The Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA), a recognized employee group within Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), awarded scholarships to 32 high school seniors, adult learners, and community leaders. The recipients are pursuing careers in fields such as healthcare, education, engineering, psychology, law, public policy, and cybersecurity.
Scholarship winners were acknowledged for their leadership and mentoring abilities in both educational and social settings. These individuals are dedicated to advancing their education while contributing positively to their communities.
Among the awardees was Liliana Velasco Fuentes, who received the Monroy-Lavalle Adult ESOL Scholarship. She is enhancing her English proficiency through the FCPS Family Literacy Program after an extensive career in Mexico. Velasco Fuentes stated, “Language can help me get a job in the future; a second language will allow me to help others in need; and I can grow personally and academically.”
Françoise Casablanca, principal of Crestwood Elementary School, was honored with the HLA Leadership Award. She was celebrated through video messages from students and staff expressing gratitude for her genuine leadership. Her students described her as a constant presence and a true community builder.
The list of scholarship recipients includes Douglas Álvarez-Pérez from West Potomac High School receiving the Eliud Bonilla STEM Scholarship and Heidi Arze from Marshall High School awarded a Scholarship for STEM among others. Other notable awards include the Sonia Migdalia Rosa-Vélez Future Educator Scholarship given to Antonella Sagastume Boccanegra from Westfield High School.
For further information about the event or scholarships, Manuel Gomez Portillo can be contacted at [email protected].
