Baca’s wife focusing on scholarships

Article Launched: 05/08/2008 11:O8:50 PM PDT

On Friday, Barbara Baca will do what she loves to do.

On behalf of the Joe Baca Foundation, she will help present academic assistance to under-served but deserving students in the Inland Empire.

For its inaugural Joe Baca Foundation Reception & Scholarship Awards event, the foundation will provide $1,000 scholarships to 36 diligent recipients from 16 area schools.

“This goes back to giving to the ones who are most in need - that’s what it’s all about,” Barbara Baca said.

“These are the foundation’s first scholarships, but we’ve always done community outreach. It’s our way of giving back to the areas we know about and care about.”

Barbara Baca is the wife of Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino.

“For some of these young people, it’s been difficult to stay in school” she said. “There are some heart-wrenching stories here. We do what we can do.”

The foundation requires that each scholarship recipient completes a community service program so they develop a sense of responsibility and self-confidence.

The event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the County Government Center, 385 N Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino.

Refreshments will be provided by the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California - Inland Empire.

Presentation of the awards begins at 7p.m.

The honorees:

Cordie Natasha Zahra, Laynette Chavez, Celena Martinez, Adam Garcia, Maria Torres and Herberth Jaco. all from Colton High School: Dilery Lovillo and Rosario Rammer, Rialto High School: Britani Washington, Gisela Cortez, Vy Nguyen and Tami Bi, Arroyo Valley High School: Dwight Williams, Jose Alamilla, Deanne Carter, and Enrique Lucatero, San Gorgonio High School, Ashley Howell and Charlene Shin, Eisenhower High School: Elizabeth Candia and Alejandra Mora Sanchez, Fontana High School: John Gutierrez, San Bernardino High School: Lorena Arroyo and Maria Penaloza, Pacific High School: Amy Morrison and Marlysa Thomas, Cajon High School: Nicole Gusman, Bloomington High School: Princess Eze. Canter High School: Marisa Mendoza, Colony High School: Maria Bucio, Middle College High: Ravenna Waters, Javier Alcaraz, Elizabeth Manzo-Oynick and Teresa Olvera, San Bernardino Valley College; Dulce Leon, Chaffey College; and Thembinkosi Noko and Cindy Allen, Cal State San Bernardino.

“We’re so proud of them. We know it’s tough because of all the obstacles, but they were diligent, they worked hard and they persevered,” Barbara Baca said.

Sponsorships are still available, she said.

“The more sponsors we have, the more we can help” she said.

For more information call (909) 275-5444

The Sun
By Michel Nolan, Staff Writer