We just finished awarding our second round of 2010 scholarships, our New Esperanza Scholars Program for GED-recipients.  This year’s crop of twelve scholars–who will receive $75,000 in funds–hail from Eritrea to Vietnam to Bolivia and all points in between.  Many of them have overcome deep poverty and family tragedy to become budding engineers, entrepreneurs, civil rights activists, and public servants.  They are amazing–and very brave.  We think it is time to celebrate… twice!

Please join us this Thursday from 5:30 to 8pm at Zaytinya (701 9th St. NW) for a Happy Hour featuring Turkish, Lebanese, and Greek meze. You may recognize Zaytinya’s executive chef, Michael Isabella, from Top Chef!

Also, come meet our scholars!  Our second annual Esperanza Community Picnic will be held on Saturday, August 14, from 2 to 5pm at picnic area C-2 at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria (8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22308).  All of our scholars–from this year and last–will be present, and we will, of course, have barbecue, soccer, frisbee, and everything else.

There are not fundraisers.  They are events to spread the word about Esperanza–and show off our incredible scholars.  See you there!

Last night, local NPR affiliate WAMU featured a brief profile of Josue Rosales, our Natalia Aragon Scholar and one of the stars of our 2010 scholarship class.  Josue was interviewed by reporter Kavitha Cardoza, who explored Josue’s rise from humble origins in a farming village outside of Cochabamba, Bolivia, to his academic excellence here in northern Virginia.  Josue will attend Virginia Tech this fall, where he will study engineering.  The story can be found here (halfway down the page); or listen to it directly here or here.

Serious kudos to our Media & Communications coordinator, Cheryl Aguilar!