Mr. Fernando Mendoza was an active member of the Spanish teaching profession, served on the AATSP Chicago Area Council and was the coordinator of the Poetry/Poster Contest for many years. The Chicago Area Council established this monetary award which is given to a poster winner selected by the Council to honor his memory.

The poster(s) chosen for reproduction will be used to promote languages and language study at chapter and other professional events. The student artists of such winning entries receive $50.