Goal! Celebrating the Dream and Success
Tara A. Spears
Remember when you were young and set a goal for yourself, how wonderful it felt when you succeeded? Multiply that feeling by five years of hard work and sacrifice and you can imagine how this summer’s university graduates are ready to celebrate! The Women to Women Fashion Show scholarship program is proud to congratulate these lovely, intelligent young women and their families. The effects of their achievement will ripple through this rural community for years to come.
A round of applause goes to all the generous supporters who attend the yearly event. The 2020 Rhapsody in Blue luncheon has big shoes to fill since the Lady in Red party was wildly successful. The local businesses and individuals that dig deep to provide sponsorships- many specifically earmarked for individual students- are so important! It takes all of us together to support these students and the other Fashion Show initiatives.
Congratulations to:
Edith Bernal, RN; Zulma Garcia Brisenol, Lawyer; Dessire Mera Riofrio, Architect; Katia Naverro Castanena, Pediatrician MD; Linda Ruiz Suazo, Laboratory Testing; Erica Santiago Joachim, RN.
All of the Fashion Show scholarship recipients have been trail blazers for our small rural community. As each one succeeds, she motivates others to follow. In fact a dozen years ago Fashion Show team was hard pressed to come up with three Jaltemba Bay students that completed high school and wanted to pursue university. Slowly the Women to Women group gained the community trust, and this spring, the scholarship team had nearly 40 applications! Due to budgetary constraints, it is now competitive to win a scholarship. Fashion Show was able to add 14 new awards to the current active roster. This is phenomenal growth in 16 years, not only in cost but in motivating our teens to dream big, to reach outside the pueblo. A round of applause for the new awardees for 2019-20 academic year. Look at the range of professions!
Please be aware that all of the applicants that were turned away are just as deserving, talented and intelligent; we simply do not have enough funds for the demand. All students that are selected to receive a scholarship have met or exceed the requirements. While we accept applications all year long, they are only reviewed late February with the final component, a personal interview, which are held in March each year. Students are notified by personal email prior to April 1 of the outcome. This timing is to allow students to finalize their plans and for Fashion Show team to finalize the budget.
To be eligible: Students must be a resident of Jaltemba Bay area, have outstanding grades 8.5 or higher, show leadership qualities, demonstrate financial need and must be either currently enrolled or accepted into a recognized post-secondary institution for the upcoming academic year. Awards are made for one academic year but can be renewed for 4 years (5 years total). 
The application packet includes: A fully completed application form that includes student current contact info: messenger or email; A copy of your latest grade report; A copy of your scheduled date for the university admission test or your letter of acceptance from the recognized post-secondary institution that confirms your enrolment. If you are already attending university, include your most recent university grades; Two letters of recommendation that speak to why your application should be supported. The referring people must be a teacher and another non-relative with email address; An essay in Spanish and English explaining your educational goals. This paragraph is your opportunity to become a person to the committee: share your dream and goals, tell us how getting an education will change your life. Lastly, include a copy of the university “Plan de estudio” that lists the required courses and social service for your degree program. An incomplete placket will not be considered.
The Women to Women Fashion Show Scholarship Mission Statement: To provide financial assistance to high-achieving, economically disadvantaged Jaltemba Bay women in pursuit of higher education. The Fashion Show scholarship program supports university study in all fields. However, due to financial restrictions, the committee is limited to awarding no more than 4 medical scholarships at any one time. Therefore, this year any applications for assistance for those pursuing a medical program (doctor, dentist, or veterinarian) will be held and considered only after the current active recipients graduate. The next available slot will be 2020-21. 
FS Scholarship Program’s vision: is to unlock a radically more expansive future to the economically disadvantaged young women of Jaltemba Bay by easing financial barriers to higher education. These women can then bring their life and leadership skills back to improve the community.
The students are also told that Fashion Show scholarship will provide the tuition, fees and textbooks but that they and their families will need to contribute the balance required, which is housing expense so that they can plan accordingly.
For more information or to obtain a scholarship application, go to www.mujeresamujeres.com. We wish all the graduates, the new awardees, and the ongoing active scholarship students success and happiness in this next phase of life.