Tag Archives: scholarship

It’s University Scholarship Season: Call for Sponsors

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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. 

Read her essay by clicking here.

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.

Read his essay by clicking here.

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 – Needs a Sponsor

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 – 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.

Call For Sponsors – WE NEED ONE MORE!

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Bienvenidos! The FOB Scholarship program is in its sixteenth year of operation, and we are proud to announce the acceptance of eleven new university students. The 2024 – 2025 school year scholarships are USD 850 per student. This amount covers about one-third of annual expenses depending upon the university attended and the curriculum pursued. Most curricula are four years in length plus a one-year internship. With these new students, FOB currently has 29 students on university scholarship.

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dayana or a student next year, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Richard McGuire at richardmcg@aol.com. He will be happy to guide you through the process.

Dayana is in her second year at the University of Sinaloa Mazatlán, studying International Commerce. She completed her first year of university with an 8.9 GPA. She likes to exercise, walk, and read, and she works in a Stone Island restaurant as a cook’s helper to supplement her educational expenses. Her career goal is to work in a customs house or with large companies involved in import/export. Her community project would raise money and volunteers to rehabilitate Barrón’s central plaza.

Sherlyn – Age 18 – Sponsored by Michael Lynch

Sherlyn is in her first year at the University of Sinaloa, Mazatlán pursuing a degree in nursing, a five-year program. She graduated from Villa Union High School with a 9.8 average. Sherlyn likes to play volleyball, read, and exercise. She works part-time as a cashier in a supermarket and will continue to work ten hours a week, earning about 1200 pesos a month towards her education. When she becomes a nurse, she wants to return to Barron and work with poor people in Health Education. 

  • Adilene – Age 18 – Sponsored by Jeff and Deb Astroth

She graduated from Barrón High School with a 9.8 grade point average and easily qualified to enter the University of the North Pacific dentistry program in Mazatlán. Dentistry is a five-year program. She will graduate in July of 2028. Adilene likes to play guitar, paint, and read. She has helped her community by working on the main road trash detail from EDM to the airport and also worked on clean-up crews along the river. She works part-time in Stone Island restaurants for about 16 hours a week, earning about 1000 pesos a month towards her education. 

  • Diana / Age 18 Sponsored by Joe Peters and Kelly Cosgrove

Diana graduated from the Technical Industrial High School in Mazatlán last July with a 9.5 GPA. She is enrolled in the University of Sinaloa Mazatlan in Civil Engineering, a four-year program. She will graduate in August 2028. She helps her community by working part-time as a literacy and math tutor for Barrón students needing extra help during after-school hours. Her father works in construction, and he was her primary motivation to pursue civil engineering. “I know construction and civil engineering are men’s fields, but my father encouraged me saying that a woman could also succeed in this field dominated by men.”

  • Paolina Guadalupe Age 17 Sponsored by Kate and Bob Swindell

Paolina is 17 years old and enrolled in the Polytechnic University in Mazatlán. She is studying Logistics Engineering, a four-year program. She graduates in April 2028. She is a Barrón High School graduate with a 9.5 GPA. Paolina is an athlete who participates in all kinds of sports. She has worked on the beach clean-up program for her community, and she also works part-time as a waitress and cashier at local restaurants, earning about 1600 pesos a month towards her education. Her career goal is to work with a large company (DHL, Fed-Ex, Ford, Amazon) in operations specializing in supply chain issues.

  • Irvin Alfredo Age 20 Sponsored by Bonnie & Harrison Wreschner

Irvin is in his second year at the Polytechnic University in Sinaloa, studying Energy Engineering, a four-year program. He finished his first year with an 8.2 GPA. He will graduate in August 2027. He likes to play soccer, and he exercises daily. He works as a waiter in Stone Island and a mason’s helper on construction projects around Barrón, contributing 2000 pesos a month towards his education. He wants to be the first in his family to earn a university degree. His career goal is to specialize in clean energy engineering, working for companies such as CFE or CEMEX. “My goal is to focus on problems associated with sustainable energy production in an environmentally sound manner.”

  • Helen Anahi Age 18 Sponsored by Rob & Marjorie Wright

Helen is studying to be a Chef at the University of Sinaloa Mazatlán, a four-year program with a graduation date of June 2028. She is a Barrón High School graduate with an 8.1 GPA and likes to play soccer. She works as a waitress to supplement her educational expenses. Her initial career goal is to work as a chef in a restaurant or as a personal chef, but her ultimate goal is to have her own restaurant. She plans to volunteer in the new Barrón Community Center kitchen. 

  • Aylin Danae Age 18 Sponsored by David & Lindy Marvin

Aylin graduated from the Ruben Jaramillo High School in Mazatlán with a 9.4 GPA. She is enrolled at the University of North Pacific in Cosmetic and Image Design, a four-year program. She will graduate in July 2028. Aylin likes to dance and has worked in the local Barrón schools as a tutor for young kids. She works part-time as a delivery service for Stone Island restaurants and plans to work six hours a week during the school year, earning 1200 pesos a month towards her education. She is pursuing this career in cosmetics and image design because she realizes there is an equilibrium between personal aesthetics and good health. She says her chosen profession can positively impact personal happiness and good health. Her career goal is to work in hotel spas with dermatologists and other health professionals, and her ultimate goal is to create a center for cosmetic and image design in her community to treat problems such as acne and facial scarring and to provide training to prevent skin problems.

  • Natalia Age 18 Sponsored by Ron and Janice Ohmes

Natalia is enrolled at the University of Durango,
Mazatlán campus. She wants to be a medical doctor. Medicine is a seven-year program. She would graduate in July 2031. Medical school in Mazatlan costs about 6000 pesos per month for tuition. Natalia is a top student graduating from Mazatlán Technical and Industrial High School with a 9.6 GPA. She likes to dance and read and works as a waitress and greeter in a Mazatlán hotel 16 hours a week, earning 2000 pesos a month towards her education. She speaks English well and helps the Barrón Catholic Church as a translator. 

  • Victor Adrian Age 18 Sponsored by Richard & Kristine McGuire

Victor graduated from the Ruben Jaramillo High School in Mazatlán with an 8.8 GPA. He is enrolled at the University of Sinaloa, Mazatlán in Engineering Information Systems, a four-year program that will have him graduating in July 2028. Victor is an athlete. He plays three different sports: soccer, basketball, and volleyball. One of Victor’s goals is to speak two foreign languages. He is a certified English speaker and is working on a second language. Victor loves computers and computer technology. His community project is to create a database for all Barrón students from Kinder to high school to track their education progress individually. 

  • Danna Paola Age 19 Sponsored by Rod and Terri Kaasa

Danna Paola is in her second year at the Polytechnical University of Sinaloa, Mazatlán, studying Biotechnical Engineering and Microbiology. She finished her first year of university with an 8.7 GPA. Danna loves to play softball and is on the Barrón Ladies Softball Team called “las Felinas de Barrón.” She works part-time as a waitress in Stone Island and a Barrón grocery store for about ten hours a week, earning 1500 pesos monthly. Her career goal is to work in hospital labs as a biomedical technician. Her community project is to volunteer with the Barrón Medical Clinic on campaigns for public health, such as hygiene and vaccinations. She also plans to volunteer to teach the secondary and high school classes of Barrón Public Health and laboratory techniques.