2005 Hispanic Heritage Awards.

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced highlights of the 2005 Hispanic Heritage Awards, which will range from traditional Mexican mariachis to a symphony performance to a rising pop singer/songwriter to one of the leading prima ballerinas in the world. The 19th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on October 24 will be an intimate and elegant evening to promote the diverse cultural interests of the Hispanic community and focus on the vision, commitment and achievement of the Honorees.

“As the second largest majority in America, we go forward with our Hispanic heritage as a symbol of what unites us, inspires us and defines us,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “Appropriately, the theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Embracing Heritage.’ We look forward to an evening full of inspiration, entertainment, and cultural pride.”

This years Honorees include international symphony conductor Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese, Arts Award; author and leader of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health Dr. Jane L. Delgado, Ph.D., M.S., Education Award; the first Hispanic U.S. Secretary of Commerce The Honorable Carlos Gutierrez, Leadership Award; internationally acclaimed soccer player Tab Ramos, Sports Award; and CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien, Vision Award. Six National Youth Award recipients will also be honored and positioned as role models for their peers.

Performers for the evening include Lorena Feijoo of the San Francisco Ballet and former star of the famous Ballet Nacional de Cuba; Members of the Symphony of the Americas and members of the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arts Honoree James Brooks-Bruzzese; Peruvian-born guitarist and songwriter Maria Matto; and for the first time, the traditional meets contemporary as Campanas de Americas performs with the Tejano Divas.