Latino Youth Scholarship

November 29, 2012

AARP Idaho presented its Latino Youth Education Scholarship to Marissa P. Hernandez, 18, of Nampa.  Community leaders gathered to celebrate Hernandez and award the $1,500 scholarship that will help her pay for college following her graduation next year from Nampa High School. 

The high school senior maintains a good grade-point-average, helps her family financially by cleaning a local business office and still has time to volunteer by reading to seniors, making baby quilts, raking leaves and helping those with Downs Syndrome.

“We felt Marissa was very deserving of this scholarship,” said Mark Estess, state director of AARP Idaho. “She is a remarkable young woman who demonstrates perseverance in the face of challenge. We are proud to award this scholarship to her as a way to help Marissa reach her educational goals. We appreciate her for being an outstanding student and member of the community.”

Hernandez plans to attend college in Utah and become a nurse. She decided she wanted to give back to the medical field after she witnessed the care received by her baby nephew, who was born with complications stemming from Downs Syndrome.