For immediate release – June 16th, 2021
Contacts: The Bolívar Network – TheBolivarNetwork@gmail.com
The Bolívar Network Inaugurates First-Year Scholarship with Pledge and Work from UVA Latinx Alumni, Distributes Award of $1,000 this Spring to Incoming Student Kiara Barrientos
The Bolívar Network’s First-Year Scholarship provides funds for an exceptional Hispanic/Latinx high school student from the Commonwealth of Virginia to incentivize them to attend the University of Virginia. Founded on the core principles of leadership and service to the Hispanic and Latinx community, this Scholarship recognizes the extraordinary talent of students in our community and their ability to create a lasting impact on the University, the surrounding Charlottesville community, and future post-graduate plans. Currently a one-time scholarship awarded to an incoming student entering their first-year, the scholarship committee plans to grow both the number of scholarships and amount awarded each year.
The First-Year Scholarship was originally created in 2009 under the leadership of Hernando Herrera (’89) and Jenny Willier Murphy (’89) during their time on The Bolívar Network’s Board and with a generous donation from Alexandra Arriaga (’87). Coinciding with Hernando and Jenny’s 20th Reunion, they both made separate five-year pledges and launched the Network’s first Capital Campaign for 2010-2015 which fundraised $22,000 out of the $100,000 goal. After fundraising and activities for The Bolívar Network went dormant for a few years, the recent revival of the Network and the 2020 Bolívar Network Virtual Annual Awards Brunch, which saw the release of three Undergraduate Book Scholarships, the inauguration of the Valerie Gregory Impact Award, and the awarding of the Pablo J. Davis’ Award to Wayne Cozart, revived the passion and initiative to re-launch the First-Year Scholarship. In that relaunch, fundraising for the First-Year Scholarship commenced again and $8,000 has been recently donated.
Through a collaboration with Hernando, Jenny, the Network’s current leadership; specifically the Fundraising & Development Vice-Chairs Gina Flores (’00) and Brian Zuluaga (’20), as well as the Scholarship & Awards Vice-Chair Hannah “Mel” Borja (’19), and the team at Alumni Association and Admissions, the release of the inaugural First-Year Scholarship award was made possible. We are pleased to announce that the 2021 First-Year Scholarship Inaugural Recipient is Kiara Barrientos. A student from Leesburg, VA, Kiara plans to study Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law in the College of Arts & Sciences. She will start at the University in the Fall of 2021.
With $30,000 already raised for the First-Year Scholarship, we are eager to achieve our original goal of $100,000. We appreciate any support, small or large, to make this goal a reality. If you would like to contribute to the First-Year Scholarship or to other initiatives and awards from The Bolívar Network please donate here.