Salinas, Calif.— Proud farm workers protected by United Farm Workers contracts will look on as UFW National Vice President Lauro Barajas presents scholarships of from $500 to $1,000 to each of eight of their children at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 in Salinas. The recipients are María G. Molinero Cazares, Erick A. Zarate Gonzalez, Anahi Guzman Marquez, Fernando Flores, Esmeralda Vargas Tovar, Juan Rodriguez, Joshua Rangel and Anabel Diaz. This is one of four similar ceremonies being held across California.
The ¡Si Se Puede!® scholarship program was established by union members to support students who demonstrate a commitment to completing their educations in spite of financial hardships. The awards are intended to help them achieve their educational goals and can be applied towards any education-related costs, including textbooks, lab fees, uniforms and other expenses. The ¡Si Se Puede!® scholarships are made possible by generous commitments from the UFW membership.
Erick Zarate’s mother is Maria J. Gonzalez Cabrera, a UFW member at D’Arrigo Co. Erik is a student at Hartnell College.
Maria Molinero Cazares’s mother, Araceli Cazares Ortega, is a union member at D’Arrigo. Maria is a junior at the University of California, Irvine.
Anahi Guzman Marquez is the daughter of Enrique Guzman, a UFW member at Monterey Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville. Anahi is a freshman at Hartnell College.
Anabel Diaz is the daughter of Teodora Garcia, a union member at Monterey Mushrooms in Watsonville. Anabel is a junior at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Esmeralda Vargas Tovar is the daughter of Saul Vargas, a UFW member at Monterey Mushrooms in Watsonville. Esmeralda is a freshman at San Jose State University.
Fernando Flores’s mother, Maribel Leon De Flores, is a union member at Monterey Mushrooms in Watsonville. Fernando is a senior at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Juan Rodriguez’s father, Galo Rodriguez, is a UFW member at Monterey Mushrooms in Watsonville. Juan is a sophomore at Princeton University.
Joshua Rangel is the son of Veronica Rangel, a union member at D’Arrigo. Joshua is a senior at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Other awards ceremonies under the UFW scholarship program are taking place in Madera and Livingston.
Who: UFW National Vice President Lauro Barajas, eight children of union members who received UFW scholarships, their family members, union members and retirees.
What: Presentation of ¡Si Se Puede!® scholarships made available by contributions from UFW members under union contracts.
When: 6 p.m., Thursday, September 14, 2017.
Where: UFW Regional Office 437. E. Alisal St., Salinas 93905
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