Photo by Photo from Raul Marroquin, courtesy

Ana Garcia with her Father, Isidro, the inspiration for her winning essay.

Hispanic elders honored by students

By Irma Williams

Several Houston-area students participated in the University of Houston-Clear Lake's scholarship project "Celebrating Our Elders." Students had the opportunity to become 2006 award winners. Hispanic elders who were role models for the students were the focus of essays that shared stories of inspiration.

Each student submitted an essay describing the elder they felt had influenced their life more than anyone else.The winners for the Hispanic competition were announced Sept. 23.

"Celebrating Our Elders is the result of an embrace between the University of Houston-Clear Lake and the Hispanic community," said Linda Contreras Bullock, assistant dean of student diversity.

Photographer Raul Marroquin was invited to photograph the students and the elders who inspired them. An exhibit of the essays and photographs is currently on display in the Bayou Building near Atrium I.

"When I first became involved with Celebrating Our Elders, I was a bit apprehensive," Marroquin said. "In retrospect I needn't have been concerned. The respect, the admiration, the pride, the struggle, and most vividly, the love described in the essays emanated from each student and elder and was captured on film. They are truly an inspiration."

The COE program has awarded scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000. Forty-five applications were submitted and read by a committee that included 13 Hispanic business leaders, community activists, academic faculty, staff and students. Seven scholarships were awarded.

After many hours of reading and discussing the essays, the committee members made their final selections.

Scholarship winner Ana Garcia, an undergraduate student at UHCL, wrote her essay about her father Isidro Garcia as the elder she respected the most. "My father has always told us that we could be anything we wanted to be in America, and he supports us in whatever we decide to do in our lives." Garcia said.

Throughout her essay, Garcia shares the wisdom, courage and persistence that her father has always possessed and how that has influenced her own life.

April M. Giraldo, a student at North Harris Community College, attributes her grandmother as the inspiration that shines throughout her own life. "My grandmother is not just another grandma or relative, she is what some people say does not exist in today's world-a person of hope and a generous heart," Giraldo said.

Giraldo's grandfather is a recovering alcoholic. The fact that her grandmother remained a symbol of hope during such dark times inpires Giraldo to not be deterred from achieving her own goals in life.

"I may never have to dirty my hands and work as vigorously as my grandfathers hard work, but I'm proud to say that the sacrifices he made were will not soon be forgotten," said Richard Michael Rodriguez, student at San Jacinto College-South Campus.

Rodriguez's essay tells why he makes the time to honor his grandfather even though he never met him. Rodriguez feels a strong connection to his grandfather because of the legacy he left his father, which Rodriguez feels has been passed down to him.

Awards for the African-American "Celebrating Our Elders" essay competition will be presented Oct. 21.

The COE exhibit will travel to community colleges, churches and other community institutions. It is also available for exhibit in local neighborhoods. If interested, call Linda Contreras Bullock at (281) 283-2575.