60 Latino Students Receive College Scholarships

From Montgomery Community Media:

The 2014 Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala raised more than $100,000 in scholarships and helped more than 60 Latino students to continue their college education.

“When you empower the students, you empower the family,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett.

More than 300 people gathered Thursday at The Fillmore in Silver Springs to celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients. Sixty students each received $2,000 in scholarship money.

This is the second edition of the Hispanic Gala. Last year, the event helped 25 students. This year organizers doubled the awards.

“What an accomplishment, and this is only the second year,” said Montgomery County Council member George Leventhal.

Out of the 60 students receiving scholarships Thursday, 15 are “Dreamers,” undocumented immigrants who can get in-county tuition rates at local colleges.

“This is our future and you can be a part of it,” Leggett said.