Stephanie's Gift Make A Difference (final)

Nuestra Voz is a non-profit youth-driven organization that works to promote education among Latinos in the North West Cook Suburbs. Our goal is to increase awareness about the importance of higher education, and to let the community know that attending college is achievable for everyone, regardless of immigration status. We fully support the rights of undocumented students and believe that they, too, deserve to continue their education. Since our founding in February 2008, Nuestra Voz has been actively involved in our communities, organizing education and financial aid workshops for students and parents, as well as in support of immigrant rights, including the passage of the DREAM Act. The Stephanie’s Gift “Make a Difference” Scholarship is named after Stephanie Herrera, our founding President, whose commitment to the community was unwavering- she was involved in the community and participated in community organizing since she was 16, and took action against the unjust laws that prevented undocumented students from pursuing higher education. Stephanie passed away in August 2009, and in honor of her passion for social justice and her contributions to Nuestra Voz, we have named this scholarship in her memory. Nuestra Voz will award $500 scholarships to three local HS senior/college students who are pursuing a college education. Eligibility Requirements:  Be of Latino/ Hispanic descent  High School Senior or Undergraduate Student  GPA of 2.5 or higher. Please provide a copy of most current transcript  Student must live in one of the following cities/areas of Northwest Cook County Suburbs: Melrose Park, Maywood, Bellwood, Hillside, Northlake, Franklin Park, Schiller Park, Stone Park, Leyden Township  Students must demonstrate commitment to helping the Latino community and involvement in extracurricular or volunteer activities through a written essay  Letter of Recommendation, not mandatory but advised (This can be from a teacher, mentor, supervisor, community leader, etc. who knows you well enough to speak of your leadership and personal qualities.)  H.S. Seniors must be or plan to be enrolled full-time/part-time as an undergraduate student for the upcoming academic school year of Fall 2010  Present financial need, though this will not be the only determining factor

All application materials must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2010 1

Please fill out the following information. All information provided, including essays, will be kept confidential. An advisory scholarship committee will help determine winners of scholarships. PERSONAL INFORMATION Name:______________ Address: City

School Assigned #: ______________ ________________

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Cell #:

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___________________________ Apt. #___________________

Zip: _______ _ ____ _ Home #_________________

________Email: _______________________________________________________

Yearly Household income____________ Number of family members currently in household ____ Are there other members in household attending college besides you? If so, how many______

ACADEMIC INFORMATION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS High School Name: ________________________________ Current GPA: _______ College Planning To Attend: ___________________Expected major: ___________ UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS College/University: _______________ ____________________ Address: ____________________________ GPA:

Major:

Applicant Signature: _____

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___________ __ __ Graduation Date: __________

_________________________ 2

Date: ____________________

ESSAYS The essay portion of this scholarship is important for the application process and they will give us the opportunity to find out more about you, the applicant. An advisory scholarship committee will read essays and determine finalists based on all materials provided. Each essay (2) should be typed, double spaced, and between 1 ½ to 3 pages in length. Please do not write your name on the essay. 1. How has your community involvement helped you overcome some of the challenges or barriers you’ve faced in life or education. How will you use your education and learning experiences to further help your career goals? 2. Part of Nuestra Voz mission is to work for the passage of the DREAM Act, a proposed federal bill which if passed, would specifically “allow undocumented students the opportunity to pursue higher education, fully contribute to the nation, and obtain legal status”. Tell

us in your essay how you think the passage of the DREAM Act would benefit undocumented students if it is passed, and what impact it would have to our communities and student’s lives.

For more information on the DREAM Act, you can visithttp://educatorsforthedreamact.org & www.dreamactivist.org

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All application materials must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2010, either by mail or email. Mail applications to P.O Box 1366 Melrose Park IL, 60161-1366 or send them electronically to email:

[email protected]

Checklist:    

Completed application Copy of most recent transcript Essay- typed, double-spaced, between 1 ½ to 3 pages in length Letter of Recommendation, not mandatory but advised

If you have any questions about the scholarship, feel free to contact Nuestra Voz at

[email protected] or by phone NV President, Ana Sanchez 708.945.0923 Mari Dominguez 630.290.9027 & Ely Gonzalez 708.218.2238

Printed copies of scholarship application can be picked up at the following locations: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Rectory- 1101 N 23rd Ave, Melrose Park, IL‎ OLMC Community Center- 1115 N 23rd Ave, Melrose Park, IL St. Charles Borromeo Parish Rectory- 1637 N 37th Ave, Melrose Park, IL

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