Vecinos de South Pasadena awarded $6,000 in scholarships to five South Pasadena High School graduates to help them kickstart their college journey
The recipients are Mia Ramos, Ricardo Perea, Mia Chamorro, Samantha Villavicencio and Lucia Benning. All have strong academic records and were active in student activities and community service.
The scholarships are funded by Vecinos’ events like the Day of the Dead gala, Fourth of July food booth and sponsor donations.
Vecinos Treasurer Jesse Torres, who served on the scholarship selection committee with Augistine Medina and Debbie Holt, presented the awards at the South Pasadena Library Community Room.
Ramos, who was awarded a $2,000 scholarship, will study applied psychology and human development at Boston College, preparing for a pediatric support career helping children with special needs and abilities. She is inspired by her family, and activities like Girl Scouts, Lion’s Heart Services, varsity volleyball and community organizations serving Latinos and others in need.
Perea, who received a $1,500 scholarship and will study pre-business at UC Riverside, wants to help Latinx students from low-income, first-generation backgrounds like himself. As a child, he translated for his Mexican immigrant parents and helped his handyman father. Recognized for his academics, he was also president of the Latino Student Union and trained at the Pasadena Fight Academy.
Chamorro earned a $500 scholarship and will major in political science at Sarah Lawrence College, study abroad and prepare for international law aiding those needing communication help. She built on childhood challenges to become dance team captain and lead dancer in drama productions, serve as a YMCA Youth & Government delegate and form various service programs.
Villavicencio plans to study pre-marine biology at Cal State Long Beach, then earn a doctorates degree in immunology or virology researching viral evolution. Her $1,000 scholarship recognizes academics, advocacy through the Latino Student Union, academic coaching, band and science activities.
Benning will study languages and social advocacy at Reed College, potentially becoming an immigration lawyer for groups like UNICEF and Refugees International. She was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and was the president of the Latinx Student Union, a leader in the Queer Student Union, a dance and theater counselor, a member of the high school pep squad and drama program.
First published in the June 7 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
