The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will award more than $1.8 million in scholarships to 172 area students

The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will award more than $1.8 million in college scholarships to 172 area students at its 27th Annual Stars on the Rise Scholarship Banquet.

The record amount in scholarship money will be awarded to freshman and continuing college students in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $180,000 at 7 p.m., June 11, in the International Ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel. The presenting sponsor is AETNA and the gold level sponsor is University Crossroads – a partnership of colleges and universities in north Texas. The event is a program of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the GDHCC Institute for Leadership and Business Education.

“This is a very exciting day for me as chair of the banquet because through the efforts of many individuals and corporations, we are removing a big obstacle in these students’ pursuit of college and their dreams,” said Maria Mendez, chair of the Stars on the Rise banquet. “I am very honored to be able to chair this important event and be there to meet these very deserving winners and their families.”

Students receiving the scholarships will attend colleges and universities throughout the country, including Harvard University, Georgia Tech, Columbia University, Duke, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, The University of Texas System Schools, Texas A&M University System Schools, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman’s University, Northwood University, Tarleton State University, the University of North Texas System Schools, Southern Methodist University, Midwestern State University, and the Dallas County Community College District, among others.

“College success indicators-commitment to academic rigor, leadership, and community service are the foundation for the Stars on the Rise Scholarship Program,” said Michele Bobadilla, chair of the 2010 Stars on the Rise scholarship program. “We are thrilled to announce, we will be awarding 172 scholarships valued at more than $1.8 million.”

The scholarships, which reward academic excellence, align with the chamber’s commitment to education by creating a legacy of excellence in our community by providing opportunities through higher education, said Rick Ortiz, chairman of the board of the GDHCC.

“By providing scholarships to these promising students and helping them realize their dreams, we are truly making our community better,” he said. “We are building for the future and ensuring that we will have a well prepared workforce ready to take the reins of business, government and civic organizations for generations to come. I can’t think of anything that would be more meaningful and have a greater impact.”

Corporate and community donors for Stars on the Rise include: The Society of 100; the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation; the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association; Texas Instruments; Verizon; LogistiCorp, LLC; Kroger; ExxonMobil; Avant-Garde Marketing Solutions, Inc.; Dallas County Schools; Kessler Women’s Healthcare; Mike Maslank; GDHCC Past Chairs; Dallas Hispanic Fire Fighters Association; AT&T, Inc.; FedEx Office; Domingo Garcia; Aetna; Gloria Campos; and the Phillips May Corporation.

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GDHCC

“Established in 1939, the GDHCC is one of the largest, and influential Chambers in the United States, having been recognized National Chamber of the Year a record five times. The GDHCC is the voice of Hispanic business and proudly serves and represents its more than 2,000 member businesses in the greater Dallas region with innovation, advocacy and committed leadership.

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