Mexican Mutual Society awards scholarships

The Lorain Mexican Mutual Society has awarded nine scholarships to Lorain County students.

The organization’s annual awards program gives students scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 based on skill, community service, extracurricular activities and experiential learning opportunities.

The Scholarship Board provides the opportunity to apply to children of active members, who live in Lorain County, are enrolled full time in college, graduate school or pursuing their doctorate and are of Mexican descent, said scholarship co-chair Mia Arredondo Simmons.

“The scholarship committee believes the children are our future so we work to fundraise throughout the year in order to replenish funds for the future school years,” she said.

The scholarship recipients are:

• Vanessa Candelario — freshman at Bowling Green State University, majoring in tourism, hospitality and event management

• Jasmine Candelario — sophomore at Cleveland State University, majoring in psychology with a minor in criminology

• Lindsey McConihe — freshman at the University of Toledo, majoring in biology and criminology

• Karis Morales — associate of applied science student at Lorain County Community College in the radiologic technology program

• Vincent Morales — senior at Bowling Green State University, majoring in management information systems

• Alyssa Sandoval — graduate student at Grand Canyon University majoring in nutritional sciences

• Roberto Flores — senior at John Hopkins University, majoring in engineering

• Mateo Flores — junior at St. Louis University, majoring in economics

• Damacio Martinez — senior at Franciscan University of Steubenville, majoring in nursing.

Scholarship Co-Chair Ruben Lopez said they hope to cultivate cultural pride in the next generation.

“It is important to keep the Mexican culture alive in Lorain, and the scholarship program enables the younger generation to be proud of their Mexican heritage,” he said. “Not only do the students receive a scholarship, but they attend our events and have the opportunity to become even more involved.”

The Mexican Mutual Society social club will celebrate 95 years Nov. 18.

The organization is currently accepting sponsorships for the anniversary celebration, said Arredondo Simmons. For more information, contact MexicanMutual95@gmail.com.

COURTESY OF ARREDONDO SIMMONS Mexican Mutual Society Scholarship co-chairs are shown with five of the nine 2023-24 scholarship recipients. Shown are co-chair Mia Arredondo Simmons, left, Lindsay McConihe, Karis Morales, Vincent Morales, Jasmine Candelario, Damacio Martinez and co-chair Ruben Lopez.