Foothill's Latino Scholarship Drive

I was recently talking to a friend of mine whose son is a high school senior. We got on the topic of college scholarships. He's applying for his first one.
Apply for more, I told her. Do your research. They are out there.
I should know. As a young college kid, I researched and applied for as many scholarships as I could....and I was fortunate to be awarded a number of them that helped pay my way through college, along with my part-time jobs.
Most often, scholarships are run by large businesses or nonprofit groups.
But a group of students at Foothill High School are making a difference of their own.
These students who are part of the La Raza Club are holding a fund-raising event, a night of culture and elegance May 8, in an effort to raise scholarship money.
The Latino student club will be host its first Noche de Cultura Friday May 8 from 5-11p.m at Foothill High School. The event will feature vaqueros, custom low-rider show, music, food and dancing.
Pre-sale tickets are $7 or $10 at the door.
"Every cent that we make from this event will go toward La Raza Scholarship Foundation," said Edwin Henriquez, a Foothill High School Spanish Instructor and La Raza Club adviser.
Creating the foundation speaks to one of the primary goals behind La Raza, one of the most active clubs on campus, Henriquez said.
“We want to change the image of La Raza club. They want students to join for other reasons. La Raza group is to encourage students to go to school and college.”
Forming such a scholarship program could benefit students like Ashley Miranda.
Ashley is currently a senior at Foothill. She is helping organize the event by selling tickets and planning activities.
She said the club has exposed her to different universities through field trips.
Let's hope that this effort generates the right amount of success for a passionate group of kids who are trying to create higher ed opportunities for their own generation.