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High-achieving Chicano/Latino students from Portland State will be honored at a gala event this Saturday. Over 600 community members, parents, teachers and students are expected to be in attendance at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

PSU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is hosting its eighth-annual gala, "Celebrating Contributions," Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and speakers begin at 7 p.m. The event will award scholarships of $1,000 - $5,000 for academic achievement and community involvement to 21 of PSU's stellar Chicano/Latino students (listed below).

The gala evening includes dinner and celebrity speaker Yareli Arizmendi, a renowned actress and writer who played a major role in the hit movie Like Water for Chocolate and most recently co-wrote and appeared in the critically acclaimed film A Day Without a Mexican. Tony Martinez will be the Master of Ceremonies.

The Celebrating Contributions Gala serves as the primary scholarship fundraising event to support Chicano/Latino students at PSU. The gala recognizes the achievements of the Chicano/Latino community and provides an opportunity for corporations, organizations and individuals to invest in the education of the fastest-growing ethnic population in Oregon and the United States. For more information about the gala, contact Maria Alanis Ruiz, 503-725-4447, or e-mail alanism@pdx.edu.

Chicano/Latino 2004 Scholars
Jesús Acosta: Jesús is majoring in Graphic Design and Chicano/Latino Studies. Jesús is from Hood River, Ore., and his scholarship is from Portland General Electric.

Oswaldo Avila: Oswaldo is majoring in education and counseling. Oswaldo is from Woodburn and Salem, Ore., and his scholarship is from State Farm Insurance.

Amelia Basalto: Amelia is majoring in Liberal Arts and Chicano/Latino Studies. Amelia is from Portland and her scholarship is from the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association.

Jessica Espinoza: Jessica is majoring in International Studies. Jessica is from Sherwood, Ore., and she is receiving the Ruben Sierra Dean's Scholarship.

Adolfo Garza: Adolfo is majoring in Education and Chicano/Latino Studies. Adolfo is from Aloha, Ore., and his scholarship is from the Oregon State Lottery.

Eduardo Guevara: Eduardo is an Architecture major from Woodburn, Ore., His scholarship is from the Oregon State Lottery/LEARN.

Norma Gutierrez: Norma is majoring in Psychology. Norma is from Milwaukie, Ore., and her scholarship is from Providence Health Systems.

Joella Harris: Joella is majoring in Business Administration. Joella is from Portland and her scholarship is from Washington Mutual.

Max Henry Cartagena: Max is majoring in Communications. He is from Portland and his scholarship is from Univision KPOU Northwest.

Sara E. Lopez: Sara is majoring in Child and Family Studies/Pre-Nursing. Sara is from Portland and her scholarship is from State Farm Insurance.

Sam Martinez: Sam is majoring in Business Administration. Sam is from Woodburn, Ore., and his scholarship is from Town & Country Auto Dealership/DCMDA.

Maria Mayela Herrera: Maria is a pre-medicine major. Maria is from Tualatin, Ore., and her scholarship is from Providence Health Systems.

Araceli Morales: Araceli is majoring in Education and Counseling and Chicano/Latino Studies. Araceli is from Woodburn and Salem, Ore., and her scholarship is from the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association.

Aaron Moreno: Aaron is majoring in Education and Chicano/Latino Studies. Aaron is from Portland and he is receiving the Jose Romero Endowment Scholarship.

Rocio Muñoz: Rocio is majoring in Spanish and Administration of Justice. Rocio is from Portland and his scholarship is from American Family Insurance.

Silvia Muro: Silvia is majoring in Spanish and Chicano/Latino Studies. Silvia is from Portland and her scholarship is from American Family Insurance.

Luis M. Olaez: Luis is majoring in Business Administration. Luis is from Cornelius, Ore., and his scholarship is from Wells Fargo Bank.

Alexis Romanos: Alexis is majoring in Theater Arts and Chicano/Latino Studies. Alexis is from Portland and her scholarship is from Seabold Construction Corp.

Amanda Sanchez: Amanda is majoring in Administration of Justice. Amanda is from Gresham, Ore., and her scholarship is from Squire & Lopez Law Firm.

Isaiah Saenz: Isaiah is from Woodburn, Ore., and his scholarship is from Town & Country Auto Dealership/DCMDA.

Peter Uristie: Peter is majoring in Bio-Chemistry. Peter is from Portland and he is receiving the Ruben Sierra Dean's Scholarship. He is also receiving a scholarship from the Ventura Group/Sierra Family.