Hispanic Alliance for Education Honors Distinguished Scholars
The Hispanic Alliance for Education (HAE) celebrated 27 high school seniors during its 29th annual Distinguished Hispanic Scholars Recognition Ceremony on May 13.
The event honored students for academic excellence, leadership and community service. Families, principals and MCPS leaders attended, including Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor, Board of Education President Julie Yang, Vice President Grace Rivera-Oven, and Board members Brenda Wolff and Laura Stewart.
Founded in 1996, HAE has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships. The organization is led by principals Ricardo Hernandez of Seneca Valley High School and Alicia Deeny of Richard Montgomery High School and Adriana Burgos-Ojeda, assistant principal of Montgomery Blair High School.
“This event highlights students’ hard work and effort,” Hernandez said. “It’s an opportunity to recognize those who might not otherwise be seen — and to share that moment with their families.”
Deeny added, “Celebrating our Latino students reminds them they belong and their futures matter. The pride in the room is unforgettable.”
2025 Distinguished Hispanic Scholar Award Recipients:
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Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS |
Kylie Santana Chote |
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Montgomery Blair HS |
Joselyn Benítez |
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James Hubert Blake HS |
Cynthia Luna |
|
Winston Churchill HS |
Julieta Matus Gómez |
|
Clarksburg HS |
Sofía Lowe |
|
Damascus HS |
Laura Medina Cújar |
|
Thomas Edison HS of Technology |
Karla Vásquez |
|
Albert Einstein HS |
Diego Fuentes |
|
Gaithersburg HS |
Yoselind Saucedo Celis |
|
John L. Gildner (RICA) |
Nate Gómez |
|
Walter Johnson HS |
Jacobo Gutiérrez Crespo |
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John F. Kennedy HS |
Nicole Romero |
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Col. Zadok Magruder HS |
Ana Malásquez |
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Richard Montgomery HS |
Fredy González López |
|
Northwest HS |
Kimberly Orellana |
|
Northwood HS |
Fátima Mora Cosío |
|
Paint Branch HS |
Isabel Santiesteban |
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Poolesville HS |
Nathaly Lemus Díaz |
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Quince Orchard HS |
William Hernández-Han |
|
Rockville HS |
Alejandro Quispe |
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Seneca Valley HS |
Carla Cáceres Castillo |
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Sherwood HS |
Paloma Illanes |
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Springbrook HS |
Maybelline Vásquez Azucena |
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Watkins Mill HS |
Emily Rivera |
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Wheaton HS |
Camila Rivera González |
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Walt Whitman HS |
Sofía Antonioli |
|
Thomas S. Wootton HS |
Andrés Parra |
In addition, all students received a $50 gift card and a graduation cord to honor their achievements. Five students received additional scholarships of the following amounts:
- Nathaly Lemus Díaz, Poolesville, $1,500
- Kimberly Orellana, Northwest, $1,000
- Andrés Parra, Wootton, $750
- Yoselind Saucedo Celis, Gaithersburg, $500
- Maybelline Vásquez Azucena, Springbrook, $500 (Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents Education Award)
Check out a photo gallery from the event.
