HAHMP to Award $25,000 in Scholarships

Business Wire, March 19, 2007

Corporate Sponsorship Key in Awarding Deserving Students at Annual Gala

HOUSTON -- Celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), along with its major sponsor Continental Airlines and many others, will be offering $25,000 in scholarships at the 21st Annual HAHMP Sylvan Rodriguez Scholarship Gala. HAHMP will award $2,500 scholarships to 10 deserving students majoring in journalism or communications. The black-tie event takes place on March 30, 2007 at the InterContinental Hotel Houston.

Corporate support continues to make a difference in HAHMP's ability to award scholarships. "Continental Airlines, other corporations, businesses and generous individuals are the true champions in our organization's success. Without them, HAHMP would not be able to help students achieve their goal of becoming the journalists of tomorrow," said Vicente Arenas, President of HAHMP and 11 News Anchor/Reporter. Continental Airlines will provide in-kind airline tickets valued at $10,000 for the gala's auction. All profits will go to the organization's scholarship fund. "Continental is pleased to partner again this year with the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals to help deserving Hispanic journalism students pursue their educational dreams," said Ned Walker, Senior Vice President - Worldwide Communications, Continental Airlines.

The gala will also be used to honor Alex Lopez Negrete, President/CEO of Lopez Negrete Communications, with a Lifetime Achievement award. Maria Antonieta Collins, Emmy-award winning journalist and host of her own program, "Cada Dia con Maria Antonieta," will serve as the evening's keynote speaker. Asked about the growth and being able to award more scholarships to deserving students through the Sylvan Rodriguez gala, Arenas added, "HAHMP is glad that our organization can help more students get into an industry in which Latinos are severely underrepresented. Thanks again to the corporations who recognize that need and continue helping HAHMP help students."

About HAHMP (www.hahmponline.org)

The Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP) was created as a non-profit organization to provide support for Hispanics involved in the gathering and dissemination of news, to encourage and support the study and practice of journalism and communications by Hispanics, and to promote a fair and accurate portrayal of Hispanics in the media. Membership is open to members of the broadcast and print media, public relations professionals and college students. HAHMP was founded in 1986 by a group of local journalists, among them Fernando Dovalina and Jo Ann ZuSiga formerly of the Houston Chronicle, Elma Barrera of ABC Channel 13, the late Sylvan Rodriguez of CBS Channel 11 and Dianne Solis of the Wall Street Journal. Since its inception in 1986, HAHMP has awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships. For further information, contact Gabe Canales at 832-867-0111.