HITN announced the creation of two university scholarships through Vida y Salud, its health and wellness platform, for students from the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico.

The announcement was made during the 27th celebration of the Festival de los Reyes Magos de Vieques, held on January 7 at Parque Esperanza in the municipality.

According to event organizers, one of the scholarships is named in honor of Myrna Pagán, a longtime Vieques-based artist, educator and activist who, among many accomplishments, founded the TAÍNA women’s artists cooperative. The second scholarship was established in memory of Elmer Sánchez, an activist and devoted advocate of the Festival of the Three Kings tradition on the island.

Mike Nieves, Irmgard Iglesias & Ramón Figueroa Sorrentini

During the celebration, HITN President and CEO Michael D. Nieves presented a commemorative plaque to event co-founders Ramón Figueroa Sorrentini and Irmgard Iglesias a documentary produced by the network, that they were the subject of, and which received a New York Emmy Award in 2024.

These college scholarships aim to promote academic excellence and civic engagement among Vieques youth. Through initiatives such as these, HITN reaffirms its commitment to educating and entertaining Hispanic communities in the United States and Puerto Rico.