LEAP Scholarship recipient inspired at gala

LOGAN—Students from the Latinx community throughout Cache Valley received the Leadership, Educational Achievement and Prosperity scholarships during the fifth annual LEAP Gala Tuesday evening.

The LEAP Organization was co-founded by local business owner Rigo and Lisa Chaparro and seeks to remove barriers that limit student success and ensure the Latinx students graduate high school with the ability to pursue post-secondary education options of their choice.

According to the organization’s website, LEAP works closely with community businesses and post-secondary institutions to support students by providing and promoting personal mentoring, scholarships, internships and employment during their academic training.

This year, the LEAP Organization was able to present scholarship to the most higher education institutions than previous years.

Students were able to select to attend Utah State University, Bridgerland Technical College, The Barber School, Paul Mitchell, Salt Lake Community College, Weber State University, University of Utah, Utah Valley University and Southern Utah University.

During the gala, guests had the opportunity to hear guest speakers including USU Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Jane Irungu, PhD, Bridgerland LEAP Scholarship Recipient Daniela Arellano-Piedra, USU LEAP Scholarship Recipient Glenda Hernandez-Coto and Cache County Sheriff Deputy Enrique Meza.

“It was really heart-warming for me that they have decided to change lives in this way,” Irungu said. “They have decided to change lives because education changes lives.”