Meet our 2026 Scholarship Recipients!
Alex Ulises Juan is the proud, oldest son of Francisco Juan Berrum and Rosa Rodriguez De Nova. I am a recent high school graduate from Saint Louis University High, and will attend Wash U in the fall on the pre-med track, where I will major in either Neuroscience or Biology in order to become a neurosurgeon.
I am also Mexican-American and will be the first person in my family to not only attend college, but receive an M.D. in order to attend Medical School to continue to pursue a job in the field of medicine. In the future, I hope to start my own practice.
The hobby I enjoy the most and recommend to everyone is going to the gym. Not only are you improving yourself physically, but also mentally. Discipline, perseverance, and patience are built in the gym.
A piece of advice I’d give everyone—and words I’d give my younger self—is to not forget your past, to not let your history slip away, but instead to propel your heritage forward. Especially in times like these where one can be prejudiced for who they are, one can’t forget their identity: the circumstances that built you up and the people that provided your footing. Thank you.
Sofia Zambrano is the recipient of the Elinor Irvin Scholarship. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Parkway West High School and will be attending Truman State University to study Music Education. She is also pursuing a minor in Jazz Studies and Music History. In her time at West she received gold medals at State Solo and Ensemble in French Horn Performance and received the Directors Award from her music department. She was also involved in the Spanish Club and earned the Missouri State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. As a young girl, she was fascinated by the Peruvian instruments in her Grandma’s house which led to her passion for music, as well as helping her to learn more about her Peruvian culture. By creating welcoming and encouraging band programs for all types of learners, Sophia aspires to give students the same sense of belonging, confidence and purpose that music has given her.
Diana Calzada was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Missouri in 2016. I’m currently going into my second year at McKendree University while studying Biology on a pre med track. I want to become an Emergency Medicine physician and attend med school at WashU. At McK I’m part of the tennis team and MedLife club. My freshman year I was on the Presidents list both semesters and will be starting research in the Fall.
Giovanni Corrales
I am truly grateful to receive the HECSF Scholarship. This scholarship means a lot to me because it helps me continue pursuing my education and my dream of becoming an orthodontist. As a first generation Hispanic student, I hope to use my experiences, bilingual background, and passion for healthcare to give back to communities like the one that shaped me. Through opportunities like the CADE Dental Assistant Apprenticeship, Give Kids A Smile, and Smiles of Hope, I have seen how important dental care can be for a person’s confidence and well being. This scholarship motivates me to keep working hard toward my goals and to one day help make dental care more accessible for families in need.
Arely Onate Trejo is an incoming junior at Saint Louis University on the pre-med track studying Medical Sciences. Off campus she has volunteered as a tutor teaching English to Spanish speaking students, translator for free health screenings, and as a friend at hospice facilities. She has also held a job as a medical assistant and got experience talking with patients, taking vitals, and dealing with the administrative side of healthcare. On campus she serves as the president of STEM wellness, is involved in research, and writes for OneWorld magazine. She plans on applying to medical school in 2027 with hopes of becoming a physician.
Solis Maldonado
My name is Solis Michelle Maldonado. I graduated on May 9, 2026 with my High School Diploma from Kirkwood H.S., Missouri. Throughout my four years of high school I have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in leadership, service, and academic achievement. Everything I have accomplished in my high school career has been to further my education, service my community and promote my personal and professional development by becoming the best person I can be. I plan to major in Sports Administration with a minor in Spanish and in Coaching at the University of Louisville this fall.
Nicholas Pruitt
I am a sophomore at Saint Louis University pursuing a degree in Political Science and International Business, with plans to attend law school. My interest in government and politics has led me to engage in local civic discussions, including meeting with the Mayor of St. Charles to share ideas about community redesign and city branding. I am also passionate about creative entrepreneurship and have developed and designed multiple startup business ideas. My background as the child of an immigrant mother has shaped my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for resilience, opportunity, and public service. This upbringing has influenced my academic and career goals, particularly my interest in using law and policy to create positive change. My hobbies include spending time with friends, music production, and playing tennis.
TESTIMONIALS
FROM SOME OF OUR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES
ANA DIVIS REED
Ana Reed is attending University of Missouri St. Louis as a graduate student of the Master's program in Social Work.
'I realized that in order to continue helping others through my profession here in the U.S, a graduate level education was necessary - so going back to school was a must. I'm grateful to the Hispanic ECS Fund for helping me mitigate the high cost of education; their scholarship will allow me to completely cover the cost of books for my first year of grad school'.
Ana Divis
ALEJANDRA DE SANTIAGO
Alejandra De Santiago is a graduate student at University of Missouri majoring in Information Science and Learning Technologies. She plans of becoming an elementary school librarian.
"I am using my scholarship to help pay for my fall semester at MIZZOU, where I am attending school full time. This scholarship means that I am a step closer to my upcoming spring graduation in 2017, which is very exciting! It's so nice to be recognized and supported in my endeavors to become an elementary school librarian, and this scholarship is evidence of that. I am incredibly thankful!"
Alejandra De Santiago
LETICIA SOFIA GONZALEZ
Leticia Sofia Gonzalez is attending Truman State University and majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.
'The HECSF Scholarship has been significant help in helping me subsidized for the loss of academic scholarship lost due to transferring to Truman State University after my studies in Mexico. It's a part in enabling me to finish my last year at the university and pay tuition to finally graduate with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry minor'.
Leticia Sofia Gonzalez
Areli Arangon
Areli Aragon attends Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, where she is a Pre-Med student majoring in Biology and she intends to become a Pediatrician.
"I am beyond grateful for the STEM Scholarship I was granted. This scholarship means so much to me since it will help me pay my tuition at Dominican University. Most importantly, however, it will allow me to pursue a higher education so I can major in Biology and give back to the community. It has always been my dream to attend an university, and this scholarship has made that dream come true. Thank You."
Areli Aragon
Joseline Martin
Joseline Martin is attending Southwest Illinois College and she plans to become an educator and teach English as a Second Language.
"First of all, thank you for giving yet another opportunity to receive a scholarship. As Vince Lombardi said:
'The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.' "
Josie Martin
Diana B. Vazquez
Diana B. Vazquez is attending Emory University where she will be majoring in Human Health and Music.
"I will always be thankful for the incredibly generous gift from the Hispanic ECS fund because they made it possible for me to afford voice lessons for my major. I am a Music and Health major at Emory University as I plan to apply to grad school for Speech Pathology. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I love my voice teacher and mentor! Already have I grown in my musicality as well as maturity and I will keep you updated as I run the course of my journey and pursue my dreams. Thank you for everything. Love, Diana"