Nine Waubonsee Community College students and alumni were awarded scholarships at the 19th Annual Hispanic Pioneer Breakfast hosted by 2nd Ward Alderwoman Juany Garza on Thursday, Sept. 12, in Aurora.
Waubonsee student and alumni scholarship award recipients included:
- Alexander Contreras, of Aurora, studying Criminal Justice
- Jazmin Garcia Malagon, of Aurora, studying Nursing
- Melissa Flores, of Aurora, studying General Studies
- Evelyn Lopez, of Aurora, studying Biology
- Gina Montes, of Aurora, studying General Studies
- Isabel Nino, of Aurora, studying EMT/Paramedic
- Huitzi Del Real, of Aurora, studying Mechanical Engineering
- Isaac Sebastian Del Toro, of Aurora, studying Interior Design
- Waubonsee alumnus Ireri Miranda-Gonzalez, of Aurora, who studied Psychology at Waubonsee and has since transferred to Aurora University
The Hispanic Pioneers Breakfast emphasized the important role education plays in advancing the Latino community. Waubonsee student Isabel Nino, one of the scholarship recipients, expressed her gratitude. “For me, the scholarship felt really good because it gave me the opportunity to know that I have more resources to help me pay for college and now, I can be more involved because I know I can get the help that I need,” she said.
Nino, who is working towards her goal of becoming a paramedic at Waubonsee, added, “I see myself right here in the Aurora community helping people. I don’t see a lot of Latino representation in health care, and receiving this scholarship as a Latina makes me feel seen and heard. It’s important for me to uplift and serve my community while honoring my culture.”
In her scholarship application, fellow Waubonsee student-athlete and scholarship recipient Jazmin Garcia Malagon shared her challenges as a non-native English speaker, stating, “Being a student whose first language is not English is not easy at all. I feel like I’m trying twice as hard ... but this obstacle has not stopped me.” Garcia Malagon has been featured on Waubonsee’s President’s List and Dean’s List twice and stated she was inspired to become a nurse after receiving help from medical translators at her doctor’s appointments. “Now I trust myself more and I know that with confidence, effort and preservation, I will be able to overcome,” she said. After Waubonsee, Garcia Malagon plans to transfer to Aurora University to pursue her nursing career.
The event, raising an impressive $32,000, awarded a total of 14 scholarships thanks to a diverse group of small businesses and local philanthropists. The breakfast also honored distinguished individuals with the Hispanic Pioneers Award. Jaqueline Ruiz, Dr. Robert Renteria, and Dr. Alejandro Benavides were recognized for their contributions to the Hispanic community.
Addressing the scholarship recipients in his remarks, Dr. Benavides, a Waubonsee alumnus, referenced a poem by Robert Frost called “The Road Not Taken.” By quoting the first and last stanzas, he highlighted the poem’s theme of life’s choices, challenges, and missed opportunities. Dr. Benavides applauded Nino, Garcia Malagon, and the other scholarship recipients for taking the more difficult road to education, emphasizing, “You took the one that was less traveled, your real power is in education.”
Waubonsee is proud to be designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), joining the critical work to increase capacity to serve Latinx students holistically by mentoring students and helping families understand college. Currently, more than 600 HSIs serve over 2 million students nationally.
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, Waubonsee honors the rich cultures, histories, and identities of our Latinx students, employees and community members. From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the college is offering a range of learning and engagement activities to recognize and celebrate the diverse contributions of the Latinx community. Learn more by visiting waubonsee.edu/LatinxHeritageMonth.
Above: (front row, from left to right) Tess Corral, Senior Financial Aid Advisor; Ireri Miranda-Gonzalez; Evelyn Lopez; Isabel Nino; and Melissa Flores; (Back row) Waubonsee Board of Trustees member Rick Guzman; Dr. Anthony Ramos, Vice President of Talent and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer; Giovanni Montes (Brother of Gina Montes who accepted her award on her behalf); Isaac Del Toro; Huitzi Del Real; Alexander Contreras; Jazmin Garcia Malagon; and Waubonsee President Dr. Brian Knetl.
