LULAC celebrates First Scholarship Awards Banquet

Dayton, Ohio ­LULAC Council #39000 brings community together to honor this year’s scholarship recipients at its First Annual Scholarship Banquet.

Graduate student, Jessica Cardenas of Cleveland who is attending Marshall School of Law-Cleveland State and First year student, Jennifer McCloskey of Dayton attending the University of Dayton as a pre-med student along with their parents were honored guests at the First annual LULAC #39000 Annual Scholarship Banquet. The young scholars spoke of their desires to successfully reach their education goals despite financial challenges. They each told of being moved by the generosity of strangers’ -their new LULAC family. One event sponsor was so impressed with the young scholars’ personal comments that he spontaneously doubled their scholarships from $500.00 to $1,000! He said, “the girls have spoken from their hearts” and so he couldn’t help but be moved by his heart. He also called for action from the community to hold our national officials accountable in assuring equity in education by making it more affordable to all students across the economic divide.

Rosa Caskey, president for the local LULAC Chapter said, “it was truly a heartwarming moment and we were humbled to be a part of bringing support to our scholars”.

The event included a lavish gourmet dinner prepared by the chefs of El Meson a contemporary Latino Cuisine restaurant in West Carrollton. The program also included opening remarks by LULAC Pres., Rosa Caskey; inspirational comments by Keynote speaker, Aurea L Rivera, Assoc. Chief Scientist at WPAFB and native of Puerto Rico; Awards Presentations; Comments from our Awardees and Music and Storytelling by Ga-Li.

The event was co sponsored by the Greater Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Attorney Richard Shulte, Dr. Trevino, Proctor and Gamble, LULAC National Scholarship Fund, Lydia Boada Clista, Rosa Caskey and Ga-Li.

Scholarship Awardees not in attendance were Freshman Awardee- Annalisa Arroyo from Lorain Ohio is attending Ohio State University and Graduate Awardee -Jessica Guzman also from Cleveland attending Columbia University School of Social Work.

“Our local Council members have all been busy connecting with Community, as a way of helping to build momentum”, said organizers. LULAC participated in this year’s Hispanic Heritage Festival.

The group also provides translation services through Reach Out Montgomery Co. Free Clinic, and provides support for local Matricula education efforts. Recently, a grant was received to work with the Dayton Metro Libraries to enhance services to the Latino Community. LULAC has also developed the first LULAC Youth Council in the area. The young members were introduced to the community at the Banquet.

LULAC hopes to grow the scholarship fund awards from four to eight $500.00 scholarships. “Because we are affiliated with LULAC National we are eligible to receive a 60% match for scholarships dollars submitted to LULAC National by the March 1 deadline. For as little as $312.00 at 60% match you can secure a $500.00 award for a deserving Latino scholar, said Alicia Pagan, Education Chair.