Salinas, Calif.— Proud United Farm Workers members protected by union contracts will look on as UFW National Vice President Lauro Barajas presents $1,000 scholarships each to nine of their children beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Salinas. The recipients are Paola Martinez, Juan Rodriguez, Erik A. Zarate, Antonia Sanchez, Esmeralda Vargas, Cristal Ortiz, Diana Lemus Jimenez, Leticia Rodriguez Virrueta and Cecilia Garcia Tovar. This is one of three such ceremonies being held across California.
Paola Martinez’s mother is Maria Martinez, a UFW member at Scheid Vineyards Inc. Paola is a freshman at the University of California, Irvine pursuing a degree in business administration
Juan Rodriguez’s father is Galo Rodriguez, a UFW member at Monterey Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville. Juan is a senior at Princeton University, pursuing a bachelors in economics.
Erik Zarate’s mother is Maria J. Gonzalez Cabrera, a UFW member at D’Arrigo Bros. Co. in Salinas. Erik is a sophomore at Hartnell College pursuing an A.A. degree with a transfer to California State University, Fresno with a major in criminology.
Antonia Sanchez’s father is Hector A. Sanchez, a UFW member at Monterey Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville. She is a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles, pursuing a degree in architecture.
Esmeralda Vargas is the daughter of Saul Vargas, a UFW Member at Monterey Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville. Esmeralda is a junior at San Jose State University pursuing a degree in biological science.
Cristal Ortiz’s father is Jaime Nunez, a UFW member at D’arrigo Bros Co. in Salinas. She is a sophomore at California State University, Monterey Bay pursuing a degree in psychology.
Diana Jimenez’s father is Alberto Lemus, a UFW member at Monterey Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville. She is a senior at the University of California Davis pursuing a degree in gender sexuality and women’s studies.
Leticia Virrueta’s father is Jaime Rodriguez Lopez, a UFW member at Countryside Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville. She is a freshman at San Jose State University, pursuing a degree in animation/illustration.
Cecilia Garcia Tovar’s father is Antonio Garcia, a UFW member at Monterey Mushrooms Inc. in Watsonville. She is a freshman at Cabrillo College, pursuing a degree in biology.
This scholarship program was established by union members to support students who demonstrate a commitment to completing their education in spite of financial hardships. These 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 associated with their studies. The ¡Si Se Puede!® scholarships are made possible by generous commitments from the UFW membership.
Who: UFW National Vice President Lauro Barajas, children of union members who are the recipients of $1,000 UFW scholarships, their family members, union members and UFW retirees.
What: Presentation of ¡Si Se Puede!® scholarships made available by contributions from UFW members laboring under union contracts.
When: 6 p.m., Wednesday August 7, 2019.
Where: Central Coast Farm Worker Center, 118 E. Gabilan Street, Salinas CA 93901.