Lozafina to Again Support 2026 HACE Awards Recognizing Latino Student Achievement
Lozafina will once again assist in the organization and promotion of the Hispanic Academic Challengers of Excellence (HACE) Award Ceremony, part of the 2026 Community Academic Achievement Awards Committee (CAAAC) honors scheduled for later this month in Omaha.
The annual ceremony recognizes Latino students for academic performance, discipline, and commitment to educational success. Over the years, the program has become a longstanding community tradition that brings together students, families, educators, and civic leaders to celebrate scholarship and student achievement.
The 2026 HACE Awards Ceremony is scheduled for April 29 at 6 p.m. at Buena Vista High School, near 60th and L Streets. More than 400 Latino students who achieved and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher will be honored. The event underscores the strong academic progress made by Latino students across the Omaha area and the importance of publicly celebrating those accomplishments.
Programs such as HACE serve multiple purposes. For students, they provide recognition for sustained academic effort. For families, they offer a moment to celebrate years of encouragement, sacrifice, and support. For younger students in attendance, they can serve as a visible example of what achievement can look like within their own community.
Of note, middle school students will be honored with “HOPE Awards” later this spring for their academic accomplishments.
“The ceremony highlights a broader reality,” Josefina Loza, CEO of Lozafina and CAAAC Board Member, said. “Latino students continue to make meaningful contributions in classrooms, advanced coursework, extracurricular leadership, athletics, and college preparation pathways throughout the region. They deserve their flowers, too.”
Lozafina’s continued involvement reflects the firm’s longstanding focus on community-centered storytelling and initiatives that elevate education, leadership, and opportunity. Supporting programs that recognize student success aligns with the company’s broader work of helping institutions and communities bring important stories into public view.
As the 2026 ceremony approaches, organizers expect another evening centered on academic excellence, family pride, and the future of a rising generation of student leaders.
Program Summary: 2026 HACE Award Ceremony
Opening of the Ceremony
Live Cultural Performance | Mariachi Andariegos
Welcome Remarks | Josefina Loza of Lozafina
Master of Ceremonies | Yuridia Igbokwe of Lincua Academy
Omaha Public Schools Remarks | Viridiana Almanza Zavala, Omaha Public Schools Board Member
Community Leadership Remarks | Jannette Castro-Gomez, President of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Certificate Instructions | Javier Rodriguez-Miller of Omaha Public Schools
Presentation of Certificates
Honorees will receive recognition certificates presented by community and education leaders, including:
