The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) hosted its annual Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Luncheon last week, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with food, culture, and philanthropy. Organized by the staff-led Hispanic Heritage Committee (HHC), this year’s event carried the theme “Trenzas: Braiding the Future Together.”

The luncheon honored the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic/Latinx community, which makes up a significant portion of LACOE’s staff and student population of L.A. County. The event also served as a platform to uplift young voices, awarding five scholarships to outstanding students pursuing careers in the arts and public service.

Guest speaker Diana Cabral, a first-generation Mexican American and California State University, Northridge (CSUN) alumna, inspired the audience with a powerful message about unity and resilience. As an advisor and instructor for Ballet Folklorico Aztlan de CSUN and Teatro Aztlan, Cabral reflected on the deep cultural significance of braids. She noted their growing popularity among younger generations, including their importance at major events with dedicated braiding stations. Cabral concluded with a motivating call to action: “Let’s braid the future together now!”

Five students were recognized with scholarships during the event:

• Angela Alvarado, a LACHSA film student, showcased her action video edits, impressing the audience with her cinematic talent. She expressed her desire for creating Spanish-language films for her community.
• Viviana Estrada, an aspiring actor, writer, and director, shared her passion for creating authentic Latino stories that transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries.
• Jimena Mendez, a recent LACHSA graduate and former LACOE student board member, expressed gratitude to her mentors and spoke about her mission to amplify Latino voices. She is currently studying political science at UC Davis.
• Joseph Arias, son of a LACOE staff member and current music student at LACHSA, performed a song from the movie “Encanto” and thanked the committee for supporting Latinx students in the arts.
• Andrew Wong, a UC Riverside student and current LACOE staff analyst trainee, was awarded a scholarship in absentia.

Originally set at $250, the scholarship amount was tripled during the luncheon thanks to generous staff donations. HHC leads Jema Estrella and Elinar Gutierrez announced the increase live, awarding each student $750.

The celebration also featured a vibrant performance by the Downey High School folklorico dance team, who performed three traditional dances in colorful attire. The event concluded with a spirited hair braiding contest, where three LACOE staff members tied for first place with their intricate braided hairstyles.

The Hispanic Heritage Luncheon continues to be a cherished tradition at LACOE, honoring culture, community and the power of education and community.