MANA awards $13,000 in local scholarships
EL CENTRO — Recent Imperial High School graduate Francisco Barbosa Jr. admitted he had no confidence at all when he applied to receive a scholarship from MANA de Imperial Valley earlier this year.
“I figured since it’s a Latina program, and I’m a Latino, I should just apply,” Barbosa said. “You never know what’s going to happen. A lot of things can come unexpected, and I didn’t’ expect to get this scholarship, but I did.”
To his surprise, Barbosa was one of the 23 local high school and college students MANA celebrated and recognized during its annual scholarship awards ceremony Wednesday held at the Imperial Irrigation District’s Condit Auditorium.
MANA, a non-profit volunteer-based national Latina organization, aims to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service and advocacy.
A total of $13,000 in scholarships was awarded, Recipients were recent high school graduates or IVC students transferring to a four-year university, as well as IVC nursing students. It was the second year MANA had awarded a male recipient, as they awarded their first two last year. “I’m just glad they gave me the chance to prove myself worthy,” Barbosa, who was one of five male applicants, said. “It means a lot to me.” The 23 recipients were selected from a pool of more than 70 applicants, and each application was thoroughly reviewed by a committee. “Each application actually got two reads so that it’s fair and they each get an average score,” MANA President Monica Lepe-Negrete. “This wasn’t just like we handed one out to everybody. These students are truly special, and they deserve the honor they’re getting tonight.”
In order to qualify for a scholarship, applicants must be committed to supporting the mission of MANA, as well have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, have plans to attend a four-year accredited institution or technical college during the 2018-19 academic year, and have participated in community service or school activities.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, awardees were also presented certificates of recognition from U.S. Congressman Juan Vargas, State Sen. Ben Hueso and Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia.
For the second consecutive year, MANA gave five $750 scholarships and 18 others worth $500. In years prior, all MANA scholarships were for $500.
Keynote speaker for the event was Graciela Palacios, who told her story as a Mexicali native coming to United States and going through a hard-fought journey to achieve higher education.
“Her story is one that speaks about not only dedication and aspiration, but willpower and the strength of character that it takes to get through school,” Negrete said. Palacios is currently a registered nurse at El Centro Regional Medical Center, as well as a professor for IVC’s nursing program.
Negrete said Palacios was selected as the keynote speaker because her journey would serve as motivation for the unavoidable obstacles each recipient will face during their schooling.
“We have an array of journeys ahead of us. Every one of your journeys is going to be difficult in its own way,” Negrete said. “Ms. Palacios has faced some amazing challenges, and she’s here today as a testament to her inner drive and her commitment to education and to better herself.”
Scholarship recipient Rose Fiorenza of Calipatria High School graduated with a GPA of 4.6, the highest among all recipients this year. “Seeing all these likeminded individuals is really amazing and empowering,” she said. “A lot of the other scholarships I got, they just gave me a piece of paper. I think it was really amazing to go to an award reception and to see just how big an organization this is.”
The CHS graduate also admired the tradition MANA has built over the years to provide local students with scholarships.
“I think it was really amazing that this program does so much for the community.” Fiorenza said. “I felt really privileged to see how big of an organization it really is and how impactful it is in our community.”