Jesse Ayala Jr. and Sergio Barbosa-Mireles win Middle School Scholarships Awards. Latino Students In Spotlight At Awards Dinner

Saturday, November 4, 2000
Naomi R. Patton Wisconsin State Journal

With an eye on the new millennium, Centro Hispano of Dane County honored its past and future on Friday night at the group's 11th annual banquet in Middleton.

More than 550 people attended the awards dinner, themed ``Latinos in the New Millennium.'' A dozen scholarships were given to middle school, high school, college and nontraditional students.

``Tonight is dedicated to Latino students and it's dedicated to the people that work with them,'' said Centro Hispano Executive Director Lucia Nunez. ``We are here to root ourselves in our ancient history, and the students here are forging a new path.''

Robert Ibarra, UW Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and author of ``Beyond Affirmative Action: Reframing the Context for Higher Education,'' discussed education reform in his keynote speech.

``The future of Latinos and Latino youth is involved in becoming aware,'' Ibarra said. ``Once you have the ideas in place they will become keys to the future.''

Scholarship recipients included:

* Middle school students: Jesus Ayala, Jr., Sergio Barbosa-Mireles and Javi Galindo.

* High school students: Leticia C. Hernandez Garcia, Modesta Montes and Angelica R. Rojo.

* College students: Barbara Elinor Alvarado, Angelina Paz Calderon and Angel L. Gullon-Rivera.

* Adults: Ruben Guerrero and Delmis Espinal.

Sandra Becerra, a freshman at Madison West High School, received $1,000 as the first-time Sanchez Scholar award winner, named for retired UW Professor Roberto Sanchez.