The Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley held the Nuestro Futuro gala Nov. 11, raising scholarship money and celebrating Latino/x veterans.

Since its inception in 2004, LLALV has distributed 445 flexible scholarships to students seeking higher education from accredited institutions. Keynote Speaker Bethlehem City Councilmember and U.S. Navy veteran Rachel Leon reminded attendees of the importance of supporting veterans who face both visible and invisible battles all year long and who need access to equitable opportunities on an ongoing basis.

Honored veterans of the evening included: Luis Cordero, Eddie Cruz, Robert Perez, Nelson Matos, Enrique Vazquez, Rachel Leon, Dwight J. Holloway, Esmerelda Nazario, Melissa Nicole Morales, Peter Moralez, Efrain “Bulldog” Santiago, and Francisco “Paquito” Orench.

The LLALV board also paid homage to members who both founded and rebooted the organization, after a hiatus, in 2021: Guillermo Lopez, Maria Teresa Donate Mena, and Myra Piña. LLALV ended its program with a call to guests to join the board or its committees to improve the quality of life of the Latino/x community through leadership development, education, health and cultural activities. Those interested should reach out to Janine Carambot Santoro at president@llalv.org or donate to the Nuestro Futuro Scholarship fund at https://givebutter.com/c2upF0.

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