$4 million in scholarships awarded at 2009 Hispanic Youth Symposium

More than 150 students from throughout Idaho received college scholarships after participating in the 2009 Hispanic Youth Symposium in Sun Valley April 24-26.

Scholarships valued at just over $4 million were awarded at the symposium, which brought nearly 300 Idaho Latino high school students together for a weekend of motivational speakers and hands-on workshops. Students also participated in speech, talent, art, and athletic and interactive skill competitions.

The symposium was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, contractors at Idaho National Laboratory, Gem State Diversity Initiatives, state agencies and private employers. Educational institutions awarding scholarships were College of Idaho, Boise State University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, College of Western Idaho, Eastern Idaho Technical College, Gonzaga University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, Northwest Nazarene University, University of Idaho, University of Montana, Utah State University, Utah Valley University and Treasure Valley Community College. Several institutions also offered College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) scholarships. In addition, Gem State Diversity Initiatives (GSDI) awarded scholarships for all competitive events as well as to students showing promise — $1,000 to seniors (Si Se Puede) and $500 to juniors (Querer Es Poder). The entire list of scholarship winners follows at the end of this news release.

The symposium targets the important themes of school dropout prevention, continuing education, taking pride in Latino culture and breaking the cycle of poverty. Through the symposium, students learn that nothing is impossible because they have the power to shape their own futures.

Tia Velasquez of Century High School (Pocatello) was awarded the $2,500 Natalie Lupe Reyes Memorial Scholarship for being selected the outstanding female student of the symposium. She also received a $1,640 scholarship to BYU-Idaho and a $9,000 scholarship to Utah Valley University.

Marco Soberanes of Idaho Falls High School was awarded the $2,500 Frank Gamboa Sanchez Memorial Scholarship for being selected the outstanding male student of the symposium.

Other winners (High school, name, scholarship amount):

Aberdeen High School

Mayra Lopez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $500 College of Southern Idaho

Jose Nava — $20,800 College of Idaho

Roberto Serna — $3,280 BYU-Idaho, $500 Idaho State University

Miguel Villafana — $26,145 Utah State University

American Falls High School

Mariela Ibarra — $500 Idaho State University, $500 GSDI scholarship for third place in the speech competition

Carolina Gonzalez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,200 GSDI scholarship for first place in the speech competition and $1,250 for first place in the Issues to Action team competition

Maria Adilene Gutierrez — $20,800 College of Idaho

San Juanita Montoya — $20,800 College of Idaho

Maria Rangel — $92,600 College of Idaho, $1,250 GSDI scholarship for first place in the Issues to Action team competition

Blackfoot High School

Selene Gonzalez — $20,800 College of Idaho

Erika Martinez — $535 Northwest Nazarene University

Arnulfo Pelayo — $20,800 College of Idaho

Bliss High School

Alejandra Campos — $500 GSDI scholarship for second place in the Issues to Action team competition

Boise High School

Sofia Jaramillo — $20,800 College of Idaho

Laura Rodriguez — $500 University of Idaho

Bonneville High School

Luis Lujan — $20,800 College of Idaho, $4,920 BYU-Idaho

Marco Mendoza — $20,800 College of Idaho

Ana Patiño — $20,800 College of Idaho

Manuel Rodriguez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $500 Idaho State University, $2,000 University of Idaho, $500 GSDI scholarship for first place (male) in the 5K run

Borah High School

Taylor Berrera — $56,800 College of Idaho, $10,000 Gonzaga University, $13,856 Utah Valley University

Ruby Mendez — $3,280 BYU-Idaho

Sandra Sagrero — $20,800 College of Idaho

Buhl High School

Bruno Loza — $28,800 College of Idaho

Burley High School

Alma Artega — $20,800 College of Idaho

Lucas Nevarez — $500 Idaho State University

Jorge Rios Jr. — $500 College of Southern Idaho

Butte High School

Rockelle Allen — $3,280 BYU-Idaho

Caldwell High School

Daisy Ambriz — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,250 University of Idaho

Natalie Garcia — $84,900 College of Idaho

Elizabeth Peña — $67,300 College of Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University, $500 GSDI scholarship for third place in the art competition

Chris Serrano — $20,800 College of Idaho

Capital High School

Sergio Cabrera — $1,500 Treasure Valley Community College

Laura Martinez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,000 Boise State University, $250 GSDI scholarship for second place (female) in the 5K run, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Cascade High School

Danielle Kleint — $20,800 College of Idaho

Cassia Alternative High School

Abdur Dominguez — $36,800 College of Idaho

Centennial High School

Keren Carpinteyro — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,280 BYU-Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Carlos Gomez — $20,800 College of Idaho

Anthony Gonzalez — $36,800 College of Idaho, $32,000 University of Montana, $250 GSDI scholarship for the people’s choice award in the talent competition (traditional)

Central High School

Adrian Lemus — $1,000 Eastern Idaho Technical College

Columbia High School

Geraldin Crispin — $32,800 College of Idaho, $12,000 University of Montana

Martika Flores — $36,800 College of Idaho

Yadira Morales — $20,800 College of Idaho

Cristian Sandoval — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $1,200 GSDI scholarship for first place in the art competition

Dietrich High School

Alberto Cabrera — $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Valeria McDaniel — $3,280 BYU-Idaho

Eagle High School

Jennifer Cardenas — $36,800 College of Idaho

Miranda Palacio — $20,800 College of Idaho, $250 GSDI scholarship for people’s choice award in the talent competition (contemporary)

Emerson High School (Westview)

Kasna Roberts — $2,000 scholarship from North Wind, Inc.

Maribel Trejo — $2,000 scholarship from North Wind, Inc.

Filer High School

Ana Zavala — $20,800 College of Idaho, $27,145 Utah State University

Firth High School

Marsela Martinez — $500 Eastern Idaho Technical College, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Mark Zamora — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,280 BYU-Idaho, $1,500 Treasure Valley Community College

Frank Church High School

Dominik Mandujano — $20,800 College of Idaho

Glenns Ferry High School

Adriana Ballesteros — $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP, $500 GSDI scholarship for second place in the talent competition (traditional)

Janet Bejar — $500 College of Southern Idaho

Gustavo Hernandez — $500 GSDI scholarship for second place in the talent competition (traditional)

Hansen High School

Carlos Vargas — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,000 Boise State University CAMP

Highland High School

Katherine Carlsen — $52,000 College of Idaho, $500 GSDI scholarship for second place in the Issues to Action team competition

Kire Barraza — $3,280 BYU-Idaho, $10,000 Gonzaga University, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship

Hillcrest High School

Jon Alban — $1,640 BYU-Idaho

Homeschooled student

Juan Francisco Luna Jr. — $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Homedale High School

Jesica Sotelo — $78,200 College of Idaho, $1,250 University of Idaho

Blanca Uriarte — $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP

Miguel Vasquez — $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP

Idaho Arts Charter School

Krystina Garcia — $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Idaho Falls High School

Jennifer Hernandez — $20,800 College of Idaho

Maria Ana Avila De Lizaur — $500 University of Idaho, $32,000 University of Montana

Maria Isabel Avila De Lizaur — $36,800 College of Idaho, $500 University of Idaho, $32,000 University of Montana

Independence Alternative High School

Carlos Lopez — $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Jerome High School

Lizbeth Jauregui — $34,800 College of Idaho, $13,856 Utah Valley University

Jessica Mendoza — $20,800 College of Idaho

Sergio Mendoza — $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Giselle Sedano — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,000 Boise State University CAMP

Sara Valdez — $2,400 College of Southern Idaho

Kuna High School

Daniel Baeza — $20,800 College of Idaho

Lewiston High School

Ridge Fuentes — $20,800 College of Idaho

Talarie Guier — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,250 Lewis-Clark State College

Mackay High School

$3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $2,750 University of Idaho

Madison High School

Rogelio Aguirre — $1,000 GSDI scholarship for an award of merit (essay competition)

Irving Loya — $1,350 Eastern Idaho Technical College

Giovanna Sweat — $40,800 College of Idaho

Melba High School

Karla Avalos — $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Martha Santos — $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Meridian High School

José Prado — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,500 University of Idaho

Middleton High School

Amy Melendez — $500 Asul Mendez scholarship

Minico High School

Marisela Castillo — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP, $9,974 Utah State University

Monica Delgado — $20,800 College of Idaho

Lanellia Palomarez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Mountain Home High School

Julio Cantu — $1,000 GSDI scholarship for second place in the art competition, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship

Jennifer Juarez — $46,448 College of Idaho, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP

Mountain View High School

Ana Mejia — $1,000 College of Western Idaho

Sara Mercado — $36,800 College of Idaho

Joana Ortiz — $20,800 College of Idaho

Blanca Vanegas — $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP, $1,000 GSDI scholarship for award of merit (essay competition)

Nampa High School

Maricela Ballesteros — $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Maria Emma Garcia — $54,200 College of Idaho, $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Estephania Gongora — $20,800 College of Idaho, $10,000 Gonzaga University, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship

Guadalupe Gonzalez — $22,800 College of Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Cristina Medrano — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP

Mariana Morales — $20,800 College of Idaho

North Fremont High School

Joel Vega — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP

Notus High School

Vanessa Guillen — $1,250 University of Idaho

Hector Luna — $600 Lewis-Clark State College

Oakley High School

Iris Evelia Barajas — $20,800 College of Idaho

Karen Contreras — $500 College of Southern Idaho, $1,000 GSDI scholarship for award of merit (essay competition)

Parma High School

Laura Diaz — $500 College of Southern Idaho

Abelardo Gallegos — $1,000 College of Western Idaho

Nancy Gomez-Jimenez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $500 Lewis-Clark State College

Paula Ynigez — $3,000 Boise State University CAMP

Pocatello High School

Deyis Figueroa — $20,800 College of Idaho

Nicole Rodriguez — $16,000 University of Montana

Preston High School

Anabel Judith Hernandez — $250 GSDI scholarship for fourth place in the speech competition

Ivan Vazquez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,000 Idaho State University, $13,856 Utah Valley University, $1,200 GSDI scholarship for first place in the talent competition (contemporary), $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship

Raft River High School

Brittany Gonzalez — $20,800 College of Idaho

Rigby High School

Kasandra Hernandez — $20,800 College of Idaho

Lisa Marie King — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,640 BYU-Idaho, $500 GSDI scholarship for third place in the talent competition (contemporary), $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Emily Reyes — $20,800 College of Idaho, $13,856 Utah Valley University

Ririe High School

Angie Kisner — $20,800 College of Idaho, $500 College of Southern Idaho

Kadie Perez — $28,800 College of Idaho

Shelley High School

Richard Martinez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,000 Idaho State University, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University, $9,974 Utah State University, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Javier Velasco — $20,800 College of Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Shoshone High School

Maria Concepción Garcia — $500 Lewis-Clark State College

Skyline High School

Lance Carvajal — $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,640 BYU-Idaho

Olivia Lora — $28,800 College of Idaho

Martha Ramirez — $20,800 College of Idaho

Jorge Rangel — $28,800 College of Idaho, $1,000 Idaho State University, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University, $2,000 University of Idaho, $11,974 Utah State University

Araceli Trejo — $87,400 College of Idaho, $3,000 Boise State University, $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Snake River High School

Abraham Martinez — $79,000 College of Idaho, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP, $10,974 Utah State University, $250 GSDI scholarship for people’s choice award in the art competition

Bianca Rodriguez — $28,800 College of Idaho

Soda Springs High School

Debra Ochoa — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,280 BYU-Idaho

South Fremont High School

Irving Benitez — $3,000 Boise State University CAMP

Cristina Garcia — $3,000 Boise State University CAMP

Rubia Rangel — $27,300 College of Idaho, $1,000 GSDI scholarship for second place in the speech competition

Francisco Rodriguez — $20,800 College of Idaho

Teton High School

Micheline Espejel — $28,800 College of Idaho, $500 College of Southern Idaho

Luis Ortiz — $1,000 Eastern Idaho Technical College, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University, $12,000 University of Montana

Celia Perez-Carrillo — $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Kevin Sosa — $2,400 College of Southern Idaho

Timberline High School

Diana Cook — $52,000 College of Idaho, $3,200 University of Idaho, $1,000 Utah State University, $500 GSDI scholarship for first place (female) in the 5K run

Cindy Samantha Rodriguez — $3,280 BYU-Idaho

Twin Falls High School

Francisco Aguirre — $20,800 College of Idaho

Vallivue High School

Marissa Calderón — $3,000 Boise State University CAMP

Mariza De Loera — $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,000 Boise State University, $1,500 University of Idaho, $1,200 GSDI scholarship for first place in the talent competition (traditional)

Laura Franco — $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP

Ivonne Martinez — $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,400 College of Southern Idaho

Naomi Nuñez — $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship, $500 scholarship from Portage, Inc.

Weiser High School

Esmerelda Nabarrete — $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,000 Lewis-Clark State College

Viky Vargas — $1,000 GSDI scholarship for award of merit (essay competition)

Wendell High School

Arnold Mendiola — $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $3,750 University of Idaho, $500 GSDI scholarship for third place in the talent competition (traditional)

Michael Sandoval — $1,000 GSDI scholarship for second place in the talent competition (contemporary), $2,000 scholarship from North Wind, Inc.

West Jefferson High School

Maria Luisa Saldaña — $500 Eastern Idaho Technical College

Wilder High School

Edgar Aguilera — $20,800 College of Idaho, $500 College of Southern Idaho

Arturo Espinosa — $98,500 College of Idaho

Miguel Rodriguez — $98,660 College of Idaho, $250 GSDI scholarship for second place (male) in the 5K run

Daniel Sandoval — $77,300 College of Idaho

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Visit the Hispanic Youth Symposium Web site: https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=328&parentname=CommunityPage&parentid=4&mode=2&in_hi_userid=200&cached=true