59 Hispanic students from southwestern Idaho win scholarships

Fifty-nine students from the Treasure Valley/southwestern Idaho area received college scholarships after participating in the 2009 Hispanic Youth Symposium in Sun Valley last weekend.

Nearly 300 Idaho Latino high school students came together for a weekend of motivational speakers and hands-on workshops. Students also participated in speech, talent, art, and athletic and interactive skill competitions.

The symposium was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, contractors at Idaho National Laboratory, Gem State Diversity Initiatives, state agencies and private employers.

Educational institutions awarding scholarships were College of Idaho, Boise State University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, College of Western Idaho, Eastern Idaho Technical College, Gonzaga University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, Northwest Nazarene University, University of Idaho, University of Montana, Utah State University, Utah Valley University and Treasure Valley Community College.

Several institutions also offered College Assistance Migrant Program scholarships. In addition, Gem State Diversity Initiatives awarded scholarships for all competitive events as well as to students showing promise -- $1,000 to seniors (Si Se Puede) and $500 to juniors (Querer es Poder).

The symposium aims to help prevent dropping out of school, continuing education, taking pride in Latino culture and breaking the cycle of poverty.

Local winners are:

Boise High School: Sofia Jaramillo - $20,800 College of Idaho Laura Rodriguez - $500 University of Idaho

Borah High School:

Taylor Berrera - $56,800 College of Idaho, $10,000 Gonzaga University, $13,856 Utah Valley University Ruby Mendez - $3,280 BYU-Idaho Sandra Sagrero - $20,800 College of Idaho

Caldwell High School:

Daisy Ambriz - $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,250 University of Idaho Natalie Garcia - $84,900 College of Idaho Elizabeth Peña - $67,300 College of Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University, $500 GSDI scholarship for third place in the art competition Chris Serrano - $20,800 College of Idaho

Capital High School:

Sergio Cabrera - $1,500 Treasure Valley Community College Laura Martinez - $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,000 Boise State University, $250 GSDI scholarship for second place (female) in the 5K run, $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship

Centennial High School:

Keren Carpinteyro - $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,280 BYU-Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University Carlos Gomez - $20,800 College of Idaho Anthony Gonzalez - $36,800 College of Idaho, $32,000 University of Montana, $250 GSDI scholarship for the people¹s choice award in the talent competition

Columbia High School:

Geraldin Crispin - $32,800 College of Idaho, $12,000 University of Montana Martika Flores - $36,800 College of Idaho Yadira Morales - $20,800 College of Idaho Cristian Sandoval - $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $1,200 GSDI scholarship for first place in the art competition

Eagle High School:

Jennifer Cardenas - $36,800 College of Idaho Miranda Palacio - $20,800 College of Idaho, $250 GSDI scholarship for people¹s choice award in the talent competition

Frank Church High School:

Dominik Mandujano - $20,800 College of Idaho

Homedale High School:

Jesica Sotelo - $78,200 College of Idaho, $1,250 University of Idaho Blanca Uriarte - $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP Miguel Vasquez - $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP

Idaho Arts Charter School:

Krystina Garcia - $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Kuna High School:

Daniel Baeza - $20,800 College of Idaho

Melba High School:

Karla Avalos - $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University Martha Santos - $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University

Meridian High School:

José Prado - $20,800 College of Idaho, $1,500 University of Idaho

Middleton High School:

Amy Melendez - $500 Asul Mendez scholarship

Mountain View High School:

Ana Mejia - $1,000 College of Western Idaho Sara Mercado - $36,800 College of Idaho Joana Ortiz - $20,800 College of Idaho Blanca Vanegas - $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $2,000 College of Western Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP, $1,000 GSDI scholarship for award of merit

Nampa High School

Maricela Ballesteros - $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship Maria Emma Garcia - $54,200 College of Idaho, $3,000 Boise State University CAMP, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University Estephania Gongora - $20,800 College of Idaho, $10,000 Gonzaga University, $500 Querer Es Poder scholarship Guadalupe Gonzalez - $22,800 College of Idaho, $37,600 Northwest Nazarene University Cristina Medrano - $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP Mariana Morales - $20,800 College of Idaho

Notus High School:

Vanessa Guillen - $1,250 University of Idaho Hector Luna - $600 Lewis-Clark State College

Parma High School:

Laura Diaz - $500 College of Southern Idaho Abelardo Gallegos - $1,000 College of Western Idaho Nancy Gomez-Jimenez - $20,800 College of Idaho, $500 Lewis-Clark State College Paula Ynigez - $3,000 Boise State University CAMP

Timberline High School:

Diana Cook - $52,000 College of Idaho, $3,200 University of Idaho, $1,000 Utah State University, $500 GSDI scholarship for first place (female) in the 5K run Cindy Samantha Rodriguez - $3,280 BYU-Idaho

Vallivue High School:

Marissa Calderón - $3,000 Boise State University CAMP Mariza De Loera - $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,000 Boise State University, $1,500 University of Idaho, $1,200 GSDI scholarship for first place in the talent competition Laura Franco - $3,675 University of Idaho CAMP Ivonne Martinez - $20,800 College of Idaho, $2,400 College of Southern Idaho Naomi Nuñez - $1,000 Si Se Puede scholarship, $500 scholarship from Portage, Inc.

Weiser High School:

Esmerelda Nabarrete - $20,800 College of Idaho, $3,000 Lewis-Clark State College Viky Vargas - $1,000 GSDI scholarship for award of merit (essay competition) Wilder High School Edgar Aguilera - $20,800 College of Idaho, $500 College of Southern Idaho Arturo Espinosa - $98,500 College of Idaho Miguel Rodriguez - $98,660 College of Idaho, $250 GSDI scholarship for second place (male) in the 5K run Daniel Sandoval - $77,300 College of Idaho