Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas

Dear HWNT Members and Friends,

I am so delighted to inform you that the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, Fort Worth Chapter, Latinas in Progress (LIP) Education Series had its first session, College 101 this past Saturday October 3^rd at UTA.  I wanted to share with you the success of LIP College 101 Module and congratulate the many individuals who made it happen!

First of all, Admissions Counselor, Adam Pitts and Vice President of UTA, Dr. Frank Lamas did a wonderful job hosting us and accommodating all our students, parents and volunteers.  Many thanks for providing not only the facility but for graciously speaking to our students about the opportunities at UTA and the importance of pursuing higher education.  Did I mention that they also provided breakfast, an all you can eat lunch at the Connections Café, and an afternoon snack!  WOW!

Additionally, thanks to Dr. Catalina Garcia for the great delivery of her “I measure up!” presentation.  As always, she inspired many students, volunteers, and members.  We greatly appreciate her words of encouragement!

A special thanks to our very own Dr. Tangie Cuascud Vega for sharing her life story and speaking to the students about how to overcome the challenges and adversity they may encounter on their way to college and journey towards success. Thanks to her Telemundo interviewed 2 Latinas In Progress students on how Dr. Tangie impacted their lives. Stay tuned for her segment as a Hispana Heroina!

Another special thanks to our very own Susie Soto-Olmos and Belinda Ramos from TCCD Northwest Campus for addressing the importance of financial aid and for guiding our students through the FAFSA/TAFSA process.  Also, we are so grateful that Charim Guadarrama, FWISD Student Engagement & Completion, addressed Senate Bill 1528 and the DREAM Act.  Many of our students had great questions and they benefited from learning about their options.

Furthermore, thanks to Dr. Danna Diaz and FWISD Student Engagement and Completion for extending their resources.  Not only did we have great volunteers, we were also able to have a professional translator and translating devices for our Spanish speaking parents!  This has been the most high tech session we’ve ever had!  Thanks also to Erica Marez for the icebreaker activity for our students, what a great way to get the session going so early in the morning!

I’d also like to thank our members who were present, Christina Elbitar, Judy Perez, Diane Salazar, Diana Pitman, and Anna Alvarado.  They all contributed to the success of College 101!

Lastly, I hope that you can join me in congratulating two of our newly appointed LIP Interns, Maria Alonso, senior Trimble Tech HS, and Daisy Castro, senior, Northside HS.  These returning LIP students did a wonderful job on their first day of the internship!  What a great way to enhance their resume and to give back to HWNT.  We are so proud of you guys!

I hope that you can join us at our next session, Latinas in Power Module at UNT on November 14^th (more details to follow soon).  We are still accepting Madrinas so if you would like to make a difference in a young Latina’s life I encourage each of you to step up and be a mentor!  It’s extremely rewarding!

Till next time,

Victoria Ruiz

Education Chair

HWNT - Fort Worth Chapter

Mobile: 817.913.8819

fw-education@hwnt.org

www.hwnt.org

fortworth Fort Worth Adam Pitts, Belinda Ramos, Charim Guadarrama, College 101, Daisy Castro, Dr Catalina Garcia, Dr Frank Lamas, Dr Tangie Cuascud Vega, FWISD, Latinas In Progress, LIP, Maria Alonso, Susie Soto-Olmos, TCCD northwest campus, University of Texas at Arlington, UTA, Victoria Ruiz

Fort Worth HWNT Chapter Announces 2009 Scholarship Recipients

Non-Profit Awards $123,000 in Scholarships to Nine Fort-Worth Students

Jordan Mazurek, Christy Mazurek, and Coleen Mazurek and Clara Garcia.

05.28.2009 – (FORT WORTH, Texas – May 20, 2009) The Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas - Fort Worth (HWNT-FW) chapter awarded $123,000 in scholarships to nine local students at the organization’s annual Mother-Daughter Awards Banquet held at Tarrant County College’s south campus on May 2, 2009. The announcement comes after all nine of the applicants met the program requirements while maintaining excellent attendance rates at the organization’s annual Latinas In Progress (LIP) college prep modules.

Every year, HWNT-FW raises over $100,000 in scholarships to females who are set to graduate from a Fort Worth-area high school and who have attended all five of the organization’s LIP modules. The LIP modules are set programs that HWNT organizes each year to help prepare students for college and acquire skills to further their professional development. Each module is organized to prepare students for college, develop their writing and speaking skills, as well as provide public policy and life coaching sessions to help each student become more confident and an outstanding citizen to their communities.

“We have been blessed in these trying times to be able to provide guidance and support to improve the lives of our Fort Worth youth,” said Christina Elbitar, president of HWNT-FW. “Acquiring an education is core to our organization’s mission and success. Each of our members and donors have been working so hard to volunteer their time and increase our ability to help make a huge impact in the lives of our LIP students who, otherwise, may not be so fortunate.”

Each of the recipients received scholarship amounts ranging from $1,000-$113,000 in individual awards to several local major universities including a full ride to Texas Christian University, as well as opportunities from The University of North Texas, The University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Wesleyan University, Texas Woman’s University and Tarrant County College District. In addition to area-university and a Northwestern Mutual donation, HWNT members presented awards in honor of their mothers.

The 2009 recipients of the nine HWNT scholarships awarded in May are:

Christina Elbitar/HWNT president, Clara Garcia/HWNT TCU scholarship recipient, Jennifer Treviño/HWNT scholarship chair, and Michael Marshall/ TCU

• Carmen Linda Cruz, senior, Haltom High School
• Thalia Esparza, freshman, Tarrant County College
• Clara Garcia, senior, Western Hills High School
• Melisa Ladinos, senior, Haltom High School
• Victoria Noris, senior, Haltom High School
• Sasha Perez, senior, Keene High School
• Breanna Rodriguez, senior, Boswell High School
• Rebecca Rodriguez, senior, Castleberry High School
• Darcee Torress, senior, Paschal High School

“We are so proud of our LIP participants,” said Elbitar. “Our students have proven their dedication and eagerness to learn and acquire their dreams – it was only natural that they each received some form of monetary support to help grow their passions and acquire a higher education. We look forward in watching all of our recipients as they begin their new life journeys.”

If you’re interested in applying to the Latinas in Progress Program to qualify for scholarships, please visit www.hwnt.org.

Tahlia Esparza and her mother

News Facts

· The Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas - Fort Worth (HWNT-FW) chapter awarded $123,000 in scholarships to nine local students.

· Every year, HWNT-FW raises over $100,000 in scholarships to females who are set to graduate from a Fort Worth-area high school.

· All nine of the applicants participated in the organization’s LIP college prep modules.

· The LIP modules are set programs that HWNT organizes each year to help prepare students for college and acquire skills to further their professional development.

· Scholarship amounts range from $1,000-$113,000 in individual awards to several local major universities including a full ride to Texas Christian University.

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Valentina Castro Lerma

May 5, 1942 – March 4, 2004

Mother of Christina Elena (Lerma) Elbitar

This one of my favorite pictures of my mother and eldest niece,Elena.

 

 

When the Fort Worth Chapter of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas honors their Latinas In Progress students, I will honor the life of my mother Valentina Lerma.

The day my mother ended her long battle with diabetes taught me the magnitude of my inner strength. It was the day I fully understood what it meant to be a daughter and honor my mother and best friend throughout her final days.  I honored her then, and I am honored to do so now by giving a $1,000 educational award in her name. These are some of the words I shared with our friends and loved ones the day I said goodbye…  

My mother was more than just a mother to me. She was my best friend, sister, confidant, and companion. I know a lot of daughters feel the same about their mothers, but our relationship was special. Yes, she was an upstanding woman, but to me she was more than just my mother. She was my world.

My mother was the kind of mother that used to take me to Motts five and dime to purchase gum. We would spend the afternoon playing Barbies, blowing bubbles and popping them in each other’s face. 

When I was younger, she spent her Friday evenings taking me and my best friend to the ice skating rink. She had fun buying us new skating outfits even though we had no clue what we were doing.

She was always the one to step up to the plate and become President of the PTA.  She joined all of the parent teacher organizations and volunteered at all of my events.

Up until middle school, she took me to dance lessons four nights a week and never complained. She would wait outside and read a book or peek in the room to tell me to smile. These are the moments I remembered as I used to take my mother to all of her dialysis appointments. She thought she was a burden, but it was always my pleasure.

As I was older, she went to all of my band performances and awards banquets.

She spent her vacation days chaperoning all of my school trips…even the ones that lasted a week. We experienced New Orleans, Los Angeles, and New York together, along with all of my other classmates and teachers.

She was the kind of mother that took me to all of her office parties. She always bragged about my accomplishments to her coworkers. I was always embarrassed by her gushing.

She was the kind of mother that made sacrifices to pay for my education. It is because of her and my father that I graduated debt free. I am forever grateful for their gift.

She and I used to sleep together at night and watch movies. My father and I would fight over whose turn it was to have her. This battle lasted long after I was married. My husband always understood when it came to my mother.

My mother also supported me when I met my husband. She seemed to know he was the one for me way before I did.

My mother was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. I used to beg and pray for a sister.  When I was older I realized I always had one.   I love my mother very much.  I am what I am today because of her.

Join us as one deserving Latinas In Progress student wins

The Valentina Lerma $1,000 Educational Award

Saturday, May 2 - 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

HWNT Mother Daughter Recognition Brunch

Tarrant County College District - South Campus in the Cafeteria

Special thanks to Tarrant County College District – South Campus for hosting our banquet!

Please RSVP by April 25 to Jennifer Trevino at jennifernchris@sbcglobal.net or 817-319-5876

Questions? Contact Jennifer

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Remembering our Mothers: Frances Yruegas Chase

Mother of Irene Chase

February 20, 1925 ~ May 28, 2008

When the Fort Worth Chapter of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas honors their

Latinas In Progress students, Irene Chase will honor the life of her mother Frances Yruegas Chase.

In Irene’s words:

My mother was born the eldest of 7 children in Saginaw, Michigan but raised in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico. As the eldest, she had to drop out of school in the 4th grade to work and help take care of her younger siblings as her parents worked to help support the family. She never gave up the “value” of education and always understood the commitment of family, responsibility, and religion, which were values reflected throughout her life and in her three children.

She always ventured to explore the world outside of Mexico but was only allowed to leave her family to the United States if she promised to join a convent, which she did in San Antonio in her early 20’s.  As a novice and before taking her final vows, she met a young sailor who was the cousin of a convent friend just before he left overseas. They exchanged a couple of letters and a year later he returned, met my mom on a Friday, had to meet with the Mother Superior for permission to propose and then they got married on a Monday in La Villita and were married for 63 blessed years.

Her obvious love of reading, learning English and education never left her as I very fondly recall her making “learning” was always fun and that life was a precious gift from God.  She was a daily inspiration to me always smiling and happy every day.  When I would return from school, she would make me a special treat of hot flour tortillas or sweet potato mini empanadas. We would sit and talk about what I learned in school, so I became the teacher and she was the student.  She was always encouraging as a woman to continue to explore outside my own comfort level and that any dream is possible with a strong foundation of education.

She loved being a wife and mother and never asked for anything but for her children to recognize that education was a powerful tool to be successful in whatever we do. Coming from two different cultures, my mom emphasized the importance of accepting other people and appreciating with respect the differences and focusing on the similarities. These values of understanding, appreciating, and facing any challenge with a smile and a sense of optimism is what I learned from my mother and I cherish the most. I personally honor my mother and father by giving back to my global community.

Thank you for this opportunity to honor my Mom, Irene Chase.

You are invited to be present when a fortunate Latinas In Progress student wins

the Frances Yruegas Chase $1,000 Educational Award

Saturday, May 2 - 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

HWNT Mother Daughter Recognition Brunch

Tarrant County College District - South Campus in the Cafeteria

Special thanks to Tarrant County College District – South Campus for hosting our banquet!

Please RSVP by April 25 to Jennifer Trevino at jennifernchris@sbcglobal.net or 817-319-5876

Questions? Contact Jennifer

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Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas
Fort Worth Chapter
Latinas In Progress Education Program

FOR ALL WHO SUPPORT OUR YOUNG LATINAS IN PROGRESS…THANKS!

Dear friends:

Thank you once again for your continued support to the Latinas In Progress (LIP) program for 2008-2009.  Our fifth and final session, Life Skills Module was a success hosted by Texas Women’s University, February 7th, 2009.  We’d like to thank all those individuals who contributed to the success of our session.
 
First and foremost, a big “Thank You” to Erma Nieto-Brecht, Director of Admissions, and Miliditza “Mili” Guerrero, Admissions Counselor, for hosting us at TWU.  We give special recognition to Mili for welcoming our girls and introducing them to all that TWU has to offer and for her advice and helpful hints on Managing Your Time.  Additionally, we are grateful that Officer Chris Carney addressed Personal Safety In College and the importance of always being aware of one’s surroundings.  Thank you Officer Carney and TWU Police Department for making this happen.
 
Furthermore, we had a gracious video presentation by Dr. Tangie on “How to dress like a celebrity on a college student budget” followed by tips on Managing Your Finances by Gilbert Barrera, Personal Banker, and Wallace Hall, Branch Manager, with Wells  Fargo Bank.  We commend you for your contributions to our Life Skills session.
 
Last but not least, a special thank you to Charim Guadarrama and FWISD for facilitating and providing transportation to TWU.  Our students couldn’t have made it there without you!     
 

Mayor Dorothy Hall, Josie Gutierrez, Eva Bonilla, Victoria Ruiz, Kina Rodriguez, Carmen Castro, Irene Chase, Pat Alva-Green, Elisa Najera, Mary Lou Martinez, Sonya Rivas, Judy Perez, Jennifer Trevino, Judy Perez, Mary Lou Martinez, Dr. Tanginika Cuascud Vega,
 
Don’t forget to save the date for the Mother/Daughter Banquet and Awards Ceremony on May 2nd at Tarrant County College, South Campus.  We are excited to close the 2008-2009 LIP program by celebrating and awarding the students for their hard work and determination to go on to college!
 
 
Cordially,
 
M. Victoria Ruiz
 
Education Chair
HWNT - Fort Worth Chapter
 
Mobile: 817.913.8819
fw-education@hwnt.org
www.hwnt.org

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Hello Ladies and LIP students,

This is the final session of our Educational Series… LIFE SKILLS.

Texas Women’s University 8am to 12pm

Topics will include:

• managing your finances
• feminine health
• campus safety

This is an informative session for all members. Please plan to attend and meet your mentors or mentees.

 Transportation is provided. Busses leave at 7:11 am from FWISD Admin Building, 100 N University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76107.

For more information contact:

Christina Elbitar at fw-chair@hwnt.org 817-723-5356.

Veronica Ruiz at fw-education@hwnt.org 

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