Giving Her Wings: the Winners of 2023 University Scholarships Announced
Tara A. Spears
The benefit of a formal education is more than memorizing facts and theories, it’s about gaining the knowledge and the skills needed to become a better person and create a better society to live in.
Saturday the Women to Women Scholarship Committee held interviews with this year’s top performing applicants and made the awards. Congratulations to the winners (in alphabetical order):Daniela Dirzo Oropeza; Nubia Ibanez Aguilar; Evelyn Parra Carenas; Luz Perez Arias; and Quetzaly Torres Nava.
Some were nervous, some were more verbal, yet all the young women wanted to make a good impression during the interview in hopes of scoring a university scholarship. Each teen dreamed big and worked hard for years to earn above average grades to qualify. Most of the applicants are the first in her family to complete high school and attempt going to university. All the girls have imaged a better life for herself and her family through education.
It is very impressive that teens growing up in a small rural town have such an international world view as all are the applicants are studying multiple languages. Some examples of the ideas these bright young women shared during the interview: “I plan to use my training in to help my parents understand permits and teach them how to have more profit from their sales.”
Another applicant said, ”I come from an indigenous community that believes that women have no voice; I want an education to break that chain….” Another finalist stated, “I want to use my university training to help those that haven’t been heard and improve the Mexican legal system.” Yet another said, “I want to be the first woman Mexican Michelin chef!” Lastly, another student shared, “I choose to get an education in law enforcement because it is more that good guys/bad guys, I want to elevate the quality of Mexican law enforcement ” Every one of the young ladies selected has such mature goals-not just to begin university in August, but beyond completing their studies.
W2W applaud the families for nurturing the dreams and providing encouragement to their daughter. It is also a tribute to the teachers at the two feeder schools, Conalep and La Penita Preppa (high schools) for providing the knowledge and skills that enables these students to succeed.
This weekend five families in Jaltemba Bay area are celebrating their daughter’s achievement and her bright future. We on the Women to Women Committee celebrate with the students and thank all of our loyal guests, sponsors, and local businesses that donate. It takes the support of many people to provide this financial funding to the community. It is a huge effort that has huge results: more than 87 Jaltemba Bay young women have gone to university funded by Women to Women Scholarships
Women to Women believes that a university education enables young women to grow personally, professionally, and socially. Advanced education can awaken joy, curiosity and a deep desire to solve problems and help others. Plus, the personal development required to pursue a degree can prepare them to achieve leadership roles and positively impact those around them. Best wishes to the new scholarship students!
