META Announces 2013 Scholarship Recipients at 3rd Annual Art and Wine Event

LONG BEACH, CA, June 24, 2013 (Press-News.org) META (Making Education the Answer) Foundation announces its 2013 scholarship recipients at its 3rd Annual Art and Wine Event. 20 students will be able to attend college thanks to nearly $60,000 from META as part of its commitment to provide scholarships and mentorship to Southern California Hispanic students.

"Helping more Hispanics earn a college degree is becoming more important. As the fastest growing population, Hispanics have a unique opportunity to have an impact on the future in their community, in California and the rest of the country," said META Chair and Founder, Bob Mairena. "As a business owner in Orange County, I understand the value of an educated workforce. It is disturbing that Hispanics don't attend college at the rate of mainstream America. Undeniably, this causes a socio-economic gap that will continue. META works everyday to help reverse this trend," added Mairena.

The 2013 META Scholarship recipients have an average grade point average of near 4.0; attended high school in Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange Counties and most will be the first in their family to attend college.

2013 META Scholarship Recipients:
Alexis Acevis, Lennox Mathematics & Science, and Technology will attend University of California, Berkeley
Alejandro Banuelos., Eagle Rock High School will attend Northwestern University
Erica Blanco Alliance College Ready Academy High School #5 will attend University of California, Los Angeles
Amanda Zuno, Benjamin Franklin High School will attend Smith College
Kimberly Popper, Vista Del Lago High School will attend California State University, Fullerton
Michelle Angelina Salas., John Glenn High School will attend Biola University
Vanessa Lopez, James A. Foshay Learning Center will attend University of Southern California
Gerardo Areaga., El Rancho High School will attend Brown University
Jocelyn Aquino, James A. Foshay Learning Center will attend San Francisco State University
Mirrella Bautista currently attends the University of La Verne
Lizette Castro.,Magnolia High School will attend University of California, Riverside
Rocio Garcia., Long Beach Polytechnic High School will attend University of California, Davis
Zaira Hernandez, Alexander Hamilton High School will attend California Polytechnic University, Pomona
Ana Herrera, Alliance Health Services Academy will attend University of California, Santa Cruz
Aida Lopez,, Westchester High School will attend Loyola Marymount University
Alexis Montoya, Mountain Empire High School will attend California State University, Fullerton
Cristina Romero, Roosevelt High School will attend University of California, Santa Barbara
Adriana Soto, The Los Angeles Leadership Academy will attend University of California, Berkeley
Martha Tinajero., Francis Polytechnic High will attend University of California, Santa Cruz
Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez., Mayfair High will attend Harvard University

About META
META is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, founded in 2000, providing mentorship and scholarships to Hispanic youth in Southern California with the vision of increasing the opportunities for Hispanics to become successful business and community leaders. Funding is provided by private donations from individuals and corporations, including Office Solutions, Jacqui & Gilbert Cisneros Foundation, Avery Dennison, Southern California Edison and the Sergestrom Foundation.

For more information please visit www.meta-foundation.org