http://www.hispanictips.com Essential Hispanic & Latino News :: Relevant, Trusted, Comprehensive and Useful Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:04:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/13/juliet-v-garcia-the-president-of-university-of-texas-at-brownsville-and-texas-southmost-college-has-been-named-one-of-time-magazine%e2%80%99s-ten-best-college-presidents-of-2009/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/13/juliet-v-garcia-the-president-of-university-of-texas-at-brownsville-and-texas-southmost-college-has-been-named-one-of-time-magazine%e2%80%99s-ten-best-college-presidents-of-2009/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:37:55 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=67272 HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=67272 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/27/%e2%80%9cbrownsville-bred%e2%80%a6growing-up-elaine%e2%80%9d-a-new-york-latina%e2%80%99s-memoir-and-coming-of-age-story-set-in-the-1980%e2%80%99s-brownsville-brooklyn-projects/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/27/%e2%80%9cbrownsville-bred%e2%80%a6growing-up-elaine%e2%80%9d-a-new-york-latina%e2%80%99s-memoir-and-coming-of-age-story-set-in-the-1980%e2%80%99s-brownsville-brooklyn-projects/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:34:19 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=65079 Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=65079 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/husband-and-wife-team-keep-native-traditions-alive-beatriz-ortega-ruiz-y-mario-augustin-gaspar-rodriguez-create-using-a-pre-hispanic-technique-called-pasta-de-cana-de-maiz-maque-an-indigenous-for/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/husband-and-wife-team-keep-native-traditions-alive-beatriz-ortega-ruiz-y-mario-augustin-gaspar-rodriguez-create-using-a-pre-hispanic-technique-called-pasta-de-cana-de-maiz-maque-an-indigenous-for/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:41:00 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=63317 HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63317 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/utb-tsc-has-received-nearly-500000-in-federal-dollars-to-extend-postbaccalaureate-educational-opportunities-for-hispanic-students-u-s-rep-solomon-p-ortiz-d-corpus-christi-announced-monday/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/utb-tsc-has-received-nearly-500000-in-federal-dollars-to-extend-postbaccalaureate-educational-opportunities-for-hispanic-students-u-s-rep-solomon-p-ortiz-d-corpus-christi-announced-monday/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:13:15 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/utb-tsc-has-received-nearly-500000-in-federal-dollars-to-extend-postbaccalaureate-educational-opportunities-for-hispanic-students-u-s-rep-solomon-p-ortiz-d-corpus-christi-announced-monday/ HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=61978 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/21/ganas-clothing-is-ready-for-the-world-the-t-shirts-tank-tops-and-hooded-sweaters-with-these-colorful-images-are-the-creations-of-state-rep-eddie-lucio-iii-d-san-benito-and-his-business-partners/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/21/ganas-clothing-is-ready-for-the-world-the-t-shirts-tank-tops-and-hooded-sweaters-with-these-colorful-images-are-the-creations-of-state-rep-eddie-lucio-iii-d-san-benito-and-his-business-partners/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:22:47 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=61681 HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=61681 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/17/kenny-lopez-makes-a-67-market-jump-from-kveo-23-in-brownsville-to-ktxl-40-in-sacramento-as-a-general-assignment-reporter/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/17/kenny-lopez-makes-a-67-market-jump-from-kveo-23-in-brownsville-to-ktxl-40-in-sacramento-as-a-general-assignment-reporter/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:11:27 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=61436 HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=61436 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/03/06/mary-alvarez-usda-employee-with-the-most-years-of-full-time-federal-service-still-employed-is-a-hispanic-woman-from-south-texas/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/03/06/mary-alvarez-usda-employee-with-the-most-years-of-full-time-federal-service-still-employed-is-a-hispanic-woman-from-south-texas/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 07:14:12 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=50700 "Mary Alvarez is an Animal Health Program Assistant with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Office in Brownsville, TX. She assists the APHIS "tick riders" who work the U.S. side of the Texas-Mexico border, as they attempt to control the fever tick population along the southern tip of Texas by spraying horses and dipping cattle with pesticide. "They're riding the range outdoors," she explained. "But, when they ultimately need to take care of the various reports to document their activities, that's where I come in."

In fact, Alvarez has been working at that job since 1976. But 32-plus years don't even paint the whole picture, when compared to the fact that she's been a federal employee almost continually since late World War II. In fact, since her federal service computation date is April 1948, she has over 60 years of federal service. Therefore, Alvarez is thought to be the USDA employee with the most years of full-time federal service who is still employed full-time at the Department. Calvin Beale, who was a Senior Demographer with the Economic Research Service in Washington, DC, previously held that distinction until he passed away from colon cancer, while on Sick Leave status, in September 2008. Beale was 85.

Alvarez, who is 87, was born on July 24, 1921 in San Benito, TX. She graduated from her local high school in 1939 and then worked some odd jobs for a number of years while living at home. "I was the second eldest of nine siblings," she noted. "There weren't many jobs in San Benito, and my family needed me to help out at home." But then Uncle Sam came calling, looking for people to come to Washington, DC to work for the federal government. It was 1944. "I'd been attending Durham Business College in Harlingen, Texas--the school isn't even there any more," she recounted. "These officials came to the school, asking for typists to come to Washington, DC and work for the military." She passed the typing test, and then, one week later, was mailed a train ticket--to head east.

First time out of the state? "First time out of the house!" she quipped. Alvarez lived with several women in a barracks-like facility in Arlington, VA, while working in a munitions building in Washington, DC--until moving to the just-completed Pentagon. She stayed for 15 months, got homesick and moved back to Texas, found no jobs there so moved back to DC, and was re-employed as a clerk typist in the Pentagon until 1950. She then moved back to San Benito where she clerked for the U.S. Department of Labor until taking a position as a clerk typist with the just-reopened Harlingen AFB in southern Texas. She worked there from 1952-62 when she took a position as a secretary with the U.S. Selective Service in San Benito from 1963-74. "That was during the Vietnam War," she recounted. "Officials kept coming through, looking through our files, trying to find young men who were classified '1-A'--eligible for military service." She moved to her current position with APHIS in 1976.

When asked for anecdotes from her USDA career, Alvarez related the time when a tick rider had an accident with his horse--because the horse fell on him. "I used to keep tabs on the riders using a two-way radio. This was 1979, and cellphones didn't exist back then," she explained. "The rider was a little fellow and the horse must have weighed 1,000 pounds. So I asked him 'What kind of help do you need?' 'Human help!' he replied. So I was able to figure out his approximate location, and then I coordinated getting 'human help' out there, to literally pull the horse off of him. I'm happy to say that his injuries were relatively minor--in spite of having that horse on top of him for about 45 minutes."

* Last Book Read: "I used to belong to a local book club. But now I have glaucoma, so I'm not able to read as much as I used to."
* Last Movie Seen: "I haven't been to a movie in years. I figure I'm sitting in my office all day long, so why then go and sit in a movie theater? I'd rather go dancing."
* Hobbies: "I like growing plants at home."
* Something I Don't Want People To Know About Me: "I've been a diabetic for about a year, so I'm supposed to check myself by drawing blood with a needle twice a day. But I hate pricking my finger--so I'm not doing that as often as I'm supposed to. But I don't want people to know that--especially my doctor."
* Priorities In The Months Ahead: "Paperwork here at the office, I take care of right away. But paperwork at home, like junk mail I get, keeps building up in piles. I actually have two shredders at home, so I need to start using 'em. Soon."" HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
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My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=50700 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/12/23/mexican-comedian-eugenio-derbez-has-been-named-as-mr-amigo-for-brownsvilles-2009-charro-days/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/12/23/mexican-comedian-eugenio-derbez-has-been-named-as-mr-amigo-for-brownsvilles-2009-charro-days/#comments Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:45:36 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=49241 HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=49241 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/11/11/red-to-blue-growing-number-of-hispanic-voters-in-texas-promises-to-redefine-politics/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/11/11/red-to-blue-growing-number-of-hispanic-voters-in-texas-promises-to-redefine-politics/#comments Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:16:22 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=45717 HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=45717 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/11/07/president-elect-barack-obama-has-looked-to-south-texas-where-he-selected-university-of-texas-at-brownsville-and-texas-southmost-college-president-juliet-v-garcia-to-join-his-transition-team/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/11/07/president-elect-barack-obama-has-looked-to-south-texas-where-he-selected-university-of-texas-at-brownsville-and-texas-southmost-college-president-juliet-v-garcia-to-join-his-transition-team/#comments Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:57:45 +0000 Tomas HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=45627 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/10/23/after-29-years-of-service-retired-texas-state-trooper-minerva-pena-is-seeking-election-to-place-6-on-the-brownsville-independent-school-district-board-of-trustees/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/10/23/after-29-years-of-service-retired-texas-state-trooper-minerva-pena-is-seeking-election-to-place-6-on-the-brownsville-independent-school-district-board-of-trustees/#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:50:10 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/10/23/after-29-years-of-service-retired-texas-state-trooper-minerva-pena-is-seeking-election-to-place-6-on-the-brownsville-independent-school-district-board-of-trustees/ HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=45185 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/10/15/one-of-the-nations-poorest-school-districts-already-tousled-by-a-hurricane-and-nervously-awaiting-division-by-a-fence-being-built-along-the-us-mexican-border-won-a-coveted-1-million-prize-tuesd/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/10/15/one-of-the-nations-poorest-school-districts-already-tousled-by-a-hurricane-and-nervously-awaiting-division-by-a-fence-being-built-along-the-us-mexican-border-won-a-coveted-1-million-prize-tuesd/#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:44:15 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/10/15/one-of-the-nations-poorest-school-districts-already-tousled-by-a-hurricane-and-nervously-awaiting-division-by-a-fence-being-built-along-the-us-mexican-border-won-a-coveted-1-million-prize-tuesd/ HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=44942 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/30/border-fence-would-cut-through-texas-university/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/30/border-fence-would-cut-through-texas-university/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:36:16 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/30/border-fence-would-cut-through-texas-university/ "The steel fence that the U.S. government wants to build along the Mexican border would do more than slice through the University of Texas' Brownsville campus and cut off the golf course from the rest of the school.

School officials say it would make a mockery of the very mission of the university: promoting close ties between the U.S. and Mexico." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=40570 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/23/careful-word-play-targets-hispanics-marketers-increasingly-using-commingling-of-languages-for-ad-messages-texas/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/23/careful-word-play-targets-hispanics-marketers-increasingly-using-commingling-of-languages-for-ad-messages-texas/#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:23:38 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/23/careful-word-play-targets-hispanics-marketers-increasingly-using-commingling-of-languages-for-ad-messages-texas/ "A billboard on U.S. Highway 77/83 reads, "Our huevos are bigger."



The bigger huevos are the subject of a Stripes' convenient store advertisement for its in-store restaurant, the Laredo Taco Company.



The sign's clever use of bilingual double entendre has caused quite a stir on this stretch of the Texas-Mexico border, in addition to being a source of amusement for some." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=40311 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/10/grupo-mexico-ceo-arrives-at-texas-courthouse-for-asarco-trial/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/10/grupo-mexico-ceo-arrives-at-texas-courthouse-for-asarco-trial/#comments Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:04:40 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/10/grupo-mexico-ceo-arrives-at-texas-courthouse-for-asarco-trial/ "Grupo Mexico CEO Germán Larrea made his appearance in a federal courthouse today, arriving shortly before 1 p.m. and taking the witness stand before the proceeding began.
Wearing a dark suit and red tie, he leaned back in his seat and surveyed the packed courtroom that had extra security provided by U.S. Marshals.
U.S. Judge Andrew S. Hanen was to question Larrea before allowing the defense and plaintiff’s attorneys to question him." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=39794 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/09/obama-needs-to-secure-hispanic-vote-before-general-election/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/09/obama-needs-to-secure-hispanic-vote-before-general-election/#comments Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:31:04 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/09/obama-needs-to-secure-hispanic-vote-before-general-election/ "Sen. Barack Obama has all but secured the Democratic nomination, but victory in November's general election hinges, in part, on the Illinois Senator's ability to galvanize the country's substantial Hispanic population.

Before March's Texas Primary, Obama campaigned heavily in the Rio Grande Valley, but won less than 40 percent of the vote in Hidalgo, Starr, Cameron and Willacy counties, all of which have significant Hispanic populations.

Will Obama be able to turn Hispanic voters - in South Texas and elsewhere - around before the Nov. 4 general election?" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=39622 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/03/immigrants-face-hurricane-dilemma-more-on-the-border-patrol-and-hurricane-evacuation/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/03/immigrants-face-hurricane-dilemma-more-on-the-border-patrol-and-hurricane-evacuation/#comments Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:24:54 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/03/immigrants-face-hurricane-dilemma-more-on-the-border-patrol-and-hurricane-evacuation/ "Jose Pacheco feels he may face a tough choice if a hurricane heads toward this community in southeast Texas: stay and face the storm's fury or evacuate and risk losing his wife.

The possibility that U.S. Border Patrol agents may check the immigration status of hurricane evacuees recently sent shockwaves through this colonia, or unincorporated neighborhood, outside Brownsville, Texas, just across the Rio Grande from Mexico.

Residents here and along the Texas coast have become accustomed to hurricane evacuations. As more places increase enforcement of immigration laws, residents such as Pacheco say they would rather risk harm from a storm, than risk deportation from the USA." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=39424 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/03/can-fence-be-built-without-immigrants-can-the-us-border-fence-be-built-on-deadline-without-the-help-of-foreign-laborers-doubt-it/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/03/can-fence-be-built-without-immigrants-can-the-us-border-fence-be-built-on-deadline-without-the-help-of-foreign-laborers-doubt-it/#comments Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:14:05 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/03/can-fence-be-built-without-immigrants-can-the-us-border-fence-be-built-on-deadline-without-the-help-of-foreign-laborers-doubt-it/ ""Is it possible to construct a wall without undocumented workers?" asked Perry Vaughn, executive director of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. "It's probably borderline impossible to be honest with you."



In recent years, the construction industry has seen a dramatic increase in undocumented foreign-born Hispanic workers, according to a Pew Hispanic report published in 2007.



Based on information collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, the report also found that foreign-born workers held one in five construction jobs in 2006." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=39422 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/28/to-omar-minaya-racial-divide-on-mets-sounds-altogether-wrong/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/28/to-omar-minaya-racial-divide-on-mets-sounds-altogether-wrong/#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 14:17:49 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/28/to-omar-minaya-racial-divide-on-mets-sounds-altogether-wrong/ "Maybe if the Mets were winning a few more ballgames, there wouldn't be this much conversation about the demographics of the clubhouse, which you are now supposed to believe are more complicated - and fragmented - than the Democratic Party's.

Maybe if the Mets were in first place in the National League East the way they have been for a couple of years, up there in the standings instead of closer to last place, you wouldn't be hearing about this great wide cultural divide that is supposed to exist in the Mets clubhouse, and between the Mets players and their manager.

And maybe you would never even hear this much about race on a team that doesn't have a Dominican-born general manager and an African-American manager out of Brownsville, Brooklyn. But you sure hear it around here lately. Suddenly, the clubhouse is the reason why the Mets have the record they do instead of the way they have played and especially the way they have pitched, even with Johan Santana on their side." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=39175 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/22/alliancemerck-ciencia-science-hispanic-scholars-program-announced/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/22/alliancemerck-ciencia-science-hispanic-scholars-program-announced/#comments Thu, 22 May 2008 14:06:30 +0000 tomasz http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/22/alliancemerck-ciencia-science-hispanic-scholars-program-announced/ "The National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance) announced today the establishment of the Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars Program, a new partnership improving Hispanic student access to higher education and degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The Program is made possible through a $4 million grant from The Merck Company Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the research-based pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc. This is the largest grant to date that The Merck Company Foundation has made to the field of Hispanic education.

The Alliance will work with the Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) to implement the Program. This partnership builds upon the Alliance's 35-year record of work in the Hispanic community and expertise in supporting youth and improving the science base and the expertise of MISE in improving science education. During the next five years, the Program will provide 50 promising Hispanic high school students from Brownsville, TX; Elizabeth, NJ; and Los Angeles, CA with $42,500 in college scholarships and internship support to pursue STEM degrees. These predominantly Hispanic communities have a history in working with the Alliance and MISE. In addition, 125 Hispanic college students nationwide will receive $2,000 scholarships.

"Building on a distinguished history of Hispanic pioneers in science, a new generation of discovery begins today with this landmark investment of $4 million in Hispanic students," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the Alliance today in announcing establishment of the Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program. "It gives us great pride to be working with Merck in opening this new phase of the Alliance's innovative Ciencia initiative to support Hispanic students and improve the nation's science base."

"We are pleased to partner with the Alliance on a program that gives these bright and highly qualified students with a passion for the sciences the opportunity to contribute and make a real difference in advancing these fields," said Adam H. Schechter, President, Global Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc. "Merck is a company committed to scientific innovation and helping to develop and mentor scientific talent has been a long-standing, important focus for the Company."

"I know what a positive impact such support can have in your life," said Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos, former U.S. Secretary of Education and a member of the Alliance Board of Directors. "I have no doubt that Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars may be the next generation of Nobel prize winners, lab directors, professors, university presidents, and mentors leading scientific discovery that improves our health and well-being."

Today's announcement of a $4 million investment in Hispanic students pursuing STEM studies comes just weeks after an experts meeting of the National Academies, which reported that the U.S. is continuing to fall behind in math and science education and that new resources are needed to "rise above the gathering storm."

According to Dr. Carlo Parravano, Executive Director of the Merck Institute for Science Education, "Investment in scholarships to reduce the financial burden of college, coupled with mentorship and lab experiences, can have a significant impact on students pursuing degrees in a STEM field. Today's announcement is critically important to encourage students to continue their studies and to pursue careers focused on innovation and scientific discovery."

The first of five years of awards under the Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program announced today will be made in May of 2009. Two types of awards will be made:

-- Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars. Hispanic high school seniors who
reside in Brownsville, TX; Elizabeth, NJ; or Los Angeles, CA and who
will pursue a college degree in a STEM field are eligible for a $42,500
award ($20,000 in scholarship funding, and up to $22,500 in internship
support). Scholars also will receive a mentorship with an Alliance
Ciencia liaison and participate in an annual Ciencia Scholars symposium
where the Scholars will present the results of their research, engage
in lectures by professional scientists, and participate in workshops
designed specifically for the Scholars in a variety of subject areas.

-- Ciencia National Scholarships. Hispanic college students nationwide
with a declared STEM major will be eligible to apply for a $2,000
scholarship. Recipients also will receive Ciencia online support via a
website, which will provide information on research news and
opportunities and encourage peer communication and networking.

Students and families interested in the Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars Program are invited to call toll-free 1-866-783-2645, visit the Alliance's website at www.hispanichealth.org, or text "CIENCIA" to 30644 to sign up for online applications which will be first available on September 16, 2008. The application deadline will be January 16, 2009 and the first class of Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars and Ciencia National Scholarship recipients will be notified in May 2009." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=38991 0