Where Our Story Begins
Latino Scholarship Fund was founded in 1994 by Ileana Velazquez and Peter Kalman. At that time, less than 20% of Danbury High School’s Latino graduates were going on to higher education. This was the lowest percentage of any ethnic group within the graduating class. Within just six months of being founded the Latino Scholarship Fund raised $10,000 and in 1996 awarded its first 10 scholarships to Danbury High School Latino graduates.
Our Leaders
Committed to the Cause
Since its founding, the Latino Scholarship Fund has raised and awarded more than $900,000 in scholarship money to over 550 Latino high school graduates throughout the Greater Danbury area. Today, Danbury High School sends nearly 80% of its Latino graduates on to post-high school education and training — significantly exceeding state averages for Latinos in Connecticut. We believe our impact speaks through the statistics. We owe this to all of our leaders who have guided board members along the way.
Allison Ruiz
Current President
Abigail Kopp
President, 2015-2020
Elliette Matos
President, 2013-2015
Abner Burgos
President, 2008-2010
"Great leaders don't set out to be a leader. They set out to make the difference.
It is never about the role - always about the goal."
- Lisa Haisha
