Support Local Latinas in Kmart’s Latina Smart Fund

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - EducationIn its commitment to the Hispanic community, specifically Latina women, Kmart launched the Latina Smart Fund in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Promoted through Kmart’s Latina Smart Facebook page, the Latina Smart Fund will award $25,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors and/or students currently enrolled in college, technical or trade schools. According to The Pew Hispanic Center, dropout rates are the highest among Hispanics; and although nine out of 10 Hispanic young adults surveyed said that a college education is important for success in life, less than 50 percent had plans for secondary education. Currently, 20 finalists are vying for a chance to win a scholarship to continue on with their education. Three of the finalists are from Chicago. For more information or to vote, please visit www.facebook.com/latinasmart. The Chicago finalists are:

Stephanie Castro
I’m currently a freshman at Northern Illinois University. I’m the type of person that is always setting goals. I work hard in everything I do, and one day I want to inspire others to do the same.

Mariza Baeza
I’m Mexican but I prefer “Latina” because I think it’s a powerful political unifier that relates me to all of my café-con-leche-colored people from south of the U.S. border.

Adriana Gaspar
I’m 19 years old and a sophomore at Depaul University in Chicago, Il were I was raised. I plan to one day become a designer of costumes for movies and owning my own clothing boutique.

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