Los Altos High School’s sixteenth annual Latino Academic Achievement Recognition Award Ceremony (Latino Awards) was held on Thursday, April 4. Teachers and counselors selected Latino students to receive awards for different achievements accomplished throughout the year.

“I struggled through endless nights of homework and study sessions to maintain at least all A’s,” freshman Margaret Lugardo said. “In the end, I had a GPA of over 4.0 in the first semester. I’m very grateful that my hard work was recognized by LAHS.”

During the event, the Latino Student Union (LSU) dance team performed traditional dances, including cumbia, bachata and merengue. There was also a halftime show with classic Latino instruments, such as an arpa jarocha, a type of Mexican harp that originated in Veracruz, Mexico.

LSU president junior Jocelyn Gatica Arellano, vice president junior Sophia Diaz Lopez and chief of staff senior Leslie Cesareo were the masters of ceremonies, while other officers passed out the awards. The event was coordinated with the Latino Outreach Team, an organization that LSU works with which hosted the “Latino Summit” last year.

“There’s a lot of time and commitment put into the Latino Awards,” LSU adviser Ariel Rojas said. “This event is primarily a Latino Outreach Team event. LSU is involved in the execution of the event and working with the Latino Outreach Team.”