ROMERO RECIPIENT SELECTED: Genoveva Abreu awarded with prestigous
scholarship
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By: Ben Broadmeadow

Saturday marked the 27th anniversary of the assassination of El
Salvador's Archbishop Oscar Romero, a man who had dedicated his life
to the service of his fellow countrymen. Saturday also marked a
celebration of Romero's life as the Oscar Romero Scholarship
Committee awarded Genoveva Abreu, A&S '08, a scholarship in
recognition of her commitment to service for the Latino community.

The Romero Scholarship has been given annually since 1993. Each year,
a Latino Boston College student is awarded this scholarship based
upon his or her outstanding record in service for the Latino
community both inside and outside of BC. This year, Abreu was one of
three finalists for this prestigious scholarship, joined by John
Marti, A&S '08, and Amaris Modesto, A&S '08. Each of these finalists
received $1,000 credit to the BC Bookstore.

The scholarship consists of a 75 percent discount toward the
recipient's senior year tuition.

Inés Maturana Sendoya, director of the Office of AHANA Student
Programs and co-chair on the scholarship's selection subcommittee,
noted the effort of all of the applicants, stating that just the
drive to follow through with such a rigorous application process
displays the level of the students' commitment to service.

"It is important for the students to reflect on what kind of person
Oscar Romero was; how he gave himself to the Salvadorian people. He
wasn't born that man who was killed in 1980, but he underwent a
process, and made some decisions along that process that he was to
give himself to others, to speak up in order to protect the rights of
the people of El Salvador."

And the finalists reflect just that. All three had been involved with
organizations such as BC's Organization of Latin American Affairs
(OLAA), the AHANA Leadership Council (ALC), and NAACP, trying improve
the conditions of the Latino community.

"I think the focus on the Latino community as a part of this
scholarship is designed to attract students who are obviously serving
the Latino community, but it is a narrower focus for not only Latino
students, but for those students who shape their experience around
their volunteer service," said Modesto.

Last year's award went to Norah Frias, A&S '07. As is required, Frias
served on this year's selection committee, and she saw the values
that led her to receive the scholarship in this year's
finalists. "Service is a large aspect for this scholarship, and being
a community leader: someone the Latino community can look to," said
Frias. "This scholarship was started by Latino students for Latino
students at BC, to give them motivation to excel."

The award ceremony for the scholarship was held in the Murray Room of
the Yawkey Athletics Center. With the theme of "Chile," guests dined
on authentic Chilean food and enjoyed the sounds of a Chilean music
company. Margarita Zisselsberger, A&S '95 and recipient of the 1995
Romero Scholarship, served as Master of Ceremony. Each of the
finalists was introduced, accompanied by a short of biographical
sketch focusing on their time at BC. Frias spoke as well, reflecting
on her time at BC, seeing it as both bitter and sweet. She called for
the student body, especially the Latino community, to keep pressing
for their endeavors, to keep challenging the University to promote
the needs of its AHANA and GLBT population.

Dr. J. Joseph Burns, associate academic vice president for
undergraduate programs, presented the award to Abreu, as the
president and provost were unable to attend. Amid the cheers, Abreu
thanked the committee and her mother, for her constant support.

"This scholarship truly represents our diversity and how every
student wishes to do something for the community, not just the
majority of the students," said Abreu.

Along with the presentation of the Romero Scholarship, the Rev. John
A Dinneen, S.J., Hispanic Alumni Community Service Award was
presented to Dr. Patricia Arrendondo, Ph.D. and A&S '73, for her
longstanding service to the global Latino community.

"It is a reminder that when you have a higher education, you have a
responsibility to give voice to concerns, to issues, to people other
than yourself. It is one you cannot shy away from," said
Arrendondo. "You don't do it by yourself; you do it in the company of
others in order to make the empowerment occur."

While Romero may not have been a Jesuit, his selfless actions in his
service to the Salvadorians mirrored the Jesuit ideal of "men and
women for others."

"BC is a school built on the Jesuit ideals. Father Romero was such
great a man, standing up for his people's injustices. He was a man
that would not stand idly by when injustices were occurring. I think
we are all called to follow his example," said Marti.

The night ended with much festivity, and amid the Chilean music
playing, a Conga line formed with Abreu in the forefront. "I am very
much honored just to receive this award and I am just happy that
Boston College is able to recognize the efforts of its Latino
students," said Abreu. Hoping to go into higher education after
graduating, Abreu saw great parallels between her desire to improve
our education systems and the work of Romero. "Awareness in education
was something [Oscar Romero] believed in for our society to change.
Once you have that education, you have a society that is open to
change and progress."