Traditions bring our community together and in 2007, the Arizona Diamondbacks established what is now an important Hispanic tradition -- recognizing people who, with their dedication and work, strengthen the Latino community in Arizona. The first award was given to Pete A. Garcia, who throughout his entire life empowered communities with his leadership and received the award when he headed the Victoria Foundation, which is dedicated to awarding college scholarships to low-income youth. Garcia was also an agent of change and justice serving as president of Chicanos Por La Causa for 27 years. For this and many more important contributions to the community the D-backs honored him by naming the award the “Pete A. Garcia” Hispanic Leadership Award in 2017.

The critical issues for the advancement and empowerment of the Hispanic community have been health, social services, support for entrepreneurs and of course, education from kindergarten on. And although we are experiencing the most difficult health challenge of our time in 2020, we celebrate the education opportunity and a role model who has worked to level the playing field for our youth in college education, Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez.

Ybarra-Hernandez is president and founder of AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, which since its inception has helped hundreds of students achieve a college education with scholarships and mentoring, as well as personalized support and mentoring for youth.

“Among the toughest challenges for communities unfamiliar with college requirements and how to seek scholarship and other support is navigating the system,” said Ybarra-Hernandez, “my goal was to receive a college education and I ran into many obstacles, including lack of information without knowing where to get the right kind of information and guidance resources. I had to do it on my own, and what I try to achieve with AGUILA is that young people do not have to struggle as I had to."

As an educator, Ybarra-Hernandez has worked to develop conduits between educational institutions across the country and the youth of the community -- specifically for young Latinos who want to obtain a college degree. While it may seem like just college entry to some, this is truly a workforce development that will provide our economy with incredible talent.

Ybarra-Hernandez’s mentoring of youth through AGUILA for the past 16 years has produced college degrees for large numbers of students who otherwise would never have known they could obtain a higher education. Direct relationships with universities help position students across the country and their work empowers entire communities of young people.

Mary Lou Valenzuela, who nominated Ybarra-Hernandez for this recognition reflected, “Passion for community service and education, these are Rosemary's pillars of service that are close to my heart and that she embodies every day. Rosemary empowers Latino youth to succeed in college and beyond through the organization, AGUILA Youth Institute. Inspire each ‘Aguilita’ to keep going. I witnessed a project where Rosemary worked with her Aguilitas in Phoenix and created a community garden for local families. She is very deserving of this award. "

The young Jaclyn Juarez is a student who personally experienced the support of AGUILA.

“I am an AGUILA Alumni from the graduating class of 2014,” said Juarez. “I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry in 2018 and I am currently attending the University of Arizona pursuing my Doctorate of Pharmacy. I would like to thank Mrs. H. and AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute for helping me realize my passion for pharmacy at one of their summer sessions, where I heard a pharmacist speak and instantly knew what I wanted to do with my life. Mrs. H. has always been there for me. She is a such a warm, compassionate and giving human, and I truly believe I would not be where I am today without her guidance. Thank you so much Mrs. H. for all that you do and congratulations!”

Ybarra-Hernandez’s parents, who didn’t have high school studies and provided lessons for her about appreciating their financial situation, served as inspiration for her work.

“One day my father took us harvesting onions in the town of Surprise; it was horrible,” said Ybarra-Hernandez. “Then he took us to pick lemons in the orchards where Westgate is now; it was very cold, the trees had thorns and we had to work in the mud. One day he asked us: ‘Mijitas, what do you think, look at the other workers here, they don't have the luxury that you have, they have no choice but to work here … success doesn't grow in the field, it comes from education. That is why they have to go to university. With your education, you have to get a job and it is your obligation to help these less fortunate people.’”

Ybarra-Hernandez closed with thanks.

“I am honored and grateful to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mary Lou Valenzuela, the Los D-backs Council and especially to Derrick Hall. And I want to dedicate this honor to my parents, Richard and Mary Gonzales Ybarra, who instilled in me dedication to faith, family and community.”

Ybarra-Hernandez joins a distinguished group of great leaders:

2019 Dr. Cecilia Rosales, University of Arizona

2018 Dr. Jose Cardenas, Arizona State University

2017 Elisa de la Vara, Arizona Community Foundation

2016 Terri Cruz, Chicanos Por La Causa

2015 Tommy Espinoza, La Raza Fund Development

2014 Ed Pastor, Retired Congressman

2013 Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Maricopa Community Colleges

2012 Paul Luna, Helios Education Foundation

2011 Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa Country BOS

2010 Luis Ibarra, Friendly House

2009 Dr. Loui Olivas, ASU

2008 Armando Flores, APS

2007 Pete García, CPLC/Victoria Foundation