“What’s special about HEF is that we look at the whole student.”
Since 1989, the Hispanic Education Foundation (HEF) – a grantee of the Community Foundation – has provided some 560 scholarships to graduates of the St. Vrain Valley School District, regardless of ethnicity.
“We’re dedicated to helping graduates achieve post-secondary education,” says Bob Norris, HEF board member. “We select students based on a number of criteria, including need, academic performance, and recommendations from teachers and counselors – as well as essays from the applicants, their volunteer activities, and their participation and sports, the arts and other areas.”
HEF – run by an 11-member volunteer board – has awarded $500K in scholarships to date. Scholarships to attend two- to four-year colleges or trade schools average $1K in the first year, and – if students are in good standing, and request additional scholarship support – up to $500 for each additional year up to three years.
“Many of our scholarship recipients have experienced very difficult life situations,” Bob continues. “Some have lost family members to illness, and some – while we do not consider immigration status in our selection process – are undocumented, and from monolingual households.
“We started out providing $500 first-year scholarships, but we’ve increased our income sources so we’re better able to respond to the needs of a growing number of deserving students.”
Funding for the scholarships comes mostly from sponsors of HEF’s annual golf tournament (this year’s tournament is July 21), and from individuals – including board members, like Bob and his wife – and community members who may name a scholarship in memory of a deceased relative or friend. Additional funding comes from foundation grants, and money raised from local business sponsors of the annual HEF banquet, held earlier this month.
Many scholarship recipients have gone on to pay it forward, right here in Boulder County, including Luis Chavez, Homeless Education Liaison for St. Vrain Valley Schools; Meca Delgado, a former Leadership Fellow of the Community Foundation; and Matthew Zavala, president of the Longmont Community Foundation, board chair-elect of Community Food Share, City of Boulder firefighter, and current HEF board president.
“HEF means a lot to me,” says Matthew, a scholarship recipient in 2003. “What’s special about HEF is that we look at the whole student. A lot of our scholarship applicants have high GPAs, but some don’t.
“We look at everything that’s at play in students’ lives – some have overcome tremendous obstacles, and some are working full-time jobs to help support their families, or they’re helping raise their younger siblings at home. We understand that a lower GPA on the surface doesn’t tell the whole story.”
Continues Matthew, “It’s really encouraging when students reapply for subsequent scholarships, and we see that they’re still in school, and making a positive impact for themselves and their families.
“Ultimately, we’re making an investment in our future, and our local communities.”
Matthew went on to attend Regis University. “I live the Jesuit mission of men and women in the service of others,” he says. “My initial HEF scholarship helped set me on that path. I’m very thankful for the role HEF played in my life.
“It’s not just about getting a four-year degree. Whether it’s two or four years, or technical training – when students live up to their dreams, we’re proud of them.”
