On May 15, 2026, we gathered at the Palace Theater in downtown Waterbury for the 20th Annual Coquí Awards & Scholarships Celebration. The evening brought our community together to recognize service and celebrate young people taking their next steps in education.
Twenty years of Coquí celebrations reflect something we value deeply: making time to recognize the people who contribute to our community and the students who are helping shape its future.
Recognizing local service
Hilda Batista and her late husband, Joaquin, received the Pioneers of the Year Award for their decades of service in Waterbury. Their recognition connects this year’s celebration with the work of people who have supported our community over many years.
In his May 28 recap, State Representative Geraldo Reyes Jr. also recognized Dan Rezende, president and CEO of CJR, for his support of young people and their families.
Celebrating our students
Scholarships are an important part of the Coquí Awards. Our 2026 scholarship application welcomed Waterbury high school seniors of Hispanic heritage preparing to attend a two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational or technical school.
Reyes highlighted three student honorees who participate in Madre Latina’s Young Representatives of Waterbury program. His recap recognized their achievement and the program’s work helping young people develop leadership skills and contribute to their community.
An evening to remember
Our photo collection captures the evening from the red carpet to the awards presentations: guests gathering at tables, people stepping up to the microphone, and honorees posing with their awards. These are moments we are glad to share with everyone who helped make the celebration possible.
Thank you to the families, guests, sponsors, and community partners who supported the 2026 Coquí Awards. Proceeds from the celebration support our programs serving the Greater Waterbury community.
Want to be part of a future celebration? Visit our Coquí Awards page or call 203-754-6172 to ask about opportunities to support the event.
