Fourth annual Chavez dinner awards over 100 local teens with scholarships
By DONOVAN KRAMER JR.
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Staff photo by Donovan Kramer Jr./Dispatch, Alejandro Chavez, grandson of famed labor and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, places a scholarship medallion around the neck of a recipient Friday night at the Cesar E. Chavez Celebration Dinner in Casa Grande. Committee Chairman Ralph Varela, middle, looks on.
CASA GRANDE — The civil rights leadership of the late Cesar Chavez was celebrated Friday night as funds were raised and scholarships were awarded for the fourth year of a program in Chavez’s name.
Over the past four years, 106 students have been given $130,000 to help with their college education by the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Committee of Pinal County.
Casa Grande City Councilman Ralph Varela urged the 400 people attending the group’s annual dinner at The Property Conference Center in Casa Grande to “pay it forward to our future leaders.”
Alejandro Chavez, grandson of the labor and civil rights leader born in Arizona, said Chavez always had urged “civic participation.”
“The best way to make change is to go out there and vote,” he said.
The students were challenged to make the most of their lives by keynote speaker Edna Morris, Casa Grande Union High School principal and district assistant superintendent for academic affairs. She urged them to follow the suggestions of Chavez and “care about people,” “be proud of who you are and where you came from” and to “expect more” of themselves and others.
Former and current scholarship recipient Brandi Chacon, who is going from Central Arizona College to Arizona State University, told the students about the need to prioritize their time as they advance academically.
Fernando Cornejo, co-owner of Eva’s Fine Mexican Food restaurant and an architect, said he was the first from his family to graduate from college. “The greatest gift that Cesar Chavez gave us is the act of gratitude,” he said.
Prestige sponsors for the scholarships were the Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian communities, which each gave $15,000. Together with the Tohono O’odham Nation they have given $60,000 over the years, said Varela, chairman of the Chavez Memorial Committee and emcee for the event. Arizona Public Service Co. was a platinum sponsor.
Proceeds from silent and live auctions added to the funds.
Scholarship recipients and the high school they attended were: Stephanie Aguirre, Mario Barraza, Rafael Belloc, CGUHS; Shannon Bohrn, Hayden High School; Tomas Caballero, Amaris Castenanos, Brandi Chacon, Cody Chacon, Misty Chase, Stephanie Cross, Sabrina D’souza, David Fitzgibbons IV, CGUHS; Dominic Flores, Santa Cruz Valley Union High School; Vyvienne Flores, CGUHS: Vincent Gilbert, Casa Verde High School.
Also, Gabriela Godinez, Superior High School; Brian Gutierrez, Sophie Hapak, Jayni Lynn Hasler, Lisa Heisterberg, CGUHS; Alyson Hendrix, Highland High School; Raena Holt, Caitlyn Humphries, CGUHS; Tiffany Ibarra, SCVUHS; Krystal Jenkins, Ryan Johnson, Alyson Lavender, CGUHS; Joshua Lujan, SCVUHS; Molly McCarville, Seton Catholic High School; Gabriel Navoa, CGUHS; Alicia Ramirez, SCVUHS; Tyler Rosales, CGUHS; Isiah Sanchez, Christin Urquijo, Superior; Danyall Vigil, Cody Yubeta, CGUHS.