Hispanic Heritage Celebration Nominations Now Being Accepted

Nominations are now being accepted for the township's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

Awards will be presented at the beginning of the Township Council's Sept. 24 meeting, which is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Nomination forms are due to the Township Clerk's Office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14.

Nominees must live or work in the township and be an exemplary citizen who has made significant contributions to the township through volunteer service.

This will be the sixth year Council will host the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

The program really grew over the last two years, with nine recipients in both 2010 and 2011 following years of just one, two and one recipients in 2009, 2008 and 2006, respectively. There was not a winner in 2007.

Council Vice President Orlando Mercado, the only Latino to ever sit on the Township Council, brought the celebration to the township in 2006. He promoted the nominations at the close of Monday's Council meeting.

Nomination forms have been distributed to township schools and are available on the township's official website. Council members and Mayor David Mayer can also submit nominations.

Nominations, which must include an essay by the nominator detailing why their nominee should be recognized, will be reviewed by a three-member panel appointed by Mayer.

Past winners are:

• 2011 - Genaro "Gene" Martinez, Jorge Gonzalez, Eddie Olmo, Emanuel Pagan, Andrea Silva, Meah Jones, Alejandro Perez, John Tirado and John Ortiz
• 2010 - Victor LeBron, Caitlin Emperador, Sierra Jorgensen, Christopher Griffin, Genesis Estrada, Elizabeth Perez, Enrique Pagan, Jose Velez and Dr. Yvonne Enid Gonzalez Rodriguez
• 2009 - Carlos Castro
• 2008 - Jose Melendez and Edwin Rosa
• 2006 - William Fontanez

Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.