26th Annual Latino Scholarship Awards Dinner

By Jennifer L. Warren

WAPPINGERS FALLS – The moment was pure serendipity for Amanda Vidal.

The John Jay Senior High School senior vividly recalls the exact moment she found out she was one of the Hudson Valley Latino Scholarship Award recipients. Attending a school band trip in Orlando, Florida, the outgoing Vidal was chatting with a lifeguard, who just by coincidence was sharing with her a story about a Latin Scholarship he had received a couple of years ago, greatly assisting with his present collegiate journey. The dialogue incited Vidal to ponder a similar scholarship she had applied for but had lost hope of securing. Ironically, when she checked her phone, a burst of beautiful serendipity surfaced.

“I had a missed phone call as well as text,” recalled the smiling Vidal. “They said I had received one of the scholarships, and I just felt so grateful because it has to do with my heritage, making it very special and was so happy I was jumping up and down.”

It’s that very sense of elation that the late Eddie Ramirez, Sr. and his wife Norma envisioned for area youth to feel when they created the Hudson Valley Latino Scholarship Fund in 1999. Realizing there was a huge deficit in the lack of recognition allotted to the many, deserving Latin youth in the Hudson Valley, the Ramirez’ made it their mission to change that narrative. Since its inception, over 180 recipients have felt the unwavering love and support of the Ramirez’ grassroots movement, aimed at recognizing both the academic and community contributions of area youth aspiring to continue their scholastic journeys.

It’s a movement that has continued to receive support and gain momentum even after the unfortunate, untimely passing of Eddie Ramirez four years ago. With his wife and two sons’ determination aimed at preserving the critical Scholarship’s existence, combined with some friends and relatives stepping in and ongoing, loyal sponsors, the flame of Ramirez Sr.’s inclusivity passion continues to burn brightly.

“We are so proud and happy for all of the young people here tonight who are carrying the torch to be our future leaders,” said Eddie Ramirez, Jr. at Thursday’s Annual Scholarship Dinner, once again held at one of the several business supporters, Café Con Leche. “It’s truly a family affair.”

That “family” has extended with the addition of this year’s five recipients. In addition to Vidal, Tomas Santiago Alvarez Gutierrez (Roy C. Ketcham High School), Yaquelin Antonio-Lopez (Poughkeepsie High School), Jake Calderon (John Jay Senior High School), and Isabela Centeno (Cornwall Central High School) were all bestowed a host of honors.

Receiving citations from Senator, Rob Rolison; Congressman, Patrick Ryan; and Dutchess County Executive, Sue Serino, each Scholarship honoree, was further presented with flower bouquets, as well as detailed introductions of their impressive biographies. It’s that very personal heritage touch that lies at the epicenter of this longstanding Scholarship Fund, leaving a profound imprint on not only the recipient, but their family members.

“I am so very grateful to my mom who came to this country two years ago from Columbia,” said Santiago Alvarez Gutierrez, who presented her with the colorful bouquet he received. “My mom was very emotional when she found out I won this scholarship; it meant as much to her as it did me.”

Antonio-Lopez, also a first generation American, whose parents came from Mexico to the United States 25 years ago, expressed a similar deeply symbolic significance for the award.
“Out of all the scholarships available, it was this one that grabbed my eye the most,” said Antonio-Lopez. “I was just so happy and excited to get it.”

Calderon, whose father is an immigrant from Peru, was another first generation to come here. Possessing revered qualities, Calderon aspires to, he signifies the impact of being named a Latin Scholarship recipient.

“My dad exposed me to a lot of culture,” reflected Calderon. “He was the first generation to come over and is the embodiment of hard work and dedication.”

For Centena, like Vidal, serendipity also played a role in her coincidental, unexpected Scholarship discovery.

“I was in the rain forest in Costa Rica and wasn’t supposed to see the email because I didn’t have Internet access,” recollected Centena. “However, I got special permission to use it to schedule my college classes, so I was able to see the notification and was just so, so happy I did.”

Whether it was a unique set of circumstances involved in learning about their Scholarship selection or one that carried richly deep, familial, ethnic roots, the honor was the result of years of hard work in the classroom, along with a passionate commitment to bettering their communities. They involve talents and achievements which bring with them a responsibility.

“Once you do make it with where you want to be in life, know that you have an obligation to help the next generation,” advised Guest Speaker, Judge Livia Rodriguez. “As Latinos, we need to keep helping each other and taking a bigger seat at the table; do well, and help others do well.”