By Leonard Rodriguez
This column highlights inspiring stories of Latino lead- ers. For more than 50 years, Latino men and women have positively influenced the face of United States society. Let us celebrate these outstanding hispanics.
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Vincent Valdez
Leaving Burbank High School in San Antonio, a legacy artist, Vincent Valdez turned down an $80,000 commission offer because it meant abandoning a mural he had begun in his high school cafeteria. A young and talented artist to keep an eye on, Valdez won his first contests, a “Stay In School” poster and a Levi’s advertisement, in the 7th grade. By high school, he won a contest in Hispanic magazine and earned $3,000 to illustrate the cover of a Spanish textbook. Graduating at the top of his class in 1996, Valdez received a full scholarship to study at the International School of Fine Arts in Miami. (Photo courtesy of VincentValdezOfficialSite.com)
