LINCOLN – A photograph submitted by the Nebraska Latino American Commission (NLAC) in Lincoln has won the 2013 Affiliate Photo Contest presented by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR).

NCLR is the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States with a network of nearly 300 affiliated organizations, of which NLAC is one of two affiliates in Nebraska. The Annual Affiliate Photo Contest provides NCLR with an opportunity to showcase the efforts and impact the affiliates bring to the community.

After an internal review process, the Commission’s photograph was first chosen as a finalist from a record-setting amount of submissions nationwide. The photograph is of Emily Hernandez, a junior attending Lincoln East High School, proudly singing the national anthem at the 2013 Hispanic Heritage Month State Commemoration held at the Capitol Building on October 4, 2013. Hernandez is an enrolled member of the Ioway Tribe of Nebraska and is of Mexican descent. She was representing three nations at the Commemoration: the Ioway nation, the United States of America and the nation of Mexico.

The photo made to the top four finalists by popular vote on the NCLR website, and was then chosen as the winner by NCLR staff.

The Commission shares this honor with Emily Hernandez and Bethany Schmidt, the volunteer who took the photo.

NET Television presents a special segment of "Nebraska Stories" on Dia de los Muertos celebrated in Nebraska. Dia de los Muertos is, above all, a celebration of life. Come with us to the Sheldon Museum of Art and the Bancroft Gallery in South Omaha as we look death in the eye with humor, music, dancing—and art.

NLAC collaborated with NET to help bring the special segment to the public, "Nebraska Stories" available in its entirety below: