By Hanh Quach
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The UA Black Alumni Association will present the winner of the Henry "Hank" Ryan Community Service Award at its 10th annual Homecoming brunch Saturday at the Holiday Inn-Downtown.
The association will recognize Rep. Herschella Horton as the recipient of the award this year.
"I'm very humble and honored that they would select me of the number of people who work to help make sure our children get a descent education," said Horton.
"Through her civic involvement and experience as a working mother, she has taken a spot as a leader in our community," said Gayle Hopkins, associate to the director in the athletics department.
"As a state legislator (District 14) I want to work to make sure there is money there so the kids can afford an education," Horton said.
"She's truly an amazing woman," Hopkins said.
A former student of the University of Arizona, Horton's most recent awards include 1995 National Organization of Women Woman of Courage Award and the 1995 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award.
Horton also founded the UA Parents' Association which, she said, assures parents of the children's education at the university.
In addition to recognizing this year's award recipient, Hopkins said the 10-year-old Homecoming event serves as a meeting place for all black alumni.
"We try to bring black alumni back, make them feel welcome and meet their friends," Hopkins said.
Brunch tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members, $5 for students and $20 if purchased at the door.