Meet the 2012-13 Latino Leadership Scholarship Recipients
Miami, Florida
Catholic Studies and Business Administration
"I am constantly seeking in my life, an environment that allows me to grow closer to Christ. I am confident that the atmosphere that surrounds St. Thomas would help strengthen the foundations of my faith. This past summer I realized that my vocation is to integrate my faith with my calling to an administrative atmosphere. This is where Christ wants me to be."
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Catholic Studies and Communications/Journalism
"The Catholic Studies Latino Leaders program has given me a deeper understanding of who I am as a Latino student, but most importantly, who I am as a Son of God. This Latino program offers the opportunity to dive deeper into our spiritual lives, which proves to be the necessity of life. The absolute blessing that this program is continues to help me and my brothers and sisters grow by service, love, and leadership."
Nolan Gutierrez ‘13
Arlington, Texas
Catholic Studies and Communications/Journalism
"A Catholic Studies program sounds so attractive to me; to spend time learning about our background and more about our theology sounds incredible."
Sacramento, California
Catholic Studies and Political Science
"The difference between most students and myself is that I want a career that will benefit the community more than myself. With all the resources that St. Thomas will provide me with, I feel I can further use my potential to service the community to a fuller extent. Whether it is through politics, education or religion, service is truly what I wish to achieve."
Arlington, Texas
Catholic Studies and Theology
"I plan to do the Lord’s will, and use my education in Catholic Studies and Theology to pursue a career in teaching high school theology and/or leading youth ministry. My desire in this career is to bring a sense of devotion to the classroom… not to make theology another history lesson, but used for greater knowledge of the One who gave it all."
Brazil
Catholic Studies, Justice and Peace, and International Business
"From an early age, I have been passionate about justice. I have always been the kind of person that is never satisfied with the way things are in the world… I was having a hard time accepting that rich people have more opportunities than poor people. Most people know this inequality exists, but don’t do anything about it. I believe that studying at a Catholic university will inspire me to put my faith and passion for justice in action. I have been blessed with opportunities that have given me hope for a better future."
Stacy Lona '15
Baldwin Park, CA
Communications & Journalism and Catholic Studies
“Coming from a dense Hispanic population in Southern California, it is rare for one to move away from family in order to pursue an out-of-state college education. I am confident in my ability to return home and be a positive influence to those who lack support or motivation for higher education.”
Renee Estrada '15
Catholic Studies and Communications
Jimmy Jara '15
Catholic Studies and Entrepreneurship
"Wisdom is built by experience. By having an opportunity to go out there and become a leader, I expect to gain more experience on how to handle different types of people and different types of problems. Having the opportunity to hold a leadership position in my community...gives me the chance to help people who are in need. It allows me to use some of my gifts for the benefit of others."
Juan Ferreras '16
Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
Business Marketing and Catholic Studies
“The Dominican Republic is a developing nation… a country that needs well-prepared young professionals. [After graduating from the University of St. Thomas] I will be able to help my community (Honduras del Norte) in a very positive way, participating in the common activities, sharing my acquired knowledge to help others, helping those who didn’t have the opportunity to attend a college or those who are alone in the world without hope.”
Alison Paz '16
Rochester, MN
Catholic Studies and Social Work
"With a degree in Social Work and Catholic Studies I have a wide range of opportunities to help the suffering community. Sometimes the social work field has opposing views from the Catholic Church. With my Catholic Studies major, I will be able to insure that my views, the work I do, and the advice I offer can be grounded in faith."
Recent Graduates
Bryant Daniel Ortega December ‘12
Baldwin Park, California
Catholic Studies and Business Legal Studies
"My father once told me, ’Querer es poder,’ Where there is a will, there is a way and being a part of the Latino Leaders at Saint Thomas has provided the way and support in becoming a man of integrity and conviction. Through this conviction, I hope to share my understanding of Business and Catholic Studies and serve as a role model to the youth of my parish to carry out activities that capture the essential lessons of theology, philosophy, and the Catholic faith."
Bryant is employed full time as Assistant Manager at Café Bene in St. Paul.
Catholic Studies and Philosophy
"Every day I am lured towards Christian greatness. I can't fully explain how, but it has to do with my friendships fostered with the students and staff at Catholic Studies. This mystery is experienced by my friends too, and magnified by them. If it were not for the scholarships offered by Catholic Studies, so many students (like myself) would have never become captivated by this attractive spirit which comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. I know that the challenges it has brought me to, at this university, has made me who I am.”
Angel Riera '12
Minneapolis, MN
Catholic Studies, Political Science and Spanish
"As I integrate my faith and vocation, the hopes and dreams in my life are to be a better Catholic, help those who in need, help young Latino teenagers who are having difficulty with their journeys to a better life, and improve communities that lack resources."
Denver, CO
Catholic Studies
Irma is a Service Missionary with the youth program, Christ in the City, located in Denver, Colorado. She is also studying for her Masters degree at The Auguastine Institute in Denver, CO.
Gabriella Arguello ‘11
Miami, Florida
Catholic Studies and Broadcast Journalism
"It’s important to note that had it not been for this scholarship and the people who took interest in me, I would not be the person I am today. And furthermore, I would not have the relationship with Christ that I do."
After teaching middle school theology for one year, Gaby is now pursuing her Masters degree in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas.
Valparaiso, Chile
Catholic Studies and Finance
"I really love what Casa Guadalupana is doing to help families in need. I have shared their mission with a club that I am involved on campus. On Halloween, we had an event called ‘trick-or-treat for cans-and-good.’ This event was very successful, and Casa Guadalupana was grateful for all the food we collected for them."
Felipe is working as a research assistant in finance for Evalueserve, in Valparaiso, Chile.
Claudia (Munoz) Hnasko ‘10
Apple Valley, California
Catholic Studies and Theology
"Our intellect grows when we decide and allow the proper acts to have an effect on it. My last major decision was moving to Minnesota in order to pursue my degree in Theology. Not only did I choose to move here out of obligation for ‘mi gente’ to continue moving towards integration, but because I carry this immense desire to live, not for myself, but solely for ‘la gente’ and God alone."
Claudia is employed by the Archdiocese of San Bernardino, California.
Miami, Florida/St. Paul, MN
Catholic Studies, Philosophy, and Family Studies
"This fall and spring I wanted to be challenged and so I decided to take classes where most of the material would be new to me. I took Dr. Kennedy’s Catholic Social Thought class. I learned about where the Church stood on several controversial issues, as well as why it took the stance it did."
Jackie is now married with two young sons.
