CHANGING LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION!
STARTING OUT – JUNIOR HIGH
Becas Vallarta's motto, “Changing Lives Through Education” is the mantra that drives each of our members daily. That thought is always there when we ask you for a donation, to buy a ticket to an event, to advertise in this Newsletter, to sponsor a student or to become a Compadre. And our pledge to you, who support us, is that we will see that all of your donated dollars go toward that end. Our 300 scholarship girls and boys are depending on you and us, as we have pledged to them, providing they still meet our criteria, that we will continue their scholarships until they have reached their educational goals. Some are only in the second year of junior high, but even at that young age, they understand the stakes. They understand that getting an education is truly going to change their lives, the lives of their families and perhaps their pueblos and their country. Here is what some of our junior high students have to say.
Fourteen year old GUADALUPE GONZÁLEZ ORTÍZ is in her third year of junior high in Secundaria Federal 60, La Aurora. La Aurora is the junior high behind Sams and Walmart and is one of our oldest schools. In Guadalupe's first year there she maintained a perfect 10.0 grade average, a 9.9 last year and she is maintaining such excellence this year. She told us that having this scholarship makes it possible for her to persevere in her studies. She said that, of course, her parents help her, but money is scarce and this help ensures that she can end with a great career. How fine is that attitude?
ALEJANDRA ORTEGA BAUTISTA, though only 13 years old, understands what is at stake for her. She is in her second year at Escuela Secundaria Tecnica 
#3, La Eti. La Eti was the very first junior high opened in Puerto Vallarta in the early 1960´s. It was the impetus to start the America-Mexico Foundation (Becas Vallarta, A.C.) when our founder, Bernice Starr realized that her neighborhood children were not attending the new school because they could not afford to buy the uniforms, books and supplies. Now La Eti is considered one of our finest junior highs and carries some prestige for those who have attended there. Alejandra told us “Becas has helped me keep my hope of continuing to study. I do not need to feel "anguished" about how to meet expenses and it has helped me feel less worried about my parents coping with the costs of living. They have four children to bring up and help them study.” Alejandra has a grade point average of 9.8 which certainly is not surprising given her level of maturity.
MIGUEL ALEJANDRO SANTANA is only 12 years old and comes from the tiny pueblo of El Ranchita, far from Vallarta's El Centro. He attends Telesecundaría ¨Diego Rivera¨ El Ranchito. JOSÉ GUADALUPE VÁZQUEZ VILLARRUEL is 14 years old and comes from another pueblo far from the city, El Colorado. He attends Telesecundaria¨Adolfo Ruíz Cortines¨ El Colorado. Both of these schools started out as schools with no real teacher, only a teacher on television. And both are rural, farming communities with small populations. Now the schools have grown and have regular teachers and fine junior high programs. This is Miguel's first year as a scholarship student and he wanted us to know how much it means
to him to have this foundation give him his uniforms, his school and tennis shoes and all of the school supplies. He even mentioned every item he had been given; pens, paper, erasers, etc. This young man had a 9.5 last year and is determined to do his very best to keep his scholarship and get the education he desires. José Guadalupe is 14 years old and is in his last year of junior high with a grade point average of 9.4 in his first year and a 9.6 last year. He told us that not having to pay for his uniforms and his school supplies enable him to stay in school without “economic worries” as hisfamily does not have enough money to fund his education. Doesn't this make all the work we 
do and the money you give absolutely as good as it gets?
JOSÉ ÁNGEL ROBLES MACEDO and JOSÉ DAVID PÉREZ BERNAL are both 13 years old and attend Escuela Secundaría Federal # 55 - Las Palmas, a community in a beautiful mountain setting, but close to all the conveniences of the city of Vallarta. . These two Josés exemplify who our scholarship students are. José Angel’s grade point 
average in junior high has been 9.3 and 9.9, while José David’s has been 9.8 and 9.7. Remember that a 10.0 is perfect! José David told us that he “sincerely thanks us for helping him in his school performance and that he can count on the financial support necessary to function in school.” José Angel told us “the scholarship has helped me improve my performance at school and it has helped my family to save money.” He added that during the school year “we do not lack for anything!” How about that attitude?
ALONDRA YOJAISA HERNÁNDEZ PRECIADO attends Escuela Secundaría Técnica #56- Ixtapa, another of our rural junior high's northeast of Vallarta. Alondra achieved a perfect 10.0 in her first year of junior high and is now only 13 years old. She told us “Your help with equipment and uniforms has been very good because I need a lot for school and to continue my education with satisfaction. I am grateful for this great support!” Alondra is a happy young girl who knows who she is and where she is going and I am sure that she will be a credit to family, Foundation and Mexico.
ALAN ALBERTO ALVARADO ROMERO is in his last 
year of junior high at Escuela Secundaría Federal #84 - Buenos Aires. This is the school on the Rio Cuale that you pass on your way to Paso Ancho. It is a school well known to many of us Becas members as children of friends and our favorite musicians, Los Bambinos, attended there. Alan's grade point averages in junior high have been 9.1 and 9.4 and he is hard at work to finish with a flourish. Here is what he had to say, “The scholarship that I have been given is important because without it I couldn't achieve a decent career. It may show the world how much we can do if given a chance. Thank you very much!” I can't add anything to that!
These are just a few of the 115 junior high scholarship students from the 14 junior highs we work with. All of them have met our criteria for a scholarship: (1) live and attend public schools in the Puerto Vallarta area, (2) show real financial need which is verified in the schools they are attending, (3) maintain a grade point average of 8.5 (of a possible 10), (4) attend required meetings with the foundation members, (5) be good citizens in the school and community, and (6) help with foundation functions when asked. All of them are keenly aware of the requisites and the implications of not meeting them. Remember that once a student has earned a scholarship, the foundation pledges to continue financial aid until the educational goal is met as long as she or he continues to fulfill the prescribed obligations.
We in the foundation salute these young people who, under conditions that many times are not ideal, continue with their quest to change the lives of themselves, their families and their communities.
MOVING ON UP – SENIOR HIGH
Most of our junior high scholarship students who never thought that they would be able to afford advanced schooling now go on to high school. All fourteen of Vallarta's junior highs, even the very small, very rural ones, feed the high schools almost evenly, The public high schools in Puerto Vallarta are exceptional. Technological education in Mexico is progressing rapidly, with an effort toward fostering entrepreneurship and preparing the students for the work force or to continue to higher education. College preparatory education is progressing as evidenced by the state of the art school that we call Prepa.
UNIVERSIDAD DE GUADALAJARA, LA ESCUELA PREPARATORIA REGIONAL DE PUERTO VALLARTA, known locally as just Prepa or Jacobo, is located in the satellite pueblo of Pitillal. Director Dr. Armando Soltero Macías is a charming and dynamic man who guided the recent planning and construction of the fabulous new campus. There are 1600 students in this main campus with 1500 more in three branches located in the pueblos of Tómatlan, El Tuito and Ixtapa. Both the curriculum and the extra curricular programs are outstanding and produce university- ready students of the highest quality.
Meet two of our Prepa students who are typical of the student population at that fine school.
RUFINA ELIZABETH PIÑA FLORES and JUAN ALBERTO CISNEROS PACHECO are both 15 years old and both were scholarship students at Buenas Aires #84 where they each maintained a 9.4 average and are still maintaining that high average in high school. They wanted everyone to know that they thank all the people who belong to this association. Rufina said that “Becas Vallarta has helped me a great deal economically and has made me more productive in my studies. For me that which is provided by Becas Vallarta is a great 
support since thanks to their help it will be possible for me to finish a career and to fulfill my dream of being a professional” and Juan Alberto dittoed her words, but wanted to add “I love the fun of the annual posada.” These are two great students who will surely make us proud.
Let's meet one of our students at Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Jalisco (COBAEJ) Our COBAEJ is in the outlying pueblo of Las Juntas making it conveniently located for our rural students. The state of Jalisco has built these high schools all over the State, most in very rural areas. This high school specializes in providing a core curriculum with job training in the sciences, computers, graphic arts, and caters to older students giving them a chance to finish high school with an Open School at night.
MARÍA DEL ROSARIO PEÑA UREÑA attended junior high in the very rural school El Ranchito and is now in 
high school in COBAEJ . María is only 14 years old and maintained a 9.0 average in junior high as she has done in high school. Her words came directly from her heart and I am sure went directly into the heart's of all Becas member. She wrote “First of all anyone who reads this should know that I give thanks to all of those who make the dreams of many students come true. Thanks to everyone who is a member of Becas Vallarta as you have benefitted me a great deal because I was able to finish junior high and I know that I can continue with my studies.”
The next high school from which I want to introduce you to students is Colegio Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica (CONALEP). The National College of Technical Professional Education was established in 1978 to train middle level technicians for the industrial and service sectors of the economy They strive to offer the skills that will enable their graduates to be able to work in any national or international company. Our CONALEP is located on Avenue Francisco Villa convenient to all of Puerto Vallarta’s city dwellers.
Meet PABLO IVAN CAMPECHANO AGUILAR, CARLA TERESA LUNA JOUBLANC and CÉSAR ANTONIO RODRÍGUEZ VIDRIO. Pablo is 15 years old and attended junior high at Aurora #60 where he bettered his grades each year from a 8.7 to a 9.0 and in high school to a 9.8. He told us that what is most important to him is that the scholarship has enabled him to continue studying and gives him the motivation to keep his grades up so that he will not lose his scholarship. He says, “I am truly thankful for that and thank you very much.”
Carla is 16 years old and her grades in junior high at La Eti #3 were always in the 9.3 range and she is maintaining that in high school. She was effusive in her expressions of gratitude for her scholarship. She said, “Thanks to the scholarship I have been able to continue with my studies. I have had it since junior high and it has helped me not only in my studies, but sometimes I also contribute in my house with part of the money and the rest I keep in a bank account. The scholarship is the reason I can continue studying and I love everything that Mariel (Mariel de Fregoso, President of Becas Vallarta) does for us in the annual posada. We have a lot of fun. And the certificates of achievement from the Office of the Mayor are a motive to continue studying and to be better people in life.” What maturity from a 16 year old.
César is also 16 years old and attended junior high at Los Ramblases #149 where his 
grades were between a 9.0 and a 9.7. His first year in high school he attained a 9.5. He told us what many of the scholarship students tell us concerning how much this scholarship helps their parents. He said “Becas Vallarta has helped me to continue with my studies so that my parents won't have to worry economically. Also it has helped my parents to be more confident that I will continue doing my best so I don't lose my scholarship.” Well said, César!
The next high school students attend Colegio de Estudios Cientificos y Tecnológicos del Estado de Jalisco (CECYTEJ). This high school trains students for careers in the areas of business or industry and can be found in every part of Mexico. In the course of 6 semesters of high school education the students can qualify as a technician in one of several specialties and earn a high school diploma. The title of specialist is awarded entitling the students to continue on to higher education or enter the work force. CECYTEJ is located east of Coapinole in the more rural section of Vallarta.
ALEJANDRO GUADALUPE CASTAÑEDA GARCIA and ROSA MARÍA GONZALEZ GOMEZ are each 15 years old and attended junior high at Coapinole #132. Each maintained excellent grade point averages of 9.0 to 9.5 while there and are maintaining their high grades in high school. Rosa María was very strong in her comments about the help the scholarship was to her. She said in part, “ Becas Vallarta has helped me a lot in my studies to get ahead. his help I don’t know what I would do.” Alejandro was not as loquacious, but expressed his thanks for “helping me with my school expenses such as uniform, school supplies, entrance fee, etc. Thanks for helping me.” How great that these students realize at their young ages how much 
education will improve their lives. Hopefully I will always be able to get your support and I am very proud of all of you guys and I have realized one of my goals which is to keep on studying. Without this help I don’t know what I would do.” Alejandro was not as loquacious, but expressed his thanks for “helping me with my school expenses such as uniform, school supplies, entrance fee, etc. Thanks for helping me.” How great that these students realize at their young ages how much education will improve their lives.
The final two students to meet in a Vallarta high school are those who attend CENTRO DE BACHILLERATO TECNOLÓGICO INDUSTRIAL Y DE SERVICIOS #68 (CBTIS) There are 261 campuses of CBTIS throughout Mexico training high school students to enter the business world and/or qualifying them to pursue their careers in higher education. Vallarta's CBTIS #68 was started in 1998 and now has almost 1500 students. Careers in 
accounting, computer technology, tourism and technical supervision in the physical-mathematical area are offered in a three year program. Our CBTIS is conveniently located on a bus line behind Sams, Walmart and Liverpool.
GABRIELA JASMIN CRUZ PADILLA and CARLOS ALBERTO HERNÁNDEZ DAVILA are both 15 years old. Gabriela attended junior high at Pitillal #81 and maintained between an 8.9 and a 9.3 while there. Carlos attended junior high at Ixtapa #56 where he maintained grades between a 9.4 and a 9.8. Both are struggling a little in high school but have an 8.9 and an 8.6 respectively in their first year. But they are not discouraged. Gabriela Jazmin 
wrote, “I am committed to get a good average and not to fail with my grades. I will take advantage of this opportunity because it has helped me with the things that are necessary in the school.” Carlos wrote “Becas Vallarta has helped me to be able to continue with my studies in high school. My father, a brick layer, gives me what he can, but it would not have been enough for me to stay in school. Sometimes we did not have money to pay for the entrance fee because his work is not very steady and now we can pay with the help of Becas Vallarta. Thanks Becas Vallarta.” With such fine attitudes and awareness these students will certainly keep their scholarships and become fine educated citizens in the future.
ALMOST THERE – UNIVERSITY
CENTRO UNIVERSITARIO DE LA COSTA (CUC)
The University of Guadalajara's Vallarta campus, was opened in 1994 on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta in the pueblo of Ixtapa. The campus is beautiful with lots of green spaces, exceptional academic programs, a world class reptile program that attracts international scholars, the fabulous Peter Gray Art Museum with it eclectic collection of quality art donated by artists and art patrons. The university has grown from just Bachelor of Arts programs to offering degrees in law, engineering, medicine, nursing and many more. It is also offering Masters as well as Doctoral programs in several areas.
Hundreds of our scholarship students have received their degrees from this university. In the old days of Becas we sent only four students who wanted to continue beyond high school to Guadalajara where we had a rented apartment that four could occupy. That was the total university students in our program. Today we have eighty-three students in the various universities, most of whom have had scholarships with Becas Vallarta since junior high. Let’s meet a few of the more than forty who are studying in CENTRO UNIVERSITARIO DE LA COSTA (CUC).
ASHLEY JOANA GONZÁLEZ HERNÁNDEZ Ashley is 19 years old but displays a maturity that belies her young age. She attended junior high in the rural school Las Palmas where she maintained an almost perfect grade point average as she continued to do in high school at CABAEJ. This trend is continuing in university as she pursues her career in Tourism. She wrote, “The scholarship has allowed me to continue with my studies and has helped my family. It is helping me to be able to reach my goal to be a professional and to develop myself in the tourism industry since this city is a great tourist resort.” Very practical young woman who will certainly enhance our city.
DAVID DUEÑAS LOPEZ David is 18 years old and
just starting his university career. He attended junior high in Buenas Aires and senior high in Prepa with excellent grades all the way through. David wrote, “Becas Vallarta has helped me in many ways. One of the main ways is that it helped me to pay for my school expenses, such as the tuition, transportation and why not, even to buy me a lunch. Another very important thing that Becas Vallarta has given me is the motivation to continue and not to give up my studies.” That is a sentiment often expressed by our students and one that motivates us to continue working toward keeping and expanding this program.
ROCÍO DIRCIO RODRÍGUEZ Rocío is 21 years old and will graduate next year as a Civil Engineer. She went to junior high at Ixtapa and high school at the technical school in Ixtapa where she maintained almost perfect grades. In university she has continued her excellence never falling below a 9.2 and reaching 9.9 one semester. She wrote, “Becas Vallarta has helped me in the times that I’ve been in really bad situations for the lack of money to buy the necessary things for the university. The scholarship has been my savior. I have used it also to pay for medication and for all of this I thank you very much. One day I hope to be able to contribute to the cause.” Who could ask for more? We look forward to all of our graduates paying it forward as they take their places in the work force.
SANDY JANETTE COVARRUBIAS HERNÁNDEZ Sandy is 20 years old and will finish
her degree in Accounting in the fall of 2010. She attended Buenos Aires in junior high and CBTIS in high school where she consistently made grades between a 9.2 and a 9.7. Her overall average in CUC is about a 9.4. She wrote: “I want to thank Becas Vallarta for all of their help. The truth is the members of Becas are grand people that help so much. I salute them because they have helped me to continue with my studies. I hope you will be able to keep the foundation going for a long time as there are many young people who want to continue studying, but don’t have the funds to do so. A strong thank you to all.” Thoughts for those who will come after her reinforce our efforts to keep Becas Vallarta strong and vibrant.
INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO SUPERIOR DE PUERTO VALLARTA (ITSPV)
This is a university east of the pueblo of Coapinole on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta. They specialize in scientific research and development for professionals responsible and committed to the needs of society.” They offer degrees in Architecture, Gastronomy, Engineering in Business Management, Computers and Electromechanical, as well as in Computer Systems. Meet a few of our more than twenty-five students in this impressive technological university.
MARTÍN PELAYO COLMENARES Martín is 18 years old and is in his first year of university. He attended Pitillal and CBTIS in junior high and high school where he maintained excellent grades from 9.4 to 9.9. He wrote “Becas Vallarta has helped me in an excellent way since it has allowed me to continue with my studies in addition to alleviating the burden of expenses to my parents.” A man of few, but pertinent words. He will do well in his university career we are sure.
CELIA GUADALUPE ASTORGA HUERTA Celia is 22 
years old and will graduate in January of 2010 with a Bachelors in Computer Science. She maintained excellent grades in junior high school at Las Aralias and senior high at CBTIS, sometimes reaching a 9.9. Her university grades have all been above 9.0 and she has been an exemplary student throughout her school career. She simply and sincerely wrote “Becas Vallarta has helped me in all aspects. Counting on this scholarship has supported me to continue with my studies and has given me the motivation to study harder in order to get ahead. Thank you very much for everything.” We are very proud that Celia will soon be the professional she wants to be.
YUZADA DE JESÚS HERNÁNDEZ RODRÍGUEZ Yuzada is 22 years old and will also graduate in January of 2010 with a Bachelors in Administration. In junior high at Las Aralias her grades were excellent and in senior high at CONALEP she earned a perfect 10.0 twice! She wrote “Becas Vallarta has helped me to continue with my studies and to become a better person. Because my parents do not have enough money to help me, I am inspired to get ahead and become a professional to be able to help them.” What a great attitude from this young woman.
In addition to the previous two universities, we have a few students in UNIVERSIDAD TECNOLÓGICA DE BAHÍA DE BANDERAS (UTBB) & CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS UNIVERSITARIOS (ARKOS). UTBB is located in Nuevo Vallarta in the neighboring state of Nayarit. This university offers degrees in Gastronomy, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Computer Management and Tourism. ARKOS is located in the heart of old town Vallarta. It offers degrees in Tourism, Business Administration, Communication Sciences, Accounting, Law and Marketing. Let's meet two of our students, each of whom will graduate next year.
DELMA ARACELI CASTELLÓN Delma is 21 years old and will graduate in September of 
2010 with a degree in Tourism. She attended junior high in Las Juntas and high school at COBAEJ. She maintained almost a 9.5 in both schools. At the university she struggled at first with an 8.7, but brought her grades up to a 9.9. Now she is about to graduate from UTBB. She wrote very simply, but sincerely, “I thank you for supporting me in all of my studies because without your help I don’t believe I would have been able to get where I am now. A thousand thanks for everything.”
ALMA ROSA SILVA SUÁREZ Alma is 20 years old and will graduate soon from ARKOS with a degree in Accounting. She attended junior high in Coapinole and high school at CECYTEJ where she kept her grades between a 9.1 and a 9.8. In university she has an overall 9.6. Alma wrote “Personally I thank Becas Vallarta for all the support that they have given me for eight years. Thanks to their support I have the opportunity to become an accountant in the near future. And for that I say, “thanks.” They have also supported me in extra-ordinary occasions. ” Two young women whose lives are being dramatically changed through education.