American Humanics honors seniors, community supporters

By Sandie Palomo-Gonzalez
Executive Director, American Humanics Program

(May 9, 2006)--The UTSA Center for Policy Studies in partnership with Making Connections - San Antonio, an initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and AVANCE Inc. recently hosted a reception to honor seniors graduating and earning American Humanics (AH) national certification.

Yolanda Rios Rangel, communications/neighborhood partners administrative coordinator, provided the keynote address for the event.

Under the guidance of consultant Kathy MacNaughton, a team of AH students created the program, recruited a keynote speaker and developed a slide presentation.

According to Sandra Lopez, president of the AH Student Association, "The recognition reception gives students real-life experience in coordinating a special event similar to what we will be doing when we work in the nonprofit field. It also allows us to showcase our program to the local nonprofit community."

Local nonprofit leaders and students' family members attended the reception with the theme, Legacy. Student honorees included Sandra Lopez, Eloina Padilla-Guerrero, Matthew Torrez and Natalie Zertuche.

The AH Student Association also recognized its outstanding supporters from the community including Patrick McDaniel, director of human relations at Communities in Schools of San Antonio and member of the AH advisory council; Marion Lee and Mike Bacon of Bacon Lee and Associates; and Sue Sonke, AT&T Foundation corporate manager.

American Humanics is an innovative program that prepares college students for careers as nonprofit professionals. The program is offered through the UTSA Center for Policy Studies in the College of Public Policy.

For more information, call (210) 458-2691.