“If you do not build your dream, someone else will hire you to build theirs.”
Those words from life coach/motivational speaker Tony Gaskins help Ana Perez-Portillo, the 2015 Lola A. Salazar Student of the Year Award, maintain her focus as she works two jobs while majoring in public health, with a minor in ethnic studies, at the University of Colorado Denver.
Perez-Portillo, who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and was 3 years old when her family immigrated to the U.S., is the first in her family to attend college.
Addressing the 750 guests at the foundation’s annual black-tie gala, Perez-Portillo said that by accepting the award, she was challenging all of its scholars to dream big, to aspire to places beyond themselves and to never underestimate their potential.
A second-year student at CU Denver, Perez-Portillo carries a full academic load while working as a student assistant at CU Online and as a server at IHOP. Her goal is to become a health-care provider in an underserved community.
Also honored at the event held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown was Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia. He was given the Sol Trujillo National Lifetime Leadership Award in appreciation for his contributions to education and the community.
After receiving a business degree from CU and serving in the Navy Reserves, Garcia went on to earn his law degree from Harvard and become the first Hispanic partner in the Denver law firm Holme, Roberts & Owen.
He was the Rocky Mountain States representative for the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton Administration and was president of Colorado State University Pueblo before Gov. John Hickenlooper picked him for his running mate.
The $470,000 raised at the gala goes to the foundation’s scholarship and support services programs. Since its founding in 1949, LAEF has awarded more than 6,000 scholarships and helps support 124 collegiate scholars.
In addition to the awards, the gala also featured entertainment on multiple stages: the ; and .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
