HHSFMO Announces 2012 Scholarship Recipients

$105,000 in Scholarships Being Awarded

 

Orlando, FL (August 16, 2012) – The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando (HHSFMO), a 501(C)(3) organization, announced today the recipients of the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Scholarship during an event held at the Enzian Theater in Maitland. The winners of the 2012 Scholarship were on hand as well as many of the parents of students, members of the HHSFMO Board of Directors and event sponsors. The recipients will be honored during the 13^th Annual Gowns and Guayaberas Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

This year, the HHSFMO will once again provide over $105,000 in scholarships.  The funds will be distributed to 20 Central Florida students who will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.  A volunteer committee selected students based on their grade point average, an essay and financial need.

The 2012 HHSFMO scholarship recipients are:

Andres Aranguibel

Sara Bolivar-Wagers

Amanda Enriquez

Laura Figueroa

Monica Figueroa

Catherine Gutierrez

Jorge Hernandez

Jeannice Machado

Rachel Machado

Angelica Millan

Jessica Pachay

Esperanza Perez

Carlos Puentes

Ingrid Redondo

Alnelys Rentas-Herrera

Monica Restrepo

Jose Reyes

Angela Rodriguez

Sharina Vidal

Cierra Winston

 

In addition, thanks to a partnership with the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, HHSFMO will also provide an additional scholarship to Diana Fis, a law student at F.A.M.U. School of Law.

The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando has become the largest non-profit organization in Central Florida dedicated to providing scholarships for Hispanic students pursuing a college or university degree.  To date, the fund has awarded more than $744,000 to help 195 exceptional students attending local colleges and universities.

The HHSFMO’s Annual Gowns and Guayaberas Scholarship Awards Ceremony is the organization’s primary fundraising venue for the scholarship program.

“This scholarship program is completely community driven – a community that recognizes the social and economic value of a well-educated workforce,” said Lizette Valarino, Executive Director for HHSFMO. “It is through the generosity of our business and community partners and sponsors, that this award is possible. And it is always exciting to be able to recognize and reward the hard work of these outstanding students with such brilliant potential!”

“For the past twelve years, the HHSFMO has been investing in the academic and professional dreams of talented Hispanic students in Central Florida.” said Julio F. Suárez, Board Chairman for HHSFMO. “With this new class of scholarship recipients, that brings the total number of individuals and families that have been touched by the HHSFMO to 195. Congratulations to the 2012 HHSFMO scholars and their families.”

This year’s sponsors include: Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation, Century Link, Darden Restaurants, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Florida Blue, Hispanic Bar Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, Lockheed Martin, Orlando Health, OUC-The Reliable One, Rosen Hotels, Universal Parks & Resorts, University of Central Florida, Walt Disney World and Wells Fargo, among many others.

For more information about the scholarship program, the Gowns and Guayaberas Scholarship Award Ceremony, becoming a sponsor, or to make a donation, please contact Lizette Valarino at hhsfmo@aol.com.
 
 
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PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

• PHOTO #1: The 2012 Hispanic Heritage Scholarship winners were announced at a press conference on Thursday, August 16 hosted by Maitland’s Enzian Theater.  The students attend the University of Central Florida, Seminole State College, Stetson University, Florida Technical College and the FAMU School of Law.  Photo by: Jonathan Aponte. Download Photo #1
• PHOTO #2: Members of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund, join the student recipients of the 2012 scholarship awards at a press conference on Thursday, August 16 at the Enzian Theater.  This year, the HHSFMO will once again provide $100,000 in scholarships.   Each student receives a $5,000 scholarship.  Photo by: Jonathan Aponte.  Download Photo #2

 

COVERAGE

• El Sentinel – link to article
• La Prensa – link to article
• Osceola Star – link to article