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New GVSU Scholarship Named at Cesar Chavez Gala

Mariano Avila
/
WGVU

Grand Valley State University representatives surprised the 300 people who drove in from around the state for the 11th Cesar E. Chavez Hispanic Excellence Scholarship and Community Award Gala when they announced an endowment funding two $3,500 scholarships would be named after Lupe Ramos-Montigny.

Ramos-Montigny, co-founder of the Committee to Honor Cesar E. Chavez, was moved to tears at the ceremony and later urged people to remember what Chavez stood for.

"He taught us that with determination, hard work, we can accomplish anything," she said.

The committee also granted $1,000 scholarships to Jim Arizola, Nareida Arroyo, Rosanna Barrera, Leslie Cueva, Flora Garcia, Oscar Rico, and Federico Santos toward their tuition at Grand Rapids Community College. A four-year scholarship for tuition at Davenport University went to Michael Tejada. 

Beyond the scholarships, the event honored several individuals and organizations for their service and advocacy in benefit of the West Michigan Hispanic community.

Jesus Delgado from Calvin College received the Youth Award, Annie Evangelina Ortega got the Golden Citizen Award, Maria Vargas Guardado and Family were acknowledged as the La Familia Legacy Award recipients, and Grand Rapids Community College was honored with the Hispanic Advocate Award.

The top honor, called the Distinguished Aguila Award, went to Wood TV anchor Eva Aguirre-Cooper.

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