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City Controller Chris Hollins' office honors Hispanic Heritage with performances and awards at Houston City Hall
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Summary
The City Controller’s Office hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Houston City Hall featuring performances from HSPVA mariachi and Azteca dancers, a video appearance by astronaut Ellen Ochoa, and awards to local community leaders including Paralympian Fabian Romo and researchers from Rice University.
City Controller Chris Hollins' office hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Houston City Hall featuring music, dance and awards recognizing local community leaders.
Chris Hollins, City Controller of Houston, opened remarks by saying, “Our Hispanic and Latino communities are at the very heart of Houston's strength and our vibrancy.” The event combined student performances, cultural dance groups and an awards program honoring residents who organizers said have advanced civic engagement, education and public service in Houston.
The program was emceed by ABC13 anchor Myra Moreno, who introduced performances including Mariachi Los Pazajeros from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), an Azteca dance and drum ensemble, tango performers and a Mexico folklórico ensemble. Hollins' office presented awards including a “community trailblazer” recognition delivered via video by Ellen Ochoa, identified in the program as the first Latina in space and a former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
HSPVA’s mariachi ensemble was described in remarks as a 25-member group that earned a Division I “superior” rating at the University Interscholastic League state mariachi festival; the program note said it is the only Houston group to receive that honor. Aubrey Christopher Hooper, chief administrative officer in the City Controller’s Office, introduced the honorees and framed the awards as recognizing “community heroes, community champions and community trailblazers.”
Honorees and remarks included Fabian Romo, introduced as this year’s “community hero” and a member of Team USA’s wheelchair basketball team, who said, “Never thought growing up I would be in this position,” and thanked his family for their sacrifices. Dr. Ruth Lopez Turley of Rice University’s Kinder Institute and the Houston Education Research Consortium received a community champion award; she told the audience that the Kinder Institute’s work aims “to eliminate needs” through research tied to policy.
The program also acknowledged community figures and visiting diplomats. Hollins recognized county tax assessor Annette Ramirez and several consuls general and assistant consuls general in attendance. The program included a brief moment of silence to remember Hugo Mojica, identified as a former chief of staff to Council Member Twyla Carter.
Organizers announced a logistics delay during the event: catering from a vendor identified as Cochinita & Co. was running late, and staff told attendees the food would arrive by 11:30 a.m. Event staff encouraged attendees to enjoy performances while they waited.
The celebration concluded with closing remarks from Hollins calling on attendees to carry forward the event’s energy to uplift neighborhoods and support civic participation. “Let’s continue to create a Houston where every individual, every family has the opportunity to build a legacy,” Hollins said before closing the program.
Less-critical details: presenters gave certificates and invited honorees for photos onstage; several student performers were asked to return to class after their sets. At least one honoree, Dr. Ruth Lopez Turley, stepped away from the event for another speaking engagement after receiving an award.
