Chamber Launches “Spirit of Laredo” Scholarship Competition
With support of Killam Development, scholarships to be awarded rise in 2020
Texas Border Business
The Education Committee of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce will be handing out scholarships to three enterprising high schoolers once again this year. Humberto “Tito” Gonzalez, Jr., P.E. M.B.A., chairman of the committee, announced today that the group is once again launching the Spirit of Laredo video competition where students from local high schools, public and private, can vie for the prize using their creative communication skills. “What’s even more exciting this year,” states Gonzalez, “is that winning entries will walk away with better-funded scholarships thanks to the support of Killam Development, Ltd.” This year’s Spirit of Laredo Scholarship Competition will award three scholarships to entry winners of $2,000, $1,000, and $500 for first, second and third prizes.
In setting down the ground rules, the members of the committee agreed that personal motivation and community pride should be the focus of the program and aptly decided to title it Spirit of Laredo. The competition, which was launched initially in 2019, officially kicks off this month with a deadline of March 25, 2020, for submitting entries.
The Spirit of Laredo Scholarship competition was conceptualized with two goals in mind. On the one hand, the committee seeks to provide a financial opportunity for interested graduating students. On the other, the idea is to provoke a sense of pride in the local community among young adults. States Chamber president Miguel Conchas, “Not only do we want participants to tell us why a college education is important, but we’re asking them how they intend to give back to their community. This second step is just as relevant, if not more.”
Applicants will be asked to submit a 90-second video detailing 1) What inspires them to pursue a college education and how will they apply that to make Laredo a better place? 2) What would they like Laredo to be known for? and 3) Given that many students leave Laredo after graduation, what would it take for them and other future college graduates to build their future in Laredo versus somewhere else?
Winners of the competition will walk away with one of the three scholarships, but they’ll also earn “bragging rights” – competition entries will be featured through the Chamber’s social media network. The Education Committee of the Chamber sponsors the competition with support from Killam Development, Ltd.
The deadline for submitting an entry is March 25, 2020. Rules, additional information and application form for the competition are available at the Laredo Chamber of Commerce website www.laredochamber.com, or by contacting the Chamber office at 956-722-9895.
About the Chamber
Founded in 1915, the Laredo Chamber of Commerce is Laredo’s and Webb County’s longest-running business organization. Headquartered at 2310 San Bernardo Ave. since 1974, the Laredo Chamber has been an advocate for the local business community and development of the local workforce for over a century. With 650 members representative of every industry in the community, the Laredo Chamber is accredited with 5 stars by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Only 200 chambers out of 7000 across the country are accredited by this organization.
