MillerCoors Provides $30,000 in Scholarships
MillerCoors Hispanic Employee Network (CHEN) Celebrates
Education during its 18th Annual Scholarship Fiesta
CHEN Provides Nine Students and LAEF with Scholarships Totaling $30,000; Kyle Velasquez Triumphant Spirit Award Recognizes Alexis Puttmann
CHICAGO (July 13, 2009) –– MillerCoors Hispanic Employee Network (CHEN), in Golden, Colo., has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to nine Colorado students. The scholarships, which can be used at any college or university, recognize scholastic achievement and the community contributions of each of the students. Each student received $2,000.
According to Maribel Crespin, president of CHEN and environmental engineer for MillerCoors, the Scholarship Fiesta began in 1991 with a small group of employee volunteers who wanted to find a meaningful way to give back to the community. Education, they decided, not only had a direct impact on the success of an individual, but also the success of the community.
“One of the biggest barriers to higher education among Latino students is the ability to pay for it. Our goal, over the past 18 years, is to help remove this barrier while growing the next generation of Hispanic leaders,” Crespin said.
She said that in addition to the $19,000 in scholarships given directly to the students, CHEN also provided $11,000 in scholarship funds to the Latin America Educational Foundation (LAEF) to be awarded to students of its choice.
To receive a scholarship, eligible students must have been accepted to an accredited college or university, maintain a 3.0 grade point average and be of Hispanic heritage or actively involved in the Hispanic community. Students must fulfill 10 hours of community service during the year of funding. The 2009 recipients are: Evie Cooper, Amy Albers, Nicole Sanchez, Dorcas (Dee) Kimata, Zane Sigafoos, Bryan Lamas, Clifford Adams, Andrew Major and Alexis Puttmann.
Kyle Velasquez Triumphant Spirit Award
Kyle Velasquez was one of the thirteen killed in the Columbine tragedy in April 1999. His father, Al Velasquez worked for Coors Brewing Company. As a result, CHEN created the Kyle Velasquez Triumphant Spirit Award. Alexis Puttman will receive an additional $1,000 for her outstanding volunteerism and community stewardship.
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About Coors Hispanic Employee Network
The Coors Hispanic Employee Network (CHEN) was established in 1991, as a 501-c3 non-profit organization to promote diversity in the workplace through recruitment, promotion and retention. CHEN plays an active role in many community activities including an annual fundraising golf tournament to fund scholarships, the Sam Sandos Christmas Baskets program, Mesa Day at the Mall, and school supply drives.