 Media Credit: Ryan Joyce Castillo found success after a tough upbringing in the Dominican Republic.
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Amid a colorful fiesta of Peruvian music, dance, and food, members of the Boston College community and their families gathered to honor the life of a beloved archbishop and the achievements of three BC juniors. The evening paid tribute to the accomplishments of all finalists for the Oscar A. Romero Scholarship: Jennifer Castillo, A&S '09; Ricardo Salinas, CSOM '09; and Stephanie Sanabria, LSOE '09.
With anticipation building throughout the event, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Sheilah Horton presented a shocked and gracious Castillo with the award. "I had been thinking about it the whole week," Castillo said. "I was sure it would be Stephanie or Ricky winning it and was fully prepared to honor them and congratulate them. I was shocked and happy beyond belief."
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Castillo thanked her mother for being her role model and guiding force throughout her life. "She been my inspiration and my foundation," she said.
The award, which has been given annually since 1993, is presented to a student leader in his or her junior year who has shown academic excellence and commitment to service within the Latino community. The scholarship recognizes students whose lives and achievements reflect the work undertaken by Romero, a Salvadoran archbishop who dedicated his life to improving the conditions within his country. Romero is remembered as an individual who strived to bring empowerment and justice to all individuals and to give a voice to the poor and oppressed.
Students are selected for the award based on an application, essay, and interview. Finalists receive $1,000 for use at the BC Bookstore, and the winner receives 75 percent funding for his or her senior year tuition.
Castillo, an international studies major, said that her respect for Romero was heightened by his humility and sense of humanity. "I haven't always spoken out about injustices that I've seen; it's something I've grown into, just like Oscar Romero," she said. "When I learned this about him, it made him more human in my eyes. He has always seemed like a mystical figure, but this makes him even more inspirational and easier to relate to."
Coming from the Dominican Republic to the United States with her mother at age 3, Castillo has a background that enables her to understand the plight of immigrants today and gives her the drive to change things in society. Despite starting off on welfare and food stamps, she said her mother never stopped working hard to provide for the family. "My mom recently got her Masters degree and has a successful job as a teacher," Castillo said. "She never gave up, despite the situation and obstacles we faced along the way."
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