Half-million dollars later, Fiesta Navideña keeps delivering scholarships for Latino students
After the COVID-19 pandemic erased the League of Mexican American Women’s Fiesta Navideña in-person event in 2020, moving it to a virtual platform, the annual scholarship fundraiser returned to its in-person format on Saturday (Nov. 27) with a champagne brunch, fashion show, mariachi and the traditional posada.
“It’s wonderful. We are delighted to be able to be back in person, even though we recognize there continues to be a risk of COVID. We did ask that all our participants be vaccinated, and it’s been just wonderful to see people that we haven’t seen for almost two years,” said Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, chair of the Fiesta Navideña planning committee.
Attendees were able to enjoy music from Mariachi Centenela, folkloric dances from Los Niños de Aztlán and a fashion show that included a few special guest models like Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval with his sons Arion and Leo, Congressman Jim Costa and Assemblymember Joaquín Arámbula.
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League president Claudia Cázares said it was important for the organization to have the event in-person this year.
“It’s valuable to see each other and have a camaraderie and ensure that we continue getting together for the benefit of our scholars,” Cázares said.
This year, the 46th annual Fiesta Navideña was held at The Painted Table in north Fresno, with this year theme of El Gallo in commemoration of the Misa de Gallo.
“We kind of focused on the Gallo because during the holiday season we remember that it was the gallo that crowed at midnight when the Christ child was born. And throughout México and many parts of Latin América and even the United States, they celebrate Misa de Gallo on Christmas Eve,” said Gonzáles Chávez, adding that people would notice in the event’s decoration multiple gallos, including the center pieces.
One of the highlights of the event is La Posada, the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking lodging in Bethlehem when the birth of Christ was going to come, said Gonzáles Chávez.
“So, all of the Christmas traditions that we know in Latino community are here today with us,” said Gonzáles Chávez.
This year, organizers said the number of attendees was reduced to about 250 people to make sure there was ample room for people.
“And this event raises money for student scholarships. The League of Mexican American Women has just passed its half million-dollar point in giving scholarships to young men and women who are going on to pursue a college education,” Gonzáles Chávez said, adding that the event is in memory of Betty Rodríguez, founder of the Fiesta Navideña and who “strongly believe in education, leadership and scholarship for Latino students.”
“She founded this event so that we could raise money for scholarships,” she said, adding that thanks to those scholarships, young Latinos/Latinas are advancing.
One of this year’s scholarship recipients, Kyla Esqueda, shared her story and the many challenges she faced, including homelessness and how the league has inspired her.
“I am pursuing higher education, despite life’s challenges, in hopes to one day become a librarian. I hope to also raise funds and donate to rural areas in the poorest of nations to provide books,” said Esqueda. “I want to find meaningful ways to provide access to those who lack the resources they need to thrive through reading.”
“Thanks to this scholarship, I was able to purchase an iPad for my studies at college, especially as distance learning has forced us use technology as the main learning tool,” said Esqueda, adding that she was thankful for those who helped her in continue her education as well as those who had faith in her and gave her a chance.
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Cázares said while some of the scholarship recipients might go to UC Berkeley or Stanford, others go to trade schools.
“They need just as much assistance in scholarships as our straight-A students that go on to universities and colleges,” said Cázares, a Fresno Unified School District board trustee. “But seeing all of our community members get together again and the fun we’re having, it brings joy to our hearts and ensures that we keep having this year after year.”
Gonzáles Chávez said that the organization is so grateful that the Latino community has supported them year after year, even during the COVID pandemic.
“We had support when we had to transition online. And so, we’re glad to have them back and we just appreciate them so much because without them, we wouldn’t be able to raise money for student scholarships,” she said.
Something different this year is that the organization kept the silent auction part of the event online.
“It certainly is challenging for some of our members. But because it’s learning new technology, but it is the wave of the future, and it allows us to be able to keep better track and organize the auction better,” Gonzáles Chávez said.
The league is accepting scholarship applications for 2022.
Details: http://fresnocountylmaw.org
Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 27 de noviembre de 2021, 9:18 p. m..
