2024 Hispanic Heritage Month
Honorees
Carolina Angela De La Garza Dewitt Legend Award
The San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum is proud to announce that Dr. Arnoldo De León will be honored with the prestigious Carolina Angela De La Garza Dewitt Legend Award at the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month Banquet on September 16, 2024. This esteemed award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting Hispanic culture and history.
Dr. De León, who served with distinction as a member of the Angelo State University Department of History from 1973 to 2015, is celebrated for his extensive contributions to the field of history, particularly in Chicano and Tejano studies. His academic journey began at Angelo State University (ASU), where he completed his undergraduate education before pursuing advanced degrees at Texas Christian University, culminating in a Master’s (1971) and a Ph.D. (1974).
At ASU, Dr. De León made a profound impact through his teaching and scholarship in American History, Latin American History, Mexican American History, and Texas History. His expertise in Chicano History is well-documented through his prolific writing, including twenty-four books, seventy scholarly essays, and seventy-six book reviews. His seminal work, They Called Them Greasers, published by the University of Texas Press in 1983, is regarded as a classic in Tejano history. Notably, Dr. De León also authored "San Angeleños," a significant book that captures the rich Hispanic history of San Angelo, further highlighting his dedication to documenting and preserving local heritage.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. De León garnered numerous awards and honors, among them serving as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Houston in 1986, receiving the C.J. “Red” Davidson Endowment Professorship in History, and earning the title of Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus in 2015. He considers being singled out as an exemplary graduate from Robstown High School (class of 1962) as one of the grandest commendations bestowed upon him. In recognition of his significant contributions, ASU in 2021 named its history department in his honor.
Dr. De León's dedication to advancing the understanding of Hispanic heritage and history has left an indelible mark on both the academic community and the broader public. The San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum is honored to celebrate his remarkable legacy with the Carolina Angela De La Garza Dewitt Legend Award.
Captain Albert Tijerina Jr. Trailblazer Award
Rosendo Ramos will be awarded the prestigious Captain Albert Tijerina Jr. Trailblazer Award. This esteemed award recognizes individuals who have made significant strides in their field, embodying the spirit of innovation and leadership.
Rosendo Ramos has made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of mariachi music education in San Angelo, Texas. His exceptional dedication and leadership have been pivotal in nurturing and promoting mariachi music among the youth in our community.
Currently serving as the Mariachi Director at Lincoln Middle School and Lake View High School, as well as the Mariachi Instructor at Angelo State University, Mr. Ramos has achieved remarkable milestones:
- Led the Lincoln Middle School and Lake View High School Mariachi Orchestra to its first sweepstakes award in over a decade.
- Guided the Lake View High School Mariachi Ensemble to the Texas UIL State Mariachi Festival for eight consecutive years.
- Established successful mariachi programs at Lincoln Middle School and Lake View High School.
- Created the first mariachi ensemble at Angelo State University.
- Achieved Division 1 Superior Ratings at the UIL Region Mariachi Contest from 2017 to 2024.
Through his unwavering commitment, Mr. Ramos has inspired and educated hundreds of students across West Texas, rekindling the mariachi spirit within the San Angelo community. His passion for mariachi music, his students, and his program is evident in the continued success and growth of the mariachi programs he has established.
Rosendo Ramos exemplifies the essence of a trailblazer through his dedication to music education and his role in cultivating a vibrant mariachi program. His contributions have greatly enriched the cultural landscape of our community and provided invaluable opportunities for students to celebrate their heritage through music.
Eva Camuñez Tucker Service Award
Lena Rivera will be honored with the prestigious Eva Camunez Tucker Service Award. This award recognizes individuals whose exceptional contributions to community service and cultural education have made a lasting impact.
Lena Rivera’s dedication to celebrating and preserving Hispanic heritage through cultural education and community involvement is truly commendable. Her commitment to these causes has significantly enriched our community, particularly through her innovative work with local students and cultural events.
In 2021, Lena Rivera was honored as Elementary Teacher of the Year, a testament to her outstanding commitment to education and her creative approach to teaching. That same year, she founded the Damitas y Charritos de Fort Concho, a program that introduced her 2nd-grade students to Mexican cultural dances such as the Mexican Hat Dance and Los Machetes. This initiative was first showcased at the Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff and has since become a cherished annual performance at Sunset Mall before Dia de los Muertos. Her dedication to cultural education led her to teach these traditional dances to all 2nd graders at Fort Concho in 2022, inspiring other schools to adopt similar programs.
Lena’s efforts extend to her role in celebrating Dia de los Muertos. She leads a Dia de los Muertos celebration for 2nd graders at Fort Concho, helping them understand and appreciate the traditions of this important holiday. In 2024, Lena volunteered at the Catrina Workshop, setting up her family altar and assisting with various duties, demonstrating her deep commitment to cultural celebration.
Her involvement also includes coordinating the Dia de los Muertos Procession for this year’s event and previously assisting with the Catrina contest. As the volunteer coordinator for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Banquet, Lena continues to dedicate her time and energy to ensuring the success of this significant community event. Additionally, she supports her daughter Leah in becoming a Catrina for the Dia de los Muertos procession, with Leah achieving top-three placements for the past three years.
Lena Rivera’s exemplary service, unwavering dedication, and contributions to cultural education and community involvement make her a deserving recipient of the Eva Camunez Tucker Service Award. Her efforts have greatly enriched our community, preserved our cultural heritage, and inspired future generations.
"Mi Amigo" Special Recognition Award
Bentwood Country Club will receive the prestigious Mi Amigo Special Recognition Award in recognition of their outstanding support and partnership with the San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum. This award celebrates organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting our mission and fostering cultural enrichment in our community.
Since 2021, Bentwood Country Club has been a dedicated sponsor of our Dia de los Muertos celebrations, contributing significantly to the success and growth of this cherished event. This year, their partnership has expanded as they, alongside USTA, will introduce children to the joy of tennis at the Dia de los Muertos festivities, showcasing beginner’s tennis and encouraging youth participation in sports.
Kevin Collins, Managing Director of Bentwood Country Club, has been a driving force behind this support. His dedication to our cause is reflected in his statement: "I would really like to see other leaders in San Angelo see the true value of the Hispanic Cultural Museum. I think that the events that have gone on since we've accepted the operation have been first class. It's easy to invest in a winner, and I believe that this organization is that."
Bentwood Country Club’s unwavering support and visionary commitment to promoting Hispanic culture and engaging with our community exemplify the spirit of the Mi Amigo Award. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bentwood Country Club for their exceptional partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration in celebrating and preserving our rich cultural heritage.
"Mi Amigo" Special Recognition Award
Carol Santry will be honored with the prestigious "Mi Gente" Special Recognition Award by the San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum. This award celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding within our community, and Carol Santry embodies these ideals in remarkable ways.
Carol's dedication to promoting and celebrating Hispanic culture through language has been evident throughout her life. Her journey began as a 9th grader when she was entrusted with telling the story of the Battle of Puebla at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Sedeno Square. Her involvement continued with her role as the master of ceremonies at the Spanish Banquet in 1957 and 1958, a time when Hispanics had separate events for their celebrations.
In 1959, as a senior, Carol's achievements were recognized with a Spanish award, marking the beginning of her lifelong commitment to language and culture. From 1984 to 1995, she taught Spanish 1 at Central High School, where she not only imparted language skills but also hosted free weekly tutorials at her home, making education accessible to many.
Carol's influence extended beyond the classroom. She was a mentor at Lincoln Middle School, assisting Spanish-speaking students, and played a vital role as a translator for vacation Bible school stories on mission trips to Costa Rica with the First Methodist Church for seven years. Her academic dedication included graduate work in Spanish at the University of Texas San Antonio and the University of Texas El Paso.
Her volunteer work with the Adult Literacy Council and her assistance to priests and exchange students in learning English showcased her unwavering dedication to helping others bridge language barriers. She creatively combined teaching with culture through music and stories, enriching the learning experience for all.
Her contributions also include working with the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts to establish relationships with Guajaca, MX, and volunteering to teach kindergarteners Spanish at Sierra Vista. Carol’s passion for cultural education was further demonstrated through her efforts in assisting the community in understanding Hispanic traditions, such as her informative interview about cascarones.
For these exceptional contributions and her relentless commitment to cultural enrichment, Carol Santry is a truly deserving recipient of the Mi Gente Award. We are honored to celebrate her remarkable impact on bridging cultures through language and her enduring legacy of service and education in San Angelo.