Honorees Of The 16th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards.

What do an international recording star, an Olympic gold medal winner, a prominent theologian, an esteemed novelist, a successful publisher, and six 18-year-old students have in common? They are all winners of this year’s coveted Hispanic Heritage Awards, presented by the Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation (HHAF) during an elegant evening of heartfelt tributes and entertainment at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts on September 20, 2002.

“This year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards promises to be a very special evening filled with the best the Hispanic community has to offer in terms of role-models and a celebration of our heritage,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, Executive Director of HHAF.

The awards will be aired October 12, 2002 on NBC stations in most major markets as a one-hour special. 2002 Hispanic Heritage Awards recipients include:

— Ricky Martin, The Arts: Of Puerto Rican decent, Ricky is an internationally acclaimed recording artist and entertainer.

— Derek Parra, Sports – This 32-year-old speed skater became the first Mexican-American to compete in and medal during the 2002 Olympic Games.

— Father Virgilio Elizondo, Education – A Mexican-American theologian from San Antonio, Texas.

— Julia Alvarez, Literature – A best-selling novelist

— Lisa Quiroz, Leadership – Of Puerto Rican and Mexican decent, Lisa is the founder and publisher of People en Espanol.

Other confirmed celebrity participants include Judy Reyes from NBC’s Scrubs, Soledad O’Brien, anchor of Weekend Today; Wilmer Valderrama from That 70’s Show; Mario Lopez from The Other Half; Maria Celeste Arraras, host of Al Rojo Vivo; and Mexican-born singing sensation Thalia.

Also honored at the Hispanic Heritage Awards ceremony will be six students, winners of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards.