Submission deadline for Hermiston Cultural Awareness Coalition (HCAC) 2025 scholarship applications is Dec. 31.
High School seniors from Echo, Hermiston, Stanfield and Umatilla are eligible to apply for one of four $1,000 academic scholarships from the group. Each scholarship will be applied to an institution of higher learning. The scholarship goal is to acknowledge and recognize graduating students who have a desire to create cultural diversity and awareness within their community. Interested applicants can contact their high school counselor to receive the form.
The HCAC, formerly the Black International Awareness Club, is one of the first cultural diversity organizations in Hermiston and surrounding communities. HCAC promotes the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) and diversity and equality in the greater Hermiston community.
It began as a grass roots movement in 2000 with community members from all walks of life – clergy, small business owners, farmers, community advocates and concerned citizens – who wanted to raise awareness around the need for more diversity and equity within rural Eastern Oregon.
Due to advocacy of this cultural group, the city of Hermiston formally recognized MLK Day in 2000 and with leadership of HCAC have held city-wide events for the past 20 years. These events have included a MLK march, special speakers and performance, cultural performers, city official and scholarship recipient speakers; typically drawing 200-300 people. In recent years, the HCAC has incorporated a Juneteenth event commemorating the official abolition of slavery in our country.
For questions or assistance with the scholarship process, email Jesus Rome, HCAC secretary/scholarship committee member at jesusrome73@gmail.com.
