Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA) Announces 2025 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award Recipients
Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA) Announces 2025 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award Recipients
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT:
October 7, 2024 Giovanna.Alvarez@ochla.ohio.gov
Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA)
Announces 2025 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award Recipients
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission is pleased to announce the 43rd Annual Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awardees. Each year, three awards (Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, Military Service of Distinction and Nuestra Familia [Our Family]) are awarded to outstanding members of the community and organizations that strive to improve the lives of the Latino community, as well as, the general public. The Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan awardees are recognized for working steadfastly to ensure their communities become a better place for both Hispanics and the general public. Military Service of Distinction awardees are Latinos in uniform who have served our country honorably and continue to contribute to their community, state, and country in an exemplary manner. Finally, the Nuestra Familia (Our Family) awardees are non-Hispanic individuals or organizations that encourage the inclusion of Latinos in Ohio and are committed to making Ohio a welcoming place to all.
An official ceremony will be held at the Statehouse in December to commemorate the awardees. This event honors individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their professional or community service endeavors, and who serve as role models for the growing Hispanic community in Ohio.
Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awardees:
Esteban Callejas (Henry County), Marie ‘Tonya’ Duran (Toledo), Lilleana Cavanaugh (Columbus), Karla Knox (Springfield), Francisco Okhuysen (Cincinnati)
Military Service of Distinction Awardees
George Plasencio (Toledo), Emily Almazan-Lacy (Cincinnati)
Nuestra Familia (Our Family) Awardees
Vanessa de Corte (Definace County), Kevin Milliken (Toledo), Eric H. Kearney (Cincinnati)
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Ohio Latino Affairs Commission 77 South high St., 18th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215
614- 466- 8333
OCHLA.Ohio.gov
The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services.
