During SLI’s 2023 year-end campaign, donations are doubled, matched by $43,000 from the SLI Founder’s Fund, the Open Hearts Foundation, and anonymous donors, while funds last. Contributions can be made at vasli.org/donate or mailed to SLI, PO Box 1245, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22803, and will help make SLI’s mission possible: to support Latinx students with college access through rigorous academic challenge,…
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Meet Naomi ’21, SLI scholar
Public health with a data science focus Growing up, education was one of my main concerns. As a first-generation low-income student, I was more focused on basic needs like money, housing, and food. I faced countless obstacles, including growing up in poverty, experiencing homelessness, and constantly being in survival mode. Despite these challenges, I always found solace in books and…
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Merienda ’23 celebrates SLI
It may have been a rainy late summer day, but the Merienda ’23 celebration of SLI’s mission – to support Latinx high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships – was an evening not to be missed. The 2023 version of SLI’s annual event, Merienda recognized the successes of SLI scholars, as…
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SLI awards $143,000 this summer for college scholarships, tech
Sentara Health and F&M Bank help fund health and business career studies; JustPax Fund and the Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation support computer awards Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has awarded $143,000 in financial aid to 32 graduating scholars and SLI alumni from Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester who are attending college this fall. These new awards and previous SLI financial…
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Maquera to lead local SLI program
SLI has named school counselor Lara Maquera as a program director. SLI program directors facilitate SLI’s mission to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships. Incorporated in 2012 and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 2013, SLI creates college access opportunities through collaborations with public school teachers and local university faculty,…
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SLI scholars provide face painting and fun at el Festival Hispano
In what has become a tradition, the 2023 Hispanic Festival featured face painting a fun provided by SLI scholars. Since 2018, SLI scholars have offered leadership and service at Festival Hispano by hosting the children’s play, arts, and crafts center. Held by Comite Salvadoreno Paisanos Unidos (COSPU), the festival also included live performances of Latino music and folk dance, authentic…
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Meet Emilia ’23, SLI scholar
How did you decide to become a teacher? In one of my teaching classes, Teachers for Tomorrow, we had to go spend 40 hours in a classroom. It definitely made me realize that that’s what I wanted to do. How does it feel to be finished with high school? I was so excited for graduation, but I was so sad because I…
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Meet Dafne ’22, SLI scholar: “It quickly struck me that I could one day be the help this elderly man needed”
How did you decide to study nursing? I decided to study nursing when I took my first trip to Guatemala in 2018. I noticed the lack of healthcare in Guatemala’s communities. I was shocked to see an elderly blind man begging for money, and I thought to myself, “How could this elderly man be on the streets?” It quickly struck…
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Meet Esmeralda ’23, SLI scholar and future congresswoman
How does it feel to be finished with high school and about to go to college? Graduating from high school was a surreal experience for me, especially since I was the first in my family to accomplish this achievement. While I’ll miss my parents and sisters, I am excited to start college as summer comes to an end. Are there…
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Meet Grecia ’23, SLI scholar
As she nears her first year of college, SLI scholar Grecia ’23 talks about how she’s grown as a person over the last four years. In college she will study political science on a pre-law track. Congrats on graduating from high school! How are you feeling about going to college? When I first started SLI I was like I know…
