Blanca Hernández Has Great Appreciation for Comité México Scholarship
Blanca Hernández is proud to be the current recipient of the Comité México Scholarship at the University of San Diego and says it’s humbling to know the scholarship was made possible, in part, by the generosity of alumni from Mexico or of Mexican descent who came before her.
Comité México was established in 2009 by a group of Mexican alumni, parents and friends. In 2015, the group endowed a scholarship fund that supports students from Mexico and of Mexican descent.
Hernández, who expects to graduate in 2020, is grateful to follow in their footsteps and to one day honor their legacy by paying it forward.
“I would like to thank those alumni for attending USD, for graduating and for giving back and supporting my dreams and the dreams of others like me,” Hernández says. “One day I too will be a part of Comité México because I believe in the power of investing in education.”
Her parents taught her from a young age that education is vital. Her father was raised by a single mother who brought him to the United States from Mexico as a teenager. Although he was extremely bright and always worked hard, the language barrier made school a struggle. He didn’t think college was an option and eventually joined the Army. Following his service, he took a job at a furniture store where he worked his way up from delivering furniture to managing the store.
Her mom learned English when she came to the United States only briefly during elementary school. She didn’t return until she married at 27. Her mom always wondered “What if?” What if she had stayed in the United States and continued her schooling? What if she had been able to afford college?
Hernández says, thanks to her parents’ diligence and hard work and encouragement, her own what-ifs are different and have given her the freedom to pursue everything that piques her interest. She became involved with the United Front Multicultural Center and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (MEChA) and has a leadership role putting on events like the Farmworkers Mass in March. Hernández is also involved with USD’s University Ministry program and recently celebrated her Confirmation. This Sunday, Dec. 10, she will assist with USD's annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Dinner (starting at 4:30 p.m. in the UC Forums) and Mass (7 p.m. at The Immaculata) program.
“Religion is a huge part of my life here at USD,” Hernández says. “My Catholic faith has brought me through hard moments at school and at home. I put my faith in God and carry those morals and values through to everything I do.”
Hernández also making the most of her academic experience. She double-majors in political science and economics with a minor in Spanish and carried 18 units. Last summer she interned with Assemblyman Joel Anderson, and in January looks forward to studying in Florence, Italy, as part of USD’s Second-Year Experience. In the future she’s contemplating going to law school or even pursuing a dual degree — a master’s degree and a juris doctor (JD) degree.
“I’m working hard for my family, for the people who gave me this scholarship and for my community,” Hernández says. “Through my education, I want to serve those who are marginalized and help empower them to succeed, just as others empowered me.”
— Krystn Shrieve