Twenty-Six Students Receive Scholarships from FCPS Hispanic Leadership Alliance

By Communications and Community Relations
FCPS News
May 17, 2022

The Hispanic Leadership Alliance—a certified employee group of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees—presented scholarships to 26 students on Tuesday, May 3.

Scholarship recipients were recognized for leadership and mentoring skills in their educational and social activities. Candidates are committed to furthering their education while improving their communities. Each of the applicants will be the first in their families to attend a postsecondary institution.

Retired FCPS educator Teddi Predaris said of the scholarship winners, “As I listened to each student talk about their career plans, it was amazing to hear the diversity of areas they will go into, and I couldn’t help but think what a better place this world will be with these young leaders fulfilling their potential and coming together to serve in an interwoven tapestry of critical areas that can help shape the tenor of their and future generations.” 

The winners of the scholarships are:

  • Alielyx Aponte Centeno, Marshall High School, Latinos Unidos Club Scholarship.
  • Fabrizio Bellido, Westfield High School, Scholarship for Business.
  • Allison Costellanos Rodas, Annandale High School, Scholarship for Service.
  • Nicole Claure Palaguerra, Falls Church High School, Scholarship for Perseverance.
  • Maybelline Cruz, South Lakes High School, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Scholarship.
  • Melanie Cuenca-Crosetto, West Springfield High School, Scholarship for Leadership
  • Tracy Echais-Ramos, Justice High School, Scholarship for Art.
  • Geidy Felipes Garcia, Marshall High School, Sonia Rosa Véler Memorial Scholarship.
  • Andrew Gamboa Velásco, West Springfield High School, Scholarship for Perseverance.
  • Alexa García García, Marshall High-School, Humberto Moore Cruz Memorial Scholarship.
  • Nelda Girón Mazariegos, Justice High School, Scholarship for Leadership.
  • Yara Gonzáles-Fernández, Centreville High School, Community Action and Service Scholarship.
  • Melanie Jiménez, West Springfield High School, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Scholarship.
  • Shantal Monico-López, Westfield High School, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Scholarship.
  • Gemma Najarro, Centreville High School, Peace and Justice Scholarship.
  • Samuel Orellano Martinez, Fairfax High School, Scholarship for Engineering.
  • Dereck Quiroz Espinosa, Lewis High School, Hispanic Leadership Alliance Club Scholarship.
  • Keylin Reyes Amaya, Justice High School, Minerva Gorena Language Acquisition Scholarship.
  • Keyri Rivas Garcia, West Springfield High School, Hispanic Student Association Club Scholarship.
  • Ashley Rodriguez Vallejo, Lewis High School, Marshall and Carmen St. John Family Legacy Scholarship.
  • Frank Saldaña Moreno, Justice High School, Scholarship for Leadership.
  • Arely Solis-Artola, Lake Braddock High School, Hispanic Student Association Club Scholarship.
  • Sheila Valenzuela, Falls Church High School, Scholarship for Finance. 
  • Perla Vásquez Garcia, Latino Student Alliance Club Scholarship.
  • Nahomy Vásquez Garcia, West Springfield High School, Keith Buchanan Memorial Scholarship.
  • Anderson Vásquez Vásquez, Westfield High School, Keith Buchanan Memorial Scholarship.

For more information, contact Jane Cruz at 202-207-5839 or [email protected]