Oct. 17, 2024 — Congratulations to our Team Duval winners of the districts’ annual Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest!
Elementary school winner: Yeshaliz Veguilla of West Riverside Elementary
Middle school winner: Fabian Fernandez of Westview K-8
High school winner: Anna Jones of Samuel W. Wolfson
Students were encouraged to write an essay about a local person of Hispanic heritage who is making significant contributions in the community.
The winning essays profiled Hispanic community leaders from a cross-section of fields, including journalism, community activism, and family law.
Elementary winner, Veguilla, chose radio host and community leader Yanira “Yaya” Cardona as the subject of her essay.
Fernandez, our middle school winner, interviewed reporter Patricia Buitron. Fernandez referred to Buitron as “the voice of the Hispanics.”
Family law attorney, Paola Parra Harris was the subject of high school winner Jones’ essay. Parra Harris founded her law firm in Jacksonville in 2016.
The three winners had the opportunity to read their essays during a luncheon held in their honor at EverBank Stadium on Tuesday. The event was sponsored by the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation. The winning students also received a box full of Jags swag and tickets to an upcoming game.