HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
San Angelo welcomed actor Wilmer Valderrama to town on Saturday, during a gala evening of celebrations to mark Hispanic Heritage Month at Angelo State University’s C.J. Davidson Center.
The event helped raise funds to be put toward making the San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum & Cultural Center a reality in the near future.
The evening began with a cocktail hour, providing a chance for folks to visit with one another, and to view the items offered in the silent auction, while special entertainment was provided by Trio Los Vigilantes, of Austin, who played several selections from a variety of Hispanic traditions ahead of the official ceremonies.
Board President Manny Campos welcomed everyone, as things got underway, and following the invocation and Presentation of Colors by the ASU ROTC, some of the other board members came up to speak about why they volunteer their time for this cause.
ASU’s Mariachi Los Pastores gave a rousing performance before this year’s awards were handed out, and the recipients shared their stories and talked about what the honor meant to them personally.
Board Vice-President Luis Urteaga introduced the featured speaker, and local television journalist Senora Scott, who served as a moderator for the evening’s talk.
Valderrama counts “author” as one of the new hats he’s wearing these days, having published a memoir entitled “An American Story” in 2024, the well-known actor who first starred in “That 70s Show” spoke about his life’s journey.
Born in Miami, Fla., Valderrama said his Venezuelan parents returned to their home country while he was still very young, as the economy of that country was booming in those years.
The story of his return to the United States, as a shy young student who struggled with English, was particularly inspiring, and he said acting in school really helped him overcome his reluctance to speak in front of others.
He also spoke about the circumstances surrounding his big break into showbusiness, and how it couldn’t have come at a better time for his family.
Valderrama shared some interesting facts about his career, and some unique insights into the acting profession, and said that acting had provided many interesting opportunities he never expected, like spending more than 20 years as a USO ambassador, which has taken him to just about every military installation in the world.
The audience listened deeply to the conversation, connecting with the actor’s open and honest talk about life in this country, and the American Dream.
Following the talk, his hosts presented Valderrama with a brand new felt cowboy hat from Cavender’s and an impressive artwork created by a local man who transformed thousands of Legos into a portrait of the actor holding a copy of his book.
2025 Award Winners
Carolina Angela de la Garza Dewitt Legend Award
This year’s honoree is the late Henry Hogeda Sr., founder of the Original Henry’s Restaurant, recognized for his extraordinary contributions to the development and cultural richness of San Angelo. Like Carolina Angela de la Garza Dewitt, the wife of our city’s founder and namesake of San Angelo, this awardee represents innovation, dedication, and a lasting impact on the community.
Captain Albert Tijerina Jr. Trailblazer Award
The recipient of this award is Rick De Hoyos, Attorney at Law, a bold leader making a significant impact in San Angelo. This honor reflects the pioneering spirit of Captain Albert Tijerina Jr., a figure of courage, leadership, and unwavering service to both community and country.
Eva Camuñez Tucker Service Award
We are proud to honor John Fuentes, owner of Fuentes Cafe Downtown, for his remarkable volunteerism and commitment to preserving Hispanic culture. Like Eva Camuñez Tucker, this honoree exemplifies kindness, stewardship, and the selfless
dedication to uplifting others through service.
Carol Santry Hispanic Educator Award
This year’s recipient, Joe Gándar, Principal of Lincoln Middle School, is recognized for his devotion to education, cultural understanding, and service. In the spirit of Carol Santry, who dedicated her life to celebrating Hispanic culture through teaching and mentorship, this awardee exemplifies the power of education to build bridges and honor heritage.
Amigo Awards
This year’s Amigo Awards go to Simon Rincon, owner of Nachos’s Restaurant, Cantina & Grill, Maria Mejia of Concho Valley Turning Point, and Araceli Gutierrez, founder and CEO of Conexion Hispana Internacional, honoring their significant contributions to fostering understanding and bridging cultural divides in San Angelo.
San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum & Cultural Center’s Board is dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and sharing the rich history and culture of the Hispanic community in San Angelo by way of building a vibrant Museum & Cultural Center for our community.
Learn more at www.sanangelohispanicheritage.org
