$1.6 million in scholarships awarded at 2007 Hispanic Youth Symposium

More than 130 students from throughout the state received college scholarships after participating in the 2007 Hispanic Youth Symposium in Sun Valley April 27-29.

Scholarships valued at more than $1.6 million were awarded at the symposium, which brought nearly 300 Idaho Hispanic high school students together for a weekend of motivational speakers and interactive workshops. Students also participated in speech, talent, art, and athletic and interactive skill contests.

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 Albertson College of Idaho, Boise State University, BYU-Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, Eastern Idaho Technical College, Gonzaga University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, Montana State University, Northwest Nazarene University, University of Idaho and Utah State University. Several College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) scholarships also were awarded. In addition, scholarships were awarded to promising students by Gem State Diversity Initiatives -- $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.

Theme of the symposium was "Si Se Puede! - It Can Be Done!" The event targets the important themes of school dropout prevention, continuing education, taking pride in Latino culture and breaking the cycle of poverty. Through the symposium, the students learn that nothing is impossible because they have the power to shape their own futures.

Rosalinda Ramirez of Jerome High School was awarded the $3,000 Natalie Lupe Reyes Memorial Scholarship for being selected the outstanding female student of the symposium. She also received a $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for taking first place (female) in the 5K run.
Jose Loza of Nampa High School was awarded the $3,000 Frank Gamboa Sanchez Memorial Scholarship for being selected the outstanding male student of the symposium. He also received a $ 5,500 Boise State University CAMP scholarship.

Other winners (Name, high school, scholarship amount):

Lily Fonseca, American Falls High School, $24,800 Albertson College, $3,000 Boise State University, $2,500 Idaho State University
Margarita Ortiz, American Falls High School, $2,400 Idaho State University
Jessica Gonzalez, Blackfoot High School, $500 College of Southern Idaho, $1,000 scholarship from North Wind, Inc.
Alfonso Hernandez, Blackfoot High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $250 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place (male) in the 5K run
Marisol Ibarra, Blackfoot High School, $2,800 Northwest Nazarene University, $3,000 University of Idaho
Erica Lora, Blackfoot High School, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP
Alejandro Martinez, Blackfoot High School, $12,000 Montana State University College of Engineering
Abigail Perez, Blackfoot High School, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship
Juvent Ramirez, Blackfoot High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Reynaldo Rueda, Blackfoot High School, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Claudia Brandt, Boise High School, $56,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Brenda Acosta, Bonneville High School, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place in the talent (traditional) competition
Gabe Lopez, Bonneville High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship
Maria Mendoza, Bonneville High School, $1,000 Eastern Idaho Technical College
Jose Rodriguez, Bonneville High School, $500 Gem State diversity scholarship for second place in the talent (traditional) competition
Janeth Rojo, Bonneville High School, $3,000 Boise State University, $30,000 Utah State University
Maritza Rosales, Bonneville High School, $22,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $5,000 Idaho State University
Jorge Leonardo Sagastume, Bonneville High School, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship
Jordan Arellano, Borah High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $10,000 Gonzaga University
Jorge Barroso, Borah High School, $1,200 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place (tie) in the essay competition
Griselda Delgado, Buhl High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Monica Del Toro, Burley High School, $500 Boise State University, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place in the Issues to Action competition
Gabriela Novoa, Burley High School, $1,200 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place in the speech competition
Daniel Cortes, Caldwell High School, $24,800 Albertson College of Idaho
Tiffany Garcia, Caldwell High School, $24,800 Albertson College of Idaho, $3,000 University of Idaho
Veronica Jasso, Caldwell High School, $6,500 University of Idaho
Juan Olvera, Caldwell High School, $200 Gem State Diversity scholarship for sixth place in the speech competition
Jesus Ocampo, Carey High School, $500 College of Southern Idaho, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Jessica Lopez, Central Academy, $500 College of Southern Idaho
Ashley Portenier, Central Academy, $3,000 Utah State University
Joe Montoya, Challis High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place (male) in the 5K run
Charito Morales, Challis High School, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP
Antonio Hernandez, Columbia High School, $800 Gem State Diversity scholarship for third place in the speech competition, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Jeanne Rodriguez, Columbia High School, $30,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $10,000 Northwest Nazarene University
Nancy Orizaba, Emmett High School, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Diana Ornelas, Emmett High School, $22,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Maria Sotelo-Dominguez, Emmett High School, $1,000 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place (tie) in the essay competition
Esteban Arteaga, Filer High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Jose Rosas, Filer High School, $2,100 College of Southern Idaho
Erica Serrano, Filer High School, $24,800 Albertson College of Idaho
Bianca Garcia, Firth High School, $1,000 Boise State University, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Carlos Gonzales, Firth High School, $32,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $3,000 University of Idaho, $4,000 Utah State University
Jesse Zamora, Firth High School, $40,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $14,000 Northwest Nazarene University, $30,000 Utah State University, $1,000 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place (tie) in the essay competition
Edileni Guerrero, Glenns Ferry High School, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Maria Ortiz, Glenns Ferry High School, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Julie Pedroza, Glenns Ferry High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Ana Zacarias, Glenns Ferry High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Mike Fernandez, Highland High School, $1,000 scholarship from North Wind, Inc.
Karrie Begay, Hillcrest High School, $800 BYU-Idaho, $30,000 Utah State University
Karla Mora, Hillcrest High School, $18,000 Utah State University
Elizabeth Calderon, Homedale High School, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Adriana Ramos, Idaho Falls High School, $12,000 Montana State University College of Engineering, $500 University of Idaho, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for the people's choice award in the art competition
Ysabel Segovia, Idaho Falls High School, $1,200 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place (tie) in the essay competition
Maria Angela Govea, Jerome High School, $2,100 College of Southern Idaho
Ryan Nunez, Lewiston High School, two Gem State Diversity scholarships -- $500 for the people's choice award in the talent (contemporary) competition, $1,000 for first place in the Issues to Action competition
Jessie Mendoza, Lincoln High School, $1,200 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place in the art competition
Maria Elena Martinez, Mackay High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Lucero Martinez, Madison High School, $10,400 Albertson College of Idaho
Matthew Olivas, Madison High School, $660 Boise State University, $1,200 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place in the talent (contemporary) competition
Kris Sommer, Madison High School, $800 BYU-Idaho
Manuel Herrera, Marsing High School, $6,800 Northwest Nazarene University
Erasmo Castor, Minico High School, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Leticia Lemus, Minico High School, $22,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $5,000 University of Idaho
Kayla Little, Minico High School, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Vanessa Lopez, Minico High School, $14,800 Albertson College of Idaho, $800 BYU-Idaho, $1,200 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place in the talent (traditional) competition
Heatherly Norman, Minico High School, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place in the Issues to Action competition
Lorena Arredondo, Mountain Home High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Ana Laura Dominguez, Mountain Home High School, $500 College of Southern Idaho
Brandy Juarez, Mountain Home High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Holly Barroso, Mountain View High School, $2,800 Northwest Nazarene University
Lizbeth Robles, Mt. Harrison High School, $500 College of Southern Idaho
Juan Martinez, Murtaugh High School, $2,100 College of Southern Idaho
Jose Saucedo, Murtaugh High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Stephanie Goodson, Nampa High School, $260 Northwest Nazarene University
Gloria Jimenez, Nampa High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP
Marisela Luna, Nampa High School, $10,400 Albertson College of Idaho
Christian Martinez, Nampa High School, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for fifth place in the speech competition
Sara Martinez, Nampa High School, $2,500 University of Idaho
Alejandro Morales, Nampa High School, $500 Campesinos Unidos scholarship
Maria Zermeno, New Plymouth High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
David Calderon, Parma High School, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP
Cruz Gallegos, Parma High School, $2,000 Northwest Nazarene University
Zachary Ynigez, Parma High School, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Amy Salcedo, Payette High School, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Maritza Arango, Pocatello High School, $40,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $12,600 Idaho State University
Angela Betzabe Rivera, Preston High School, $800 BYU-Idaho, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP
Adriana Rodriguez, Preston High School, $4,000 Utah State University
Cindy Galvan, Rigby High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Hugo Araujo Lino, Rimrock High School, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP
Enrique Lopez, Ririe High School, $20,000 Northwest Nazarene University
Jonell Rangel Hogan, Salmon High School, $10,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Lynzi Coronado, Shelley High School, $250 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place (female) in the 5K run, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship
R.J. Ramirez, Shelley High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Alexis Contreras, Skyline High School, $2,600 Idaho State University, $19,000 Utah State University
Maria Lora, Skyline High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Javier Ramirez, Skyline High School, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP, $1,000 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place in the art competition
Adriana Serna, Skyline High School, $4,619 University of Idaho CAMP, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Brenda Trejo, Skyline High School, $40,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $1,000 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place in the speech competition
Itzel Valencia, Skyline High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Kortney Yde, Skyline High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Madeline Cardenas, Skyview High School, $24,800 Albertson College of Idaho
Daisy Correa, Skyview High School, $30,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Nancy Cortes, Skyview High School, $40,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Karen de Giron, Skyview High School, $10,400 Albertson College of Idaho
Perla Gonzalez, Skyview High School, $10,400 Albertson College of Idaho, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP, $14,000 Northwest Nazarene University, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for the people's choice award in the talent (traditional) competition
Sendy Martinez, Skyview High School, $5,500 Boise State University CAMP
Berenisse Bencomo, Snake River High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Brandon Ibarra, Snake River High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $10,000 Gonzaga University, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for third place (tie) in the essay competition
Claudia Luna-Meza, Snake River High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $500 Querer Es Poder
Melissa Cardona, South Fremont High School, $24,800 Albertson College of Idaho
Maria Haro, South Fremont High School, $500 Gem State Diversity scholarship for third place (tie) in the essay competition
Krista Bustamante, Sugar-Salem High School, $28,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $30,000 Utah State University, $600 Gem State Diversity scholarship for fourth place in the speech competition
Tony Torres, Sugar-Salem High School, $800 BYU-Idaho, $19,000 Utah State University
Diana Olivas, Teton High School, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Onelly Olivas, Teton High School, $2,400 Idaho State University, $1,500 University of Idaho
Rocio Ortiz, Teton High School, $1,350 Eastern Idaho Technical College
Marie Ayad, Timberline High School, $500 Boise State University
Pamela Gutierrez, Valley High School, $1,000 Gem State Diversity scholarship for first place in the Issues to Actions competition
jJoann Campos, Vallivue High School, $10,000 Gonzaga University
Amanda Gonzalez, Vallivue High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Claudio Ramirez, Vallivue High School, $500 College of Southern Idaho, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Roberto Almanza, Weiser High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho
Bertha Orozco, Weiser High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $500 Campesinos Unidos scholarship
Gustavo Ceron, Wendell High School, $28,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $1,000 Boise State University
Cecilia Gonzalez, Wendell High School, $20,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $250 Gem State Diversity scholarship for honorable mention in the essay competition
Roy Elizondo, Wilder High School, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship
Silvia Marroquin, Wilder High School, $40,000 Albertson College of Idaho, $3,000 University of Idaho
Esmeralda Ponce, Wilder High School, $4,000 Lewis-Clark State College CAMP
Juan Carlos Reyes, Wood River High School, $500 College of Southern Idaho, $1,000 Gem State Diversity scholarship for second place in the talent (contemporary) competition