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$26,000 in Lulac Parent/Child Scholarships Puts College in Reach of Two Generations
Thanks to a unique scholarship program, 26 parents and their pre-school children now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a college education. At the LULAC Rey Feo Parent/Child Scholarship awards ceremony today, the parents, who are currently enrolled at one of the Alamo Colleges, were awarded a $1,000 scholarship. To provide them with an added incentive for academic success, once they achieve their educational goal (associate degree, certification or the first part of a transfer program) their child will be entitled to a two-year scholarship to one of the Alamo Colleges. One parent also was awarded the $1,000 Lisa Rose Flores Memorial Parent/Child scholarship. The LULAC Parent/Child scholarship program is the only one of its kind in the nation.
As part of the event, an oversized “check” for $26,000 was presented to Jackie Van De Walle, chair of the ACCD Foundation. The $26,000 donated for the LULAC Parent/Child scholarships will be matched by funds from the ACCD Foundation to establish an endowment which will provide the scholarships.
“This unique scholarship program not only increases access to a college education and contributes to student success for first-generation-in-college-students, but also helps a second generation to achieve success as well,” said Alamo Colleges’ Chancellor Dr. Bruce H. Leslie. “We deeply appreciate the support of Rey Feo Charlie Garza, Reina de la Feria de las Flores Monica Garcia and LULAC Council No. 2. that has enabled this program to continue for 13 years,” he added.
Two of the Parent/Child Scholars shared their stories at the awards ceremony. Bertha Mederos, one of this year’s Parent/Child Scholars, is a full time student at SAC majoring in education and working part time. She is a single mom with sole custody of her two-year-old son.
“Having the security blanket of my son’s undergraduate tuition paid in full would be an extreme burden removed from my shoulders,” said Mederos. “To all of the partners and representatives of this program, and to Ms. Monica Garcia, Reina de la Feria de las Flores, please rest assured that the seeds, which you have planted, will undoubtedly bloom into the rewards of tomorrow,” she added.
The other student speaker at the event was Matthew J. Pokorney, a 2007 Parent/Child Scholar, who transferred this fall from SAC to the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, where he plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory sciences. Pokorney and his wife are attending college, working part time, and are full-time parents to their three-year-old daughter. Pokorney began college after fulfilling his military duty.
“There have been moments in my life, which seemed to be insurmountable, but I always come through stronger during challenging times,” said Pokorney. “Life throws difficulties at all of us, yet I have found that I can accomplish anything with determination and help from friends and family,” he added.
The LULAC Rey Feo Parent-Child scholarship program began in 1997 with a donation of $25,000 from the LULAC Rey Feo Scholarship Committee, Inc., matched by $25,000 from the ACCD Foundation. To date, 332 students have been accepted into the program. The Women’s Center at San Antonio College, directed by Dr. Helen Vera, coordinates the selection of the recipients and provides assistance to the parents. The first LULAC Parent/Child Scholar’s child will graduate from high school in 2010.
At the Alamo Colleges, high quality education and low costs provide exceptional value to students and alumni who are major contributors to the economy and culture of our community. For more information, visit our website at alamo.edu.