If the "Queen of Tejano" music Selena Quintanilla Perez — simply known as Selena — were alive today, the Grammy Award-winning superstar would be 53 years old. The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government. While teaching undergraduates recently, she was “amazed” at her young students’ fond memories and connections with Selena and her music. They just don’t get the opportunities for representation — this award really speaks to her enduring meaning and significance for our communities," she said. This is a very consequential time for the arts and the humanities of America,” the president said.

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Persons: Selena Quintanilla Perez —, Selena —, Joe Biden, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah —, Selena, ” Suzette Quintanilla Arriaga, Deborah Paredez, ”, ” Paredez, Quintanilla, Paredez, Selena “, Jennifer Lopez, “, ” Selena, Eva Longoria, Leonardo “ Flaco ” Jimenez, Randy A, Batista, Juan Felipe Herrera, Jill Biden Organizations: of, of Arts, Columbia University, Netflix, Latina, NBC News, Hollywood, National Museum of, Washington , D.C, America Locations: United States, Texas, Hollywood, Washington ,, U.S