Si Se Puede! We Can Do It!

Si Se Puede! Or Yes We Can! was the theme for the Cesar E. Chavez Inaugural Scholarship Breakfast held March 28th in Moreno Valley College's (MVC) Student Academic Building. A crowd at capacity of community leaders, students, teachers, family and friends gathered to celebrate and honor the scholarship recipients and to hear from event keynote speaker, Ana Maria Espinoza, a RCC Alumnus and Activist/Director of His for the Fields Missionary, which she founded in 1993. Espinoza shares that she had the privilege of knowing Cesar Chavez and being directly influenced by his life and work. In her speech, she stressed the importance of one's purpose, getting an education and having mentors. “Every man and woman needs a leader to follow; a song to sing. We're servants to one another. We have to be united. Be a good follower and someday you will be a good leader,” she said. Her words shared hope and inspiration as she told the story of her personal experiences as an activist with the United Farm Workers. Scholarship recipients for the Cesar Chavez Scholarship Visual Arts competition included Alana Flores, a MVC student, for her entry titled ”Education of the Heart” and Lizbeth Quintero for her entry titled ”Fields of Hope.” Academic scholarship recipients were Daniel Lorenzo a senior at Vista Del Lago High School, Thien Pham a senior at Moreno Valley High School, Priscilla Contreras a senior at Citrus Hills High School and Kimberly Enrique a senior at Rancho Verde High School. A Mariachi band and Ballet Folklorico provided the entertainment as attendees enjoyed a breakfast buffet provided by Cardenas. Proceeds from the breakfast go to MVC's scholarship fund. Cesar Chavez Day is celebrated March 31st, his birthday, and is meant to honor his life and work with community service. “Yes we can!”