The Spanish American Club, Inc. – Spanish American Club Community Outreach

Spanish American Club awards two scholarships

By Herman Santa

For the 22nd straight year, the Spanish American Club, Inc. continues its mission of preserving the Hispanic heritage and community commitment in supporting Hispanic students of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

This year recipients were Matias Nicolas Campora and Juan Carlos Perez. The tough job of choosing the winners fell to members of the 2015 Scholarship Committee: Herman Santa, Dr. Joe Wasdovich, Nancy Rozon, Fe Val de Ruten and Melissa Bonet.

Matias Nicolas Campora was born in Miami Florida. His parents, Carlos Campora and Fabiana Rodriguez was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. Matias graduated from Lincoln Park Academy High School in Ft. Pierce. He will attend University of Central Florida and will major in Electrical Engineering. he would like to pursue a career as an Engineer.

Juan Carlos Perez was born in Guatemala. His parents, Jesus and Idolina Perez were also born in Guatemala. Juan graduated from Jensen Beach High School. He will attend Indian River State College and will major in Business Administration. Since 1993, the club has awarded scholarships to 36 High School Seniors. The awards are presented each year by the club and are based on grades, academic accomplishments and economic needs.

Spanish American Club awards scholarships

By Herman Santa

For the 22nd consecutive year, the Spanish American Club, Inc. has awarded scholarships to 36 students. Since beginning the program in 1993, the club has given more than $20,000 to help area students. The awards are presented each year by the club and are based on grades, academic accomplishments and economic needs.

Antonett was born in Lima, Perú. Her parents, Martinela Alvarado was born in Chiclayo Perú, and her step father Stence Joseph was born in Oregon, USA. They are now living in Stuart. She graduated from South Fork High School. Antonett is attending University of Central Florida. She will major in Computer Science and she would like to pursue a career as an Engineer.

The second recipient was Samuel Villa, who was born in Guerrero, México. Samuel received a high School diploma (GED) from Indian River State College and is currently attending the same college and will be majoring in horticulture and landscape.

They were interviewed by the scholarship committee and were asked several questions concerning their goals and objectives and why they deserved the scholarships. They were selected from more that 11 students who applied for the scholarship of the club.  The scholarship committee is chaired by Herman Santa and co-chaired by Nancy Rozon, Dr. Joseph Wasdovich, Fe Valderuten, Melissa Bonet and Isa Bryson.

The following members are part of the board of directors: Carlos Bonet, president; Nancy Rozon, vice president; Melissa Bonet, secretary; Ron Bryson, treasurer; Tony Colón, public relations; Fe Vall de Ruten, director; and Al Feliciano, substitute. For more information, please visit http://www.spanishamericanclubinc.org.

Scholarship award

By Herman Santa

The event was held at Jensen Beach Park on Hutchinson Island on Saturday, July 9, 2011.  Perfect weather for a picnic kept guests enjoying latin food, music and games.  After the “Asado”, the members and their guests celebrated their birthdays.  The scholarship committee raffled the 50/50.  The winner of the 50/50 was Celia Santiago.  Among the guests were: Tatiana Muñoz (Winner of this year scholarship).

Scholarship Award 2003

Por Herman Santa

The monthly meeting of the partners of the “Spanish American Club, Inc.” was held on Saturday, July 19, at the residence of our dear member Iliana Zequeira in St. Lucie. The party began at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers. Afterward, the guests enjoyed a delicious buffet prepared by the members themselves. Then the winner of the scholarship, Ms. María A. Fernández, was announced.

Scholarship 2001

By Herman Santa

The monthly meeting of the partners of the “Spanish American Club, Inc.” was held on Saturday, July 27 at the residence of Attorney Victor Swift and his wife Ana Santiago in the Country Club neighborhood in St. Lucie West. The party started at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers. Afterwards, the guests delighted their palate with culinary specialties prepared by the members themselves. Then, the scholarship winner, Ms. Gabriela Padilla, was presented, and immediately Victor played music for us to dance.

Spanish American Club, Inc. awarded scholarships

By Herman Santa

The Spanish American Club, Inc. is proud to recognize three outstanding students selected to receive the club’s 2013 scholarship awards. The recipients are: Vanessa Guarnizo, Pamela Garcia and Sarahi Monjaras.

Vanessa Guarnizo was born in Bogota, Colombia. Her parents, Fernando and Aidaly were born in Bogota, Colombia and now are living in Port St. Lucie. She graduated from Lincoln ParkAcademy. She is attending University of Florida and majoring in Biomedical Engineering.

Pamela Garcia was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents, Mariano and Claudia are of Mexican descent and now are in living in Stuart. She graduated from SouthForkHigh School. Pamela will attend University of CentralFlorida. She will major in English and she would like to pursue a career as an author.

Sarahi Monjaras was born in Stuart and graduated from ClarkAdvancedLearningCenter. Her parents, Misael and Irma Monjaras were born in Mexico and now are living in Stuart. She will attend FlaglerCollege and she will major in English and will pursue a career in Journalism.

The scholarship committee selected the students for their achievements, trustworthiness, character, responsibility, fairness, caring and academics. The following members are part of the committee: Herman Santa (chair), Nancy Rozon, Isa Bryson and Melissa Bonet- James, co-chairs.

The SACI scholarship was established in 1992 for low-income students. Over the past 21 years, the club has awarded more than $18,000 in scholarships to the youths of Martin and St. Lucie counties. The board raises money for the scholarships by having monthly parties. The board also organizes other events such as picnics and cruises to raise funds for the scholarship and to run the club.

The following members are part of the board: Carlos Bonet, president; Alex James, vice president; Raquel O’Connor, secretary; Ron Bryson, treasurer; Nancy Rozon, public relations; Fe Vallderuten, director; and Al Feliciano, substitute.