Laredo College was honored to host the Laredo Area Community Foundation’s (LACF) annual Scholarship Despedida, a heartfelt send-off celebrating students from Webb, Zapata and La Salle counties who are preparing to begin their college journeys.
The Laredo Area Community Foundation, which supports 26 scholarship funds established by local donors, distributed 15 scholarships at the event. In total, this amounted to more than half a million dollars in support for local students.
The recipients are set to attend Laredo College and Texas A&M International University as well as universities across the country including Notre Dame University, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and Rice University. The students represented high school seniors who excelled in their studies and extracurricular activities. The donors included organizations and individuals committed to making a permanent impact on our community.
The event took place at the historic Ft. McIntosh Campus, where LC and LACF celebrated their longstanding partnership in supporting educational advancement across South Texas, with Laredo College President Dr. Minita Ramírez delivering the keynote address.
“To all our recipients being honored today, I want you to know that each of you has earned more than a scholarship,” Dr. Ramírez said. “You’ve earned the trust and belief of a community that sees your potential and is investing in your future. You are the future of our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses and our communities.”
“Scholarships allow donors to make a lasting contribution to our community and the LACF was honored to work with them to ensure their intentions are fulfilled in perpetuity,” LACF President Tina Holliday Cerda added.
Inspired by generosity and empowered by a legacy of giving, the LACF provides for the philanthropic needs of Laredo and surrounding communities. The foundation has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to area students since 2005 and currently manages more than $20 million in donor funds for use throughout South Texas.
