Riverview Community Attends Hispanic Heritage Awards, Represents the 'People of Minnesota'

Staff, parents, students and volunteers from Riverview Spanish/English Dual Immersion attended the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards at Orchestra Hall on Sept. 10. They were invited along with other Minnesota residents "for their collective strength, resilience, compassion, and action in crisis while fomenting unity among all communities" during Operation Metro Surge.

At the awards ceremony, which was the first time it has been held outside of Washington, D.C., the "People of Minnesota" received the 2026 Humanitarian Award.

"Overall, everyone worked above and beyond what our duties were supposed to be," said principal Stivaliss Licona-Gervich about her school community and the many people who ran fundraisers and supply drives, patrolled during pickup/dropoff and recess, became notaries to help families with paperwork, and so much more.

The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation's year-round mission, focused on economic mobility, stronger communities, positive narratives and cultural pride through education, workforce development, societal impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Other honorees included Congressman Joaquin Castro, singer-songwriter Mon Laferte, singer-songwriter-actress Ximena Sariñana, rapper Eladio Carrión and musician Oscar D'Leon, who performed with headliners Los Tigres del Norte. 

The ceremony will be broadcast nationwide on PBS stations on Friday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. CT as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.