Showcase of Scholars

Stephanie Duque, a first grade student at Mary of Nazareth School, stands proudly at the 2011 Showcase of Scholars.

The Latino Student Fund held its annual Showcase of Scholars on June 7, 2011 at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C.  In addition to our Scholars and their families, the Showcase is attended by diplomats, educators, and members of LSF’s community of supporters.

This year the LSF was honored to have Mayor Vincent Gray in attendance at the event. Mayor Gray spoke about the importance of education for our nation’s youth and the role that organizations like the LSF play in extending educational opportunities to minority students. Ms. Gina Adams of Federal Express was the Featured Speaker at the event. Ms. Adams spoke to students and their families about the importance of overcoming adversity and the strength of community and education in the 21^st century.

The Senior Keynote Address was delivered by Krissia Rivera, a graduating senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. With a GPA over 4.0, it is no surprise that Krissia was admitted to a list of prestigious schools. She has decided to study biomedical sciences at Brown University in the fall.

Special awards were presented to students for their academic, leadership and community service achievements throughout the year. Our senior speaker, Krissia Rivera, was the recipient of the Shirley Oliver Academic Excellence Award. The Academic Achievement Award was presented to Alexander Rivera, a graduating senior at St. Johns Catholic Prep School who will attend American University in the fall. The Leadership Award was presented to Genesis Fuentes, the Student Body President at Montrose Christian School who will be attending William and Mary in the fall. Finally the Sylvia Howe Thompson Community Service Award was presented to Jennyfer Lazo, a graduating senior at Sandy Spring Friends School who plans to attend University of Maryland in the fall.