May 11, 2005 — This year’s Chicano Scholarship committee will honor 17 Utah students with $1,000 scholarships. The scholarship recipients will receive their awards at the 30th Annual Chicano Scholarship Awards banquet May 13 at the University of Utah Union Ballroom. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., speakers and the awards ceremony.
The scholarships are given to students who excel in academics, community service and are in association with the Hispanic/Chicano community. High school and college students of any nationality are eligible to receive the scholarships. Former two-time scholarship recipient, Lee Martinez, president of Latino Survey and Research, said, “We not only are recognizing this year’s recipients but also the vision of those who started this scholarship effort back to a time when none of us were even getting scholarships. This scholarship symbolizes the struggle that as a community we go through.” He added that, “Receiving the scholarships has had a significant impact in my life.”
This year’s scholarship winners include: Linda Rico, Stephany Murguia, Erica Rojas, Carla Martina Suarez, Maria Garcia, Sarah M. Lovato, Deisy Ramirez, Mayra Guadalupe Cedano, Christopher A. Macias, David Garcia, Mariana Sofia Galvan, Marcela Pasaye, Kimberly Juanita Gallegos, Denise Castaneda, Yulliana Novoa, Samantha Jo Briseno and Erika Ontiveros Carlsen.
Nearly all of the students of this year’s scholarships hold leadership positions in their schools, communities and churches. These positions range from student body president to president of the Latino Club. Students gave service to such organizations as the National Conference for Community and Justice, Boys and Girls Clubs and the Utah Food Bank. Recipients also provided service to the elderly, the homeless, a medical clinic for Spanish speaking, and younger students.
The Chicano Scholarship Fund was initiated in 1973 as the Ateneo Scholarship by a group of Chicano representatives from the community and University of Utah students, staff and faculty to honor the ideals and principles of the Chicano Movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Individuals active in the Chicano Movement overcame obstacles while working for equal opportunity and social justice in education and public affairs. At the time it was funded with a donation from Dr. Eugene Garcia from funds remaining from his school board election victory.