their rebel captors were tricked into handing them over.

Her children travelled to Bogota from France for the emotional reunion.

Ms Betancourt said she would now work tirelessly for the freedom of all hostages being held by Farc rebels.

"It is most important that every Colombian feels that we will free them - that our brothers in the jungle will return," she said.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which has been waging a war of independence for the past four decades, still holds more than 40 high-profile hostages, among up to 700 other captives.

'Orgy of kisses'

A day after her release, Ms Betancourt raced up the steps of the aircraft to embrace her daughter, Melanie, and her son, Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt, who had flown in from France.

She told reporters she was "so proud" of her children, who were 16 and 13 when she was seized.

"They fought a battle, they dug deep into their characters, from the depths of their souls and fought a very beautiful battle," she said.

She described the reunion as "an orgy of kisses".

"I don't know what I said to them. I think I cried... I told them that they would have to put up with me because I was going to stick to them like bubblegum and I was going to eat them up with kisses."

Her daughter said the reunion was "the toughest and most beautiful moment that my brother and I have lived through".

To read more go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7487989.stm

Foundation News

Youth Award Recipients Visit White House

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation Staff and Youth Award recipients, from the DC area, will attend the 8^th annual Tee Ball Initiative at the White House on June 30^th. The staff and past recipients will take in the tee ball game on the South Lawn.

Each year little league teams from across the country apply to Little League International to be chosen to play on the South Lawn. President Bush has a long lineage with baseball and is the first Little League Graduate to attain the highest office in the United States. Due to his long commitment and love for baseball The President and First Lady started this Initiative in 2001 to highlight the role that baseball has played in American history and culture. Also The President wants to draw attention and spur interest in America’s national pastime, starting with the youth.

This year the game will have a Hispanic theme and focus on the contributions Latinos have made in the game. The White House during past Tee Ball Initiatives has honored other minorities in baseball such as Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in the Major Leagues. The White House also hosted a Softball Tee Ball game to honor the contributions of women in sports.



Youth Awards Spotlight

National Hispanic Heritage Youth Award winner for Academic Excellence and recent Stanford University graduate has been honored with two of the schools most prestigious recognitions—the J.E. Wallace Sterling Award and the Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award.

The J.E. Wallace Sterling Award recognizes a senior whose undergraduate activities demonstrate the strong potential for continued service to the University and the alumni community. Service might include involvement in athletics, clubs, drama and musical productions, fundraising, journalism, public service, religious organizations, residential education, social and political organizations, student government, or University committees.

The Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award recognizes distinctive and exceptional contributions to undergraduate education or the quality of student life at Stanford. The contribution may be made for such activities as curriculum design, program development, advising excellence, residential education, committee leadership, or extracurricular education.

Jonathan was selected for his heartfelt devotion to and deep affection for undergraduate life as a freshman RA and new student orientation coordinator; for an unbridled, motivating energy that sustained his fellow students through the exhaustion of Dance Marathon, Relay for Life and Students for Obama; for the inimitable way he gently walks through life on the Farm, listening intently, intuiting the needs of others and spreading kindness at every turn; for living the creed "I don't have to, I get to" and inspiring others to understand that life is a set of opportunities and gifts, not burdens; and for the contagious nature of his boundless enthusiasm and outlook on life, all informing his uncommon love for this special place between the foothills and the bay where the Stanford spirit was born in him.

“I do not recall a single student in the history of the university that received both these awards,” said Dean of Freshmen, Julie Lythcott-Haims when commenting on Jonathan’s accomplishment.

So what’s next for Jonathan? He is off to Chicago to work in Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters as a member of the Latino media team.

When asked to justify his decision, Jonathan states, “I’ve seen the transformations that he’s already made. He’s inspired our whole nation to participate in government, especially younger voters. Regardless of your ideals, you have to respect that.”

Beyond November, he says he’ll play it by ear, but his long time dream for a law degree and career in civil rights advocacy is still with him. Whatever he does, HHF knows that he will do it well. We are proud of you Jonathan. You inspire us all.

VISIT: www.hispanicheritage.org