MEDIA CONTACT
Roxanne Romero –LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS
323.469.8680, ext. 229 or roxanneromero@lagrant.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

Hispanic Scholarship Fund to Recognize and Honor
Southern California Leaders that make a Difference in Hispanic Education
Event Seeks to Elevate the Importance of Higher Education in the Hispanic Community

 

LOS ANGELES (September 6, 2011)—Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s leading Hispanic higher education fund, will highlight and recognize local leaders for their dedication to Hispanic higher education access and success at their inaugural Leaders in Education Awards on September 13, 2011.

HSF will present awards to a deserving local student, parent, teacher and school in the Los Angeles area for acting as champions for education in their own communities. The organization hopes to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. The local education leaders that will be recognized for their efforts are:

  • Dave Ungerer, teacher at Kaiser High School, is a student mentor and leads fundraising efforts for college tours and scholarship opportunities.
  • Jordan Castellanos, student at University of Redlands, participates in volunteer and extracurricular activities to serve his community.
  • Rosa Elena Gonzalez, devoted parent, struggles to make ends meet yet provides unconditional support and encouragement to her children.
  • The Accelerated Community School has become a national model for education reform and professional development.  The school provides an innovative approach to education and college preparation.

“We are pleased to honor these outstanding representatives of our educational partners in Southern California,” said Frank Alvarez, HSF CEO/President. “We have more scholarship recipients and alumni here than in any other part of the country, and education leaders, such as the ones we honor today, play an important role in that accomplishment.”

HSF not only believes that a higher education is key for the future of an individual. College degrees also help to improve our communities and strengthen the American economy by reducing unemployment rates. The problem is that too many students, particularly Hispanics, lack funds and the information they need to pursue a college degree. Latinos are the fastest growing population in the United States, but have the lowest college completion rates among any racial or ethnic group. Only 19 percent of Latinos hold either a two-year or four-year college degree, that’s less than half the rate of their non-Hispanic peers.

HSF has awarded in excess of $330 million to more than 100,000 students in scholarships and helped over 250,000 students and their families with practical information about the value and affordability of a college education, and bilingual tools to follow-through with college planning at home. The Leaders in Education Awards, is another effort by HSF to elevate the importance of higher education among Hispanic families, and recognize those individuals in Southern California who are making a tangible difference to help more Latinos achieve a college degree.

 

“HSF enabled me to obtain a college degree by providing much needed financial assistance. I am happy to support a great organization that helps many students, just as they supported me,” said Kim Baldonado, former HSF scholarship recipient and NBC4 (KNBC-TV) reporter who will host the event.

 

"Education is very important to Toyota, and we believe it is vital to strengthening communities,” said Anthony Salcido, vice president and corporate controller, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., Presenting Sponsor of the Leaders in Education Award. "Since 1988, Toyota has been a proud partner with HSF to carry out our commitment to education."  HSF strategic marketing partner Coca-Cola and longtime national partner Wells Fargo have also joined in this effort to bring the focus of higher education to Los Angeles as major sponsors of this event.

 

The Leaders in Education Awards luncheon will place from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the JW Marriott located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE. To learn more about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, available scholarship opportunities, or obtain information on the awards luncheon, please visit www.HSF.net.

 

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About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund believes that the country prospers when all Americans have access to the opportunities a college education can afford.  As the nation’s leading Hispanic higher education fund, HSF works to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree. HSF has awarded over $300 million in scholarships over the past 35 years and has supported a broad range of outreach and education programs to help students and their families navigate collegiate life, from gaining admission and securing financial aid to finding employment after graduation.  HSF envisions a future where every Latino household will have at least one college graduate, creating an enduring impact on the college outlook of Latino families nationwide, and strengthening the American economy for generations to come. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: www.HSF.net.