Conexión Américas’ Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony 2023

Latinx Essay and Multimedia Contest

Every year as part of the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, we invite high school students from Middle Tennessee to participate in the essay and multimedia contest for young Latino writers. The purpose of this contest is to listen to the voices of young people reflecting on the theme “De Aquí y De Allá.”

All four finalists received a prize, and the grand prize winner received a laptop. Gracias to this year’s essay contest sponsor, Nashville Soccer Club and to the Hispanic Heritage Month sponsors. In addition, this year, each finalist received a scholarship through Ingram Charities for their post-secondary education.

Maya García – Grand Prize Winner

“This guilt of somehow not being Latina enough has followed me around for several years now since I moved. Much of this can also be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, when we were not allowed to go outside and explore our communities. This was so soon after we moved that we didn’t have the time to find places where we could connect with our fellow Latinx community. This shame, thankfully, has begun to heal over time, once I came to appreciate my bicultural identity of being both Mexican and White. I realized there was plenty I could do with the resources I did have! First of all, I talked a lot with my dad about his experience of growing up Chicano and in a large Mexican family, about history, music, food, activism, family history, and other parts of our culture. Also, I connected with my abuelos on FaceTime and learned more about their migration journey into the U.S. In addition, I found out that the Latinx community in Nashville is larger than I expected, and with my family, connected with places like Plaza Mariachi and Conexión Américas; the student body of my high school is also much more diverse than my middle school and I am surrounded by more Latinxs than before. Finally, I would say the most impactful turning point in my identity was my mini quinceañera this past summer. It was amazing to be able to deck out our church with papel picado and zarapes, wear a traditional Mexican dress, and have my favorite Spanish tunes blasting out of the speakers. It was a way to invite my friends and church members into learning more about my culture and also have fun celebrating my birthday!”

Maya’s entry included a poem:

Being Latina, to me,
Is being a fish in the sea
Or a bird in the sky
As free as can be
Being Latina, to me,
Is community
Neighbors stand strong
Facing adversity
Being Latina, to me,
Is making the food
Tamales for christmas
Posole red-hued
Being Latina, to me,
Is speaking the words
I hold Spanish dear
As I speak and I learn
Being Latina, to me,
Is my history
From Dolores to Cesar
Fights for justice and peace
I may still be
Looking for my place
In that school of fish
In that flock of birds
In this human race
I know at least
What being Latina is, to me
So I can find my way home

Rick Tzompa-Chimal – Finalist

“What’s your name?”
“Rick Tzompa. Well, technically, it’s Rick Tzompa-Chimal.”
“Oh, so is Tzompa your middle name?”
“No, it is my last name. Chimal is too.”
“You have two last names?”
“Yeah, my parents are from Mexico, and it’s common for kids to have two last names.”
“Oh, that’s strange, but cool, I guess.”

Strange but cool? My name is strange but cool. I have never heard my name described that way. Well, I haven’t always said both of my last names for convenience I suppose. It gets awkward when I have to explain why my name is so “strange” and it’s just easier to hide it. Not only during introductions, but during conversations, on school work assignments, paperwork, job applications, and a lot more. With time, however, I have come to a realization that my second last name is just as important as the first because they are both a representation of my parents and myheritage. My name has evolved from an inconvenience to a centerpiece of my identity here in the US. As much as I wish it was easy, a majority of my Mexican identity battles with my American one.”

Daniela Martínez Becerra – Finalist

“Yo siempre me he identificado como mexicana. Aunque fueron mis padres y no yo quien nació en México, siempre he sentido una conexión fuerte a su país natal. Cuando veo a la selección mexicana jugar, me emociono; cuando veo a mexicanos siendo exitosos en las noticias me, da orgullo; y cuando oigo a alguien hablar de México, escucho, esperando que hablen bien de él y no mal. Si me preguntan cuál es mi comida favorita, yo respondería que la comida mexicana y la pizza. Yo me siento mexicana y siento orgullo al decir que soy mexicana, pero a la vez también soy americana por haber nacido aquí. Soy mexicana-americana, no solo mexicana ni solo americana.”

Perla Hernandez – Finalist

Orgullo Hispano & Amiga We Love Awardees

The Orgullo Hispano Awards recognize Unsung Heroes in our community: Latinx adults or young people who have been persistently working to improve their immediate community – neighborhood, school, workplace, nonprofit or civic organization. This year’s recipients embody the importance of partnerships with our peer community organizations.

Every year during Hispanic Heritage Month, we also recognize a non-Latinx individual whose work, efforts, or voice have promoted, in meaningful ways, the vision of a welcoming Nashville and Tennessee where the Latinx community, and all immigrants, are embraced as integral members of our communities with our Amigx We Love Award.

Nichole Evelyn Alsina-Davari – Orgullo Hispano

Nichole is the current Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community Engagement at Persist Nashville, as well as the current board president of Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, one of our Casa Azafrán partners. She is the former Program Director of YMCA Latino Achievers, but out of all the titles she holds, her most treasured is “Hija de Inmigrantes“, the Daughter of Immigrants. Working specifically with Metro Nashville Public School students who share backgrounds similar to hers has been “the privilege and purpose” of her life.

Rocio Zenon – Orgullo Hispano

Rocio was born in México and immigrated to the United States 23 years ago. Since then, she has been deeply involved in social issues to help the Hispanic community. She always knew that those who came to this country needed guidance and support. With the help of her family, who are her driving force, Rocio has volunteered with various organizations over the years. Her business, Zenon Company, provides services to celebrate various social and cultural events. She currently volunteers with several organizations and foundations that serve the Latinx community.

Bobbi Negron – Orgullo Hispano

Bobbi currently teaches at Paragon Mills Elementary in Southeast Nashville, is a union member with the Metro Nashville Education Association, and is active in the Educators’ Cooperative. As an artist and proud Boricua, she teaches students ways to use the arts to express their self-worth and pride in their roots.

Dr. Susan H. West – Amiga We Love

Dr. Susan H. West is the Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President at Belmont University. She received her Doctor of Education degree from the George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and is a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management. She is married to Rev. John P. West and they have two adult children and three grandchildren. Today we also recognize Dr. West for her leadership, vision, and support which helped make Mesa Komal Cafe a reality, representing a unique opportunity for Latinx and immigrant food business owners to showcase their cuisines and micro-enterprise efforts at Belmont University and the city of Nashville.