Media Releases		(return)

News/Noticias
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: ECG, Inc. • (512) 335-7776

AUSTIN, TX (June 22, 2005) — The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium (HSC), a non-profit alliance of organizations whose mission is to increase the enrollment of Central Texas Hispanic students in higher education, has named its 2005 HSC Scholarship recipients.  The students were honored today during HSC’s inaugural Scholarship Awards Breakfast at Austin’s Headliners Club.

According to HSC, Hispanics are the nation’s largest ethnic group — and the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population — yet has the lowest college graduation rate than any ethnic group in the nation.

“With the rapid growth of this community, it is important to recognize the long-term negative economic and social impact this will have on society if not addressed,” said David B. Garcia, Ph.D., HSC Founder and President.  “The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium and its member organizations are committed to making college education accessible to the Central Texas Latino community.  We are pleased to be awarding scholarships to such a talented group of students. These individuals are embarking on paths of great success and we are here to support these goals. ”

HSC awarded over $30,000 in scholarships this morning during its inaugural Scholarship Awards Breakfast held at Austin’s Headliner’s Club.  Several Central Texas community-based organizations partnered with HSC to award scholarships for deserving Latino students. The participating member organizations put forth scholarship dollars, which HSC matched dollar to dollar allowing for an increased benefit to qualifying candidates.  Students were selected using several criteria, among them: academic achievement, extra-curricular activities and financial need.

The 2005 HSC Scholarship recipients are:

HSC/Fiesta de Independencia Foundation Scholarship Recipients –  Cesar Balderas, William B. Travis High School; Christopher M. Buescher, W. Charles Akins High School; Susana I. Casas, William B. Travis High School; Casey A. Castaneda, W. Charles Akins High School; Amanda Chavaria, Reagan High School; Sophia Del Toro, Stephen F. Austin High School; Marcell E. Garcia, Stephen F. Austin High School; Angelica Y. Gascon, W. Charles Akins High School, Maribel Rosas-Gomez, Lanier High School, Albert T. Martinez, William B. Travis High School.

HSC/Hispanics in Partnership at Applied Materials Scholarship Recipients –  Jessica L. DeLeon, William B. Travis High School; Cecilia M. Perez, Lockhart High School; Gerry I. Hunt, William B. Travis High School; Talina Martinez, William B. Travis High School;

HSC/Hispanic Physician’s Association Scholarship Recipients – Ashley L. Garcia, University of Texas at Austin; Gabriela I. Martinez, University of Texas at Austin;

HSC/Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas Scholarship Recipients – Amanda Ojeda, Jack C. Hays High School; Jacqueline Segura, W. Charles Akins High School; Jennifer N. Chesser, Crockett High School; Constance Ledesma, Leander High School

HSC/Mexican Community Center Scholarship Recipients – Raymundo L. Acuña, Stony Point High School; Carolina Villanueva, Jack C. Hays High School; Jessica L. Flores, Leander High School;

Hispanic Scholarship Consortium Scholarship Recipients – Antonio Ceniceros, Giddings High School; Kara E. Florez, Bastrop High School; Eileen Ontiveros, Bel Air Magnet School

HSC also announced the establishment of an endowment fund with the generous contribution of $25,000 by Dr. Garcia.  The principal of gifts to the endowment is invested producing income for years to come.  This endowment will provide additional funds available to deserving Latino students.

“HSC is proud to be making a positive impact on the empowerment and education of the Central Texas Latino youth.  From these scholarship recipients will emerge lawyers, doctors, engineers and other professionals who will contribute to the growth and progress of the entire Central Texas region.  We could not be more pleased to be a part of that process,” added Dr. Garcia.

About HSC

Founded in 2004, the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium is a 501 (c)(3) alliance of synergistic organizations whose mission is to increase the enrollment of central Texas Hispanic students in higher education by providing scholastic services and opportunities. 

HSC alliance members are: Austin Capital Area Community Leadership Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Club Sembradores de Amistad de Austin, El Amistad Club of Round Rock, TX, Fiesta de Independencia Foundation, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, Hispanic Physician’s Association, Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, Hispanics in Partnership at Applied Materials, Mexican Community Center and Southwest Key Program, Inc.

###

(return to top)