Inter Miami CF in partnership with Procter & Gamble and the Hispanic Star, are thrilled to announce that Khia Lopez has been voted as the first-ever Hispanic Start Award winner. The Hispanic Star Award celebrates Hispanics in South Florida who are going above and beyond to develop their communities through fútbol.
Lopez, the founder of Great Heights Academy - a K-12th grade school and young adult program for individuals with special needs in South Miami - and Great Heights Foundation - a 501(c)3 dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities in the community - was awarded a $10,000 check at the Inter Miami CF match at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, Sept. 17 for her contributions to advancing Hispanic youth in the community.
Through her foundation, Lopez has helped start various give-back projects in the community such as Love For Kicks and Kids and No Limits Soccer, which are completely free soccer programs for children and young adults with special needs in our community. These programs focus on helping children with developmental disabilities in the South Florida community by increasing their physical endurance and helping them work on their interactions with others - while utilizing soccer as the main teaching tool. Lopez is truly a selfless person who gives back to others, not for the recognition, but because she loves improving the lives within her community. She has dedicated herself to this cause and hopes to provide her kids with proper soccer equipment and continue to run her annual soccer clinics. She also hopes to open more free recreational activities in the special needs community such as basketball, football, baseball, and more. For more information about Lopez and her cause, visit https://www.greatheightsacademy.com/
Lopez was one of five finalists nominated for going above and beyond to develop their communities through fútbol in South Florida - Oscar Amuz, Jorge Calix, Juan Mesa and Luis C. Perea. Each finalist, which received $2,500, demonstrated a commitment and impact in at least one of the four priorities for advancing the Hispanic community: better education, better jobs, better health and gender equality.
Inter Miami, P&G and The Hispanic Star, who teamed up to introduce the Hispanic Star Award, would like to thank everyone who submitted nominations and voted to determine which of the finalists would be the winner of the first-ever edition of the Hispanic Star Award!
