By Ruth SOWBY

The Glen Arden Club in Glendale was the scene of this year’s Glendale Latino Association (GLA) Scholarship Awards Breakfast. The event celebrated academic excellence and achievements of high school and college students within the Latin communities. 

On Wednesday, June 14 thousands of dollars in scholarships were given by the GLA to deserving students at four schools. Among those were Crescenta Valley High School scholarship recipients Camila Amanda Acosta, Christian Ovilla, Aurora Gabrielle Reedy-Solano, Milan Sidoni Nadjarians and Miles Edwin Vallejo. 

The program started with a buffet breakfast followed by guest speakers, including Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman, and ending with the scholarship awards ceremony. Keynote speaker was Hispanic journalist Palmira Perez who is also CEO of an image consultancy company. She coaches youth on how to make their own branding.  

“Why do you think I’m wearing red today?”  Perez asked.  “I want you to see me [just as you need to be seen by decision makers.]”

Handing out scholarship awards were members of “Partners in Giving” made up of those GLA officers and community leaders who donated scholarship funds. GLA President Anita Quiñonez Gabrielian and Glendale City Council member Paula Devine handed out the awards to each student as they came up to the stage. 

The closing speaker was Jessica Palacios, a previous GLA scholarship winner.  She received her scholarship in 2012 when she graduated from Clark Magnet High School. Currently, she is the manager at Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose. The bookstore is considered the oldest children’s bookstore in the U.S., established in 1966.     

Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the GLA Annual Scholarship Fund.