Los Vigilantes scholarship program opens
EL CENTRO — High school students from all over the Imperial Valley can apply from now until mid-April to get one of the scholarships Los Vigilantes offers every year.
The nonprofit organization started receiving applications on March 1. Application entries close on April 15.
Applicants must provide a cover letter including their contact information, a fullpage autobiography, their high school transcript, and a letter of recommendation, as well as an acceptance letter to a university or college.
The organization set up its Los Vigilantes Scholarship Fund last year to distribute the scholarships in May — right before graduation.
Los Vigilantes Ramrod President Luis Minor said the three organization board members decided to launch its scholarship fund to come up with a program that includes numerous fundraising activities and events to raise funds, including an annual dinner.
The organization has also held numerous fundraising events like raffle prizes and its golf tournament that had helped Los Vigilantes raise anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000.
Students will get a scholarship from $500 to $1,000 each.
Minor said Los Vigilantes has received about 10 applications so far and expects a lot more in the next weeks.
The scholarship program is open to students from all Imperial County high schools.
The priority, Minor said, is to award scholarships to students who are recent high school graduates who will be attending college or university.
“Our board with Los Vigilantes and general membership are extremely excited to be able to offer this new scholarship fund opportunity that promotes higher learning for local students who are in need of financial assistance in an effort to achieve a college degree,” Minor said. “We anticipate our scholarship to be fully funded for many years to come.”
Minor added the scholarship program has been ongoing for many years. However, in past years the program was basically in the shadows, with those cognizant of the Los Vigilantes program applying for the scholarships.
“It was more internal type of thing,” Minor said. “We needed to focus more on the general public and be more transparent, not just to those who know Los Vigilantes.”
According to the Ramrod President, the organization has supplied finances to many students to continue their education abroad.
Minor recalled Los Vigilantes was founded ninety years ago with the sole purpose of providing funds to the community. In these decades, the organization has assisted many other nonprofits and schools.
“I wanted to target anybody in general,” Minor said.
Over the years, the organization has helped many students and school programs that have needed assistance like getting students to science fair competitions like the Central Union High School Science Club, and has benefitted twice from travel expenses to the state finals.
Minor said residents can donate funds for the scholarship program. However, to provide those funds this scholarship cycle, residents must donate before April 15 or otherwise be accounted for next year’s cycle.
“We hope to do more than what we are able today,” Minor added.
Those interested in scholarships or donations can contact Los Vigilantes at losvigilantesinfo@gmail.com, on their Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/ivlosvigilantes, or at the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.