Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) marked its 30th annual golf tournament on March 7, 2026, combining fundraising, community participation, and scholarship support in an event that VAMOS described as central to expanding educational access in the Rio Grande Valley.
At the event, VAMOS announced that Maria Guadalupe de Orozco, owner of Las Margaritas Restaurant in Pharr, won the grand-prize raffle: a 2026 Lexus. According to event organizers, she purchased her raffle ticket through charitable efforts led by Lone Star National Bank in support of VAMOS scholarships.
The annual tournament is supported by regional and national partners, including DHR Health, Lone Star National Bank, and North Park Lexus Rio Grande Valley. Organizers state that these partnerships are key to sustaining the event and its fundraising goals.
According to VAMOS, the program provides four-year renewable scholarships of up to $20,000 to first-generation, low-income students across the region. The organization reports that it has raised more than $27 million and awarded scholarships to over 1,400 students since its founding. VAMOS further states that its scholars have a 96% graduation rate, compared with an approximate national average of 61%.
Program leaders emphasize that the long-term impact extends beyond financial aid. VAMOS reports that scholars are paired with mentors who provide ongoing guidance throughout college, with the stated goal of ensuring students complete bachelor’s degrees within four years and transition into professional careers.
Organizers state that many graduates return to support the program through mentorship and philanthropy, contributing to what they describe as a cycle of educational advancement and community investment in the Rio Grande Valley.
Based on this year’s fundraising results, VAMOS anticipates increasing the number of scholarships available to graduating high school seniors. The organization states that the application deadline is April 3, 2026, and directs prospective applicants and supporters to its official website and program contacts for additional information.
For more information on the VAMOS Scholarship Program and how you can get involved, please visit vamosscholars.org or contact Mary de Leon at vamosed@vamosscholars.org.
