There’s no shortage of ideas for mortarboards during commencement season. Those flat caps worn by graduates are a prime real estate for creative designs inspired by personal, academic and institutional values. For those students who benefited from Café Bustelo El Café del Futuro scholarships, there was no better way to say thank you than wear the iconic brand with pride.
More than $230,000 in college funds have been awarded to Latino students since the espresso-style coffee brand Café Bustelo launched the Café Bustelo El Café del Futuro Scholarship in partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
In 2019, Café Bustelo is doubling the total available scholarship funds by awarding $100,000. Eligible U.S. students can apply for the opportunity to receive one of twenty $5,000 scholarships by submitting their essay.
Below are stories of a few students that have been awarded for their ambition to further their education and commitment to their communities:
Patricia Jaimes (East Lansing, Mich.) is working on a Ph.D. in earth and environmental sciences. She hopes her research will contribute to changes in higher education and STEM communities, making them more inclusive for ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.
Airam Caldera (Ind.): As the first-generation American of Mexican immigrants, Airam found support with Sigma Pi Alpha at the University of California, San Diego, a Latina-based multicultural sorority. Now focusing on her Master of Biomedical Sciences at Marian University, she plans on specializing in geriatrics to care for the community that raised her.
Gabriela Peterson (Albuquerque, N.M.): When Gabriela became a high school teacher, she found sharing knowledge and enthusiasm for learning with children in her community so rewarding. Now in doctoral studies, Gabriela intends to develop the transferable skills to become a socially-just educational leader.
Norge Arnaiz (Davie, Fla.): A first-generation Cuban-American, Norge joined the Association of Latino Professionals for America to find a mentor with a similar cultural background and interests. Norge credits the organization with helping him become the successful student he is today and showing him the impact Latinos could have on society.
Juan Rivera (Miami, Fla.): Originally from a rural community in Nicaragua, Juan was determined to pursue a medical degree after witnessing others struggle to obtain quality healthcare, Juan found his passion in serving those who need it most.
Bianca Esquivel-Bolanos (Mission, Texas): After Bianca’s parents moved from Parlier, California to a town in South Texas with more opportunity, Bianca took advantage of all the educational resources available. Her goal is to publish research on the problems Hispanic youth face and uncover ways to help address depression and anxiety caused by stereotypes and detached familial relationships.
Germain Medina (Hollister, Calif.): With a 4.17-grade point average, Germain is excelling in the classroom. He is also president and founder of a club, which tutors students in science, and vice-president the Robotics Club. Germain is involved in the Red Cross and Pre-Health Club as well. At home, he is an integral part of his father’s business and cares for his grandfather who suffers from a mental illness.
Maria Sinkule (Addison, Ill.): Maria is a first-generation Mexican American currently pursuing a doctorate in Social Work. She plans to use her doctorate to encourage others to pursue higher education degrees and teach at the university level.
Christopher Cardenas Cahun (Dixon, Calif.): Christopher credits his educational support system with providing him with all the tools needed to succeed in college, but he is grateful most of all for his solid family support. He would like to invest in family support systems so that more children can grow up in safe and supportive environments.
Eduardo Martinez (Collegedale, Tenn.): An advocate for Latinos, Eduardo would like to create an organization offering scholarships to Hispanic youth to help further their education.
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