The day started just like any other day for Ravens fan Ana MarÃa Schwartz Caballero, but little did she know that her weekend was about to get much more exciting.
On Friday, Schwartz Caballero, an Associate Professor of Spanish and Second Language Education and Affiliate Faculty in the Language, Literacy and Culture Program at UMBC, was selected as the recipient of the 2014 NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.
Ana MarÃa will be honored in an on field ceremony at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday prior to the start of the Ravens/ Panthers matchup.
“It is an honor to be recognized in such a public way, by the Ravens, on the field for the start of the game,” said Schwartz Caballero in a press release by the Ravens organization.
“I share this award with the members of our Latino community who work so hard to better their lives and who make our state a better place to live; and with my students, whose drive and persistence are my inspiration.”
The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have partnered for the fourth-annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award during the 2014 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
This prestigious award recognizes the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.
Schwartz Caballero has chosen UMBC’s Esperanza Scholarship Fund to receive a $2,000 grant to support its continued work in Baltimore’s Hispanic community.
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation was established by the White House in 1987 as an award-winning nonprofit organization that identifies, inspires, prepares and positions Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities.
The HHF is  focused on assisting “a Latino to help hundreds more” through a unique cycle of leadership built on a high-profile, year-round continuum of sustainable programs, including the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards, Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT), Hispanic Heritage Awards and Public Awareness Campaigns.
HHF promotes cultural pride, accomplishment and the great promise in the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions.
Congrats to you Ana MarÃa on your award and here’s hoping you can help bring the Ravens some luck on Sunday.
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