Alta Loma High School student wins international scholarship

  "I would also like to thank the Embassy of Spain Education Office for making this wonderful program available for California students at no extra cost to the state. Scholarships like this should encourage all students to learn about other languages and cultures because it will help them become more competitive in the global economy that awaits them."

Alejandra is a junior at Alta Loma High School in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District in San Bernardino County. As part of the scholarship application, Alejandra made a quilt wall hanging and entitled it, "Yo soy el padre de la independencia (I am the father of the independence)," spoken by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the Spanish leader of the Mexican independence. On the center of the quilt is an original Spanish sonnet written by Alejandra. The sonnet is surrounded by symbols of Mexican independence, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Hidalgo, a map of Mexico, the bell of Dolores Hidalgo, a coat of arms, and an eagle devouring the serpent on top of the cactus, which is at the center of the Mexican flag.

           "I submitted this project because the idea of traveling abroad appealed to me," said Alejandra who started the quilt while studying for semester finals and completed it during winter break. "I also wanted to submit it because I wanted to learn more about my Hispanic heritage and this seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to have both."

           Alejandra has attended Funk's AP Spanish language and literature class for two years. Funk describes her as a very humble, polite, highly motivated, and creative student.  

"Alejandra loves her Hispanic roots and has very involved parents," said Funk. "I am very happy that as a teacher, I have the opportunity to give my students challenging projects like the Ruta Quetzal scholarship."

           The Ruta Quetzal BBVA is a thrilling experience for students that combine adventure and study. At the request of King Juan Carlos of Spain, the scholarship program began in 1979 with the purpose of raising awareness among 16- and 17-year-old students about the Ibero-American cultural and historical heritage. Alejandra will be among more than 350 students from more than 50 countries who will travel around Latin America and Spain for six weeks this summer in a unique learning environment.

           The 2010 summer expedition focuses on studying the Mayan culture and on celebrating the bicentennial of Mexico. The theme of the contest was, "La búsqueda de la libertad: El grito de Dolores (In search of liberty: the cry of pain)." The adventure will start at Veracruz and students will visit other Mexican towns such as Tlacotlalpan, Palenque, Uxmal, Kabah, Chichen Itza, Merida, and the tropical forest of Rio Lagartos. The students will fly to Spain to be welcomed by the King and Queen of Spain at their home, the Palacio del Pardo. After visiting Madrid, the students will travel all over Spain and sail from Cadiz to Portugal. They will finally walk the Jacobean Route to Santiago de Compostela and return to Madrid for their flight back home.

Applicants to the Ruta Quetzal scholarship must submit historical, literary, artistic, or musical works. The scholarship is valued at more than $16,000 that covers the study travel expedition on both shores of the Atlantic, Mexico, and Spain.

           The scholarship is part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the California Department of Education and the Ministry of Education of Spain that benefits students. Each year, at least one California high school student wins this prestigious scholarship. For more information about the contest, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/me/il/escribo.asp.