Burga Santiago is determined to honor her late husband’s
commitment to education by rewarding more than $16,000 in
scholarships to 14 students Saturday at Fortino Winery.
Burga Santiago is determined to honor her late husband’s commitment to education by rewarding more than $16,000 in scholarships to 14 students Saturday at Fortino Winery.
In 2007, Burga Santiago established the Lt. Jose A. Santiago Memorial Foundation in memory of her husband who worked with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office for more than 34 years.
Before his passing, Jose Santiago retired and went back to school at San Jose State University to earn a master’s degree in history with dreams of being a scholar. His health quickly deteriorated – the result of contracting Hepatitis C in 1995 – and he was unable to complete his first semester.
“Seeing how the educational system does not work money-wise, and seeing how many kids need assistance, we wanted to help students financially,” Burga Santiago said.
Jose Santiago’s dream will be celebrated with an awards presentation at the fifth annual Rockin’ in the Vineyard fundraising event from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Fortino Winery on 4525 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy.
“It was an honor to receive the award, and it is something I will never forget,” said Michael Stevens, recipient of the first scholarship in 2007.
His late father, Doug Stevens, worked with Jose Santiago.
“My father was a detective for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s department and passed away, so this scholarship will always have a special place in my heart,” he said.
Stevens, 22, graduated from Gilroy High School in 2007 and has just earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA. He now works at a company in Santa Monica doing account development and sales.
For scholarship consideration, applicants are required to have a minimum 3.5 GPA, participate in community service and must be enrolled as a full-time college student at an accredited college with plans to pursue a degree in public service.
Roughly 20 students from Santa Clara County apply for the scholarships each year. Burga Santiago said public service isn’t just law enforcement.
“I think often there is a little bit of misconception. They think police or firefighter or something like that, but that’s not necessarily so,” Santiago said. “It’s a very broad field. It could be teaching, medicine, research and so on.”
After meeting requirements, students are interviewed by foundation board members.
“The interview was the best part because the board was nice, and it was interesting to hear about all of their different backgrounds,” said Ian Glasner, 2011 scholarship winner and a future Carnegie Mellon University student.
The scholarship money has been raised through Rockin’ in the Vineyard ticket sales, donations and sponsors. The Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association will also award $4,000 in scholarships, along with the $16,000 from the Lt. Jose A. Santiago Memorial Foundation.
The event will include wine tasting, a buffet dinner, silent auction, raffle prizes and dancing.
After five years of the event, Burga Santiago shows no sign of slowing down.
“Its a lot, a lot of work. Sometimes I think “Why am I doing this?’ At the end you see the students and you say ‘OK it was worth it,’ ” she said.
Saturday’s event
The fifth annual Rockin’ in the Vineyard fundraising event will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Fortino Winery on 4525 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy. The $75 donation tickets may still be purchased by calling 655-0262 or by emailing bu***@********go.org. For more information visit ltsantiago.org.
Lt. Jose A. Santiago Memorial Foundation scholarship winners
Alejandra Acosta, Julie Alatorre, John Cabri, Ian Glasner, Connor Hanlon, Erica Henderson, Stephanie Nazario, Jonathan Reyes, Alexis Plascencia and Todd McWilliams.
The Deputy Sheriff’s Association recipients
Emily Buckley, Yesenia Duenas, Marisa Soto and Anna Collins-Taylor.
