The annual award was established in 1980 by the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission
NEWS RELEASE
October 5, 2026
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Diocese of Youngstown is excited to announce that Paulina Montaldo, Founder of Somos Youngstown, Journalism and Spanish teacher at Ursuline High School, translator for the Diocese of Youngstown, and contributor to The Catholic Echo, has received the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award from the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission. Montaldo is one of 10 individuals across various regions of the state and is the lone representative of Youngstown. The award honors Hispanic or Latino Ohioans for extraordinary achievements in leadership, public service, business, education or philanthropy.
Her work was recently featured in a segment on WKBN 27 and you can find stories giving voice to the Hispanic community in Youngstown on Somos Youngstown’s website.
Montaldo says, “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition. For me, this award is not only about the Hispanic community I have had the privilege to serve and represent. Through Somos Youngstown, education and my work with the Diocese, I hope to continue creating connections, preserving our culture and language, and making sure the voices and stories of our Hispanic community are heard.”
