The Spanish -American Foundation Inc. recently celebrated its annual gala, in which educational scholarships were given to six outstanding Hispanic students of secondary schools in the state of New York.
The non -profit organization, based in Baldwin, has granted more than 34 scholarships that total $ 170,000 dollars in support of young Hispanics since its creation in 2007. His mission is to encourage, advise and support students from the Latin community on their way to university and professional development.
Thus, the Hispano -American Foundation aims to promote and nurture academic success, educational magnificence and intellectual progress of Hispanic students.
This year the award -winning students are: Catherine Lucero Amaya graduated from Hinchh School, Diego Monroy from Westbury High School, Jonathan David Herrera by Valley Stream South High School, Kevin Ramos by Freeport High School, Sonia Noemí Galdamez Casasola de Roosevelt High School and Sophia Serrano-Pannucci by Freeport Christian Academy.
The Hispano -American Foundation has a first -hand story where the founders William Díaz Marín and Mrs. Vicky Díaz, living in the United States, faced great challenges when raising and educating their children in a new country. But instead of surrendering, they saw this as an opportunity to do something big and serve their community.
The organization has stories that have moved the founders not to faint during their management with the Foundation, this is one of the many testimonies:
“This scholarship not only represents great support to continue my studies, but it is also a motivation to continue fighting until you reach my goal,” said Sonia Galdamez, who expressed his gratitude to the Spanish -American Foundation to sow in Hispanic students and open roads.
The Spanish -American Foundation Inc. has a Board of Directors made up of voluntary persons committed to the development and delivery of scholarships to young Hispanics highlighted in local schools, they are: Edwin Gutiérrez, president; Kevin Segura, vice president; Manuel Solano, treasurer; Rossana Zúñiga, secretary.
We continue with the scholarship committee composed of President Gloria Isabel Baca, along with Patricia Flores, Vice-President; Elsa Valle and Kathy Gómez, directors of this committee.
The fundraising committee with Channy Díaz, president; the young people with Anjali Anand, president, and Chasmin Velázquez, director; and the event committee with its president Yulissa Baltazar.
The president of the Spanish -American Foundation Inc., Edwin Gutiérrez, commented that providing scholarships to deserving students has a deep personal meaning, for being the first person in his family to graduate from the university.
He continued explaining that first -hand he understands how challenging and overwhelming the way to higher education can be. These scholarships not only offer financial support, but also represent a powerful validation that the effort and perseverance of students have really worth it.
Gutiérrez invited the Long Island community to get involved and continue to support the mission of the Spanish -American Foundation.
«There are numerous ways in which the community can help to continue our mission. The most powerful is through financial support. His generosity makes it possible for us to give scholarships that can change the course of a young man’s life. For many students, this support is the difference between dreaming of the university and really having the opportunity to attend ».
«But support goes beyond the economic. By offering your time and talent as a volunteer, you become part of a movement that in unity can be able to serve many more Hispanic students ».
«Our Board of Directors is composed entirely of volunteers who deliver their heart to this cause, and their dedication drives everything we do. When more hands and voices come together, our reach grows and with it our ability to raise the community that we serve together, we can open doors, create opportunities and inspire the next generation of leaders, ”Gutierrez emphasized, also an entrepreneur of the Gala Foods supermarkets.
In this way the scholarships of the Spanish -American Foundation positively impact the lives of students and their families.
«The costs of university pensions are high and these scholarships have a significant impact, since they not only reduce the financial burden of studies, but also encourage academic and personal development. These aid allow students to concentrate on their careers and reach their educational and professional goals, ”said Gloria Isabel Baca, the president of the scholarship committee of this organization.
In order to obtain the scholarships, students must apply through the website www.fundacionh.org .
«The selection process is based on a score system in which we evaluate different criteria, students with higher scores go to the final stage that is the interviews in which they are also evaluated in a similar way. The Spanish -American Foundation Scholarship Committee is in charge of this process, ”said Baca.
The emotional evening of the scholarships also had the participation of managers, members and leaders of the community such as Phil Ramos, 6th Assemblyman. Long Island district and vice president of the Assembly of the State of New York, as well as collaborators who year after year contribute to raising funds to continue promoting the future of Hispanic youth in our area.
This is the testimony of the student Sonia Noemí Galdamez Casasola, of Roosevelt High School, who received a scholarship from the Spanish -American Foundation this 2025:
This is the opinion of Andrea Maconcela who received a scholarship from the Hispanoamerican Foundation in 2008:
