Fans can submit their stories to become the next ambassador via specially marked bags of returning fan-favorite Cheetos Salsa con Queso

PLANO, Texas, June 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For years, the Cheetos Deja tu Huella ("Leave Your Mark") campaign has recognized inspiring people across the country who are making a positive impact in the Hispanic community. Now, that legacy continues as Cheetos kicks off the fifth evolution of the program and embarks on a search for the next Deja tu Huella Ambassador. The Deja tu Huella Ambassador program is comprised of passionate individuals who are pursuing their dreams and leveraging their talents in fields like art, education, music, STEM, and more, to pave a better future for their community.

This year's ambassador, who will be announced by a soon-to-be-revealed Latin superstar, will receive $25,000 to put toward their initiative that's leaving an indelible mark on the Hispanic community. They will also have the opportunity to join Cheetos at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week and the Cheetos Community College Tour, which will help bring even more visibility to their platform and community impact.

To celebrate the return of the program and fuel the search for the next ambassador, Cheetos is bringing back a fan-favorite flavor for a limited time – Cheetos Salsa con Queso. Inspired by the classic salsa dish, Cheetos Salsa con Queso is equal parts cheesy, spicy and savory with tangy tomato, earthy chiles, a hint of lime and rich cheddar cheese. Packing a punch from start to finish, the limited-edition flavor is available on store shelves nationwide now for $5.89. Starting June 17, fans can scan the on-pack QR code found on the specially designed Cheetos Salsa con Queso packaging to apply for a chance to be the next Deja tu Huella Ambassador.

"As a brand that's dedicated to uplifting the Hispanic community, we're proud to continue the important Deja tu Huella program," said Tina Mahal, senior vice president of marketing at PepsiCo Foods North America. "All it takes is one talented and determined person to make a meaningful impact, and the Deja tu Huella Ambassador program provides much-needed visibility and funding to help make lasting change."

Since the program's inception, Cheetos has recognized 20 Deja tu Huella Ambassadors who are doing incredible things in their respective fields to inspire and positively impact others. They have each used the funding and support from the Deja tu Huella program to continue growing their initiatives. This year's ambassador will join this network of inspiring people, which includes:

• Roberto "Bobby" Alvarado, a Las Vegas-based artist and muralist joined the Cheetos Deja tu Huella network for leaving his mark in a unique, creative and fun way – painting vibrant murals for local Latino-owned businesses.
• Brizzo Torres is a Brooklyn-based singer, actor and founder of The Good Good Collective, an organization offering underrepresented youth tuition-free arts education. With Cheetos' support, she has grown its impact in NYC, San Antonio and Tulum, Mexico.
• Jay Flores is a STEM Advocate and Ninja Warrior who, with Cheetos' support in 2022, was able to launch an interactive STEM performance live tour – "It's Not Magic, It's Science!" – in Houston, Dallas and Puerto Rico.
• Valerie Gomez is the founder of Latina Grad Guide, a social impact venture and online community that supports Latinas in higher education through workshops, events, informational digital campaigns and funding opportunities.

Cheetos' Deja tu Huella activity complements the PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation's commitment to supporting individuals who uplift the Hispanic community and builds on its long-standing efforts to increase economic opportunity for underrepresented communities. This includes the PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship program, which has supported 12 Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) by providing scholarships, emergency grants and wraparound support to underserved students, totaling over $6 million and 1,900 scholarships granted to date.

For more information about the campaign, details on how to enter and official rules, visit CheetosDejaTuHuella.com.

About Cheetos
Cheetos® has been delivering delicious cheesy snacks and making mischief with orange-covered fingertips for more than 75 years. Cheetos believes you should never lose your mischievous spark or playful spirit regardless of what life brings. It is one of the many brands that make up Frito-Lay North America, the $23 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. Follow Cheetos on X (@ChesterCheetah), Instagram (@Cheetos), YouTube (@Cheetos), Facebook (Cheetos) and TikTok (@Cheetos).

About PepsiCo 
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

SOURCE Frito-Lay North America