Hispanic Chamber scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,000
Gilroy – Three local students will vie for thousands of dollars in scholarship money at the 18th Annual Gilroy Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Ball Friday at 6pm. Stephany Fuentes, Estrella Montes and Emelie Castillo, will be judged on their talents, authentic Latin American costume and their response to an impromptu question.
Castillo is a senior at Gilroy High School and plans to major in business at Notre Dame University. She has volunteered at the Lord’s Table, coordinated children’s area events for Community Health Day and volunteers for the city’s Graffiti Abatement Program. She was one of the top three winners of the 2006 Rotary Club speech contest and is a founding member of “Think First”.
She dedicated many hours of her extra time to educating students on safe driving at local high schools and traffic schools. Castillo also planned and implemented activities for Bi-National Health Week, which provides bike safety information and helmets to low income families.
Castillo plans to pursue a career in international business or law.
Fuentes attends Gavilan College and will transfer to the University of California, Davis, in the fall. She is majoring in psychology and aspires to become a local psychologist.
She served as the secretary of the Gavilan College Puente Ambassador’s Club and has helped to organize many campus and community-based activities. She has volunteered on various committees, including the Garlic Festival Hospitality, Safe Night, Wheeler Manor and Cal-Soap. Fuentes works part-time as a tutor for Cal-Soap, which gives her the opportunity to encourage high school students to continue their education.
Montes attends Gavilan College and is also involved in the Puente program. She plans to transfer to San Jose State University to pursue a career in criminal justice and become a criminal lawyer. Montes is an active volunteer at St. Catherine’s Church and helps the elderly at Regency of Evergreen Assisted Living.
She enjoyed being the dancer for “Danza Liturgica” during the celebration of the “Virgen de Guadalupe.” Montes has volunteered for the Garlic Festival Hospitality, GavFest, the Health Fair, Career Day and Puente mentor activities.
