Aurora Hispanic Heritage Board seeks award nominations

The Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board is seeking nominations for the annual Pete Perez Award and the inaugural Maria S. Merced Award. Award recipients will be recognized during the board's annual community breakfast on Friday, Jan. 27.

The board created the Pete Perez Award as a tribute to a man who made a real difference in our community. Perez was born in the boxcar community of primarily Mexican railroad workers just outside Aurora. He attended Marmion Military Academy and the University of Illinois where he excelled in football and went on to play for the Chicago Bears. After his days as a football player, Perez joined the Aurora Police Department, where he served for 21 years. He retired as a lieutenant in 1979 and then served as Kane County Undersheriff for 13 years. Throughout his career, he was an advocate for children.

The board introduces the Maria S. Merced Outstanding Teacher Award. Merced held as a lifelong dream the desire to become a teacher. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in special education with a focus on bilingual education. As a bilingual special education elementary school teacher, Merced often delved into her own pocket to finance the supplies she needed for her classroom. She continued meeting the needs of her special group of students until her passing. The award will recognize the dedication of two special education teachers in Aurora. The award is sponsored by the Merced/Holloway Family and Earthmover Credit Union.

Nomination forms, including nomination criteria for both awards, can be downloaded at www.aurorahispanicheritage.com. Nominations are due by Friday, Jan. 6.

Tickets for the annual community breakfast are $25 and can be purchased by contacting Dee Hakala, (630) 256-3408 or dhakala@aurora-il.org. The breakfast will be held Friday, Jan. 27, at Gaslight Manor, 2485 Church Road in Aurora.