The National Hispanic Heritage Hall of Honor recognizes outstanding Hispanic leaders who have established a record of achievement and excellence in Education, Athletics, Business, Public Service, Military Service, or Arts & Entertainment.
The Special Recognition category has multiple uses, the most common being to honor a non-Hispanic individual who has shown extraordinary dedication in the inspiration and support of young Hispanics.
All of our honorees present stellar role models for aspiring young Hispanics. Working with our informal mentoring programs, our honorees commit to inspiring students to believe in themselves and to strive for personal achievement. We emphasize that academic success is a path to leadership that should be used in service to the community. Our honorees are shining examples of the possibilities and power of success. To read their stories click once on HALL OF HONOR and scroll down to a particular year.
We did not have any inductions into the Hall of Honor in 2020 nor 2021. For those inducted before 2009, we have only their names and categories.
Eliot Garza
Founder of Media Digital Source | Business
Nick McFadin
Philanthropy | Special Recognition
Sandy McFadin
Philanthropy | Special Recognition
Dr. Arturo Bonilla
Founder of The Microtia-Congenital Ear Institute
Gordon Hartman
Extraordinary dedication to inclusion of individuals with special needs as valued members of society
Charles Barrett, Jr.
CEO of Barrett Holdings, Inc
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins,PhD
Texas House of Representatives, 120th District
Maj. Gen. Angela Salinas, USMS (Ret)
CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas
Heriberto “Berto” Guerra, Jr.
C.E.O. of Avanzar Interior Technologies GP,LLC
State Senator Judith Zaffirini
Public Service | 21th Senatorial District
Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr.
President Emeritus – University of the Incarnate Word
Gerardo Márquez
Former Basketball Player and Coach
Francisco González Cigarroa, M.D.
Former Chancellor of the University of Texas System
Honorable Judge Mary Dolores Román
Judge 175th District Court of Texas, Retired
John Quinones
ABC News correspondent, host of “What would you do?”
The 1957 San Felipe High School Golf Team
Texas Class A state champions
The Honorable Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez
Bexar County Commissioner
The Honorable Ciro Rodriguez
Justice of the Peace, former U.S. Congressman, former Texas House Representative
Mary Rose Cardenas
Former Chancellor of the University of Texas System
Jack Hank
Our Lady of the Lake University: Vice President of Student Life, Athletic Director
Sergeant Jose Rodela
Medal of Honor
Tom Contreras
Insurance, Risk Management
Paul S. Saenz, DO
Sports Medicine
Judith G. Loredo, Ph.D.
Former Southside Independent School District
Doug Cross
Banker, Homebuilder, Investor
Ambassador Oliver P. Garza
U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua (1999-2002)
Jesse “James” Leija
A Thinking Fighter Models Right Behavior for Westside Youth
Dr. Maria Hernandez-Ferrier
Texas A&M, San Antonio’s First President
Roy Orozco
A Life of Service
Dr. Paul Garcia
WellMed’s first Geriatrician
Chief Justice Alma L. Lopez
The First Hispanic Woman elected as Chief Justice to an Appellate Court in the United States
Prof. Wayne F. Yakes MD, FSIR, FCIRSE
Pursuit of Excellence
Clarence Kahlig II
Owner of Seven Auto Dealerships
Sylvester Perez
Overcoming low expectations to opening doors of opportunity for Texas students
Henry Cisneros
Mayor of San Antonio (1981-89)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1993-97)
JoAnn Ezquerra Boone
Following a Strong Work Ethic to Success
Sam Medina
Migrant Worker to District Judge, Serving on the Bench and in the Pulpit
Laredo Martin Tigers
1956 Class 4A Texas Basketball Champions
Felix D. Almaráz, Jr.
Historian of the Borderlands
Jimmy Gonzales
Shaping Character on the Gridiron
Ruben L. Tenorio Jr., D.O., F.A.C.O.I
Fighting Diabetes, Treating Fighters
Arnulfo R. Garza-Vale, M.D.
A Surgeon Inspiring Students to Study
Honorable Charles A. Gonzalez
Continuing a Family Legacy of Service to the People
John Longoria
Serving with Knowledge and Leadership
Maj. Gen. Alfred A. Valenzuela, U.S. Army (Ret.)
True to the Service, True to His People
Juan Tejeda
Nurturing the Heart of the Community with Music
Fred Jones
Coaching with Fierce Focus
Dr. Ruben Gallegos
A Border Educator with a True Sense of His Students’ Challenges
Rudolph “Rudy” Bowles
A Leader on the Court, in the Schools, on the Bench
Rosemary Kowalski
Building Jobs from the Fabric of Special Events
Rick Rodriguez
Creating Productive Use of Real Estate in Texas, Colorado & Spain
Maria Antonietta Berriozabal
A Global Leader for All People
John Longoria
Serving with Knowledge and Leadership
Jon Esquivel
The Timeless Role of Composer-Educator
Mary Esther Bernal
The Whole System Is Her Classroom
Rudy Davalos
Leadership on the Boards
David Flores
The Best Sportswriters Know Where You Went to High School
Charlie Garza
Using the Tools and Fruits Of Business to Build a Brighter Future
Joe J. Bernal
Effective Representation in the State Senate
Jim Brandenburg
Winning by Teaching Character
Juliet V. Garcia
First Latina University President, Opening the Ivory Tower
Cecilio (Cecil) J. Lara
Teaching the Business of Life
Homer Martinez
The Only Way to Win is to Never Stop Running
Alexander E. Briseño
We Built this City on Heart & Soul
Brig. Gen. Belisario J. Flores
From Korea to the Stars: First Texas Hispanic General
Rita Vidaurri
A Lark Celebrating the Westside
Pete Ragus
A Winning Team for All Students
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Contact Information
- Phone 210-665-7467
- Email hsffe2006@gmail.com
- P.O. Box 28112 – San Antonio, Texas 78228