Barrientos Scholarship Foundation Honors Latino Legacy and Future Leaders at Viva Business Luncheon
2025 Viva Business Luncheon Scholarship Awards Ceremony (Photo by Eddie Lucero)
The Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF), a long-standing advocate for Latino students, proudly announces the presentation of its 2025 scholarships at the Viva Business Luncheon on May 29 at Metropolitan Community College’s South Omaha campus. The event not only celebrates the academic promise of Latino youth but also honors the community leaders whose dedication has shaped the region.
This year’s luncheon will recognize a distinguished group of honorees whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the Latino community: Jose and Linda Garcia, Jorge Nila, Theresa Barron-McKeagney, Abelardo and Delores Hernandez, and Manuel González. Their stories are a powerful reflection of the enduring legacy that the Latino community continues to build across generations.
The 2025 scholarships, totaling more than $74,000, will support students in fields ranging from healthcare to the arts, business to trades, and everything in between. Each award is rooted in the belief that student success comes in many forms, and that every path deserves investment and encouragement.
Returning 2024 scholars include:
Alvarez Insurance - Nursing (MCC), $5,000: Israel Hernandez
Casa de la Cultura - Graduate Studies/ Education - Doane College, $7,000: Adan Martinez
Lucy Mora - Masters in Dual Language (UNL), $4,000: Odwuar Quinonez
Magic Touch - In Honor of Eddie Sandoval - Health Care (Creighton), $5,000: Lucia Venegas
2025 Scholars include:
Alvarez Insurance - Education/ Counseling (UNK), $5,000: Juana Daniela Perez
Barrientos Scholarship - In Honor of Ella & Vidal Barrientos - Arts (UNO), $6,000: Isabel Brito
Cinco de Mayo - Marketing (UNL), $4,000: Gianna Bayly
BSF - MCC (Business), $2,500: Maria del Carmen Bravo Salomon
CHI - MCC (Healthcare), $3,000: Keily Lagos
CHI Health - Healthcare (UNL), $3,000: Ashley Calderon Palacios
Clarkson College - Healthcare (Clarkson), $2,500: Kamila Gonzalez Perez
JE DUNN - Construction (UNL-Omaha), $5,000: Juan Mancilla Vargas
JE DUNN & LEDC "SOMOS ONE" SCHOLARSHIP - (Construction), $5,000: Francisco Tomas Santiago
Lozafina - Marketing/Communications - (UNL), $1,000: Joshua Goldsmith
Magic Touch - In Honor of Eddie Sandoval - Healthcare (UNO), $3,000: Dailen Reyes
Magic Touch: In Honor of Eddie Sandoval - Nursing (Creighton), $2,500: Ana Guillen
Magic Touch - Business (Creighton), $2,500: Antonio Vargas
Methodist College - Healthcare - (Creighton University), $2,500: Daniela Sanchez-Romo
Nebraska Furniture Mart - Business ( UNL ), $3,000: David Goldsmith
OPPD - Latino Society of OPPD Employees - Undeclared (UNO), $2,500: Fatima Pina
Together with Casa de la Cultura, the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation continues to build bridges for Latino youth through scholarship, mentorship, and career exploration. By cultivating strong community partnerships, BSF ensures that the next generation is equipped with the resources, networks, and belief they need to thrive.
For more information on the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation or to support future scholarship opportunities, visit barrientosscholarship.org.
