MARSHALLTOWN – Alfonso Medina Jr. came to the Marshalltown Community College campus Wednesday afternoon to award the first ever Medina Family Scholarship to two MCC students. Recipients for the inaugural scholarship were Alma Silva Morales and Kari Paw. The scholarship is $400.
“I created this scholarship to give back to Marshalltown,” says Alfonso Medina Jr. “I graduated from Marshalltown High School, went to Marshalltown Community College so I wanted to create something that helped this community.”
“I’m excited about it, and I’m thankful because it will help me out a lot,” says Alma Silva Morales. “I graduate next year and am planning to go to Iowa State University to study Human Resources. I want to help others,” adds Morales.
“I’m very glad there’s a scholarship that can help me continue my education,” says Kari Paw. Paw is currently at MCC and plans on going to ISU after graduating.
Each participant was asked to write an essay about what the American Dream means to them.
“The scholarship is open to anybody,” says Medina. “All you have to do is write an essay on ‘The American Dream’ and what it means to you. These are the first two recipients of the scholarship so I’m very excited. Hopefully we can continue to do this every year.”
Medina says he’s doing this on behalf of his family, who owns and operates both El Portal and La Carreta in Marshalltown. After his time at MCC, Medina moved on to ISU to earn a degree in Hospitality Management.
Donors wishing to contribute to or establish scholarship funds are encouraged to contact MCC Foundation Executive Director Carol Geil for more information at 641-844-5747 or Carol.Geil@iavalley.edu. Gifts to the MCC Foundation are always tax-exempt!
PHOTO CAPTION: Alfonso Medina Jr. (middle) presents the first ever Medina Family Scholarship to MCC Students Alma Silva Morales (left) and Kari Paw (right).