The Mexican-American Committee on Education (MACE) of San Benito County is inviting the community to the 45th annual Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Dinner & Dance on Saturday, May 2 at the Elks Lodge located at 351 Astro Drive in Hollister. The 2015 Man and Woman of the year will be honored during the event.
According to a MACE announcement: Officer Carlos Rodriguez of the City of Hollister Police Department is being honored as the 2015 MACE Man of the Year. In 2014, Rodriguez participated as a role model speaker at the annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference, which is sponsored by the League of United Latin American Citizens of San Benito County. The goal of the conference is to connect students with local community professionals in order to provide them the opportunity to learn about different careers options. In 2014, Rodriguez received the Inter-service Recognition Award from the California emergency Medical Services Authority, which honors special accomplishments and/or heroic acts.
Maria Lezama is being honored as the 2015 MACE Woman of the Year. Throughout most of her life, she has experienced the struggles that people and children endured as a result of poverty and neglect. For this reason, Maria organizes several community events that celebrate people and children. Over the past decade, she has organized the annual Dia del Niño (Day of the Child), a Mothers Day celebration, and holiday events in her Hollister neighborhood.
MACE, through proceeds from the annual Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Banquet, is able to award scholarships to graduating high school seniors from San Benito County. MACE attributes its success to community members and corporate sponsors who support the annual scholarship banquet. Since its formation in 1970, MACE has raised more than $400,000 and granted scholarships to more than 500 students. According to a press release, "many scholarship recipients are very successful today in their careers and education – attending several of colleges and universities throughout the United States."
The banquet will include a program, dinner, and entertainment. The event will consist of a traditional Mexican dinner which will be accompanied by the sounds of DJ Miguel. The dance portion of the event is scheduled to end at midnight.
Tickets for the Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Banquet are $45 per person; table reservations of eight people are encouraged and still available. No tickets will be sold at the door. This event will sell out so please get your tickets now. For more information, please contact Veronica Lezama, MACE president at 831-245-6371, Mickie Luna, treasurer at 831-673-2009, or George Munoz, vice president at 831-801-4598.
