"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 it's eleventh year, Fiesta de las Estrellas has raised over $830,000 in scholarship funds providing support to fifty-eight stellar young men and woman. HSC awards are a part of the UCSD 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.

HSC scholarships are specifically earmarked for Chancellor's Scholars of Hispanic heritage who demonistrate financial need and/or for graduates of the Preuss School who choose to attend UC San Diego.

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We invite you to join us in this positive and powerful effort. Through Fiesta, you not only support students who represent our future, but also recognize the achievements of several of today's Hispanic leaders. These Estrellas are outstanding citizens making a real difference in our community and serving as positive role models for our young people. This year's 2008 Estrella Honorees included:

• Union Bank of California, Excellence in Business
• Barrio Logan College Institute, Excellence in Education
• Lidia & Ted Martinez, Excellence in Community Service
• Blas Guerrero, Ph. D. '83, Alumni Excellence
• Richard Thome, Excellence in Leadership

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