Beca Foundation hosts Scholarship Banquet

| Saturday, August 5, 2000 10:00 PM PDT ∞

Sylvia Rochin Selby
North County Times

It's no wonder the Annual Beca Foundation Awards Banquet ---- San Diego County residents dedicated to providing scholarship funds to promising students of Latino heritage ---- has kept the same theme for 16 years: "The Possible Dream."

For many of these youngsters getting four-year scholarships of $500, $750, $1,000, $2,000 at the recent banquet, it is the answer to a dream enabling them to pursue their goals, whether in education, the medical field, the business world, the arts, whatever!

During social hour in the garden terrace of the conference center at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Minerva Gonzalez, heading the event for the third time, boasted that Beca was about to hand out a whopping $70,000 in scholarships to 33 of San Diego's finest Latino students, funds donated by Beca patrons, partners, sponsors and friends.

"We're excited and very pleased to have the support of the community," said Gonzalez, happy that 300 had turned out and recalling the days when fewer than 100 people would come. "So many of our recipients are now successful, they have their degrees and always come back to help as mentors, encouraging students to continue their education. It's a wonderful thing to see."

One 1994 alumnus spotted selling opportunity tickets was Andres Martin, who is working on his master's degree. Delighted to help and to work on the dinner committee, Andres brought along his parents, Eugenia and Herron Martin, to enjoy the moment. "Beca is wonderful," said Andres. "It's the root, our next step up."

A first-timer in the crowd was Milenka Meneses, a San Marcos High School graduate who was also one of two keynote speakers. The other was Jose Barraza of Chula Vista. Milenka, originally from Bolivia and with a goal of becoming a doctor, said she was excited and nervous. Surrounded by her proud and loving family, Milenka said at one time the thought of becoming a doctor seemed inconceivable. "Without Beca, it would have been very difficult," she said, adding, "Beca has become a part of my family."

Other North County scholars enjoying the evening ---- the speeches, award presentations, delicious dinner and entertainment ---- were Charlie Arroyo, Maria Caballero, Andres Calderon, Leslie Carrillo, Rachel Garza, Ana Gutierrez, Cindy Gutierrez, Gabriel Morales, Maria Refugio, Christina Salas, Shalem Uribe, Juan Caballero, Randy Hernandez, Claudia Ignacio, Vera Paige, Francisco Rivera and Aida Vasques.

8/6/00