Chihuahuas Announce Recipients of the Chihuahuas All-Star Scholarship in Memory of Yolanda Arriola

EL PASO – June 26, 2023 – The El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation announced today the 2023 recipients of the All-Star Scholarship in Memory of Yolanda Arriola.

Richard Maese (Ysleta HS), Damian Lem (El Dorado HS), Yoseph Ortega (Harmony Science Academy), Ashley Aguilera (El Dorado HS), and Aylin Tepezano (Clint HS) received scholarships from the foundation to assist with the costs of post-secondary education. They were recognized during the Chihuahuas game Saturday, June 24.

“It’s a privilege to honor those recipients in honor of our dear friend, Yolanda Arriola,” said Brad Taylor, MountainStar Sports Group Sr. Vice President, and Chihuahuas General Manager. “Her spirit of achievement, kindness, and compassion lives on through this program.”

Maese and Lem were each awarded $10,000 scholarships in honor of the Chihuahuas 10^th Year Celebration. Yoseph Ortega received a $5,000 scholarship and Ashley Aguilera and Aylin Tepezano were awarded $2,500 in scholarships each.

"I am beyond grateful for this this scholarship because it’s a reminder that your work pays off,” said scholarship recipient Ortega. “As I serve my community and others, I see the impact I make but there are few who talk about those who are making an impact for those who make an impact, and this is what this scholarship means to me. It’s a reminder that when you look out for others then others look out for you!"

The All-Star Scholarship program was created as part of the 2019 Triple-A All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. It was later named in memory of Southwest University’s founder and CEO, Yolanda Arriola, following her passing in 2020.

An advocate for education, Arriola was a visionary who had a passion for teaching, a commitment to students, and the ability to make a difference in people’s lives that made Southwest University a model of success in El Paso.

“We are delighted to announce our ongoing collaboration with the El Paso Chihuahuas, which serves as a testament to honoring Yolanda Arriola's remarkable legacy,” said Ben Arriola, Yolanda’s son and President at Southwest University at El Paso.

Arriola continued, “Through this partnership, we aim to provide the youth in our community with the resources they need to excel in their college education. These exceptional individuals have already demonstrated their outstanding contributions to our community and show great promise as future leaders.”

Students were required to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and contribute a minimum of 20 hours of community service per year. As part of the process, each student was required to submit their transcripts, community involvement, a prompt written essay, and a letter of recommendation.

All-Star Scholarship recipient Damian Lem said, “For me, the scholarship is all about opportunity. It gives me and the other recipients the opportunity to pursue our most ambitious goals, to strive for excellence and continue our academic journey without the worry of burdening college debt. It is truly life changing.

“It is also a standing statement that the people of El Paso support each other, that our community stands together even through adversity, and that the Chihuahuas are a demonstration of that borderland culture we all pride ourselves on.”

Applications for the 2024 All-Star Scholarship in Memory of Yolanda Arriola will open in the fall.

2023 ALL-STAR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Damian Lem – El Dorado HS
Richard Maese – Ysleta HS
Yoseph Ortega – Harmony Science Academy
Ashley Aguilera – El Dorado HS
Aylin Tepezano – Clint HS

PREVIOUS ALL-STAR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2019 Scholars:
Alan Eduardo Lizarraga Lujan – Valle Verde Early College HS
Ethan Ontiveros – Bowie HS
Wendy Salazar – Jefferson HS
Mariangela Cobain – Coronado HS
Ashley Crooks – Parkland HS

2021 Scholars:
Fernando Sepulveda – Coronado HS
Marlenne Garcia – Austin HS
Elliot Ayoub – Montwood HS
Rey Sanchez – Parkland HS
Dejanira Hernandez – Northwest Early College

2022 Scholars:
Martin Rodriguez – Franklin HS
Evelyn Zarate – Montwood HS
Keiley Tierce – Franklin HS
Kimberly Sarabia – Mountain View HS
Marvin Parker – Parkland Early College

About the El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation

The El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation was established to create a positive financial and cultural impact on families and children in our community through creative programs and events. Through the MountainStar Sports Group Foundation, the El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation, and the El Paso Locomotive FC Foundation, the foundation aims to support communities in the region via direct giving, grants, and events that help raise funds that can make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.