Ford Honors Chicago Students

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Education

Last week, Ford Motor Company Fund rewarded 45 students from seven Chicago-area high schools with $75,000 in scholarships and technology prizes as part of the Ford Driving Dreams (FDD) Tour initiative launched in Chicago last fall. This is part of more than $200,000 in local education initiatives launched at the beginning of the school year benefiting more than 3,500 students.

Delisa Santana, a junior at Roberto Clemente Community Academy, was selected as the grand prize $5,000 college scholarship winner of the “What Drives Your Dream” essay contest which is part of the FDD Tour. The students were announced at a ceremony and breakfast with their family, teachers, and classmates at the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Chicago. “Writing this essay helped me realize that I just have to keep up the positive attitude that I’ve adapted this school year and keep myself going,” said Santana. “I am very grateful to my teachers and the judges who selected me. I know that this scholarship will help me achieve my dream of going to college and becoming a child psychologist.

“Congratulations to all of the essay and scholarship winners,” said Joe Avila, community relations manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Empowering students to plan and develop a road map for their college future puts them in charge of their academic future. Today demonstrates how education has been a top priority at Ford Fund from our earliest days more than 60 years ago.” For more information visit fordscholars.org/drivingdreams. Follow us on Twitter at #forddrivingdreams.

PHOTO CAPTION:
(Left to right) Motivational speaker Roy Juarez, FDD Grand Prize Essay Winner Delisa Santana and her mother Maria Santana, and Joe Avila, Community Relations Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund

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