ROCHESTER — A local veteran and an East High School senior were recognized during a recent Hispanic Heritage gala.
Martin Pedraza, a Puerto Rico native who moved to Rochester in the 1950s with his family, received the Latino of Positive Influence award during the Oct. 18 event, according to city officials. Pedraza served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In 2004, he retired from Eastman Kodak Co. after 25 years working there. Soon after, he began volunteering with PathStone Corp. and the Marketview Heights Association’s "Collective Action" project and led beautification efforts in the Rochester neighborhood.
Ana Santiago received the Dr. Emeterio Otero Award, which includes a $2,500 scholarship to Monroe Community College. A member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, she is on track to be her class valedictorian in June. She also is a member of the University of Rochester’s committee for community and family involvement and is a literacy volunteer.
More than 125 people attended the gala at the Airport Holiday Inn hosted by the city’s Hispanic Heritage Month committee.
