A Harrisonburg “SLI Saturday” this spring featured a Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) panel conversation on health and wellness, with personal reflections on resilience.
Each month Harrisonburg SLI scholars meet with their SLI program directors and college student mentors on a Saturday for programs that develop leadership skills and support systems critical to wellbeing and academic success. The March session’s panelists included a James Madison University counselor and three representatives of Sentara Health, was part of “SLI Saturday” programming.
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. It is a collaboration with high school and university faculty, staff, and students to offer out-of-school, college access programs for high school students (“SLI scholars”) in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester. With support from its donors, SLI creates college scholarships, tech grants, and other financial assistance opportunities for SLI scholars and alumni.
“Many of our students are encouraged by their families to pursue a career in nursing, and so we like to open their vision to the larger landscape of health serving careers,” said SLI program director Carlos Alemán, PhD, a professor of communication studies at James Madison University and the SLI board vice chair. “Given increasing threats to our families and our access to higher education, we think it’s important to keep a healthy perspective on resilience for making sense of and moving forward from personal setbacks and professional barriers. Our students can learn from hearing about others’ paths and continuing journeys.”
Panelists were invited to describe their professions, how they came to those professions, and associated highlights and challenges, as well as about the role of their cultural heritages and families in their professional journeys. They included:
Allison Collazo, a licensed professional counselor at the JMU Counseling Center
Silvia Garcia-Romero, the director of Health Impact & Engagement at Sentara Health
Mayra Gavia Molina, RN, a practice manager at the Sentara Community Care Clinic
Yasmin Rodriguez, RN, a nurse at Sentara Health
“Participating in the panel was meaningful and powerful to me because these students remind me of my 16-year-old self — determined, resourceful, and ready to chase a better life despite the odds,” said Garcia-Romero. “Many lack guidance, and programs like SLI give them the tools and vision to succeed. I’m honored to help encourage them to take that first step.”
From left: Dulce Alonso and Hannah Bowman Hrasky, Harrisonburg SLI program directors; Mayra Gavia Molina, Sentara Community Care Clinic practice manager, and Silvia Garcia-Romero, director of Health Impact & Engagement at Sentara; Carlos Alemán, SLI program director; Allison Collazo, a licensed professional counselor at the JMU Counseling Center; and Yasmin Rodriguez, a nurse at Sentara.
Since 2022 Sentara has awarded SLI more than $131,000 to support SLI scholarships for students pursuing health-related careers, programming such as this panel, community events, and more. With this and additional private funding by the SLI community of support, since its incorporation in 2012 SLI has served 223 scholars (67 current and 156 alumni) and awarded students more than $917,300. This year is “SLI’s Million Dollar Año,” when the organization anticipates passing the $1 million mark in total awards to students. SLI alumni have attended 29 colleges and universities.
Guests at the Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) Meet & Greet in Harrisonburg listened and applauded as SLI scholars and alumni expressed heartfelt thanks for two SLI program directors whose contributions have also included serving on the organization’s board of directors.
The March 27 gathering at El Sol Mexican Restaurant brought together students, educators, board members, supporters, and more to celebrate the nonprofit’s mission, which is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships.
The event also provided space for honoring Carlos Alemán, PhD, a professor of communication studies at James Madison University, and Hannah Bowman Hrasky, an AVID teacher at Rocktown High School. Their more than 25 combined years of service as SLI program directors is continuing, but their terms on the SLI board will end this year.
“As board members, Carlos and Hannah have helped shape SLI’s college access mission and kept the board focused on what matters most: the students we serve,” said Brook Vazquez, who spoke on behalf of the board. “Their service on the board has shown how to place students at the center of our work, and it is also a constant reminder that SLI is more than just a scholarship program.”
SLI is a collaboration with high school and university faculty, staff, and students to offer out-of-school, college access programs for high school students (“SLI scholars”) in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester. With support from its donors, SLI creates college scholarships, tech grants, and other financial assistance opportunities for SLI scholars and alumni.
“As students work with Carlos, they learn more about the day-to-day life of university students and come to better understand the pressures they will face in higher education,” said Vazquez. “Hannah’s work with teaching SLI scholars how to apply for financial aid has enabled many of Harrisonburg’s SLI scholars to attend prestigious institutions, and those staying closer to home have graduated from college with less debt than they would have had without Hannah’s support. Carlos and Hannah were influential in bringing SLI to this region and have been its strongest supporters and advocates for over a decade, and their mentorship to other board members has guaranteed the growth of SLI.”
Privately funded by the SLI community of support, since its incorporation in 2012 SLI has served 223 scholars (67 current and 156 alumni) and awarded students more than $917,300. This year is “SLI’s Million Dollar Año,” when the organization anticipates passing the $1 million mark in total awards to students. SLI alumni have attended 29 colleges and universities, many as a direct result of Alemán and Bowman’s work.
“Hannah and Carlos, I didn’t write a speech because I feel like having known you both this long, I can truly speak from the heart,” said Dulce Alonso, a Harrisonburg SLI alum who is now an English as a Second Language teacher and SLI program director at Harrisonburg High School. “When I was in high school you both were mentors and now it’s a privilege to get to stand beside you both as your colleague. After high school, I went off to George Mason University on a full-ride scholarship and was the first in my family to graduate from a university. I couldn’t have done that without you both and now that I’m a mother, I sincerely appreciate being debt-free. Thank you both for all of your hard work throughout these years and the difference you all have made in our lives.”
Current SLI scholars as well as alumni and mentors at the Meet & Greet also shared words of appreciation for Alemán and Bowman.
“I found out about SLI from my older sister,” said Reina, a high school senior. “She is in college right now, and she’s still receiving guidance from Alemán and Miss Bowman. They have taught me many things, and I’m truly grateful for all their help with my whole college process.”
Another senior, Lucinda, who has four younger siblings following in her footsteps, said that without support from Alemán and Bowman, “I don’t think I would have been able to reach my full capacity.” Their help with the process of enrolling in college for this fall kept her on track, leaving her “at a loss for words” and feeling “really grateful,” she said.
“Miss Bowman has helped me out in a lot of ways in my life,” said Leonardo, a high school junior who is a student of Bowman. “Without her, honestly, I would have given up on school a long time ago. She is always there to support me, whenever I don’t feel like doing anything in school. Dr. Alemán always has words to encourage me, and like wise words that I often tend to take home and think about all the time. Without both of them, I wouldn’t be as far as I am in school and life as I am now.”
SLI “gave me a place of belonging,” said high school junior Joaquin. “Freshman year I didn’t really do much clubs and anything, so it was definitely a change from doing nothing to learning and talking [at Saturday SLI events]. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone.”
SLI alum Elizabeth said that Alemán and Bowman “held us accountable for stepping into a place and owning it, and also for making sure that we’re there to do our best and bring it on and represent our community.”
After graduating from JMU, Elizabeth traveled with the Fulbright program to Mexico, where she taught English for a year. Now a JMU employee, Mary “always loves” reconnecting with SLI. “I just want to say thank you so much for all your work and everything that you’ve done, and all the advocating that I know that you guys have done behind the scenes for students like me.”
High school students in SLI participate in mentorship opportunities with students at JMU, and two of these mentors also shared about Alemán and Bowman.
“Bowman has truly impacted me in my life,” said Julieanne, the vice president of the JMU SLI Mentors organization. “I was one of her students in junior year [of high school], and I’m just so glad to still be connected with her after and support the scholars with as much support as we can, as mentors. Carlos Alemán has truly been a funny and most wonderful person to work with and has truly seen a lot of potential in me that I never expected in me, and I’m very excited to work with them for the next year in future events.”
Alemán and Bowman “motivate everyone,” said mentor Yadiel. “Thank you for your hard work. It’s really inspiring, and you really show the passion you have.”
As small tokens of appreciation, Alemán and Bowman each received a SLI zippered hoodie.
At the start of its “Million Dollar Año,” the college-access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has welcomed an alum to its board of directors.
SLI, which with the support of its community in 2026 is poised to pass the $1 million mark in total financial awards to students since its incorporation in 2012, has announced Jennyfer Hernandez Austria of Chesterfield as its newest board member. The board now includes 13 members with backgrounds in secondary and higher education, business, law, and finance.
“I am thrilled that Jennyfer is joining SLI in this capacity,” said board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., a professor of history at James Madison University. “Her personal and professional experiences, particularly as an advocate and SLI scholar, will strengthen the impact of our mission.”
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. Offering college access opportunities in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester, Virginia, SLI is a collaboration both with high school and university faculty, staff, and students to offer out-of-school programs for SLI scholars, and with donors to create SLI college scholarships, tech grants, and other financial assistance opportunities for SLI scholars.
Privately funded by the SLI community of support, since 2012 SLI has served 223 scholars (67 current and 156 alumni) and awarded students more than $917,000. SLI alumni have attended 29 colleges and universities.
“I’ve known Jenny from high school, through college, and into and beyond law school,” said SLI founder and program director Peter Iver Kaufman, who holds the George Matthews & Virginia Brinkley Modlin Chair in Leadership Studies, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond. “Three words: persistence, passion, and compassion. And all are contagious; Jenny just moves people to believe in their own possibilities and to realize them.”
Hernandez Austria “did not see a pathway to college” until learning about and joining SLI in Richmond in high school. She went on to graduate from the University of Richmond in 2015 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and international studies with a minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and in 2023 she completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Richmond School of Law, where she was the lead articles editor of the Richmond Public Interest Law Review and a board member of the Public Interest Law Association.
A worker-owner of the Virginia Language Justice Collective, she has also worked or interned in a public defender’s office, for the Virginia Poverty Law Center, and with two immigration law firms.
“All of my life trajectory – none of it would have happened if SLI hadn’t been there for me,” she said. “I want to be there for other people just as SLI helped me, so that my community can continue to thrive and more students can have the same opportunities that I had.”
The daughter of dentists in Mexico City who moved their family to Richmond when she was age 11, Hernandez Austria saw her parents take on manual labor, make sacrifices to support education, and take risks on behalf of their family. She thrived on affirmation from her teachers and honed her English skills by watching the Gilmore Girls, whose character Rory inspired her to go to college even though without immigration documentation her options were limited.
When her high school homeroom teacher recommended her to Kaufman, Hernandez Austria seized the opportunity “to maybe be able to make it to college.” She “loved” SLI, including the assignments to research and write about different topics each month. One essay that stands out to her was about the ballast water contamination.
“All we need to do,” she recalls thinking, “is just pay a little bit of attention to what we’re doing.”
She realized during those assignments that she had a passion for supporting people facing struggles, including those she knew firsthand. When Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was implemented during the summer after her first year at the University of Richmond, Hernandez Austria began crying because she knew it would “change my life,” she recalls thinking.
Being a Dreamer eased the way for her to get a driver’s license, a job, and internships. She began acting on her passions, taking on activist roles and even becoming known as “the immigration girl” for distributing information and promoting petitions. In 2016 she married a man she had met years before while interning for a political campaign, and in 2020 she became a citizen.
SLI board members can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.
The college access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has announced three new program directors whose leadership will support high school students pursuing college access: Dulce Alonso, a SLI alum and an ESL teacher at Harrisonburg High School, and Sara Shoemaker and Elizabeth Cranford, both counselors at John Handley High School in Winchester.
SLI supports 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 offers its scholars college access opportunities during 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. SLI alumni have attended 28 colleges and universities.
SLI program directors “are the hands and feet of SLI’s mission,” said SLI board member Bryan Pearce-Gonzales during SLI Celebración earlier this month, noting that SLI “changes lives through the people who inspire and … guide the students who are SLI scholars.”
Continuing program directors in Harrisonburg are Hannah Bowman Hrasky, an AVID teacher at Rocktown High School, and Carlos Alemán, PhD, a professor of communication studies at James Madison University, who have both served SLI scholars for more than a dozen years. In Richmond they are Ester Orellana, a teacher at Huguenot High School, and SLI founder Peter Iver Kaufman, who holds the George Matthews & Virginia Brinkley Modlin Chair in Leadership Studies in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond.
With guidance from program directors, SLI scholars participate in various activities that may include:
Accepting new academic challenges and leadership responsibilities that empower their paths to higher education, with guidance from SLI high school teachers and university student mentors;
Developing personal statements and goals, evaluating careers and majors, applying for college admittance, and seeking financial aid, all with the help of faculty mentors;
Participating in family-inclusive programming that fosters skills and knowledge needed for supporting college access; college-level writing and analysis seminars taught by university faculty members; leadership and service partnerships with community organizations; and leadership and networking retreats held on university campuses; and
Receiving friendship, social support, and help for navigating the challenges that come with being a Latinx college-bound student.
Alonso was a member of Harrisonburg SLI’s first cohort, graduating from Harrisonburg High School and simultaneously completing an associate degree from Blue Ridge Community College in 2015. Two years later she completed her bachelor of arts degree in government and international affairs at George Mason University, where she was an academic mentor and a student success coach with the Early Identification Program and an external vice-president of the Mason DREAMers. She was an Antonin Scalia Law School Global Politics Fellow in 2016, has earned a paralegal studies certificate from JMU, and has worked with medical records at Healthy Community Health Centers.
“For many, including myself, SLI was a place where we discovered our potential, built confidence, and learned that we weren’t alone,” recalled Alonso, standing alongside her now-colleague Bowman Hrasky at SLI Celebración. “As I think about the impact [SLI program directors] Carlos and Hannah had on my life, I’m honored to be able to do the same now with the lives of our scholars. For me, this has definitely been a full circle moment as I’m now on the other side, getting to witness every day the strength, resilience, and brilliance of our scholars. I see the future they’re building, one that is more equitable, more hopeful, and more empowered.”
Shoemaker has been a school counselor since 2006, first for Augusta County Public Schools and in Winchester since 2014, serving most of those years at Quarles Elementary School. She completed a bachelor of science degree in psychology at the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Education in school counseling at the University of Virginia.
Cranford has served as a school counselor in Winchester schools since 2015, including at the Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary, then Daniel Morgan Intermediate, and now at John Handley High Schools. She was previously a SLI program director for the 2023-24 academic year, and has completed a bachelor of science degree in psychology at the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Education in school counseling at James Madison University.
Privately funded by the SLI community of support, since 2012 SLI has served 223 scholars (67 current and 156 alumni) and awarded students more than $913,000, milestones celebrated with donors and event sponsors at SLI Celebración.
“Because of your generosity, we are able to have programming that supports our students both through their high school education and their college pursuits,” Bowman Hrasky shared at the event. “Even more importantly, we’re able to build this community that’s meant so much to so many of our students in a country that is so often telling them that they are not wanted. Moments like this, your support shows them just how many people have their backs, believe in them, and will ultimately be impacted by their success in achieving their goals.”
Fajitas and drinks with live music are great reasons to celebrate anytime. But when the Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) community of support gathered this weekend, it was also to celebrate the accomplishments of SLI alumni and SLI’s record year of support for students.
A college access nonprofit based in Harrisonburg, SLI hosted its annual “Celebración” on Saturday, November 8. Returning to the stunning downtown venue The Loft at Liberty St., the 5:30-9pm event featured sharing by SLI alumni from Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester, a fajita bar with locally sourced Mexican cuisine, wine and local beers, the music of Lua Project before and after dinner, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, and more. Missed the event? Donate here!
“For many, including myself, SLI was a place where we discovered our potential, built confidence, and learned that we weren’t alone,” recalled SLI alum speaker Dulce Alonso, who recently became the SLI program director at Harrisonburg High School. “As I think about the impact [long-time program directors] Carlos and Hannah had on my life, I’m honored to be able to do the same now with the lives of our scholars. For me, this has definitely been a full circle moment as I’m now on the other side, getting to witness every day the strength, resilience, and brilliance of our scholars. I see the future they’re building, one that is more equitable, more hopeful, and more empowered.”
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.
“I had a destination in mind, but not a road map,” SLI alum Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez (EMU ’26) told the gathered community. “That’s where SLI made all the difference.” READ GUADALUPE’S SPEECH BELOW
Many SLI scholars are first-generation college students, and therefore face unique challenges.
“When I think back to my time as a scholar in high school, I often think about if it weren’t for SLI, how lacking I’d be in the unwritten skills and knowledge necessary for college success,” shared alum Adriana (JMU ’27). “SLI is a part of my community and has remained a constant as part of my village…, providing me with resources to continue being successful on my track towards earning dual degrees and transcending barriers.” READ ADRIANA’S SPEECH BELOW
In a speech read at the event by SLI alum Jennyfer Hernandez Austria (University of Richmond), SLI alum Jennifer (William & Mary ’25) shared, “I often reflect on how the program gave me a sense of purpose from applying to college to working towards making meaningful impact in my community. I see a clear thread: Mentorship opportunities and guidance empower individuals to make meaningful change and achieve their goals.” READ JENNIFER’S SPEECH BELOW
A Celebración social hour featured music by Lua Project, an open bar with wine and local beers, and chips and salsa. Dinner then included 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 included 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 SLI scholars, and I am so grateful for the community of individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations who have enabled SLI to support their access to college.”
The event was 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 were provided by Parentheses Books, Silk Moth Stage, Edible Landscaping, Massanutten Resort, Mary Jo’s Flowers, Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn, Luray Caverns, and others.
The sponsors and individuals present were thanked by Hannah Bowman Hrasky, a SLI board member and program director now at Rocktown High School in Harrisonburg.
“Because of your generosity, we are able to have programming that supports our students both through their high school education and their college pursuits,” she said. “Even more importantly, we’re able to build this community that’s meant so much to so many of our students in a country that is so often telling them that they are not wanted. Moments like this, your support shows them just how many people have their backs, believe in them, and will ultimately be impacted by their success in achieving their goals.”
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 $913,000.
SLI awards announced this summer for the 2025-26 academic year totaled $217,500, a 38 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 $58,000 in college scholarships for 27 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.
Of this year’s 49 awardees, 24 are in health-related studies, eight are in business and entrepreneur-related studies, and 17 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.
Speech by Guadalupe, Hopewell High School ’22, EMU ‘26:
Good evening everyone. First I want to thank Christopher for inviting me today to share my story tonight. It’s an honor to be here and with all you to celebrate the impact of SLI in so many students’ lives.
I joined SLI in 2019 during a time when my life was full of change and uncertainty. I had recently moved from Mexico and everything from the language to the school system felt new and overwhelming. I was moving between schools and struggling to find a place. Being accepted into SLI felt like I finally found a home. It also felt like a ticket to make my dream of going to college a reality.
What makes SLI special is the community. I love learning about the stories and histories of other Hispanic cultures and hearing students share their experiences with such passion. I remember workshops where students took time from their own college work to help us write essays. Mentors shared their experiences and guide us step by step through the college life will be like.
SLI became my foundation, a place that gave me confidence, a sense of identity, and a community that believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Today, I’m proud to stand on the other side as a SLI alum, helping new members just as others once helped me.
As a first generation student and a recent immigrant, going to college felt overwhelming. I didn’t feel confident in my English, and my family couldn’t guide me because they never attended college. I had a destination but not a road map. That’s where SLI made all the difference. They helped me with every step from FAFSA to the ACT and SAT prep, the college applications and the essay writings. They organized college visits that showed me that it was possible.
One of the most impactful moments was visiting Eastern Mennonite University. Walking around campus and hearing stories from students who had been in my shoes, I realized that college wasn’t just a dream. It was something that I could achieve. That day, I didn’t just see a campus. I saw my future.
Today, I am pursuing a major in accounting and business administration. I chose this path because financial knowledge is useful both personally and professionally. I enjoy working with numbers, organizing system, and promoting transparency and trust. In college, I have participated in clubs like the Super Mileage Club, the Latino Student Alliance, Campus Activities Council. These experiences have helped me grow as a leader and communicator.
I’ve also gained real work experience through internships. Last summer, I interned with the Latin American Youth Center at Washington DC, and this semester, I’m a teacher assistant in the financial accounting class. I also have an internship for the coming tax season with DB Accounting.
My goal is to earn my CPA license in the next two to three years and eventually either start my own firm or work in a private organization. Beyond my career, I hope to build a family and give back to organizations like SLI, help students achieve the same opportunities I had.
Finally, I want to thank the donors and supporters to who make SLI possible. Your generosity has changed my life, in the life of countless students who carry big dreams but often lack guidance. You’re investing not only in us but in our families and our communities and in the next generation of leaders. Many parents carry heavy sacrifices for their children.
Thanks to you, they can rest assured that we are supported by people who truly care and believe in our potential no matter our background. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving us the chance to dream and to achieve. Your support is planting seeds that will grow for generations and I hope one day to stand on the other side giving back just as you gave to me. Thank you.
Speech by Adriana, Harrisonburg High School ’20, JMU ’27:
Hello, my name is Adriana and I am a proud Friendly City local. In fact, I am so local that I was born at JMU before it was JMU and it was the Rockingham Memorial Hospital. I’d like to think that this coincidence was a glimpse into how my life would turn out.
It wasn’t until the end of 8th grade that I began to understand what college was and what going to college entailed. I heard about SLI from my best friend Mary, who’s here tonight – Hi, Mary – when she was recommended by one of her teachers her freshman year. When I got the news that I was recommended, I was ecstatic to say the least. Eventually, I interviewed and was accepted to be a part of SLI by the end of my freshman year.
I felt like I was officially joining the exclusive organization that my friends were a part of. It was while I was being integrated as a scholar during the induction ceremony, I quickly learned that SLI was much more than exclusivity. It was about the inclusivity for those of us who were challenged with being first generation college-bound students by preparing us early in high school. Expectations were set high. We had to complete about 100 community service hours per year, attend meetings after school on a regular basis, visit universities around the area on weekends for workshops, and attend community events such as the International Festival every fall. That was my favorite.
Our mentors were 10 steps ahead in preparing us for their college applications through exposure to FASA, testimonies from other students, mentorship, and most important to me, I was provided with a safe space to navigate the college application process with leadership that was knowledgeable in the distinct challenges that is pursuing higher education as a child of immigrant parents.
When I think back to my time as a scholar in high school, I often think about if it weren’t for SLI, how lacking I’d be in the unwritten skills and knowledge necessary for college success. In particular, I remember how frustrated I felt when we were asked to turn in a written assignment as a PDF. I wasn’t frustrated because this wasn’t a grade for a class. I was frustrated because I didn’t know what a PDF was. And so, a free Adobe trial later, I had finally figured it out. That’s how big the accessibility gap was for me.
The exposure to challenges like those and the many small lessons that I learned during my time as a scholar made an impact beyond my readiness for college. I was prepared for their adult world. I learned the meaning of agency. And in many other ways and many other things that I can’t say with certainty I would have been prepared for otherwise. I wish I could say that my journey through college was straightforward, but that’s far from the truth. I take a lot of pride in my non-traditional and anything but linear trajectory as a student. Four years after my high school graduation, three attempts later, and my stubbornness turned into the determination, I earned my associates degree spring 2024 from Blue Ridge Community College. Despite
Despite more setbacks than I’d like to admit, it was the first degree in my family, and I have SLI to thank for helping me change the narrative. However, I’m not done. My associates was a redemption for the graduation I was robbed as as a pandemic graduate. And it’s true, the class of ’20 will never let that go. When I began at JMU the following semester, I was confronted with a different set of challenges than I had anticipated. As much as I told myself I was simply a 20-teen-year-old sophomore, in reality, I was struggling with imposter syndrome and having a hard time connecting to campus.
On top of being a student of color at a PWI, I was older than most of my actual teenage freshman classmates. Most days, I felt overwhelmingly homesick despite being 10 minutes from my house. It felt like as soon as I stepped onto campus, I was transported into a different city within my city. I decided to look for a piece of familiarity on campus after struggling to adapt my first few weeks there. And I reached out to Dr. Alemán, my SLI mentor who I have known since middle school. I was received with enthusiasm and fondness when we met his office. I quickly felt the comfort of being at home. It was the first time I felt at home that whole semester.
That comfort was me reconnecting with the sense of community I didn’t know I was missing. I’d like to take a moment to thank Dr. Alemán and I know he’s not here, for his unwavering dedication and propelling me forward through the countless times he spoke life to me and is a source where I’ve drawn strength, guidance, and continued mentorship all these years after graduating as a SLI scholar. SLI is a part of my community and has remained a constant as part of my village and their commitment towards providing me with resources to continue being successful on my track towards earning dual degrees and transcending barriers. I was able to make the president’s list both semesters of my first year at JMU in part thanks to the financial relief that I received through the SLI alum scholarship and the computer that I purchased through the technology grant that got me through the year before shutting down permanently. It sounded like an airplane about to take off.
I’m a junior now, pursuing a bachelor’s of arts in Spanish in addition to my bachelor’s of science in communication sciences and disorders. I adapted well because I found value in community and the difference that it makes when you lean into it. This year, I work as a Centennial Scholars program mentor and provide support similar to the mentorship that I received from SLI for first and second year students at JMU. To you donors: your support is a lifelong investment back into the community, into the welfare of the community. My story is a testament that your contributions are more than opportunities for first generation students. They’re life changing.
SLI was an avenue for me to connect deeply with my community. My experience with community engagement as a high school volunteer kickstarted my journey that eventually led to me obtaining a job as a special education interpreter for the city schools of Harrisburg and ultimately finding my life’s calling. My goal is to become a bilingual speech and language pathologist. I emphasize the bilingual part of the professional title for my aspiring career because I see a need in my community for the representation and speech therapy in the division.
SLI nourished my learning, acknowledged my diversity, and celebrated it. I’m inspired to provide exactly that. In addition to care and treatment, I will provide for students and patients one day. If there’s something that you can be assured of about me as a SLI mentor, it is this. I am committed to continue striving to live a life of service and engagement with my community for the advancement of the collective of first generation students, students of immigrant parents or immigrant backgrounds, students with disabilities and diverse learning needs facing adversity through education, leadership, and resilience. Thank you.
Speech by Jennifer, John Handley High School ’21, William & Mary ‘2025:
Growing up as a first generation student, it was a dream come true for me to attend college. At 7 years old, I researched different institutions and it ignited a flame in me to want to pursue higher education. I learned the importance of perseverance. My family relied on resources like SNAP, WIC, and other programs to help with our financial situation. I remember my mom’s struggle to speak English, much less understand the process of applying to college.
When I was in ninth grade, I was invited to apply to SLI. In hopes of achieving my my goal, I crafted an essay and prepared for my interview for SLI. One day, in my Spanish class, I received an email from SLI with my acceptance to the program.
SLI was one of my first programs that made me feel like college wasn’t just a dream, but a possibility. SLI felt like a strong, supportive community. Every student in the program had the opportunity to succeed beyond their own expectations.
One of the ways SLI ingrained empowerment was through their resources. I attended every mandatory meeting and signed up for volunteer opportunities. I knew every single opportunity provided by SLI was my time to expand my knowledge and skills. Throughout my time at SLI, I was provided the ability to but not limited to develop essays, learn how to public speak, and navigate college resources. The partnership with Shenandoah University was so crucial because it allowed us to attend activities at the Brandt Center, have a mentor and attend classes with mentors.
Fondly, one of my favorite moments with SLI was the peer mentorship with Quarles Elementary School. I was paired up with a young boy named Joseph. This opportunity surged my interest in public health and volunteerism. Afterwards, I remembered I signed up for so many volunteer opportunities in my area outside of the program.
SLI allowed me to see firsthand the the the impact of equitable resources on underserved communities and how meaningful support can transform lives. The program also prepared me to apply to colleges during my senior year by offering informational meetings on FAFSA, scholarships, and navigating the Common App. Ultimately, I was accepted into William & Mary as a William & Mary scholar for a selective scholarship for underserved students who demonstrate perseverance and community service. I am deeply grateful to SL for instilling the values of service and the importance of education.
At William & Mary, I built upon the foundation SLI provided. I participated in programs that offer professional support and guidance as first generation college students. My professors at William & Mary critiqued and graded papers meticulously, but thanks to the skills I developed in SLI like outlining academic papers, I was well prepared to complete my 30-page capstone. During my undergrad, I continued my service to the community through volunteering and mentorship. Many of my research papers and presentations focused on HIV risk among migrants, reflecting my ongoing commitment to helping underserved populations.
I continue to expand my skills by supporting homeless families in my community and volunteering, gaining insight into mental health issues in Latinx populations and how best to provide support. I am hopefully almost finished with my graduate applications for a fall 2026 start for a master’s in health policy where I hope to focus on expanding coordinated care and improving mental health support for low-income individuals.
SLI continues to inspire me every day. I often reflect on how the program gave me a sense of purpose from applying to college to working towards making meaningful impact in my community. I see a clear thread: Mentorship opportunities and guidance empower individuals to make meaningful change and achieve their goals. It is imperative to continue supporting the mission of SLI to inspire the next generation of students. Thank you.
[Updated Oct. 23 with new, higher award figures] The college access nonprofit Shenandoah Valley Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has awarded a record level of financial aid to 49 SLI scholars and alumni attending college this fall, funded in part by Valley Health, Sentara Health, F&M Bank, and others.
SLI awards announced this summer for the 2025-26 academic year total $217,500, a 38 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 $58,000 in college scholarships for 27 SLI alumni continuing their undergraduate studies.
Scholarships for Winchester SLI scholars pursuing studies in health sciences are funded by a $25,000 grant from Valley Health for awards for Winchester SLI scholars. A $5,000 grant from Sentara Health is also helping to fund awards for students in health related studies, and a three-year grant from F&M Bank is helping to fund students in business and accounting studies.
“We are deeply committed to strengthening communities by investing in the future of healthcare,” said Jason Craig, director of community health for Valley Health. “Supporting the Scholars Latino Initiative is a powerful way to help exceptional students pursue their aspirations and bring greater representation and fresh perspectives to the field. We’re proud to stand with these scholars as they begin their journey toward becoming tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.”
Additional recent major gifts have come from the Bloomfield Family Foundation, Gary and Debra Turner, the Gerald and Kaye Family Gift Fund at the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, the Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation, the Herndon Foundation, the SLI Founder’s Fund, the Steven B. Achelis Foundation, the Vera R. Campbell Foundation, and anonymous donors.
“The extraordinary, determined young people who are SLI scholars are a source of hope and inspiration, and so are all in the SLI community of support who make SLI programming, scholarships, and tech grants possible,” said Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., SLI board chair and professor of history at James Madison University. “Together we are providing college opportunities and strengthening families and our communities.”
Of this year’s 49 awardees, 24 are in health-related studies, 8 are in business and entrepreneur-related studies, and 17 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.
“I am so honored that I got to be part of the SLI community,” SLI alumna Maya ’25 (nursing ’27) wrote after receiving her award. “I’ve had so many memories and opportunities through SLI. I will forever be grateful for the generosity this community has given me and many other scholars.”
ABOUT SLI
With many individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations comprising its community of support, SLI helps high school students access college. Active in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester, it offers rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, and supportive mentorship opportunities.
SLI scholars can also become eligible for SLI financial assistance in the forms of dual enrollment and Advanced Placement tuition assistance for earning college credits while in high school, technology grants for purchasing the technology needed for college, and college scholarships.
As of this fall, 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 $913,000.
SLI is a community-based, 501(c)(3) public charity built on partnerships with high schools, universities, communities, students, and parents, and dedicated to advancing Latinx students’ post-high school educational opportunities. SLI advocates for Latinx opportunities and strives for social justice and equity. Scholars are mentored to be leaders that positively contribute to their communities.
Valley Health has awarded a grant of $25,000 to the college-access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) to support Winchester SLI scholars pursuing studies in healthcare careers.
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. Its programs in Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Richmond have served more than 200 students. SLI alumni have attended 25 colleges and universities.
“This grant from Valley Health will positively impact both students and the broader Winchester community,” said Fawn-Amber Montoya, SLI board chair. “SLI scholars are hard-working, motivated individuals whose future careers in healthcare will both provide them with upward financial mobility as well as strengthen health services in Winchester and beyond.”
Valley Health is a not-for-profit health system of hospitals, Urgent Care locations, physician practices, and services dedicated to meeting the medical needs of West Virginia, Maryland, and the Top of Virginia.
“Investing in the future of healthcare means supporting the next generation of leaders,” said Jason Craig, director of community health for Valley Health. “The Scholars Latino Initiative empowers outstanding students to pursue their dreams while bringing diverse voices and new ideas to the field. We’re honored to support these scholars as they take their first steps toward shaping the future of healthcare.”
An estimated 30 percent of SLI alumni pursue health-related studies. Their majors have included health information management, biology, clinical laboratory science, neuroscience, nursing, psychology, biomedical engineering, occupational therapy, medical Spanish, speech pathology, biotech science, computer engineering, and others.
“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,” one SLI alum shared recently. “You feel as if at any point you can sink and not end up preparing for that transition from high school to college.”
A 2021 graduate of John Handley High School, he is now an RN at Winchester Medical Center.
“Through SLI, I was able to have access to many resources that allowed for that smooth transition,” he recalled. “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.”
He spoke last year during SLI’s annual gala, SLI Celebración, which this year will take place in Harrisonburg at the Loft at Liberty St. on Saturday, November 8. The evening celebrates the successes of SLI scholars and will feature a locally sourced fajita bar, wine and local beers, the music of Lua Project, and more. Tickets are available at vasli.org/celebracion.
Sentara Health has awarded a grant to the college-access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) to support students pursuing healthcare-related studies.
The $5,000 grant, which brings Sentara’s support for SLI to more than $130,000 since 2022, will help provide college access opportunities for students to gain awareness of their college and career options, including those in health care, plus support college scholarships for SLI scholars who are pursuing health-related studies and careers.
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. Its programs in Harrisonburg, Winchester, and Richmond have served more than 200 students, and SLI alumni have attended 25 colleges and universities. An estimated 30 percent of SLI alumni pursue health-related studies.
Sentara is one of the largest health systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and among the top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the country, with 34,000 employees, 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, and the Sentara Health Plans division which serves more than 1 million members in Virginia and Florida.
Grants from Sentara have supported SLI programming, plus scholarships for SLI scholars and alumni pursuing health-related studies and careers including health information management, biology, clinical laboratory science, neuroscience, nursing, psychology, biomedical engineering, occupational therapy, medical Spanish, speech pathology, biotech science, and computer engineering.
“All of us need health care at some point in our lives,” said Fawn-Amber Montoya, SLI board chair. “Sentara’s support for the excellent young people who are SLI scholars means increased opportunities for meaningful careers that support the health of our communities.”
The grant also supports community connections through sponsorship of SLI Celebración ’25, which will take place at the Loft at Liberty St. on Saturday, November 8. The evening celebrates the successes of SLI scholars and will feature a locally sourced fajita bar, wine and local beers, the music of Lua Project, and more. Tickets will be available at vasli.org/celebracion beginning August 16.
A response to medical staff shortages plaguing the U.S. healthcare system, the grants are part of Sentara efforts to create a pipeline for young students to their desired healthcare careers while also positively impacting their community’s economics and health equity outcomes.
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.
