20 Students Awarded 2022 Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan Scholarship

To further career development and increase the enrollment of Hispanics in postsecondary education and training programs, the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM) awarded $20,000 to 20 students through their Hispanic Latino Commission Scholarship. Recipients of the scholarship are students currently enrolled in a Michigan-based high school, college, university or other recognized higher education institution who plan on utilizing the funds for postsecondary education.

“The $1,000 scholarship provides Hispanic and Latino students with added financial stability to help them achieve their education and career dreams,” Office of Global Michigan Director Poppy Hernandez said. “Through this scholarship and our work to make Michigan a welcoming state, we are committed to providing ongoing support that helps empower and engage all individuals to make Michigan a home for opportunity.”

Scholarship recipients* from across the state are as follows:

• Joe Galaviz—Lawton, Michigan
• Andrea Valdes Flores—Zeeland, Michigan
• Lazaro Salais—Lansing, Michigan
• Jessica Cortes—Bangor, Michigan
• Heidi Garay-Estupinian—Mount Pleasant, Michigan
• Leah Flores Cabrera—Troy, Michigan
• Robin Morales—Lansing, Michigan
• Pablo Tang—Battle Creek, Michigan
• Alexis Robles-Vasquez—Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Deisy Magana—Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Jazmin Cruz Amaya—Bay City, Michigan
• Paula Duva Rodriguez—East Lansing, Michigan
• Damaris Vail Mencho—Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Amina Torres—Dearborn, Michigan
• Vanessa Pena—Holland, Michigan
• Gabriella Olivarez—Saginaw, Michigan
• Jordan Hernandez—Muskegon, Michigan
• Nightdelyn Martinez—River Rouge, Michigan

Over 80 applications were submitted, and selections were made based on student’s submitted essay, grade point average, letters of recommendation, and community service experience. Each of these students will receive $1,000 in scholarship funding to support their educational attainment goals.

“One of the most important responsibilities of the Commission is the advancement of educational and economic opportunity for our Latinx communities,” said HLCOM Commission Chair Jesse Bernal. “We are so proud to be able to award and recognize Latinx youth across the state of Michigan with scholarship awards to begin or continue their postsecondary education. Not only do all these students represent our state so well, but these awards symbolize our confidence and faith that they will continue to contribute to our community and state for years to come.”

HLCOM strives to market the state's career development services to Michigan Hispanics, encourage initiatives to reduce the high school dropout rates of Hispanic youth and facilitate efforts to increase the enrollment of Hispanics in postsecondary education and training programs. Learn more about the Commission and their work.

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