Los Altos High School senior Jose Antonio Villanueva was honored at the 12th Annual National Youth Awards Ceremony by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

At the Feb. 9 ceremony, the foundation recognized Villanueva and seven other stellar Hispanic academics from across the country, along with actress America Ferrera of "Ugly Betty" fame. Villanueva was honored for his ability in math and engineering.

Villanueva is ranked at the top of Los Altos High's advanced placement and honors courses with a 4.22 grade point average. He is the vice-president of the school's Latino Student Union and the outreach commissioner of the Los Altos High Student Associated Body. His goal is to attend the University of California Berkeley as a civil engineering major. He is of Mexican and Spanish descent.

"I believe that just like this organization, it is my duty to give back to the Hispanic community. Once I attain my degree as an engineer, I plan to return to my community to unleash the untapped potential that exists within our Hispanic youth. I hope to one day inspire others to reach for their dreams," Villanueva said at the ceremony.

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