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