LACOE Staff Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by Awarding Scholarships to Students

LACOE Staff Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by Awarding Scholarships to Students

Thu Sep 24 15:47:00 PDT 2026

Eight students received $500 scholarships during the annual celebration.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) hosted its annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Wednesday, bringing staff and students together for an afternoon of culture, community and philanthropy. Organized by the staff-led Hispanic Heritage Committee, this year's event centered on the theme "A Journey of Resilience: Transformation Through Migration and Unity."

Inspired by the monarch butterfly, the celebration highlighted transformation as a courageous journey shaped by resilience, strong roots and the dreams of generations past and present. Butterfly imagery appeared throughout the event, representing the strength it takes to venture into the unknown while reaching toward new possibilities.

Eight students were each awarded a $500 scholarship and recognized for their accomplishments, aspirations and connection to their community:

• Aleyda Arreola (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts)

• Alexa Barajas (International Polytechnic High School)

• Estrella Garcia-Starr (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts)

• Estrella Gonzalez-Sanders (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts)

• Genesis Jimenez (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts)

• Natalia Madrid (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts)

• Nathan George Ramos (International Polytechnic High School)

• Bhima Richards (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts)

The program gave attendees an opportunity to learn more about each scholarship recipient and celebrate the experiences, talents and goals that have shaped their educational journeys.

Students from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) also brought Hispanic and Latin American traditions to life through several cultural performances. Attendees enjoyed Peruvian Marinera, traditional Mexican and salsa dancing before being invited to join the celebration themselves. LACHSA students led a lively dance lesson, giving staff members an opportunity to learn new steps and experience the joy of movement and dancing together.

The afternoon also featured music, trivia and a meal that included enchiladas, calabacitas, rice, chips and salsa, guacamole, agua fresca and dulce de leche chocolates.

Through scholarships, storytelling and cultural traditions, the celebration honored the resilience and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities while uplifting the next generation of students as they continue their own journeys of growth and transformation.