Mundelein student a winner in state’s Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest

Mundelein High School senior Elvia Cortes was one of six high school winners from the state in the Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest.

She and the other winners were recognized in a ceremony held Sept. 27 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Cortes is the president of the Temas Latinos Club at Mundelein High School, advised by Aracely Lawrence, who is also Cortes’s counselor.

“I gave Elvia the application and encouraged her to do the essay,” Lawrence said. “I was thrilled to find out that she was one of the winners.”

The essay prompt was “Why is education important for the Latino community in today’s economy?”

Cortes was presented with a certificate at the ceremony and a check for $500. Her parents accompanied her to the awards ceremony.

The contest was judged by faculty and staff members of Richard J. Daley College, Chicago Public Schools, Truman College, and Peck Elementary School.

“It is a great pleasure to acknowledge the Hispanic Community for their outstanding leadership, dedicated service and commitment to our community,” said Anita Alvarez, Cook County state’s attorney.