Building a local presence comes naturally to the honorees. Without exception, they are engaged in their communities and reaching out to others in need of a helping hand. “These people are available, and they care,” Vargas says. One-fourth of the criteria to receive the award is based on community involvement.
Indeed, a panel of judges evaluates nominees’ applications based on their professional achievements, community service, leadership, and ethics. To qualify, recipients must be under the age of 40 as of June 30, 2008, and at least 25 percent Hispanic. This year, the chamber received 45 nominations.
This year’s award recipients include native-born Minnesotans, American citizens from other parts of the United States, and immigrants from across Latin America, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Spain. The winners work in every sector, from corporate America and entrepreneurial businesses to nonprofits and community outreach organizations.
Minnesota’s Latino population, which numbers 205,000 as of 2007, is going to make up the greatest percentage of tomorrow’s work force as the rate of baby boomer retirements increases. “Simply because of the numbers, we need to make sure that Latinos in Minnesota are graduating from high school, going to trade school or four-year programs, or going down other professional career paths,” Vargas says. “That’s why this program is so important. Positive role models make young people think, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’”
—Phil Bolsta
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