*CLAA is proud to announce that we have awarded 12 new scholarships for 2008-09 to current Cal students. Each of the deserving students was evaluated on financial need and proven comittment to community service.
"I have learned that everything works in circles, and I believe that by giving me this scholarship, there are four circles of lives that you are contributing to: myself, my family, the community and other communities," said Zaira Hernandez upon receiving her scholarship.
Read all the bios below:
ZAIRA MONTSERRAT HERNANDEZ
Zaira Montserrat Hernandez was born in Mexico and moved to the U.S. at the age of 11 not knowing a word in English. With perseverance and commitment, she worked hard to master the language. She quickly went form being an “English as a Second” language student to an advanced placement student in literature. Hernandez is a freshman at UC Berkeley and is pursuing a major in communications and a minor in art.
“My passion for education, zest for knowledge, and this scholarship are my tools for transforming my dreams into reality,” she said.
ANGELICA DIAZ-NARANJO
Angélica Díaz-Naranjo is a senior at the UC Berkeley. She is pursuing a double major in Spanish and peace and conflict studies with an emphasis in human rights. She is he youngest in her family and the first to attend a four-year university. Diaz-Naranjo is currently applying to graduate school.
“I am inspired to know that there are many people who have been down this road and now have careers and yet they continue to support the Chican@/Latin@ students at UC Berkeley,” she said. “I am very thankful for this scholarship and I hope to someday be able to contribute to those students that will come after me supporting them to achieve their academic dreams.”
YANIA ESCOBAR
Yania Escobar and her family immigrated from Uruguay when she was in junior high school. She quickly adapted to her new school and excelled in math and science. She is a freshman at UC Berkeley studying chemical engineering with the goal of becoming a trauma surgeon.
“Thank you for being part of a great beginning, soon enough you will see the results of your bighearted work,” she said.
MARCO FLORES
Marco Flores is a junior at UC Berkeley double majoring in mathematics and gender studies, with a minor in Spanish. After graduating from Cal he plans to pursued a PhD in public health.
Flores is involved in various community service organizations such as the Latino Network Leadership Institute, Upward Bound, and MEChA and he has been a motivational speaker at various youth conferences.
“I am honestly overwhelmed with joy and happiness that you have given me the opportunity to continue my education and focus within my next educational goal of attending Graduate School at Yale University,” he said.
CINDY GAMEZ
Cindy Gamez is a junior at UC Berkeley majoring in sociology. As an undergraduate student she is doing her part to help the Latino community by working as a DUI counselor for a local recovery center. Her ultimate goal is to start an organization for Latino children that will provide academic and emotional support.
“Receiving this scholarship will motivate me to continue striving academically and personally because I know the CLAA wants me to succeed,” she said.
SAMUEL GARCIA
Samuel Garcia is a senior at UC Berkeley majoring in molecular environmental biology with the goal of attending medical school. He was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. in 1991. Growing up on a low-income community he witnessed how the lack of appropriate health care negatively impacted the people around him. By becoming a doctor he hopes to help make quality health care available to more people in low-income communities.
“Thank you so much and I look forward to being able to contribute to CLAA in the not so far future,” he said.
NELLY GONZALEZ
Nelly Gonzalez is a senior at UC Berkeley majoring in molecular cell biology and cognitive science with a concentration in neuroscience. She has been actively involved in campus activities including the Chicano/Latino Agenda Office, Chicanos in Health Education, and Raza Recruitment and Retention. She has also held various part-time jobs with the Greenlining Institute, the Latino Issues Forum, and the Biology Scholars Program. Gonzalez plans on attending medical school to become a doctor.
“When I walk across the graduation stage, I will definitely be thinking of CLAA as part of the group of people that made that day possible for me. thank you, mil gracias,” she said.
ANDREA GUERRERO
Andrea Guerrero is a transfer student from Santa Barbara. She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico immigrating to the U.S. as a small child. She is a junior at UC Berkeley majoring in linguistics. While she speaks English and Spanish, she is also studying Arabic and Italian.
Through her involvement with the community based organization Just Communities, Guerrero has been inspired to work on social justice issues. Upon graduating from Cal she plans to work at a non-profit organization as a translator, uniting her passion for social justice and language.
“One of the most significant sources of inspiration and motivation is the support of those around us," she said. "It is a reminder that our hard work and success is not only a personal achievement, but also part of something bigger; through our accomplishments we can give back and create the improved world we envision.”
MIGUEL LINARES
Miguel Linares is a freshman at UC Berkeley majoring in molecular cell biology. He was born and raised in El Salvador and immigrated to the U.S. when he was fifteen years old. Raised with an "expectation to help others" Linares has performed missionary work in rural areas through his church. The hardships he witnesses in these poor areas inspired him to study to become a doctor.
“The funds provided by the scholarship will be of much help for my academic endeavors,” he said. “The scholarship will relieve some financial burdens and allow me to focus more on my studies.”
MARLON E. GUZMAN-CAMPOS
Marlon Guzman-Campos hails from los angeles and is currently a freshman at UC Berkeley.
"I want to thank you for this scholarship. It is just not money it is a something that is going to help me develop my personality even more. It is going to allow me to be someone successful in life. But most importantly I will be able to complete my goals."
GENNY MOO
Genny Moo was born in Yucatán, Mexico and moved to California at the age of eight. She is an aspiring chemical engineer with an eye toward developing new pharmaceuticals that will fight and beat chronic conditions such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Moo also hopes to serve as an agent of change by working to eliminate epidemics and other diseases in Third World countries. She is currently a member of Hispanic Engineers and Scientists and is a former intern at the Chicano Latino Agenda Office.
“Every day I deal with the stress of not knowing whether I will find funds to finance my education and your scholarship has taken away some of that stress. Now I know that because of your contribution, I will be able to give the first payment of my tuition fees and be officially registered for next semester, spring 2009,” she said.
JULIO NAVARRO
Julio Navarro was born and raised in East Los Angeles. He is a junior at UC Berkeley majoring in legal studies, with a minor in public policy. Prior to transferring to Cal from Solano Community College, he served with honor in the United States Navy for eight years. Navarro aspires to practice law and provide legal council to underprivileged families. He is the first member of his family to graduate from high school and to attend a four-year university.
“I would like to thank the Chicano Latino Alumni Association for making my experience and my desire to succeed at Cal a lot easier,” he said.
ERIKA OSEGUERA
Erika Oseguera is a sophomore at UC Berkeley majoring in social welfare, with a minor in education. One of her goals is to graduate from Cal with honors and attend law school with a concentration on immigration and/or criminal law. She is actively involved in her community through work with organizations such as the Alameda Labor Council and Bay Area Legal Aid.
“I truly admire every single one of you and you definitely serve as a motivation for me to continue giving back to my community because in unity we, the Latino community, will ultimately succeed,” she said.