OUR HIGHEST HONORS
MEDALLION OF EXCELLENCE:
Each year CHCI presents its Highest Honors at its Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. during Hispanic Heritage Month. The Medallion of Excellence awards are presented to exemplary individuals who are role models and outstanding civic citizens for the Latino community, Latino youth in particular.
The individuals must have at least a 15-year record of contributions and accomplishments in their field with solid leadership and community involvement. The qualifying factor is philanthropic and civic engagement through the initiation or support of programs that benefit the Hispanic community as a whole.
- Medallion for Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music, and Sports
- American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine, or Civil Rights
The Chair’s Medallion Award(s) is presented each year to an individual who has dedicated his or her public or private career to improving the lives of Hispanic Americans. The honoree is chosen wholly at the Chair’s discretion.
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus recognizes a CHCI alumnus who has made an outstanding contribution to the Latino Community and who has thereby achieved distinction. This prestigious annual award is meant to highlight the impact of CHCI’s programs and the prominence of its alumni. Those considered are judged on the full range of their professional accomplishments. Alumni must have graduated from the Fellowship program at least 20 years or the Internship program 15 years from the date of nomination.
2023
Cesar Millan
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, Music and Sports Award
Sister Norma Pimentel
American Dream Medallion in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights Award
The Kid Mero
Chair’s Award
Priscilla Orta
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
Blanchi Roblero
CHCI Young Alumnus Award
2022
Celia Cruz
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, Music and Sports Award (posthumously)
Secretary Xavier Becerra
American Dream Medallion in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights Award
Kenia Seoane López
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
Marvin B. Figueroa
CHCI Young Alumnus Award
2021
America Ferrera
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, Music or Sports Award
Sylvia Mendez
American Dream Medallion in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights Award
Isabella Casillas Guzman
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
Claudia Flores
CHCI Young Alumnus Award
2020
José Andrés
American Dream Medallion Of Excellence In Education, Science, Medicine, Or Civil Rights
Isabel Allende
Medallion For Excellence In The Arts, Entertainment, Media, Music, And Sports
Mildred Otero
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
Andrés Cano
CHCI Young Alumnus Award
Hon. Julián Castro
CHCI Chair’s Award
Rep. José E. Serrano (NY-15)
CHCI Legacy Award
2019
Dr. Ellen Ochoa
American Dream Medallion Of Excellence In Education, Science, Medicine, Or Civil Rights
Robert Rodriguez
Medallion For Excellence In The Arts, Entertainment, Media, Music, And Sports
Alejandra Y. Castillo
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
Alma N. Acosta
CHCI Young Alumnus Award
2018
Jorge Ramos
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, Music or Sports
Anna Michele Bobadilla
American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights
Juan Otero
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
Bertha Guerrero
Inaugural CHCI Young Alumnus Award
Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez
CHCI Legacy Award
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
CHCI Legacy Award
2017
Cástulo De La Rocha
Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Medallion of Excellence in The Arts, Entertainment, Music or Sports
Susan I. Santana
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
Sandra Cisneros
CHCI Chair’s Award
Rudy M. Beserra
CHCI Pioneer Award
2016
Cheech Marin
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music or Sports
Anna Maria Chávez
American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights
Arnoldo Avalos
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
2015
Anthony Muñoz
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music or Sports
Sonia Gutierrez
American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights
Chef José Andrés
Chair’s Medallion Award
Alejandra Ceja
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus
2014
- José Díaz-Balart
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music or Sports - Eliseo Medina
American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights - Juliet V. García, Ph.D.
Chair’s Medallion Award - Henry L. Fernández, Ed.D.
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
2013
- Salma Hayek Pinault
Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music or Sports - Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr.
American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights - Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa
Chair’s Medallion Award - CHCI Alumni Association Founding Members
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
2012
- Lt. Col. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (ret.)
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - George Lopez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
Chair’s Award - Hon. Liza Rodriguez
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
2011
- Vikki Carr
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - José Hernández
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - The Honorable Ken Salazar, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Chair’s Award - The Honorable Hilda L. Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor
Chair’s Award - Orson Aguilar
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award - Chris Weitz
CHCI Excellence in Service Award
2010
- Eva Longoria Parker
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Arturo Sandoval
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Lin-Manuel Miranda
Chair’s Lifetime Achievement Award - Gabriella Gomez
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
2009
- Lalo Guerrero (awarded posthumously)
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Soledad O’Brien
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Marc Anthony
Chair’s Lifetime Achievement Award - Ana Maria Arias (awarded posthumously)
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
2008
- Rosie Perez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez, USA (Ret.)
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz
Chair’s Award - Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Chair’s Award - Rep. Jose E. Serrano
Chair’s Award - Enrique Figueroa, Ph.D.
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
2007
- Rep. Luis Gutierrez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Monica Lozano
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service - Ms. Regina Aragón
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award - Tribute to Latino Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
Chair’s Award
2006
- Jimmy Smits
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership - Roberto Walker Clemente (awarded posthumously)
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service - Maria Elena Salinas
Chair’s Award - Dr. José Garzon
CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
2005
- Alonzo Cantu
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership - Rita Moreno
Chair’s Award
2004
- Dolores Huerta
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service - Arturo Rodriguez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership - Jorge Ramos
Chair’s Award
2003
- Hon. Bill Richardson
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service - Raúl Yzaguirre
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service - Ricky Martin
Chair’s Humanitarian Award
2002
- Hon. Henry Cisneros
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership - Emilio and Gloria Estefan
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service
2001
The Medallions of Excellence were not conferred due to the cancellation of the gala in the wake of September 11.
2000
Dedicated to the entire Hispanic community for their contributions to the United States.
1999
- Hon. Robert Menendez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership - Carlos Santana
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service
1998
The Medallions of Excellence Awards were not conferred due to the retirements of the Hon. Henry B. Gonzalez and Hon. Esteban Torres.
1997
- Moctesuma Esparza
Distinguished Service Award - Elisa Sanchez
Role Model Award
Tribute for the Hon. Frank Tejeda in memoriam.
1996
The Medallions of Excellence Awards were not conferred due to the retirement of CHCI founding member, the Hon. E. “Kika” de la Garza.
1995
- Dr. Manuel A. Alzugaray
Distinguished Service Award - Carmen Zapata
Role Model Award
1994
- Hon. Fernando Ferrer
Distinguished Service Award - Miriam I. Cruz
Role Model Award
1993
- Lucille Beserra-Roybal
Distinguished Service Award - Dr. Ellen Ochoa
Role Model Award
1992
- Antonia Hernandez
Distinguished Service Award
The Role Model Award was not conferred due to the retirement of CHCI founding member, the Hon. Edward R. Roybal.
1991
- Sonia Manzano
Distinguished Service Award - Jesse Benavides
Role Model Award
1990
- Dr. Antonia C. Novello
Distinguished Service Award - Sidney M. Gutierrez
Role Model Award
1989
- Marta Istomín
Distinguished Service Award - Edward James Olmos
Role Model Award
1988
- Prof. Jaime Escalante
Distinguished Service Award - Chi Chi Rodríguez
Role Model Award
1987
- Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz
Distinguished Service Award
1986
- Clara Padilla Andrews
Distinguished Service Award - Hon. Edward N. Hidalgo
Role Model Award
1985
- Hon. E. “Kika” de la Garza
- Hon. and Mrs. Robert García
- Hon. Manuel Lujan, Jr.
- Hon. Edward R. Roybal