"Being Hispanic, we're underrepresented in the UC system, or higher-level education for that matter, so I felt that even with the barriers that held me back-- financial and ethnic-- that this scholarship meant I could represent my ethnic group. I got into UCLA and Berkeley, but this scholarship was the main reason why I chose UCSD. I felt extremely proud the day I got it."

- Adrian Gutierrez, UCSD Junior and Hispanic Scholarship Council Chancellor's Scholar

The UCSD Hispanic Scholarship Council (HSC), founded in 1997 at UC San Diego, creates educational opportunities for young men and women of great promise but limited resources.

When you participate in HSC's annual scholarship benefit, Fiesta de las Estrellas, you not only support students who represent our future, but also recognize the achievements of today's Hispanic leaders. These estrellas -these stars- are outstanding citizens making a real difference in our community and serving as role models for our young people.

Now in its twelfth year, Fiesta de las Estrellas has raised over $930,000 toward scholarship funds providing support to sixty-three stellar young men and women. HSC awards are a part of the UC San Diego Chancellor’s Scholars Program, in which scholarships are awarded to outstanding entering freshmen on the basis of academic achievement and other factors, including financial need, extracurricular and community activities, previous educational environment, and first-generation college attendance. This four-year award of $20,000 is paid in the amount of $5,000 annually.


2009 Estrella Honorees


Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers Number 93
Excellence in Community Service

Chief Adolfo Gonzalez, National City Police Department
Excellence in Public Service

Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, Journalist, Screenwriter, Movie Producer and bestselling Author
Excellence in the Arts

David Valladolid, Executive Director, Parent Institute for Quality Education
Excellence in Education

Christopher Yanov '99, Founder and Executive Director Reality Changers
Alumni Excellence

(click on images below to view video clips)

 

For more information on Fiesta de las Estrellas and the scholarships given, click here.