By Steve Walker
Well it
is that time of the year for high school and university students in San Antonio
to get ready to walk the stage for graduation ceremonies. Students from
everywhere in the metro area are gearing up for the parties, celebrations of
long anticipated completion of at least a four year marathon of classes that
culminates in a degree or diploma.
Many graduating
high school students who can’t afford the sticker value of a college education
are frantically looking for scholarships and other avenues to pay for their
degrees. Many parents are doing their best to help their kids achieve that goal
with financial help by working two jobs and taking out loans. For many families
in San Antonio this will be the first generation to obtain a college
degree.
The
journey actually begins when a student graduates from middle school. This puts
them on the path to achieve a higher education and sets the tone for what they
may choose for their lifelong career.
As high
school prepares them with basic life skills to allow them to compete in the
workforce, it comes to fruition their senior year when they begin the journey
of choosing whether to go to college or not and which college or tech school to
attend to fulfill their career choices.
For many
the hardship of the financial burden is often so overwhelming to the point of
discouragement, that they either give up or indefinitely postpone their dreams
of a better life and financial security.
The
students of Bexar County live in a somewhat more positive environment than
most. Our community values education and therefore works diligently to assist
families in being able to send their children forward in their pursuit of
higher education.
This
support comes in the form of scholarships and financial assistance from the
many individuals and organizations and foundations within Bexar County. These
groups work year round raising funds to be able to award deserving students the
opportunity to make a better life for themselves and their families. It also
encourages those students who succeed in obtaining their educational goals to
return to their community and become productive citizens who pay it forward.
One of
the many educational organizations whose sole purpose is to ensure that local
students are given the chance to receive a scholarship to pursue their
education is the La Prensa Education Foundation spearheaded by Millie Duran.
Millie,
wife of La Prensa Publisher Tino Duran has successfully raised over two and a half
million dollars in scholarship monies over the years.
Recently
I was privileged to cover this year’s fundraiser gala as I have done numerous
times in the past.
As an
active member of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ) I
have also been involved in a number of fundraising events for aspiring young
journalists. In fact in August we will host our annual SAAHJ Gala Ceremony that
will award scholarships to worthy students.
One
example of a success story is Francisco Vara-Orta, a former recipient. He is
now the current President of SAAHJ and a reporter for the San Antonio
Express-News.
There
are many other organizations, foundations and individuals who feel strongly
about ensuring that the educational future will be bright for not only
students, but the entire community. This is a win-win for everyone in Bexar
County.
As
always, I write just thought.
Steve
Walker is a Vietnam Veteran, former Judge and Journalist.
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