More Than
“Dándole Alas a Tu Éxito/Giving Flight to Your Success” Travel Award Program
DALLAS, TX - August 25, 2005 - Southwest Airlines and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) are proud to announce the winners of the "Dándole Alas a Tu Éxito/Giving Flight to Your Success" travel award program. Through this new initiative, Southwest Airlines will provide airline tickets to Hispanic college students with socio-economic need who travel away from home to pursue a higher education. During the 2005-06 academic year, students will be able to use their tickets for travel on Southwest Airlines.
"Achieving a higher education and keeping close family ties makes a big difference to Hispanic students. Southwest Airlines saw the opportunity to make an impact with those students and their families through this program," said Christine Ortega, Southwest's Hispanic Community Affairs Manager. "We want to encourage students to complete their college journey and keep them connectd to those who matter most - 'la familia.'"
Although the students’ backgrounds were different, they all shared a common bond – to achieve a higher education and maintain close family ties. For a list of the winners, please visit: http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/press/winners_list.pdf
For winner Tanya Flores, a junior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the travel award will help her mother become familiar with the college environment. “When I arrive home for the summer vacations, I always see [my mother’s] little envelope with the words “Fondo Para Graduación” (Graduation Fund). She has been saving money throughout both of my first years in college for her trip to
Education advocates and community leaders from across the country made up the selection committee to determine the winners. For a list of the selection committee, please visit: http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/press/selection_committee.pdf
“Choosing the winners was a real challenge because each student had an inspiring story,” said Dr. Jaime Rodriguez, University of Notre Dame professor and a selection committee member. “I know I was impressed and moved by their accomplishments very often under some really difficult circumstances. In college, they will face new tests and a good connection with home – with “la familia” – can really be a big boost.”
“Through this new initiative with Southwest Airlines, we are committed to helping Hispanic students attain a higher education,” said Antonio Flores, HACU’s President and CEO.
For winner Maria Elena Cruz, a graduate student at the
For winner Mark Lopez, a graduate student at the
In the first year of the travel award program, more than 350 students applied for the opportunity to win up to two (2) roundtrip tickets for the student and/or parent traveling to/from the university. To be eligible for the award, the students had to meet several criteria including a 2.5 or higher GPA and submitting a 300-500 word essay answering one of the following questions:
1. What are your challenges in working toward higher education?
2. If you could have someone travel with you to your college or university, who would that person be and why?
3. How do you believe that obtaining air travel to your university would benefit you and your family?
HACU, which has its national headquarters in
Southwest Airlines was recognized by HISPANIC Magazine for the 2005 Hispanic Corporate 100. The award focuses on Southwest Airlines' Leadership in providing opportunities for Hispanics and for supporting recruitment, scholarships, minority vendor programs, and Hispanic organizations.
Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 60 airports in 31 states. Southwest's 61st city,
Media Please Contact:
Southwest Airlines: Edna Ruano (Bilingual Spokesperson – English & Spanish) at 214/792-4309 or Public Relations at 214/792-4847
HACU: Lorena Blanco (Bilingual Spokesperson – English & Spanish) at 210-576-3224