LEAP Scholarship recipient inspired at gala

LEAP Scholarship recipients planning to attend Utah State University received their scholarship during gala Tuesday evening.

LOGAN—Students from the Latinx community throughout Cache Valley received the Leadership, Educational Achievement and Prosperity scholarships during the fifth annual LEAP Gala Tuesday evening.

LEAP Scholarship recipients planning to attend different institutions throughout Utah received their scholarship during gala Tuesday evening.

The LEAP Organization was co-founded by local business owner Rigo and Lisa Chaparro and seeks to remove barriers that limit student success and ensure the Latinx students graduate high school with the ability to pursue post-secondary education options of their choice.

According to the organization’s website, LEAP works closely with community businesses and post-secondary institutions to support students by providing and promoting personal mentoring, scholarships, internships and employment during their academic training.

This year, the LEAP Organization was able to present scholarship to the most higher education institutions than previous years.

Students were able to select to attend Utah State University, Bridgerland Technical College, The Barber School, Paul Mitchell, Salt Lake Community College, Weber State University, University of Utah, Utah Valley University and Southern Utah University.

During the gala, guests had the opportunity to hear guest speakers including USU Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Jane Irungu, PhD, Bridgerland LEAP Scholarship Recipient Daniela Arellano-Piedra, USU LEAP Scholarship Recipient Glenda Hernandez-Coto and Cache County Sheriff Deputy Enrique Meza.

“It was really heart-warming for me that they have decided to change lives in this way,” Irungu said. “They have decided to change lives because education changes lives.”

Irungu thanked the Chaparros for providing a pathway for secondary education for many students and said it reminded her of her journey as the first woman from her village in Kenya to go to college.

“The first woman in my village to go to high school and then I went to university,” Irungu said. “That changed everything.”

According to Irungu, when she was born in Africa, women were looked down upon and taking daughters to school was considered as a waste of money and time.

Irungu said she was fortunate the Kenyan government sponsored her university education because with out that support, she wouldn’t have been able to attend college.

She said college changed not only her life but her family’s life as well as her community’s life.

“College will change your life,” Irungu said. “Not only will it change your life but it’s going to change your family’s life, your community’s life and ultimately your community and country.”

Irungu pointed out that statistics prove that students that receive a degree over their lifetime, they will earn more than their counter parts who do not.

She concluded by thanking parents, grandparents and teachers who supported students and encouraged them to continue to support them.

Arellano-Piedra received the Bridgerland LEAP Scholarship in 2021 said she was very grateful for the LEAP Scholarship as she said they gave her a second chance at gaining her post-secondary education.

Arellano-Piedra said that as a high school student, she struggled with depression and transferred from Ridgeline High School to Cache High.

“Honestly, I can’t thank that school enough,” Arellano-Piedra said. “They were the ones who helped me find myself and motivate myself to continue bettering myself.”

According to Arellano-Piedra, two teachers at Cache High, helped her look through scholarships and with many of the struggles first generation immigrant students face.

“I didn’t know where to start or where to apply,” Arellano-Piedra said. “Honestly, I didn’t know how I could afford it.”

LEAP Scholarship recipients planning to attend Bridgeland Technical College received their scholarship during gala Tuesday evening.

She said the LEAP scholarship application was different because they were asking about her and her struggles.

“I felt so lost but the LEAF Scholarship was one I felt that I really resonated with,” Arellano-Piedra said. “I felt like they truly wanted to listen and understand. I knew they wanted to give me a chance, the chance I’ve so desperately been looking for.”

Before receiving the scholarship, Arellano-Piedra told Cache Valley Daily, she was working while attending school and the scholarship allowed her to take a break and focus on her studies.

Arellano-Piedra’s parents, Cesar and Maria Rosario Arellano, said they were very proud of her accomplishments.

“We’re very proud of her accomplishments,” Cesar said. “Especially with all her struggles in her youth but ultimately, it’s up to her what she wants to keep doing.”

Maria Rosario said that as Latino parents, sometimes they don’t know where to start or how many opportunities there are available for their students but parents should support their child and become involved in their student’s search.

“What happens is that as parents we don’t know how to help our kids with this,” Maria Rosario said. “But yes, they need to know that there are many opportunities and we have to take advantage of them.”

This year’s LEAP Scholarship recipients Raul Ledesma-Cisneros and Agustina Figueredo-Peck  said receiving the scholarship is a relief because it will help them financially be able to continue their education.

“Relieved because it does help to pay the university,” Ledesma-Cisneros said. “It’s a really good aide especially this year because it’s my first year.”

Arellano-Piedra said she wants students who may be facing similar struggles as her to not give up and to look for people to support and help them.

“Don’t give up,” Arellano-Piedra said. “Don’t listen to what other people have to say when they’re telling you you’re not worth it or you’re not going to make it because a long as you believe in yourself and if you look for someone to help you, there’s always a person there.”

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