PHOTO: Leah Sejas performs during last year’s SLI Celebración. This year’s event will feature a fajita bar, wine and local beers, and much more on November 8 at the Loft at Liberty St. in Harrisonburg. Photo by Gaelen Smith

Fajitas and drinks with live music are great reasons to celebrate anytime. But when the Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) community of support gathers this November, it will also be celebrating the accomplishments of SLI alumni and SLI’s record year of support for students.

A college access nonprofit based in Harrisonburg, SLI will host its annual “Celebración” on Saturday, November 8. Returning to the stunning downtown venue The Loft at Liberty St., the 5:30-9pm event will feature sharing by SLI alumni, a fajita bar, wine and local beers, the music of Lua Project before and after dinner, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, and more. Dress for the 21+ event is business casual. 

General and educator/student tickets are available for purchase at vasli.org/celebracion, with the discount code EARLYBIRD available through September 30th for $10 off each ticket at checkout.

“SLI provided me with opportunities that shaped my future,” a SLI alum who is now in medical school shared during last year’s Celebración. “Being part of SLI opened doors I never knew existed.”

Beginning at 5:30, a happy hour will feature music by Lua Project, an open bar with wine and local beers, and chips and salsa. Dinner will then include a fajita bar with shredded chicken and pork carnitas, corn and flour tortillas, beans, Spanish rice, roasted vegetables, curtido, guacamole and queso fresco, salsa and pico de gallo, and fresh kale chop chop salad – with coffee, flan, Mexican wedding cookies, fresh fruits, and chocolate chili bites for dessert. Vendors include La Bendición Bakery, A Bowl of Good, La Morena, El Sol, Merge, and others.

“An effective way to help solve the problems of today is to celebrate and invest in young people who show incredible talent and positive drive,” said SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, a professor of history at James Madison University. “That describes the students SLI serves, and I am so grateful for the community of individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations whose support has enabled SLI to support their access to college.”

The event is generously sponsored by Cargill, SLI founder Peter Iver Kaufman, Genworth | CareScout, Glass and Metals, Inc., Harrisonburg City Public Schools, Dick & Pat Gardner, Brent Holsinger & Laura Toni-Holsinger, Eastern Mennonite University, The Gaines Group Architects, LD&B Insurance and Financial Services, Larry Miller & Liz Yoder, Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, CT Assist, DuPont Community Credit Union, Everence Financial, F&M Bank, Herr & Company, Highest Roofing & Exteriors, InterChange Group, Inc., Lantz Construction Company, Park View Federal Credit Union, Sentara Health, Steven Toyota, Christopher & Maria Clymer Kurtz, and Phil & Loretta Helmuth.

Silent auction items will be provided by Parentheses Books, Silk Moth Stage, Edible Landscaping, Massanutten Resort, Mary Jo’s Flowers, Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn, Luray Caverns, and others.

The mission of Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships. Through collaborations in Harrisonburg, Richmond and Winchester with university and high school staff, faculty, and students, SLI provides college access opportunities throughout high school. In addition, its scholars can become eligible for financial support for college success.

SLI awards announced this summer for the 2025-26 academic year totaled $215,500, a 37 percent increase over 2024’s then-record $157,500. This year’s awards include a $6,000 college scholarship and $1,250 technology grant each for 22 high school class of 2025 SLI scholars for their first year of college, plus $56,000 in college scholarships for 26 SLI alumni continuing their undergraduate studies. 

Scholarships for scholars pursuing studies in health sciences were funded by a $25,000 grant from Valley Health for awards for Winchester SLI scholars. A $5,000 grant from Sentara Health also helped fund awards for students in health related studies, and a three-year grant from F&M Bank helped fund students in business and accounting studies.

Since 2012 SLI has served 223 scholars, including 67 current and 156 alumni. Its scholars have attended 28 colleges and universities, and SLI financial awards for students now total more than $911,000.

Of this year’s 48 awardees, 24 are in health-related studies, eight are in business and entrepreneur-related studies, and 16 are studying architecture, education, engineering, political science, and other fields. They are studying this fall at Dickinson College, Eastern Mennonite University, Harvard College, Hollins University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, James Madison University, Longwood University, Old Dominion University, Randolph-Macon College, Shenandoah University, the University of Chicago, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, Washington Adventist University, and Blue Ridge, Brightpoint, Harrisburg Area, J. Sargent Reynolds, and Laurel Ridge Community Colleges.

SLI scholars graduating from high school this spring have been admitted to leading colleges and universities in Virginia and beyond.

After reviewing all their options and talking with their SLI program directors, school counselors, and family members, scholars have committed to attend such schools as Eastern Mennonite University, George Mason University, Illinois Institute of Technology, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, Randolph-Macon College, Shenandoah University, the University of Chicago, Virginia Tech, Blue Ridge, Laurel Ridge, and Reynolds Community Colleges, and others.

“We are proud of our students’ achievements and of the opportunities they are pursuing,” said Carlos Alemán, Ph.D., SLI program director and board vice chair. “This fall, these students will begin a new, life-changing stage of their educational journeys. They have worked hard and accomplished much – and are just getting started.”

SLI’s mission is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships. Through collaborations with university and high school staff, faculty, and students, SLI provides college access opportunities throughout high school. In addition, its scholars can become eligible for college dual enrollment and AP course tuition assistance while in high school, and SLI scholarships and technology grants for college success.

“When I joined SLI I was still unsure about my future after high school because no one close to me had gone to college,” SLI alumna Jimena ’24 (history and social science ’28) shared recently. “The idea of going to college was terrifying because I knew I’d have a hard time with every step. Once I joined SLI, many worries faded. During our meetings, I would learn something new about what needed to be done before college. I learned the importance of community service, joining clubs, making connections with teachers, and focusing on academics.”

With generous funding from the SLI community of support, since 2012 SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni) and awarded more than $700,000 in financial support for students. SLI teachers and professors also help to connect scholars to additional funding opportunities, and SLI scholars have attended 25 colleges and universities.

Graduating SLI scholars are eligible to apply for SLI technology grants of $1,250 to help purchase the technology they need for college, as well as for SLI college scholarships of up to $6,000. After their first year of college, SLI alumni may apply for SLI alumni college scholarships. This year’s SLI awards will be announced this summer.

SLI also offers its scholars who are high school juniors and seniors tuition assistance for college dual-enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. These courses improve college readiness, enhance academic portfolios, and may reduce the number of credit hours needed in college.

More than 40 donors and an anonymous matching funds gift raised more than $14,000 for SLI during the Great Community Give, surpassing SLI’s initial goal of $10,000.

“These meaningful and generous gestures of tangible support truly make a difference,” said Christopher Clymer Kurtz, SLI director of development. “By providing matching funds or including SLI in their Great Community Give plans, many people have shown their confidence in the young people who are SLI scholars.”

In Facebook and Instagram reels, members of the SLI board of directors shared their reasons for serving the organization.

“As a first-generation American, a first-generation college graduate, and a proud Latina, I know what it’s like to need support on the journey to higher education,” said Steph Beck in her video. “If I can contribute in some small way to the success of these incredible SLI scholars, then I’m happy to answer that call.”

Since 2012, SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni) and awarded more than $700,000 in financial support for students through college scholarships, technology grants, and dual enrollment and Advanced Placement tuition assistance. More than $300,000 of that total were awarded in the last two years – and in 2025 alone, SLI anticipates making more than a quarter million dollars in new awards to alumni and its larger-than-ever graduating cohort.

SLI’s mission – to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships – has been sustained through the generosity of the SLI Community of Support, which includes many individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. Together, they have helped SLI alumni attend 25 colleges and universities.

Many SLI scholars have shared about the impact of their SLI experiences:

“Thanks to SLI I have grown over the past three years. I have learned how to speak up for myself, that challenges are just ways to learn, and how to grow and become a better person. SLI taught me how to face the reality of becoming a first generation immigrant college student and how to succeed in such a journey. I have been able to work with different people who allowed me to have new experiences, ideas, and perspectives which helped me find the path I wanted to follow.”

“I have grown academically and personally during my years as a SLI scholar. Academically, I have strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, achieving excellence in rigorous coursework. Personally, I have embraced leadership opportunities, and fostered a strong sense of community and cultural pride. The mentorship and support from SLI have empowered me to pursue higher education with confidence and a deep commitment to giving back to my community.”

“When I joined SLI I was still unsure about my future after high school because no one close to me had gone to college. The idea of going to college was terrifying because I knew I’d have a hard time with every step. Once I joined SLI, many worries faded. During our meetings, I would learn something new about what needed to be done before college. I learned the importance of community service, joining clubs, making connections with teachers, and focusing on academics.”

“SLI has prepared me for college not only financially but also academically. Through SLI, I was challenged to take more demanding courses and to participate in extracurricular activities, which I’m certain not only helped me get into the university I’m attending but also equipped me with the necessary academic skills for the rigorous courses I have to take as a nursing student. With the past SLI scholarship, I was able to buy all the school supplies I needed, including an iPad, dorm supplies, and personal necessities, throughout my first year.”

“As a first-generation student, I faced numerous barriers, such as the lack of parental support and guidance, which often limited my opportunities to expand my knowledge. However, SLI transformed my outlook and capabilities. SLI not only prepared me for college but also instilled a deep sense of dedication and determination to achieve my dreams. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone, making me realize that without this challenge, I would have remained shy and uncertain of my abilities. Thanks to SLI, I am now confident and proactive, fully prepared to pursue my goals with unwavering resolve.”

“SLI equipped me for college by providing resources and support for the application process. I developed leadership skills, learned self-advocacy, and gained confidence to pursue my academic goals. SLI helped me build a strong network of mentors and peers, encouraging my success in college. As an immigrant, I participated in events like the storytelling workshop, where I learned how to craft my personal narrative and share my story with others. These experiences have helped me develop my communication skills and prepare me for the challenges of college life.”

“When you’re a high school senior who is starting to apply for college, and when you start coming across things that you have never had to deal with before, it is terrifying. You feel as if at any point you can sink and not end up preparing for that transition from high school to college. Through SLI, I was able to have access to many resources that allowed for that smooth transition. SLI taught me what to do, and how to do it, and having someone guide me through this process was a true blessing. Through SLI’s workshops, and their mentee-mentor program, that fear of preparation vanished, and I am forever grateful for that.”

“SLI allowed me to have a community in which others understand what it is like to be a first-generation student. They also provided me with the support and information necessary to move forward as a student with no previous ties to any college. They guided me through the process of understanding how to apply, breaking down the FAFSA application, and even allowed us to spend time in person at college campuses in order to understand what we were planning on doing and to make connections with potential professors.”

“SLI prepared me for college through its Early College lectures which helped me gain the necessary discussion skills for my discussion sections in college. The Early College experience also allowed me to observe college classes in high school and see how they compared to high school. Additionally, SLI’s volunteering opportunities … helped me gain the necessary team building skills to succeed in college projects and the necessary note taking skills to thrive in my classes.”