L.U.N.A. awards will honor Hispanic achievers Sept. 10

YOUNGSTOWN

Latinas United Networking Association will honor two scholarship recipients and the Estrella de L.U.N.A. honoree at the L.U.N.A. Annual Scholarship Fundraiser, which will take place from 6-10 p.m. Sept. 10 at the O.C.C.H.A. Hall, 3660 Shirley Road.

To buy tickets, which are $40 each, contact ytownluna@sbcglobal.net or 330-503-2199.

The L.U.N.A. scholarship recipients for 2010 are Ryan Colon, 676 Purdue Ave., and Manuel E. Santiago, 319 Crimson Circle, both in Campbell.

Colon, a senior at Oberlin College, is a neuroscience and African American Studies major. She completed coursework in London, England, this spring and will graduate in 2011.

Santiago, a freshman at Youngstown State University, will major in accounting. He is a member of the First Spanish Baptist Church and participates in the youth group’s outreach program, which has worked with the Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Celerina Ramirez will receive the Estrella de L.U.N.A. award. It recognizes a Latina who exemplifies generosity and dedication to the Hispanic community and is committed to the Mahoning Valley through community service.

Ramirez, a native of Mexico, came to Youngstown in 1968. She has worked at Penn Ohio Towel Supply and Packard Electric, and as a teacher’s assistant in the bilingual program for the Youngstown Board of Education.

In 1989, Ramirez began sharing her cooking talents and Mexican family recipes with Valley residents. She opened Casa Ramirez Mexican Restaurant along with her husband, Carlos. The restaurant, 1578 Mahoning Ave., continues to grow, as is evident with the addition of an outdoor deck.

Ramirez has made numerous local television appearances, sharing her family’s recipes and the history and culture of Mexico. She also gives cooking demonstrations and lectures on Mexico at schools and community events.

Ramirez resides in Youngstown with her husband. They have three children, Rosa Blacksher, Carlos A. Ramirez and Alicia Hill, and three grandchildren.