Our Scholars
Spring 2016 marked the launch of our scholarship application and our inaugural class of scholars. Each year, we work with two new Pupusa scholars to provide scholarships, nurture their passions, and empower them through graduation.
Laura S.
Senior at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC
2017 Scholar Laura is a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she hopes to major in political science and minor in Spanish. Originally from Mexico, Laura has lived in the North Carolina since she was three years old, long enough to call this country her home. Thanks to private scholarships, including Pupusas 4 Education, Laura has been able to pursue her dream to attend college. Were it not for these scholarships and generous donors, she and her family would not have been able to provide the funds necessary for her to enroll at Carolina. She is very thankful and very excited to be a part of the Tar Heel community.
Keren F.
Junior at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC
2018 Scholar Keren moved to the United States from El Salvador in 2014. She says that coming and having to adjust to a new country, language, and school as a teenager has probably been the hardest challenge she has encountered in her life so far. Although there have been many difficulties, she is proud to say that she has grown from a scared young girl who did not know how to ask for her schedule her first day of high school to a strong young woman who now is able to help other students with similar backgrounds. Despite the criticisms and frustrations, and with the support of her family, friends, and teachers, she has managed to stay strong and see the positive aspects of her immigrant experience, in particular the importance of resilience and hard work. In the future, she hopes her story serves as an inspiration not only for immigrants, but anybody who needs motivation. She is also very excited to be part of a program with a beautiful mission, and that also makes one of the things that she, as a good Salvadorian, loves the most... Pupusas!
Alfredo M.
Junior at Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, NC
2017 Scholar Alfredo is a DACA student from the state of Michoacán, Mexico. He is currently majoring in Political Science at Wake Tech Community College, but plans to transfer to Pace University and pursue his dream of becoming a professional actor. Alfredo is an alumni of the NC Governor School, which he attended in 2016 as a Theatre student. He loves his family and his community, and hopes to give back to them for all of the support he has received throughout the past few years.
Alina S.
Junior at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC
2018 Scholar Alina attends Guilford College thanks to the help of the scholarship Pupusas for Education granted her. She plans on double majoring in both Exercise Science and Public Health. Hopefully, in the near future she will also obtain her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. Alina says, "I am more than an undocumented student from Mexico. I am an indigenous descendent from the Otomi Tribe that once inhabited the grounds of Mexico." She hopes to one day go back to reunite with her family as well as give back to them for all the love, support, and aid they continue to give her.
Naye S.
Sophomore at Delaware State University in Dover, DE
2019 Scholar Nayeli will become a part of the class of 2023 at Delaware State University. She will be majoring in Forensic Biology with the goal of one day working as a crime laboratory analyst. Nayeli was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and raised in North Carolina since she was six. She is proud of her background and deeply thankful for organizations like Pupusas For Education that allow her to pursue an education. She expresses her sincerest gratitude, “It would not have been possible without the contribution and support of this generous organization. Thank you."
Jatzyri P.
Sophomore at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC
2019 Scholar Jatzyri is a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she hopes to major in Neuroscience. Born in Mexico City, Jatzyri has lived in North Carolina since she was 2 years old, and considers it her home. The college application process is an exciting time for many students all over the world. Yet for Jatzyri, it was a time filled with uncertainty and worry. Applying to colleges whilst being a first-generation high school graduate, DACAmented student, and coming from a low-income household was one of the hardest experiences that she has had to endure. However, thanks to generous donors, scholarships such as Pupusas for Education, and years of hard work, Jatyzri is now very excited to pursue her dreams and continue living as an example of Latinx excellence. Go Heels!
Jesus P.
Freshman at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC
2020 Scholar Jesus Peralta Porras immigrated to the United States back in 2003 from Puebla, Mexico. He says that even though he wasn’t born in the US he grew up here and doesn’t remember anything about Mexico. The only way he was able to connect with his family’s culture was through the traditions and customs his family shared with him such as their native language, food, and holidays. Growing up Jesus shares that his environment pushed him into hiding who he was because of a ‘Machista’ mindset. Being Mexican he says in a predominantly white school put a label on his back to his peers and teachers that said “he isn’t actually serious about school” and he says he had to work twice as hard in his higher-level classes to be seen as equal to his white counterparts. Through various nonprofit organizations such as the Minority Student Achievement Network, Students Against Violence Everywhere Jesus says he was able to hear about the issues minorities face and learned about the value of youth advocacy and activism. In the future, Jesus hopes to have received his degree in Community and Justice and work in a school system to help motivate and inspire children to be their authentic selves and fight for minorities’ rights. Most importantly he is super honored to work with an organization that serves authentic Salvadorian food with a side of JUSTICE!
Valeria E.
Freshman at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC
Neidy Valeria Estrada Olmeda was born in Mexico City but raised in North Carolina Raleigh since the age of 4. Valeria, now a DACA recipient. A label that has led her to face countless obstacles yet, it is the label that has molded her into a resilient person. As the child of immigrant parents, as a first-generation high school graduate trying to pursue higher education she has had to self-advocate, translate, and make the most out of her situation. Valeria is now passionate about advocating for the Hispanic community with the platforms she has had the privilege of obtaining.
With the help of Pupusas for Education she will attend Meredith College in the fall. Valeria is beyond grateful to be a part of an organization that understands what she stand for and why.
College/University Scholarship!
Our scholarship is exclusively for undocumented high school seniors who have applied and been accepted to a 2- or 4-year university, or an accredited associates or certification program. Our scholarship is open to undocumented or DACAmented students of any background, ethnicity, race, etc.
We currently offer two (2) one-thousand dollar scholarships ($1,000) per year to undocumented high school seniors. This scholarship is currently only open to students residing in Orange, Durham and Wake county in North Carolina. Funds can be renewed every following year if eligibility requirements are met.
Applications for high schoolers graduating in 2020 are now CLOSED!
We reopen
Other Triangle Area Scholarship Options for Undocumented Students
Nationwide Scholarship Options for Undocumented Students
Upcoming Events
P4E Scholarship Interviews
Our Pupusas Scholarship committee will be sending out interview requests soon! Applicants, please keep an eye on your emails!
Our Team
You got into college, you deserve to go
Undocumented students earn their way into some of the best colleges across the country. Inability to pay due to lack of financial aid is an educational inequity we are tackling head on by providing last-dollar scholarships for undocumented students to attend college. Higher education and scholarships to access it have played a key role in our lives and the lives of those on the Pupusas for Education team. We hope to play a key role in yours.
Leslie Acosta Padilla
Scholarship Director
Leslie is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she is a Morehead-Cain Scholar and a first-generation college student. She is double majoring in Neuroscience and Biology with a minor in Latina/o Studies while on the pre-med track. On campus, Leslie is treasurer and academic advisor for Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc., a scholar instructor and mentor for LatinxEd, the professional development chair for MiPueblo, and an undergraduate lab research assistant. After UNC she plans to pursue an MD/PhD in Public Health with hopes of raising awareness to the immense healthcare gap that exists in the Latinx and the undocumented community. She believes businesses are often overlooked as a force that can serve the community, but when noticed a powerful wave of change and success can occur. Her favorite pupusa is loroco con queso, extra cheesy please!
Lesley Hermenegildo
Outreach and Engagement Intern
Lesley is a junior at UNC double majoring in Media and Journalism (AD/PR) and Communications. From a proud immigrant family herself, her work began finding resources so that her family could get equal access to education. She hopes to one day work in Digital Marketing, hopefully adding more Latina faces to the business world. Her favorite pupusas are revueltas, extra cheesy!
Vivian Karamitros
Assistant Executive Director
Vivian is a Junior at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is an Innovation Scholar majoring in Statistics & Analytics and minoring in entrepreneurship. She joined Pupusas 4 Education as a freshman in 2019 because it aligns with her desire to increase access and affordability of a higher education for underrepresented students. She believes that an educated population is a population that can transform the world. Her favorite pupusa is Chicharon con queso!
Hannah Marable
Grant Writer
Hannah is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Global Studies and Spanish. After taking part in a serving-learning trip to learn about migrant farmworking in North Carolina, she has become passionate about fighting for the rights of immigrants. She hopes to become licensed as a teacher, work with ELL students, and advocate for education reform in the state. In the fall, she will be studying abroad in Ecuador - hopefully hiking in the cloud forest, swimming with turtles, and spending time with her host family. Her favorite pupusa is revuelta.
Clara Matthews
Communications/Marketing
Clara is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studies Media and Journalism (Advertising and Public Relations), Communications (Media Production), and Spanish Language for the Professions (Business). She is currently the Beauty Editor of Coulture Magazine and also works as a Communications Assistant at the Carolina Union. She hopes to obtain a Fashion and Luxury MBA from New York University after she graduates from UNC. She believes business can be a force for good but that it has a long way to go, and that it is young people of color who have the ability to change the business environment as we know it. Her favorite pupusa is frijole con queso with a lot of extra curtido and salsa!
Marcella Pansini
Executive Director
Marcella is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Public Policy and Business Administration. She joined the Pupusas for Education team in 2017 because she believes in putting the private sector to work for the public good in order to bring educational equality to all. Marcella has enjoyed getting to know the amazing Pupusas for Education team and all of the incredibly motivated and accomplished scholars. As a Peruvian-American, Marcella is excited to use her background and culture to help future generations of students achieve their dreams. Her favorite pupusa is Chicharon with a cold glass of Horchata!
Jeymi Dubon
Intermediate Executive Director
Jeymi is a junior at Durham Technical Community College finishing her associates in arts and community interpreting diploma with the hopes of transferring later. Jeymi was born in Honduras. As an undocumented student herself she believes that everyone should be given the chance to receive higher education without any barriers and obstacles. Every dream counts. She joined the Pupusas for Education team in early 2020. Her favorite pupusa is zucchini con queso!
Cecilia Polanco
Founder
Cecilia is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill where she was a Morehead-Cain Scholar and a Global Gap Year Fellow through the Campus Y. She started So Good Pupusas with her family while she was in undergrad in 2015 and the non-profit Pupusas for Education in 2016. She majored in Global Studies with a minor in Geography, received a Business Essentials certificate from Kenan Flagler, and is currently working on a certificate in Non-Profit Management from UNC. She believes business can be a force for good and that pupusas can change the world. Her favorite pupusa is Chicharon con queso, extra crispy.
