Soon, the second of three university scholarship payments will go to the 24 students in the 2025-26 program. All have proven their class attendance and rankings, and are thriving, performing above average in challenging classes. One additional semester remains for them this school year.
The problem is that two of our 24 students still lack sponsors. Friends of Barrón has covered their fees so far, but for them to continue in the program for the rest of this school year and beyond, we must secure funding soon.
These students have worked hard to reach this point. If you would like to sponsor one or both of these deserving students, please send a US tax-deductible donation of $850 to Friends of Barrón via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. We also accept cash and checks. Help these kids finish this term. Go to fobnews.org for complete payment options and instructions.
Arturo – Age 19 years – Needs a Sponsor
Arturo is in his second year of university, studying tourism at University of Sinaloa (UAS) in Mazatlan and he’ll graduate in 2028. Arturo likes reading about marine biology and listening to music. He works 18 hours a week as a babysitter and a waiter. He’s interested in promoting Barrón as a dining destination, and he has an excellent essay. Click here to read it.
Aylin Paulina – Age 17 years – Needs a Sponsor
Aylin Paulina is in her first year of university. She’s attending a four-year UAS business administration program and is expected to graduate in 2029. Paulina wants to work in human resources at a private company.
She likes to be organized.
She works part-time as a cashier at the grocery store for 20 hours each week and contributes $2500 pesos a month to her education. Click here to read her essay.
Seventeen years ago, Friends of Barrón identified significant gaps in the schools serving their neighboring town, home to many workers employed by Estrella del Mar. At that time, Barrón had a two-room kindergarten, a ten-room primary school, and a two-room secondary school; no preparatory school, grades 10 – 12. Although Mexican law provides for education through secondary school, Barrón students faced financial challenges in continuing their studies beyond that level. Then Friends of Barrón (FOB) intervened, offering a scholarship program to academically deserving students. The number one cost barrier was transportation to and from preparatory schools in Mazatlán or Villa Unión.
To address these issues, FOB calculated transportation costs and offered partial scholarships to cover them. To win a scholarship, students were required to submit a five-page application, including an essay, and then maintain a “B” average throughout the school year. Their dedication paid off, and Barrón’s new generation now includes professionals in various fields, from healthcare to engineering, alongside the more traditional roles of farming and fishing.
In 2017, the Mexican school system agreed to construct a single preparatory school classroom for students who wanted to continue their education in Barrón, allowing matriculating ninth-graders to be educated in their hometown. FOB helped the community expand the school to three classrooms as more students graduated, and it also provided necessities such as computer labs and functional bathrooms.
Over the years, FOB’s scholarship program has evolved from supporting preparatory school students to encouraging university studies. Since our inception, we have assisted over 100 students in pursuing education beyond what was available in 2009. Currently, we have 20 scholarship students enrolled in universities, along with six new applicants—four of whom are eagerly awaiting sponsorship from generous individuals like you. This progress is not just inspiring; it is a call to action, and we invite you to be part of this journey.
For the 2025–2026 school year, scholarships are set at USD $850 per student. This amount covers about one-third of annual expenses, depending on the university and curriculum pursued. Most programs are four years in length, plus a one-year internship. If you are interested in sponsoring a student for this school year, please get in touch with FOB Director and Treasurer Richard McGuire at richardmcg@aol.com. He will be happy to guide you through the process.
We are proud to present our 2025-26 university scholarship winners.
Jolette – Age 20 years – Sponsored by Kelly Cosgrove & Joe Peters
Jolette is pursuing a major in Pharmacy and Public Health at the State University of Sinaloa (UAS) in Culiacán where she is majoring in Pharmacy and Public Health. That is a 4 1/2 year program with a one-year service internship after she graduates in December 2029, so she has three more years to go. She is enrolled in challenging chemistry, pharmacy, and biology classes this semester, her fifth, and is a distinguished member of the Pharmaceutical Association of Mexico.
She aspires to be a hospital lab technician, a long-held dream. Kelly and Joe’s support is not just financial; it’s a crucial part of this students’ journey to success.
Jolette, who loves gymnastics, reading, and music, has a clear vision for her future. After graduation, she plans to give back to her community by organizing workshops on hygiene, preventive medicine, first aid, and medicinal plants. Her commitment to her hometown is truly commendable.
Diana – Age 17 years – Needs a Sponsor
Diana, is in her first year of a four-year engineering program at Sinaloa Polytechnic University in Mazatlan. Despite working as a waitress for 18 hours a week, earning $1000 pesos a month, she is an A student and is determined to be the first university graduate in her family. Her dedication is truly inspiring.
Diana enjoys running and other sports. She wants to work with Barrón’s kids in sports, but she has a strong interest in solar power. Diana’s dream is to transition to solar energy and install solar systems in public places in Barron such as stadiums and schools. She envisions solar panels pumping water from ground wells, delivering potable water to homes throughout the day. She will be among the very few female engineers in Mexico.
Dionys – Age 17 years – Sponsored by Dale & Lynda Lyster
Dionys is a UAS civil engineering student in a four-year program. He graduates in August 2029. When not studying, he works as a waiter 16 hours a day on weekends. During his vacation, he earns $1,000 to $1,100 a month. As an engineer, Dionys plans to restore old green belts in Barrón and create new ones. He wants to see all of Barrón streets paved and designed with a sound drainage system in mind.
Anel Jocelyn – Age 18 years – Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Anel Jocelyn attends the Polytechnic University of Sinaloa, and she’s in her second year of a logistics major. It’s a 3 1/2 year program; she’ll graduate in March 2028.
Anel is in the oratory club and works as a babysitter and tutor. She works 16 hours a week during school, 48 hours during vacation, and contributes 800 pesos a month to her education. Her Dad contributes 2600 pesos a month to support her studies. Her mom is a maid. She wants to work in transportation distribution and hopes to secure a position with DHL, Amazon, or Coca-Cola. She has a heartfelt essay; click here to read it.
Arturo – Age 19 years – Spinsored by Deb & Jeff Astroth
Arturo is in his second year of university, studying tourism at UAS in Mazatlan and he’ll graduate in 2028.
Arturo likes reading about marine biology and music. He works 18 hours a week as a babysitter and a waiter. He’s interested in promoting Barrón as a dining destination, and he has an excellent essay. Click here to read it.
Aylin Paulina – Age 17 years – Sponsored by Sandra & John Davis
Aylin Paulina is in her first year of university. She’s attending a four-year UAS business administration program and is expected to graduate in 2029. Paulina wants to work in human resources at a private company.
She likes to be organized.
She works part-time as a cashier at the grocery store for 20 hours each week and contributes $2500 pesos a month to her education. Click here to read her essay.
My university studies take me beyond simply practicing my profession; they commit me to addressing one of today’s biggest challenges: providing support and development for clean energy. Since my degree is based on meeting current needs without compromising future generations, renewable energy and sustainable development engineering can help me install solar panels to power businesses or even for personal use in homes, minimizing energy consumption. I can also maintain these panels, identifying and resolving electrical and hydraulic problems, and focus on minimizing the economic, social, and environmental impact. In my community, I can help by installing solar panels that provide energy to homes, businesses, and public spaces such as sports and educational facilities, harnessing sunlight. In schools, I can contribute by providing better facilities for students and enhancing the natural environment. In sports facilities such as the stadium or soccer field, I would improve the lighting and add automatic irrigation systems, as well as rainwater harvesting systems. I would also add solar-powered pumping systems to extract water from wells for domestic use, converting it into potable water that can also be used for irrigation.
Earning a degree undoubtedly represents a source of pride for the graduate and those around them. My higher education studies can transform my life and that of my family. The university is a window into people with different backgrounds, ideas, and ambitions, which enriches my perspective of the world. This career is one of the most visionary and innovative, which can open doors to opportunities for my professional and personal development. In conclusion, studying Renewable Energy Engineering represents a great opportunity for me, my family, my community, and the people who support me. I want to contribute to the changes that will be seen in my community and city. Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of great effort, and I aspire to succeed, regardless of being one of the few female engineers.
My advanced studies can help me improve my life, my family’s life, and the community in several ways.
Since my degree focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure, it can help me perform necessary maintenance on houses, schools, clinics, etc. This includes waterproofing, identifying electrical and plumbing problems that are visible or can be detected by checking the infrastructure’s construction plans. This could include poorly connected or installed pipes, or even an overloaded circuit breaker.
In the community, I can assist the local government with unpaved streets by creating a plan for a drainage system. This will ensure proper drainage when the streets are paved and prevent water from pooling due to poor drainage. In public spaces like the plaza, I can fix the flooring, railings, benches, and the kiosk, and provide constant maintenance so it doesn’t become abandoned and destroyed again. In schools, I can improve the facilities by fixing the bathrooms, installing improvements to the electrical systems, such as adapting the wiring to use solar panels to save money, and improving other aspects of the school, such as better whiteboards, new toilets, chairs, and tables.
Another way my advanced education can improve my life is financially. This career is one of the highest-paying in Mexico, and the knowledge and skills I gain from civil engineering can open doors for my professional and personal development, creating opportunities for those around me. In short, my advanced education in civil engineering represents an opportunity to transform my life, my family’s life, and my community. With effort and commitment, I aspire to contribute, even in a small way, to the development of my community and my city, and also to become a renowned engineer in the future who has helped my community and city grow.
Essay: The Impact of My Advanced Education on My Life, My Family, and My Community
Deciding to continue my studies and pursue an advanced education represents a commitment not only to me personally, but also to my family and community. The professional training I hope to receive at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, particularly in the field of Tourism, will be a tool that will transform my life by providing me with better job opportunities, economic stability, and a broader worldview. Having a degree will allow me to access formal employment with benefits and security, which will translate into peace of mind for my family and the possibility of offering them a better future.
For my family, my education will also be an example of effort and self-improvement. I will be able to financially support my loved ones and help my siblings, cousins, and nephews see education as a real path to advancement. Being the first or one of the few in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree means paving the way and demonstrating that consistent work and academic preparation generate significant change.
Beyond the personal sphere, my goal is for my education to become a tool to contribute to my community. Studying Tourism will allow me to design and propose projects that promote local economic development responsibly, fostering employment and preserving our cultural traditions. I am interested in promoting sustainable tourism initiatives that integrate rural communities, giving them a voice and the opportunity to improve their income through their knowledge, products, and hospitality.
I also want to share what I have learned with young people who have fewer opportunities than I did, motivating them to continue their education and showing them that education opens doors. My objective is to generate a positive impact that transcends my personal benefit, helping those who need it most and working towards a more just, prosperous, and culturally and naturally rich Mazatlán.
My name is Anel Joselyn, I am originally from Barrón, and I am currently in my second year of university. I am writing to you with great respect to request a scholarship that will allow me to continue my studies, as, despite my family’s great effort, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cover the expenses of my academic preparation.
My family consists of five members: my father, my mother, my 14-year-old brother, a baby who will soon be one year old, and myself. My father is the pillar of our home, covering our studies and the care of the youngest member of the family, and my mother also works as a domestic worker, contributing her efforts to support the family. Despite their dedication, their earnings are barely enough to cover the essentials.
My first year of university has been a huge challenge, since living in Barrón means spending 100 pesos a day on transportation, which is a significant expense for my family. However, thanks to my parents’ support and my own determination, I’ve managed to persevere. I’m currently looking for a job that will allow me to contribute financially without neglecting my studies, because I’m determined to succeed and not give up. My parents are my greatest motivation, but so is my community. I know that with my education, I’ll not only be able to support my family, but I’ll also be able to contribute to the growth of Barrón, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, helping more young people find in education a tool for self-improvement. I want to be an example that, with effort and the support of programs like this scholarship, it’s possible to transform our reality and give back what we’ve learned for the benefit of our community. For all these reasons, I humbly ask you to consider my situation. This scholarship would not only represent financial relief, but also an opportunity to demonstrate that investing in my education is investing in my family’s hope and the development of my community.
I sincerely appreciate your attention and the noble work of supporting students who dream of a better future.
Essay: How Advanced Education Can Improve My Life and My Family’s Life
Since I was little, I’ve heard that studying is the key to a better life, and over time I’ve realized it’s true. I think that if I manage to get an advanced education in Business Administration, I’ll be able to change many things in my life and also help my family. For me, studying isn’t just about getting good grades, but about preparing myself to have a good job, be independent, and have a more secure future. By studying this degree, I want to learn how to manage a business, organize resources well, make good decisions, and help a company grow. With this knowledge, I can get a stable job or even start my own business. That way, I could financially support my family, give them a better quality of life, and show them that it is possible to get ahead with hard work. I would also like to use what I learn to help my community. Many people have good ideas, but they don’t know how to start or they lack support. That’s why I want to create a projectwhere I can offer workshops or mentorship to young people and women who want to start their own businesses. I would teach thembasic business management skills, how to organize their income, how to sell, and how to grow their businesses. I could even help them find support or funding.
I believe that when you prepare yourself, you not only improve your own life, but you can also be of service to others. That’s why I want to study Business Administration: to learn, grow, support my family, and use what I know to help those with fewer opportunities. Because we alldeserve to get ahead and have a better life.
Fred Collum leader of the Mazatlán branch of The Vineyard, a church-based movement to benefit poor people worldwide has opened a new community center in Barròn. There are 2,000 similar missions located in 90 countries; each is autonomous. Fred has established 19 community centers in the barrios of Mazatlán and the Barrón center is the largest. It is also the only one that includes a clinic.
The official ribbon-cutting happened on Saturday, March 29. Half the town turned out to celebrate in this brand new, modern facility. From now on, the Friends of Barron medical and Dental Clinic will be operated by La Viña.
Community Center of Hope #19The CrowdRichard and Kristine McGuire turn over the reinsClinic employees The Astroths and Claire Silk, dental clinic founders
Dear Donors, Your generosity over the past five years has kept the Clinic afloat and contributed to the construction of a new, permanent Clinic in this rural, agricultural community. Recently, Friends of Barron (FOB) achieved its long term goal; we found a local partner to take over the day to day management and financial responsibility for the Clinic. La Viña (the Vineyard), a socially responsible Mexican non-profit operating in the Mazatlan area for over 30 years, has completed construction of the new Clinic now located within a larger Community Center. La Viña will manage the new facility starting March 1, 2025. FOB’s role will be to initially help supervise the transition and in the future, assist La Viña’s fund raising efforts to ensure the Clinic’s doors stay open. FOB has donated all medical/dental equipment, pharmacy, supplies and furniture to La Viña for the operation of the new Clinic. We closed the old Clinic and moved into the new facility last week. The doors are now open to attend to the medical and dental needs of Barron. Thank you FOB donors for your support over the years. Thanks to you, Barron now has a stable, permanent Clinic managed by a dedicated Mexican professional staff. Please go to fobnews.org to see photos of the new Clinic. Best Regards, Richard McGuire (aka Ricardo) Director, Barron Clinic Sent from my iPad
FOB CANAM INC {501(C)(3)} 