The final installment of the Adelante Awards, a ceremony dedicated to celebrating the history of the Hispanic community, concluded Saturday with 60 panels of Hispanic history, honoring the first Mexican-American individuals to set foot in Emporia.

Over 60 panels lined the exhibit area of the Lyon County History Center, depicting early life for Mexican-American settlers and snapshots of recent Hispanic celebrations. Many of these photos have never before seen the light of day.

The photos are a culmination of three years of research by Gilbert Rodriguez. He collected information by visiting families and speaking with elders, keeping the community’s legacy alive.

“They [elders] kept telling me to tell our story, that way nobody forgets us,” Rodriguez said. “We don't want to be forgotten. T

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