Hudson Valley Latino Scholarship Awards Recognizes Nine

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Poughkeepsie High Schools’ Brianna Estrada is headed to Bard College in the fall. It’s a huge deal, and not just because she is the first one in her family to pursue higher education.

“A lot of politicians out there have created a perception of Latinos in a negative way, causing others to see them that way,” explained Estrada, who will be majoring in Environmental Studies. “So many students like myself are usually just kept in the dark, and are at an obvious disadvantage, especially as first generation college people.”

Estrada and eight other fellow, local Latino high school students will now have the opportunity to see some of the “light,” as Thursday evening at Newburgh’s Ramada Inn, they were presented with plaques, flowers and scholarship monies.

“Scholarships like these recognize people who usually don’t get that recognition,” said Estrada. “That’s why they are so important.”

So integral, that the Program, created by Eddie Ramirez, along with his wife Norma, and two sons (all of R & M Promotions), has been in existence since 1999, now recognizing 128 students over that 18 year span and allowing them to pursue their collegiate and career dreams. It’s aimed at “Recognizing Our Future Latino Leaders,” those who excel inside and outside of the classroom.

“Nowhere in the Hudson Valley will you hear about a program like this one,” affirmed Ramirez. “Whenever my wife and I picked up programs listing honor roll students, there were very few Latino students included, and because my wife is a teacher, we wanted to create something for them in this area; it’s been a tough, uphill battle, but we are determined to keep this going.”

Part of that struggle has been getting local businesses to jump on board, lending critical sponsorship support. Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union and Marshall & Sterling Insurance have been loyal sponsors; this year, the addition of United Health Care has added hope, but more assistance is needed and very much appreciated. The proof lies in the quality of the recipients themselves.

Recipient Joselin Leal, who will be graduating next month from Newbugh Free Academy and then pursuing a major in baking at the Culinary Institute of America, will also have the distinction of being a first generation college enrollee.

“As the first one in my family to go to college, it has been very hard for me to find resources to help me get there,” said Leal, “Now, that I am finally doing it all, and got help as well as into college, I feel I’m in a position to be a really good role model for my siblings as well as others.”

A woman who has most definitely been the epitome of a role model in the Latino community was on hand at the Scholarship Dinner, providing inspiring words to the crowd. Guest Speaker, Sonia Ayala, the Chairperson for the Latino Democratic Committee of Orange County, was beaming with pride as she spoke to the scholarship honorees as well as their families.

“My advice to the students: take advantage of every opportunity that comes along; you will make mistakes, learn from them,” Ayala, who stressed the importance of education, she and her husband consistently relayed to their own two children, continued, “Be a mentor, study abroad, register to vote, call mom and dad just to say hello, and make sure to come back and stay in touch with this Foundation.”

Based on the deep talent, personally and academically, the recipients are likely to heed much, if not all, of that precious advice.

“I’m grateful for and proud of this Scholarship because it is one of the few that represent Latinos in our community,” said Joe Torres, a track and field standout as well as FBLA participant and senior at Roy C. Ketcham High School. “Unlike other scholarships that recognize many more people, this one is special.”

In addition to Estrada, Leal and Torres, other recipient winners included; Katerin Carmen Rivas Pena (Kingston High School), Juan Pablo Molina (NFA), Yvanna D. Kenan (NFA), Mylene Ortiz (Middletown High School), Julian Javier (Middletown High School), and Guadalupe Olmedo-Arroyo (Poughkeepsie High School.)