In 2010 Villa Esperanza granted its first scholarship targeted for  first generation Hispanic college students. Our scholarship is offered in collaboration with the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium

The Villa Esperanza scholarship is renewed every year for up to 5 years. Along with financial support, we also provide mentoring and professional support.  Our aim is to maximize the potential of our scholars and provide a support network to help them achieve their academic and professional goals.

2011 Scholarship Recipients

Joselyn

My name is Joselyn. I was born in Quito, Ecuador and I am the middle child of 3 amazing girls. I moved to the USA with my family when I was 9 years old and spoke no English at all. I mastered the language and graduated top 4% from Jersey Village High School. I am currently attending the University of Texas McCombs Business school where I plan to follow a 5-year program for a Masters in Accounting with a minor in Economics. I would then like to attend an Ivy League school to attain a Masters in Business Administration. Upon graduating from school, I would like to work for one of the “Big 4″ accounting firms or travel abroad for international accounting. I would eventually like to start my own business and settle somewhere in the US.

Growing up, I had so many obstacles that would have not been overcome without the help of people that were always there for me. I plan to start a program to personally encourage minority kids in underprivileged schools to attend college and provide the financial aid necessary. I am also an advocate of a fight against women and child trafficking so I would like to help out that fight as much as possible and with all the resources available to me.

I am a strong and determined person, a girl with huge heart, fulfilling God’s purpose for my life. I am a girl who values her education, her beliefs, her morals, her family and friends. I really enjoy dancing in my free time, anything from salsa and merengue to jazz and hip-hop. I love to go running at parks and treadmills because it relaxes me in marvelous ways. I also like to discover new things that interest me and one of those things is now photography, I hope to be good enough that someone will let me take their wedding pictures one day! Lastly, I like to read inspirational and educational books that encourage me to be a better person or that provide a window into another culture, philosophy or life.

Daniel

My name is Daniel. I was born and lived in México City until I was seventeen years old and made the decision to join family in the United States. The main motivation for taking on such a journey was my desire to work hard, save money, and establish a business of my own.

Shortly after I arrived in the US, I was introduced to Proyecto Adelante a non-profit organization which focused on attaining political asylum for citizens from different countries, seeking a new beginning in America. Volunteering for this organization instilled in me the desire to help others.

More recently I worked for Habitat for Humanity (Austin). It was being part of this wonderful organization that reconfirmed my attitude toward lending a helping hand. From 2006 until 2010, I acted as the Repair Program manager, a position I so much enjoyed and which, in turn, led me to make the decision of going back to school to cultivate my personal growth.

I currently attend ACC as a full-time student. My goal is to be able to compete in the field of communications, possibly in Advertising or Radio, Television, and Film. I believe that if I couple my life experience with a solid academic background, I will be able to set an example for and inspire my own children and the Latino youth.

At a personal level, I consider myself a family man. I love to spend time with my daughters doing activities that range from changing our cars’ oil to preparing delicious tostadas. I also love jogging; currently, I have three Capitol 10 Ks under my belt. I would love to work my way up to a half-marathon and some day run the México City and New York marathons.

2010 Scholarship Recipient

Jazmin

Jazmin is the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship awarded by Villa Esperanza and the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium (HSC). Villa Esperanza will renew this scholarship up to five years to help Jazmin achieve her academic dreams.

Jazmin graduated from Akins High School in the top 3% of her class. She is pursuing a degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. Jazmin was awarded the Trustee’s Scholar Award for three consecutive years and the 2009 Social Services Scholar Award. She was also the 2008 First Place winner of the Latinitas Photography Contest.  Jazmin’s scholarship is a great accomplishment for all Villa Esperanza supporters and volunteers, who believe that education is the best means for a better future.

Jazmin in her own words:

“I dedicate my free time to the outdoors and my camera. I like to go outside and take pictures that capture the meaning of life and our existence. It is something that I love and takes my stress away. After graduating UT I’d like to go on to medical school to pursue a career in the neurology field. I imagine myself being a neuroanatomist or something along those lines. I like to think that I have the capacity and skills to positively impact the community in which I grew up in. Non-profits like HSC and Villa Esperanza give young adults, like myself, the opportunity to pursue a higher education and become tomorrow’s leaders. I’d like to give back, not only take but also give. I have in mind that someday I will also create a non-profit to help raise funds for those families who have mentally disabled children, to help give those children the care they need but might not be able to afford”