Right: Essay winner Victoria Guajardo and her mother, Angelina Lopez

By Jamie Buzek
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

"When I asked her how she was able to practically raise all four of us by herself, she replied that it was her children who gave her the strength and ability to overcome. My mother's example has enabled me to continue working toward my goal of completing my education..." reads UH-Clear Lake student Victoria A. Guajardo's essay on her mother, Angelina M. Lopez.

Celebrating Our Elders provides college students with the opportunity to honor those who have been an influence, guide and inspiration to younger generations.

The opening night reception for Celebrating Our Elders: Hispanic Legacies of Love was held Sept. 21. Students, whose essays and photographs are displayed in Atrium I, were recognized at the reception along with the elder about whom they wrote.

"Knowing that she always gave unselfishly so that her own children would have hope and a future, I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to honor my mother who has been such an inspiration to me in achieving my goals," Guajardo said of Lopez.

Just as important as the essays that reflect the lives of the elders are the photographs of the essayists and their mentors. Raul Marroquin's talents are portrayed in the exhibit photographs. Marroquin is a native Texan. He currently lives in Houston and works as a free-lance photographer. He also photographs the Houston Astros.

"This is the most appropriate event for students who take the time to write about elders who play a significant role in their lives," said University President William Staples. "Students can achieve higher education through support of family."

This year marks the eighth anniversary of the event, which was created by Craig Oettinger, sociology professor, to honor Hispanic and African-American mentors.

The program is all about "keeping the tradition of the two cultures alive and awarding those students who do so," said Bernadina Streeter, program assistant for Celebrating Our Elders.

This year, 51 students wrote essays about someone who has touched their lives. A committee of Hispanic business leaders, students and community members chose 24 of these essays for the display. Seven students were awarded scholarships.

The top scholarship winner, Victoria Guajardo, was awarded $1,000. Jose Guerrero, who attends Houston Community College, was awarded a $750 scholarship. There were two $500 scholarships awarded to Andrea Delgado of Lee College and Amanda Montemayor of San Jacinto College. Veronica Manriquez of Nimitz High School and Daniel Quiroz of Houston Community College each won a $250 scholarship.

Celebrating Our Hispanic Elders also honors an elder of the Hispanic community who, through his or her work, teaches others how to guide and inspire younger generations.

This year's honored guest, Marcario Meza Ramirez, has worked for the U.S. Departments of Defense and Labor and the National Spanish Speaking Management Association. He currently has an exhibit in the Smithsonian Institute called "Americanos Latino/Latina Life in America." Ramirez also founded the Houston Hispanic Media Watch and owns Casa Ramirez Folk Art Gallery in the Heights.

"A lot of my work is based on keeping our culture alive," he said.

The Celebrating Our Hispanic Elders exhibit will be displayed in Atrium I until Oct. 17. On Oct. 19, the university will host the Celebrating Our African-Ameri-can Elders reception and will exhibit the display in Atrium I.

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