Scholarship Fund Honors Five Hispanic Leaders at USA Funds-Sponsored Event

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund hosted its annual Alumni Hall of Fame Gala Sept. 13 in Washington, D.C. Supporters and friends gathered to celebrate HSF and its mission to advance higher education for Hispanic Americans, and to honor five Hispanic leaders inducted into the HSF Alumni Hall of Fame.

USA Funds^® co-sponsored the gala.

“The majority of our scholarship recipients are the first in their families to attend college, and many struggle against overwhelming obstacles to reach their educational goals,” says Sara Martinez Tucker, HSF president and CEO. “But with this struggle and perseverance comes success. To celebrate the incredible journey made by these Latinos, and to inspire others to seek an education, we established the HSF Alumni Hall of Fame.”

The gala also raised about $275,000 in support of HSF.

Celebrating its fifth year, the HSF Alumni Hall of Fame showcases the inspiring stories of Hispanics who, through their accomplishments, contributions and lifetime challenges, demonstrate the power of higher education to change both individual lives and society. Each honoree personifies the mission and values of HSF and inspires others to follow in the honoree’s footsteps.

• The inspirador (motivator) — Personifies the hard work and sacrifice made by Latino families in pursuit of a college education. This year’s inspirador is Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, director, Brain Tumor Surgery Program, Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital.

• The triunfador (victor) — Realized the ultimate professional achievement and “raised the bar.” The 2006 triumfador is Aida Maisonet Giachello, associate professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago.

• The brillante (rising star) — Personifies limitless potential. The brillante for 2006 is Esmeralda Gutierrez, teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District.

• The altruista (humanitarian) — Exemplifies the spirit of gratitude and the value of giving back. This year’s altruista is Gabriel Esparza, director, marketing and industry development, American Express.

• The optimista (optimist) — Achieved success through persistence in the face of adversity. The 2006 optimista is José Gamez, assistant professor, College of Architecture, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“USA Funds is pleased to be a part of a celebration to honor these five outstanding individuals,” says Pat Roe, USA Funds assistant to the president. “USA Funds shares HSF’s interest in promoting higher-education access for Latinos, and these inductees exemplify the value of a postsecondary education.”

HSF is the nation’s leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education. Since 1975 HSF has awarded more than 78,000 scholarships totaling in excess of $195 million to Latinos.

In addition to its support for the HSF Alumni Hall of Fame Gala, USA Funds also has sponsored the organization’s Step for Success workshops and contributed a total of $445,000 to the HSF scholarship program.