Hector Ruiz Encourages Texas Voter Turnout with Youth Video Contest and Awards

Texas High School and College Students Eligible; Contest to Award $5,000 Top Prize; Two First Generation College Students Driving Contest Outreach; Contest Ends November 11, 2016
By: Hector Ruiz
AUSTIN, Texas - Oct. 26, 2016 - PRLog -- Texas students can use their passion, creativity and social media skills to encourage Texas voters to turn out in the 2016 presidential election by letting family and friends know why exercising their right to vote is important through the "Voices of Texas" video contest.

Austin-based technology leader and former AMD CEO, Hector Ruiz is dedicated to finding unique ways to encourage people of all background and ethnicities to exercise their right to vote. Last summer, Mr. Ruiz recruited Joseph Ramirez and Daniel Reyes, two Breakthrough Austin first generation college students, to help shape and lead the "Voices of Texas" video contest and to engage Texas youth about the importance of voting. Joseph and Daniel have been reaching out to youth, school districts, and organizations, with reinforced efforts to reach Texas Latinos to encourage participation.

Contest awards, all sponsored by Mr. Ruiz, are $5,000 first place, $3,000 second place, and $1,000 third place, and winners are based on message impact and most views. Contest judges will include Austin American-Statesman Editor Arnold Garcia, News Anchor and Public Relations Leader Ron Oliveira, LatinWorks Co-Founder Alejandro Ruelas and others. Videos, which can be as short as fifteen seconds or up to two minutes, are uploaded by participants to the "Voices of Texas" Facebook page. All Texans are invited to "friend" the page, view the student videos, and share their favorites with family and friends - while taking the pledge to vote.

Daniel Reyes, who is now a sophomore at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, would like to see Texas voter participation go up in both national and local elections. Daniel reflected, "Texas has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the nation. We can do better! Young Texans care about the future and they are finding their voices. That inspires Texans of all ages to vote!" Joseph Ramirez, who is a sophomore at Saint Edwards University in Austin, explains, "By viewing the student videos, you can see and hear the powerful voices of Texas youth! Youth make a case for why every vote matters, and hit on so many important topics - from immigration, education, and social justice, to the need to come together to shape the future. Come visit the page and be inspired. Encourage the youth in your life to participate!"

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

Voices of Texas Video Contest Facebook page http://bit.ly/voicesoftexas

Voices of Texas Website http://voicesoftexas.jimbo.com

Hector Ruiz Website http://www.hectorruiz.com

About Hector Ruiz

Dr. Hector Ruiz serves as founder and chairman of Advanced Nanotechnology, and as advisor to individuals, corporations, and governments on breakthrough technology initiatives. He is an impassioned advocate for the better use of technology to improve the lives of children and adults in economically and educationally disadvantaged areas. He has helped build and guide top-tier global technology companies (including Texas Instruments, Motorola, and AMD) while also promoting exploration of technology's ability to address social issues. Ruiz published the book "Slingshot: AMD's Fight to Free an Industry from the Ruthless Grip of Intel," which vividly recounts his bet-the-company decision, as CEO in 2005, to file an antitrust case against its much larger rival. Ruiz currently serves as a Trustee Emeriti of Rice University and is on the Board of Trustees of the RAND Corporation and the Board of Directors of Breakthrough Austin and Darden Restaurants. He is also a General Partner in InnovaciĆ³n Investments, a new community development venture capital fund focused on distressed regions, underrepresented groups, and the promotion of shared prosperity. Ruiz fundamentally believes that technology and education open doors for people and can enable them to be more informed, voting citizens, which is critical for a strong democracy.

Contact
Karen James
karen@magnetikagroup.com
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Source:Hector Ruiz
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Tags:Vote, Voter, Latino, Hector Ruiz, Scholarship, Students, Election, Texas, Youth, Video Contest
Industry:Business, Education, Family, Government, Semiconductors, Society, Technology
Location:Austin - Texas - United States
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