Angel D. and Martha S. Rios Scholarship

The Angel D. and Martha S. Rios Scholarship honors the legacy of Angel D. and Martha S. Rios, Mexican immigrants who became pillars of the East Side San Jose community through their commitment to service and educational advocacy. This scholarship is specifically designed for immigrant and/or first-generation college students who are graduating high school seniors of the Latino College Prep Academy (LCPA), Luis Valdez Leadership Academy (LVLA), and B. Roberto Cruz Leadership Academy (RCLA) in San José, California. The scholarship seeks candidates who believe in and are goal-oriented toward similar service traits that Martha and Angel pursued, including dedication to community service, educational advocacy, and social justice. The Rios family was recognized by the United Way of Santa Clara Valley as the first recipients of the La Familia Award for 30 years of service in Business, Education, Politics, and Religion. Their efforts included distributing food to the underserved, supporting small businesses, organizing fundraisers for local schools, and promoting social justice for the Mexican-American/Latino community. Two scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded annually to students planning to enroll in a two-year college or four-year university. Recipients must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be in good academic standing. Preference is given to applicants who reside in Santa Clara County. This scholarship continues the Rios family's mission of compassion, dedication, and transformative action for future generations.