Hispanic Development Fund of Greater Kansas City

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Gives Students a Head Start

2011-09-30T14:20:00.004-05:00

Please visit the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation blog for a recap of our 2011 scholarship!

Thanks

2010-11-24T09:39:00.010-06:00

Hispanic Development Fund has so much to be thankful for this year. Mostly all of our supporters to the Fund as well as supporters to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. We would not be successful without the help of everyone who gave their time, talent and treasure. We are also thankful for our HSF recipients who achieve great things and make our donors, fund committee and volunteers proud! We hope that you and yours have a great Thanksgiving holiday.
Here are more of our 2010 recipients that are thankful for their HSF scholarship.

Katty Vasquez
"My name is Katty Vasquez and I am a current pre-med major studying at KCKCC aiming high to become a pediatrician. I am a part of the International Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, and an officer of the chapter. I have completed my general ed requirements, but alas, the sciences are left. Luckily this year, even though I am a Presidential Scholarship recipient as well, the HSF has helped me out tremendously. Because I am taking my science classes, books are oof! pricey. Turns out, my much needed physics book was too much for my book scholarship from the campus. And in came the HSF to the rescue! I was so relieved the HSF covered it because I had absolutely no way to pay for it; following the chain reaction, no book meant no class and no class, no credit, no completion of the course. Therefore I am quite glad that I am an HSF recipient. "

Michael Florez
"My name is Michael Florez, and I am a junior at Saint Louis University. I am studying Psychology with a Pre-Dental focus, and I am the President of Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO).Throughout the past 3 years, HSF has financially helped my family by sending me to a prestigious Jesuit University. Not only have I gained spiritual and intellectual knowledge, but I have also grown close to the Hispanic community in St. Louis. I am fortunate to have HSF as a supporter of my education because they have helped me by providing the opportunity in attending college. In addition, I feel awakened in the sense that my family, the Hispanic community of Kansas City, is supportive of my education, decisions, and my life-long dreams. Thank you HSF for your continuous support!"

Melanie Arroyo
"I graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in Shawnee, Kansas, and I am currently attending the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth Kansas (just 45 minutes away from home). I am looking into majoring in art therapy. I never thought I would be able to attend a University right out of high school, but the Hispanic Scholarship Fund was of great help for me financially. I keep in mind that the reason why I am able to earn a good education is because of the great help of those who contribute to scholarship funds. My first semester is going great! I love the campus and people.

Raymond Rico
"The Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship fund has helped me while an undergraduate at the University of Kansas (01'-05') and is helping me now as a law student at the University of Missouri Kansas City-School of Law. I was humbly born and raised in the Argentine neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas and a product of the USD 500 School District. Although growing up rich in love and with a last name signifying wealth, I promise those who contribute to the GCKHSF that pursing a Bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor law degree would not be financially possible solely on family contributions. I am using the GKCHSF scholarship funds to assist me with tuition expenses and the costs of casebooks, which are not only heavy but are also expensive. I am grateful for the assistance the GKCHSF has provided and look forward to the opportunity to apply my education to help serve the Latino community and to give back to the GKCHSF to assist others in pursuit of their dreams."

Alumni Event!

2010-11-18T14:22:00.014-06:00

As we anxiously await our release of the 2011 Scholarship application, we have an exciting event scheduled for December! The Hispanic Scholarship Fund will host its first ever Alumni Event on December 14th from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at "The Drop" in Kansas City, MO. The purpose of our event is to reconnect alums and share our plans for 2011. We hope that you will be able to attend! Please RSVP to maguirre@gkccf.org if you plan to attend.
In keeping with our alumni theme I want to share with you more stories of our newest alum members who received scholarships in 2010. They sure do make us proud!

Gerardine Armendariz
"My name is Gerardine Armendariz and I love art and children, especially helping with special needs kids! I first heard about HSF from Latinos of Tomorrow. This semester the HSF is helping me pay my way to my dream job which is to be an Art Therapist. I am currently at JCCC and will continue with my education at KU or St. Mary's in a year and a half!"

Carlos Pacheco
"Without HSF there is no doubt my financial situation the last four years would have been tougher. However, with help from HSF, I am finishing my degree in Mass Communications from Benedictine College, and will graduate in December. Although I did not choose the traditional route, I decided that health care was my true calling. In the years to come, I plan to complete the classes required for and then apply to medical school. Thanks to HSF for supporting my goals and dreams."

Lorena Longoria
"My name is Lorena Longoria and I am currently in my second year of college. I am studying to be a psychologist and hopefully get into medical school. I have been very lucky, I live with both of my parents who are very supportive and try their best to give me what ever I need. Even though they both work every day they are still not able to pay for my classes. I also have a part time job but it still isn't enough, so I am very grateful that the there are wonderful people out there who are willing to help a stranger, with out asking for very much in return. The Hispanic scholarship has helped me in so many ways that I lack the words to thank them. I am currently attending Johnson county community college and I do plan to transfer to Kansas State University in a couple of semesters. With out the help from the Hispanic scholarship I don't believe I would have been able to attend college straight out of high school. I am the first from my family that has had the opportunity to graduate from high school and attend college. My family and I are very grateful for everything that the Hispanic scholarship has given me."
Frank Shane
"The scholarship I received from HSF has made it possible for me to fulfill a dream that I had forever. I am well on my way to becoming a pilot! Thanks to the scholarship I now get to fly without worrying about how I am going to pay for it. I have never had money for more than a few flight lessons, so I appreciate the scholarship tremendously. Even though flying is very demanding it is cool to have the opportunity to do something I love. I am a freshman at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Go Flying Mules!"
Sarah Mills
"My name is Sarah Mills, and I attended Oak Park High School in Kansas City, Missouri. I am currently a junior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. My major is Political Science, and am interested in a career in public policy. More than anything, the HSF scholarship has allowed me the opportunity to get involved on my campus. Last year, I was the Webmaster for the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students, and this year, I am on the Greek Programming Board, which plans philanthropic and social activities for Greek and non-Greek students. I greatly appreciate this scholarship and the opportunities it has provided. Thank you!"
Enrique Mejia
"I want to start by thanking the Hispanic Scholarship Fund for helping me attend the University of Missouri-Columbia. This university, credited as being one of the best journalism schools in the country, will help me to realize my dreams as I strive to become a journalist. Beyond the classroom, I have become involved in the Hispanic American Leadership Organization and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. I am also a member of the Mizzou Running Club. I would also like to mention that I am able to watch Mizzou's football team make national headlines. It is no doubt an exciting time to be at the University of Missouri; and none of it would have been possible for me without the help of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund."

We hope to see you on December 14th at our Alumni event to hear stories of our Alum who have since graduate and our now working in our community!

Trick or Treat?

2010-10-29T10:12:00.010-05:00

As the Halloween weekend approaches, what better treat than learning about some of our 2010 HSF recipients! I asked our 2010 recipients to send me a picture and bio about themselves and what being an HSF recipient means to them! Here are some of our students:

Alex Cecena
"What's up everyone!" My name is Alex Cecena and I am currently a sophomore at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. I am a red shirt freshman wide receiver on the football team. I am also in the College of Business, double majoring in marketing and management. Without the help of the scholarship received from the GKCHSF none of this would be possible. The GKCHSF has helped my family and I achieve my dreams of becoming an NCAA Division 1 student athlete."

Montserrat Jimenez
"My name is Montserrat Jimenez and I am currently an undergraduate junior student at the University of Kansas. I am seeking a Cellular Biology degree and also plan to attend Medical School. I am thankful to God for my family and for the great opportunities and blessings that I have been given. I want to become a doctor and travel worldwide to impoverished areas to offer my services as a doctor. I am thankful to the HSF scholarship board for the great contribution that they provide by financially supporting the Hispanic youth in their life-long goals and professional ambitions. In ten years I see myself as a married, successful doctor and a mother to four children which I plan to adopt. I love spending all my free time with my family and I love learning new cultures; their language and traditions. I also very much enjoy reading, dancing and cooking!"

Anthony Moran
"I am currently a freshman at Rockhurst University and I am majoring in exercise science. I plan on continuing my education by attending Chiropractic School after Rockhurst. I also hope to minor in Spanish as well. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund has helped me achieve my goal of attending college by helping make it affordable for me. The scholarship has helped open a door I didn’t always see as possible, and I am greatly thankful for this opportunity. By being a recipient of the scholarship I am on my way to achieving my dreams."

Priscila Nunez
"I am a senior Business major at UMKC. I am extremely grateful and proud to be a recipient of the HSF. It has truly helped me financially and taken stress off my back about having to pay for tuition this year. I thank all those donors in my community that support us financially to be better business professionals in the future. "

As you can tell our HSF recipients are reaching their educational dreams. We are so proud of them, thank you to all our supporters who partner with us to make so many dreams come true. We will be learning more about our 2010 HSF recipients as we near the release of our 2011 application.

Got HSF?

2010-10-22T13:01:00.007-05:00

As I am out in the community talking to individuals about HSF the number one statement I hear is, "I got HSF!" OR "One of my family members got HSF!" It really should come as no surprise at the number of individuals who "Got HSF" considering in 27 years the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has awarded 2,526 scholarships totaling more than $2 million!!
As we prepare for innovative ways to reach our 2,526 alums I want to hear stories of our successful alum and most importantly where you are! Send me an email at maguirre@gkccf.org or inbox us your information at www.facebook.com/hdfkc.
As we embark on identifying our alumni we will be sharing bios of our current HSF recipients as the year goes on. Our first story comes from Roberto Logo. Roberto is a junior at KC Art Institute. He creates a fusion of graffiti art and pottery and plans to earn a degree in ceramics and work in the inner city upon graduation. When asked what HSF means to him he said, "The Hispanic Scholarship fund is helping me attain my goals and provide me with the ability to focus on creating work and visibility in the art community."
If you "got HSF" tells us your stories and help us find you!

Not Enough Room

2010-06-30T10:30:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it has been two weeks since our HSF Awards ceremony!
Thank you to those who attended to support our Latino students who have made the decision to pursue higher education! It is always nice to see community members making time to congratulate our recipients and their families!
I must say that my favorite part of the night was watching this photo being taken. Each year at the end of every ceremony we ask the recipients to get together for a group photo. Students began to move from their seats to the stage and I heard people laughing and saying, I don't think we can get them all in one picture! As the final student stood on stage, the flashes began to come from all directions. I couldn't help but take out my cell phone and take a picture as well. This moment is a true testament of how far the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has come in 26 years. HSF's first recipient class in 1985 was less than 20 students and this year we awarded 196 scholarships! The fund truly has come a long way and we are excited and thankful to have your support! We are looking forward to next year already!!!
If you would like to see more pictures of the event please click here and here.

Thank you

2010-05-13T14:57:00.004-05:00

Today I had an opportunity to attend Shawnee Mission North's Scholarship Reception and present 4 students with their Hispanic Scholarship Fund award. I sat next to one of our recipients and his mother. At the end of the scholarship ceremony the mother looked over at me with tears in her eyes and thanked me and the fund for this scholarship. I told her she was very welcome, but that her son had done most of the work. She nodded her head and went on to say how much it means to her and how thankful she is from the very bottom of her heart. She then gave me a big hug and walked away. I stood there with my heart full of happiness at those two words and how I truly could see how much it meant to her and her son to be a recipient of our scholarship. However, I also thought when she thanks me it is not just me she is thanking, it is a large group of individuals. It is all of our volunteers who serve on our event and scholarship committee. It is our volunteers who spent two days reading essays and a third day determining how many and what amount of scholarships we would award. It is our Founder, Tony Salazar who had a vision of helping Latino students excel at the next level and our current Chair, Ramon Murguia who has continued to keep Tony's vision alive. It is our past recipients who have made us proud of our investment and speak highly of our fund. It is our local corporations, individuals, universities and families who donate money to the Scholarship Fund year after year so that we can have stories like this one today. It is our local high schools who help us promote the scholarship. Lastly, it is every one of you who wants to see this scholarship fund succeed and grow. So THANK YOU for all your support! We hope to see you at our awards ceremony on June 17, 2010.

HSF needs your vote to award $50,000 in scholarships

2010-05-03T10:19:00.006-05:00

Have you heard of the Pepsi Refresh Project? Basically, Pepsi accepts 1000 ideas each month from people, businesses and groups from all over the country on ways to improve their communities. The way your "idea" wins is by having people vote online for your idea. Winners are announced at the end of each month. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund submitted an idea on April 1st for $50,000. Our idea is called "Award 50 scholarships to Hispanic students in the KC metro area."

HSF received good news on Saturday that our idea was selected to be voted on beginning May 1st and ending May 31st! With our idea we plan to award 50, $1000 Pepsi Refresh Project scholarships at our banquet on June 17th. We need your help to make this possible!!
Please vote on our idea by clicking here. Remember you can vote for "Award 50 scholarships to Hispanic students in KC metro area" once a day every day for the next month! So please put it on your daily to do list and help the Hispanic Scholarship Fund!! Remember voting is free =)

Where is my award notification letter?!

2010-04-28T11:51:00.005-05:00

Where is my award notification letter? This is the number one question on our 2010 HSF applicants minds. I am happy to say that they have been placed in the mail today. I took a picture to verify that I had indeed placed them in the mail.

I want to be the first to congratulate all who took the time to apply and submit an application. Unfortunately, not all 398 applicants will receive an HSF award this year. We wish that we could award all qualified applicants, but as we all know there is never enough money. We are very grateful to those students who applied and unfortunately did not receive an award, but we hope that they will continue to reapply for the scholarship.

How can we increase the number of student's who receive an HSF award? 4 words: Show me the money! If you are interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, please click here.

Save the Date for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Awards

2010-04-15T12:59:00.002-05:00

Please Save the Date for the 2010 Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund Awards.

Thursday, June 17, 2010
Plan to join us for hors d'oeuvres at 5:30,
followed by program at 6:45
Rockhurst High School
Cost $25

To purchase tickets today, please click here or contact Leanne Breiby at 816-627-3403 or breiby@gkccf.org.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Jean-Paul Chaurand at 816-627-3403 pr chaurand@gkccf.org.

397!

2010-03-29T13:07:00.010-05:00

One month has passed since our 2010 deadline and I have finally found my desk! We had a successful scholarship season; we received 397 applications! Looking through each and every application solidified the fact that we have amazing talent here in KC and need more money to award!
The HSF committee has been busy reviewing the applications this past week. We worked long hours to ensure each applicant was thoroughly reviewed. The process is tiring but exciting at the same time for the committee.
Fun HSF Fact: When a student applies for an HSF scholarship they are also applying for other scholarships that have partnered with HSF to award their own organizational scholarships. These organizations are: Hispanic Bar Association, Hispanic Media Association, Image, MANA de Kansas and University of Central Missouri. Currently, these organizations are still reviewing the HSF applicants to select their recipients!

Thanks to all students who applied this year, you should receive notification by May 1st!

We did it!

2010-03-02T12:07:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was the highly anticipated HSF deadline! I wish I could tell you exactly how many applications we have received, however some are in the mail and I am still counting! Last year we received a record 237 applications, I am confident that we have surpassed that record. It truly was an amazing effort of so many individuals who helped promote the scholarship. I want to thank everyone who passed out an application, mentioned the fund and who helped a student complete an application.

In looking at all these applications, I am so overjoyed at the work that we have done and the work that we have yet to do. The increase in applications this year speaks to two points: one, the need for more dollars to attend college and two the number of Latino students in Kansas City who have a desire to excel at the next level. I don't know how many applicants will become a 2010 recipient, but I do know that together we can increase the number of recipients and the amount of their award by giving to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund!

In the following weeks, I will be unveiling new ways that you and/or your family can help support our Latino community attend and complete college.

Last minute HSF FAQ's answered...

2010-02-22T11:58:00.007-06:00

3 months ago we released the 2010 HSF application and in one week the March 1st deadline will be here! Time really does move quickly, although it doesn't feel like it with all the snow we have received! I know that students are working diligently on their application. I have received numerous emails (aguirremayra@gmail.com) and calls/texts (816.237.8450) asking questions. I thought I would answer some of the frequently asked questions to help you as a student or for those of you helping someone you know who is applying for a scholarship.

Question: Does the application have to be in your office on March 1st? Answer: The application must be postmarked by March 1st.
Question: Where can I mail the application or can I drop it off somewhere?
Answer: We have listed 3 locations on the final page of the application, mail or drop off to any of those 3 locations. The locations are The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, El Centro (on Minnesota Ave) and Guadalupe Center.
Question: The application says you need my parent's '08 taxes is this correct? Or do you mean '09 taxes? Answer: We will take either '08 or '09, the reason we are asking for '08 taxes is because we know that some of your parents have not completed their '09 taxes, however if your parents have had a significant change in income please send '09 taxes.
Question: How long does my essay have to be?
Answer: We do not have a length requirement, however strive for 2 pages double spaced.
Question: I am already attending college do I still need to submit an acceptance letter?
Answer: No you do not.
Question: I have not received my acceptance letter, can I still submit my application?
Answer: YES, please send in your application. On your application include a note saying that you are waiting to hear back from the college. Be sure that you have applied for the college you say you want to attend.
Question: When will I find out if I received a scholarship?
Answer: We will send you a letter by May 1st.

As always, please do not wait until the last minute to complete the application! I look forward to receiving your application, postmarked by March 1st.

Perseverance

2010-02-10T13:39:00.007-06:00

Perseverance is defined as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Perseverance is exactly how I would describe the individuals we have worked with on completing their HSF essay. I read essays that described, financial struggles that a family has dealt with to make sure that their child did not have to work, so they could focus on their education. I read about a student who experienced death at a young age and it taught her to live each day to the fullest. I read of a student who turned his life around, after struggling to pass classes for 2 years until reality and his mother stepped in to show him he had more to live for. Lastly, I read about a sister who wants to attend college because her brother was financially and physically unable to do so.

These are just some of the essays that we have read in the past couple of weeks of students who have persevered and will succeed! We have 2 weeks left until the March 1st deadline, the committee is anxious to read everyone's story!

Like sand through the hourglass....

2010-02-01T15:22:00.007-06:00

28 days and counting until the March 1st due date for the 2010 Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Students are feverishly working on finalizing their essays and gathering the necessary documents to submit their application and be eligible to be named a 2010 HSF recipient.

The application requires a student to be a leader and make sure that everyone is working as a team. Who is part of that team that helps make an application complete? It is the parents who have to turn over their 2008 tax forms to their children. It is the current school who has to release a transcript. Lastly and probably most important, the student must complete the application form and essay.

If you are a student, your time is now, you can make this scholarship dream a reality. If you are a parent, do your part by making sure you have gathered the necessary tax information for your child. If you are a member, of the community you can be part of the team by making sure that students are aware of this scholarship opportunity!

State of the 2010 Hispanic Scholarship Fund

2010-01-27T11:55:00.004-06:00

In observance of tonight's State of the Union address, I thought I would give an update on how the 2010 HSF has progressed thus far. Currently, we are 33 days away from our application deadline! During the month of January we have been busy taking the application on the road to 13 area high schools to motivate students to complete and submit the application. We also promoted the scholarship on La Grand D 1340 AM and in a recent Dos Mundos article. While January has proven to be a busy month for the HSF, we realize our most critical work is yet to come during February.

Throughout February we will begin revisiting a handful of schools once a week to help students complete their application. This is a new undertaking for HSF, but one we feel will increase the quality and number of submitted applications. If you are interested in helping the HSF revisit high schools in February, feel free to contact Mayra Aguirre at aguirremayra@gmail.com.

Help HSF spread the word about this scholarship opportunity and its due date of March 1st!

Are these some of our 2010 HSF recipients?

2010-01-12T13:12:00.008-06:00

Over the past two weeks I have had the opportunity to speak with 100 students at the following High Schools: Bishop Miege, Turner, Harmon, East and Wyandotte. At each of these schools I made a pact with the students; they were not allowed to take an application unless they agreed to submit it by March 1st. To make sure they understood the importance of this pact, I asked them to sign their name in my journal along with their email address. This would allow me to email them obsessively until they mailed in their application, details I forgot to mention to them. :)Truthfully, I asked them to make this pact because I wanted them to know that the GKC Hispanic Scholarship Fund truly wants to see them succeed. We also want to be able to reach out to them after the initial visit and assist them with any questions they have about the scholarship or life after high school.
At each school, we walked through the application and covered common questions that students have. I was always happy to see students who had already begun the application and had questions to ask me after the presentation. At the end of each presentation I asked them to pose for a picture for this entry. They were all good sports, especially when I told them I wanted to title this entry 2010 HSF recipients! Throughout this entry you will see pictures of our potential 2010 HSF recipients.

The successful turnout at each of these schools could not have been made possible without such amazing staff members who have helped us promote and distribute the scholarship application. I want to thank those staff members right now for all the work they have done to make these visits so successful: Mrs. Schmidtberger and Mrs. Beek at Bishop Miege, Mrs. Knoblock at Turner, Mr. Sedillo and Mrs. Cochran at Harmon, Mr. Chavez and Mr. Macias (HLOP) at East, and Ms. Simmons at Wyandotte.Good luck students! Don't forget our pact!

High School Tours - UPDATED 1/12/10

2010-01-04T10:17:00.007-06:00

**Due to the weather, I have had to reschedule some High School tours, please see the new dates and times**
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is ready for another successful scholarship year and it begins this month! January is always an exciting and busy time for us, as we begin our High School tours. This month we will visit 13 area High Schools to promote and distribute the 2010 application. High School counselors have stated that that our visits help inspire students to complete and submit the application. On our High School visits, we go over the application, common reasons why an application may not be reviewed, essay and any questions a student may have. It is a great way for the students to see the application for the first time with a HSF representative. This visit is typically not the last time we work with these students. We leave contact information for them to reach us with any questions or to email their essays and have them reviewed before the March 1st deadline. This year we will also be returning to several High Schools once a week in February to assist students with their essay. Below are the dates and times that we will be at a High School near you!

January 12 Bishop Miege High School 8:00AM
January 14 Turner High School 10:00AM
January 14 East High School 2:30PM
January 19 Park Hill South 10:30AM
January 19 Wyandotte High School 1:30 PM
January 25 Sumner Academy 10:45 AM
January 26 North East High School 8:00 AM
January 28 Washington High School 9:00AM
January 28 Bishop Ward High School 11:00AM
February 1 Park Hill 10:15AM

TBD - Harmon, Schlagle, Alta Vista

2010 Philanthropy Awards to Honor Ramon Murguia

2009-12-22T11:20:00.003-06:00

Hispanic Development Fund's Chair, Ramon Murguia, has been selected as the 2010 Volunteer of the year by Nonprofit Connect. Ramon will be honored, along with other philanthropists on May 14, 2010 at the 26th Annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon in Kansas City.

Ramon has volunteered as chair for The Hispanic Development Fund for more than 20 years. He has tirelessly worked to improve every facet of the fund and scholarship program. Ramon has been instrumental in increasing the amount of funding to HDF's endowment and scholarships and increasing awareness about the importance of giving back to the Latino community.

Ramon is a great inspiration for those who working in philanthropy and also for Latinos who believe in the "American Dream." More importantly, he is an example of an individual who embodies the term, "do not forget where you came from."

Those who have ever worked alongside Ramon in any capacity know his power to motivate, inspire and give back without wanting recognition. It is very appropriate that he was nominated by his peers to receive the award as volunteer of the year.

I urge you all to make an attempt to attend the luncheon on May 14, 2010 to honor one of our very own.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

2009-12-16T09:15:00.012-06:00

Christmas is almost a week away and it is either time to finish up your holiday shopping (or start). Last Sunday, I ventured out to the Oak Park Mall and was met with hundreds of other people scrambling to find the “perfect” gift. As I wandered around the mall I thought of two great gift ideas.

A great gift for a student to give a parent or him or herself is a Hispanic Scholarship! The applications have been released just in time for the holidays; you can visit our website to download the application. Remember, you have to complete and submit the application before you can be eligible for a scholarship. Imagine handing your loved ones a completed application on Christmas Day and then hopefully handing them an invitation to the awards banquet on June 10, 2010, two gifts for the price of one! I don’t think you will find a better deal at any store this time of year.

Another great gift idea, that is possible with one click, is making a tax-deductible contribution to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund or the Hispanic Development Fund. Both of these gifts are a great way to help a young student and give back to the Kansas City community.

Have a Happy & Safe Holiday!

You Miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky

2009-12-08T14:17:00.004-06:00

Last week I posted an article published by the PEW Hispanic Center. The article pointed out that most Hispanic students value college but only half plan to go. As I read the article one paragraph really stood out, "While the percentage of students surveyed state an intention to go to college, the percentage who actually apply, and subsequently attend college, is much lower."

Currently, I have been distributing applications in the community and at area high schools. I have come across several students who say they are going to apply and teachers who tell me that students are asking about the scholarship. I always respond by saying, " don't forget to submit the application; you can't be awarded our scholarship or any scholarship if you don't apply."

2010 Scholarship Now Available

2009-11-30T18:21:00.007-06:00

The 2009 scholarship year was a huge success for the scholarship. We handed out 258 scholarships to graduating seniors and college students. We celebrated our 25^th Anniversary at the Marriott with over 600 community members. The evening was inspirational. Ramon Murguia, chairman, Janet Murguia, NCLR president, Tony Salazar, founder, and Don Hall, Sr., honorary co-chair came together and all spoke about the importance of planning and investing in the next 25 years.

In times of economic uncertainty there is nothing more certain than investing in our Latino youth. We have decided to answer the call of continuing to be the premier scholarship for Latino youth in Kansas City. We will do this by increasing awareness of where the scholarship has been and where we are going in the future. We will be reaching out to the greater Kansas City community through various forms of social media: Twitter, Facebook and this blog to keep you posted on the latest happenings with HDF, and more importantly on the scholarship fund.

Please visit our website to download the application and to view our calendar for when we will be at a High School in your area!