The Semillas Project Raises Money for Students Who Are the First in Their Families to Attend College
San Jose, CA – The Foundation for Hispanic Education held the first-annual scholarship fundraiser in support of its three charter high schools on Saturday, March 11th at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, CA. THE SEMILLAS PROJECT – an After School Digital Media course that engages underserved learners at Luis Valdez Leadership Academy (LVLA), Roberto Cruz Leadership Academy (RCLA), and the Latino College Preparatory Academy (LCPA).
Each year the Semillas Scholars choose a health topic that is prevalent in the Latino community. This year, the focus was on Diabetes in the Latino Community. To that end, The Semillas Project students collaborated with the Silicon Valley American Diabetes Association, Dr. Peter H. Hwang of Stanford University Medical Center and instructors to research and develop impactful storylines with health education as a primary program objective. The final project was a short film, “Mis Manos” which will be part of a multi-year health awareness program for TFHE students to become a new generation of medical professionals, storytellers, and agents of change for the Latino community.
The Semillas Project Students premiered their “Mis Manos” film at the scholarship fundraiser event and were featured onstage with Semillas Project Director Emiliano Valdez in a conversation with event emcee Rick Najera (writer, author, comedian). TV and Film Actor Antonio Jaramillo (NBC-TV Shades of Blue) was Keynote Speaker at the event. Veteran actor Luis Guzman (TVs Code Black) was presented with the Semillas Humanitarian Award by Ed Alvarez, President of the Foundation for Hispanic Education.
The evening culminated in a $20,000 Scholarship Presentation by Dr. Hernan Bucheli, Vice-Provost of Saint Mary’s College.
The Semillas Project Scholarship Fundraiser benefits 1st Generation college students and will provide scholarships so that students of LVLA, LCPA, and RCLA can be the first in their families to attend college. This year’s Semillas Project students are 10th Graders Tania Romero, Cynthia Toro, Chris Gomez, Giselle Vasquez, and Osiel Rodriguez. 11th graders include Andrea Rodriguez, Lizeth Yebra, and Abisaid Esquivel.
The Semillas Project supports the Mission of the Foundation for Hispanic Education by providing engaging and relevant service learning experiences. These authentic experiences meet real community needs, and provide experiences for students to learn about their education and career options through professional job shadowing, career development activities through digital media project based learning, and integrated career activities with their peers and professionals in the field.
“I am truly excited that we at the Foundation were able to showcase the remarkable work done by this group of dedicated students. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the important role they are playing in bringing awareness to the Latino community on the effects of Diabetes”, said Ed Alvarez, President of the Foundation for Hispanic Education. Visit tfhesemillas.org to learn more about The Semillas Projects and other programs from The Foundation For Hispanic Education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria F. Hernandez Schabbing 408.453.0353 office; 510.377-5308 mobile, mschabbing@sbcglobal.net
