Events and Fundraisers

ASI SPANISH FIESTA 2023

Empowering Education: $1000 Grant Available for Adult Learners Are you a BIPOC adult age 55 or better living in Archuleta County eager to pursue further education? Here’s your chance! Archuleta Seniors, Inc in coordination with the Spanish Fiesta Committee is delighted to announce a $1000 educational grant available exclusively for these adult learners in our community. The grant aims to support individuals seeking to enhance their skills, pursue new career paths, or simply satisfy their thirst for knowledge. Whether you aspire to enroll in a vocational program, attend workshops, or pursue a degree, this grant can provide the financial boost you need to turn your educational dreams into reality. Archuleta Seniors, Inc. along with members of our local Spanish Fiesta Committee believe that education is a lifelong journey and it’s never too late to invest in oneself, This grant is designed to remove financial barriers and empower adults in our community to pursue their educational goals. To be eligible for the grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:  Reside in Archuleta County, Colorado.  Be 55 years of age or older.  Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color  Demonstrate a commitment to furthering their education.  Submit a compelling application outlining their educational goals and how the grant will be utilized. Applications are now open and will be accepted until March 20, 2024. A scholarship selection committee composed of community leaders will review all applications and select the most deserving candidates. ASI encourages all motivated BIPOC, 55+adults in Archuleta County to take advantage of this opportunity. Whether you're looking to advance your career, explore new interests, or simply expand your horizons, this grant can be the catalyst for your educational journey. Don’t let financial constraints hold you back from pursuing your dreams. Apply for the $1000 educational grant today and take a significant step towards a brighter future. For more information and to access the application form, contact the Archuleta Seniors, Inc. office at 970-264-2167 or stop by the office at 451 Hot Springs, Blvd. Together, let’s unlock the power of education and build a stronger, more prosperous community

Archuleta Seniors Inc. and the Spanish Fiesta Committee is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the Seniors for Seniors Spanish Fiesta BIPOC Scholarship Award (elder and youth).

The following individuals are this year's awardees:

Elder Adult Learner: Abran Salazar, will be pursuing his education with a JATC apprenticeship with intended field of study in CPR, first aid, and security training in Las Vegas NV. Youth Learners.

Patrick Matney is undeclared at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Trey Garcia will be pursuing his education at Pepperdine University and Westmont University with intended field of study in business and engineering.

Jeidy Yajaira Moreno Echavarria will be pursuing her education at Colorado Mesa University with an intended field of study in nursing.

Heidi Hernandez Arenivar will be pursuing her education at Colorado State University at Fort Collins with an intended field of study in political science, pre-law.

Marie Smith will be pursuing her education at University of Colorado at Denver with an intended field of study in architecture.

Brooke Anne Huddleston will be pursuing her education at Fort Lewis with an intended field of study in art and criminology.

Jatziri Hernandez Arenivar will be pursuing her education at Colorado State University at Fort Collins with an intended field of study in veterinary sciences.

On behalf of Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and the Spanish Fiesta Committee we congratulate the class of 2024 on their academic achievements. Their dedication to academic excellence, as well as their extracurricular involvement and demonstrated leadership, have made them standout candidates for these scholarships. We believe that their continued commitment to their education and community will contribute greatly to their future success. This year is the inaugural year of the scholarships after a 20 year hiatus of the Spanish Fiesta being held in the community. Archuleta Seniors Inc. is committed to reviving the Spanish Fiesta to its full potential over a 3 year period. Scholarships specifically for BIPOC or Hispanic youth going on to education beyond high school were part of fundraising historically by the Hispanic community. There have not been scholarships dedicated exclusively to BIPOC youth in Archuleta County since at least 2006. Archuleta Seniors Inc. proposed to collaborate with the community; the path forward is intergenerational; the essence being our elderly community members working with our younger community members i.e., students, to create the future by investing in education for the underserved from our county. The Spanish Fiestas educated the public on the history and diversity of indigenous/native and early settlers in this region, most of which exists in oral history, songs and sayings. Most important has been the inclusion of younger school age residents to participate in the fiesta and to be awarded scholarships and royalty accolades for their efforts. Several Archuleta County entities and individuals had interest in re-establishing this annual event but the explosive growth in the county in the last 20 years had diverted resources and attention. Archuleta Seniors Inc was successful in bringing all those individuals and entities together to form the Spanish Fiesta Committee in January of 2023. Archuleta Seniors Inc has agreed to cover the upfront costs and will share the proceeds with the elder and youth BIPOC scholarship program.