SAAHJ presents Scholarship & Awards Gala @ Marriott, 8-8

Friday, August 8th @ Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie Street @ 7 p.m. with MC ABC News Reporter Jim Avila, honoring ABC Correspondent John Quinones, former Mayor Henry Cisneros & Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.

The best news of all is that your $125 ticket will help fund SAAHJ's plan to award $30,000 in scholarships that night.

The San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ) will honor San Antonio-born filmmaker Robert Rodriguez with its first-ever Corazón de Oro Award during its 16^th annual Scholarship & Awards Gala on Friday, Aug. 8th, 2014, at the Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie St.

Spanish for “heart of gold,” the Corazón de Oro Award was created to highlight the accomplishments of Latino leaders — in San Antonio and beyond — who have excelled in their fields and have helped bring attention to the significant contributions of U.S. Latinos to the nation’s arts and culture, politics, education, government, philanthropy and other fields. With more than 30 films to his credit, including “El Mariachi,” “Spy Kids” and “Machete,” as well as the establishment of his El Rey Network, Rodriguez has distinguished himself while helping young filmmakers through his philanthropic work.

“We’re thrilled to have Robert Rodriguez join us, as he’s worked to tell Latino stories on an international scale through film, while never forgetting his Texas roots,” SAAHJ President Francisco Vara-Orta said. “He helps us set the bar high for our inaugural Corazón de Oro Award.”

Joining Rodriguez will be two previously announced honorees — longtime ABC News correspondent John Quinoñes, who will receive the Henry Guerra Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Journalism; and former San Antonio Mayor and Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, who will receive SAAHJ’s Community Service Award. ABC News Senior National Correspondent Jim Avila will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Rodriguez will be honored during SAAHJ’s annual Scholarship & Awards Gala, which this year will be an official event of the 30th annual National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Conference, which will bring Latino journalists from across the country to San Antonio. At the event, SAAHJ will award $30,000 in scholarships to its newest class of scholars.

For sponsorship opportunities, please call Melissa Aguillon at (210) 394-6098.