Gratitude was in the air as hundreds of students, faculty and members of the community gathered in the Union Ballroom on Friday night for the 32nd annual Chicano Scholarship Banquet.
The Chicano Scholarship Fund Committee awarded 12 scholarships to recent high school graduates, undergraduates and graduate students, and also renewed two full-ride scholarships for students.
“I applaud the work (scholarship recipients) have done and we are very proud of you. This is just the beginning and we need you to succeed so you can help others behind you,” said state Sen. Ross Romero, D-Utah, a former scholarship recipient.
Students who received the scholarships thanked their parents and the committee for their support.
“I feel very honored to be recognized by the committee. It’s a good opportunity to be seen as a role model in the community so that future students feel that if I did it they can do it too,” said Maria Arce-Larreta, a scholarship recipient and graduate student in medicine.
The committee honored Rich Garcia and Lu Marzulli, two past scholarship recipients, and Edward Mayer, one of the Chicano faculty members who created the scholarship fund 34 years ago. The scholarship started when a group of Chicano/a faculty and community members began the Chicano/a fund in 1973.
The committee aimed to celebrate the accomplishments of Chicano/a students on campus and continues to celebrate students who promote the advancement of the Chicano/a and Latino/a community through service. Since it’s foundation, the Chicano Scholarship Fund has awarded more than 340 scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Many past scholarship recipients have become prominent members of the Chicano/a community and the community at large, such as Romero, Judge Andrew Valdez of the 3rd District Juvenile Court and former state Sen. Alicia Suazo.
“Looking back it’s interesting how the status of the scholarship is greater. I’m proud to be a part of this whole thing. The scholarship brought my life great honor,” said Suazo, a 1979 scholarship recipient.
Students who received the scholarships were judged on their GPA and involvement in the Chicano/a community. The committee also selects students who plan to stay in the state and who become civically engaged, said Bernadette Astorga, who chairs the Selection Committee.
“I’m grateful. The scholarships are good for the Chicano and Latino community. Being honored is really important to me,” said Yamila Belen Martinez, a freshman in social justice in public education.