6 Hispanics honored who are inspiration

Six Utah Hispanics were honored Saturday at a Hispanic Heritage Gala awards dinner in Salt Lake.

Anna Maria Fereday, vice president of Hispanic Media Services Inc., the event's sponsor, said the awards are meant to honor those who are involved in the community and to be an inspiration for others.

"They can come to learn and see . . . 'if they can make it, I can make it too,' " she said.

Wanda I. Carrasquillo, head judge for the awards, described the competition as "very tight."

She said it was a coincidence that all the recipients are immigrants, though the committee looks at bilingualism and roots in the Hispanic community.

The awards she said are to honor "the hard workers. The ones who have come here and struggled."

• Hispanic Professional of the Year: Dr. Jose A. Mejia, psychologist, who has done volunteer work in the community.

• Hispanic Business of the Year: Alicia C. Farfan, owner of Alicia's Hair Salon in West Valley City.

• English Language Learning Teacher of the Year: Nancy Giraldo, education specialist for the State Office of Education. Giraldo leads educators to standardized instructional services, teacher preparation and curriculum to guarantee the highest teaching/learning standards.

• Latin Pride of the Year: Tony Yapias, co-founder of the community organization Proyecto Latino de Utah and former director of the state Office of Hispanic Affairs.

• Hispanic Artist of the Year: Pilar Pobil, whose work has been shown in solo exhibits including the Salt Lake Art Center, Bountiful Art Center and the Kimball Art Center. She was the subject of a film documentary about her life and art, "Dreaming in Color."

• Hispanic Media of the Year: Ernesto "Kiko" Cornejo, for his Telemundo informational program on current issues.