Tito Puente Jr., members of Colao Entertainment and members of Las Campanas de America entertain guests inside the new 400-seat Performing Arts Center theatre.

¡Celebración!, a Latino-style scholarship gala, captured San Antonio's attention on April 7, 2010. The event showcased Palo Alto College's new Performing Arts Center and helped raise $300,000 for student scholarships.

"I think it's a responsibility of our community to make sure that our young citizens get a great education. Providing this opportunity tonight is one of the greatest things that we can do …," said Berto Guerra, a co-owner of Toyota of Boerne and an honoree.

Berto was one of "The Four Toyota Compadres" honored at the event, along with Frank Herrera, Max Navarro and Fernando Reyes. They own companies that are major suppliers to Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Texas.

Toyota was one of the top three sponsors of the gala that included SpawGlass and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.

Dr. Ana M. "Cha" Guzmán, president of Palo Alto College, celebrated a successful and lively inaugural scholarship gala. She thrilled the 400 attendees who packed the new theater when she and Luis Mercado, public information officer for Palo Alto College, got up and danced to the Latin music of Tito Puente Jr.

"This is our coming-out party… this is the big one!" said Guzmán.

The musical performances of Puente, Las Campanas de America and Colao Entertainment were highlights of the evening.

Guests experienced the culture, food, dance and music of the Caribbean, Mexico and Spain. They enjoyed performances by folklorico dancers, the Palo Alto Jazz Ensemble, Conjunto Palo Alto and Mariachi Palomino. The gala also included a conga line and the sights and sounds of flamenco, a harpist, and a pianist with his companion vocalist.

"[It's an] excellent event to highlight the talent here at Palo Alto and why it's so necessary to invest in our young people so they can come to a college like Palo Alto and pursue the American dream," said Julián Castro, mayor of San Antonio.

Business, education and civic leaders invested their confidence in the students of Palo Alto College through sponsorships that raised $150,000 for scholarships. A matching grant from the U.S. Department of Education will give students $300,000 in scholarships.

"This event… really means so very much to the students," said Leticia Van de Putte, Texas State Senator for District 26. Ray Lopez, San Antonio City Councilmember for District 6, said, "I think the other good thing is to recognize those good corporate citizens that contribute to … scholarships because without them, obviously this doesn't happen."

Navarro, co-founder of Operational Technologies Corporation and an honoree, said, "I can just visualize over the next … 20 years just how much more stronger Palo Alto is going to be, and so glad to be part of the supporting group here."

Reyes, president and owner of Reyes Industries, recognized the contributions of Palo Alto College. "I have over 200 employees that work at Toyota right now that have taken courses at Palo Alto in order to do a better job for Toyota," the honoree said.

Scholarships give students the opportunity to pursue their educational goals at a time when the cost of tuition keeps rising.

"Financial aid and having the financial resources to go to college is always one of the biggest things that keep people from graduating," said Joaquin Castro, Texas State Representative for District 125.

Scholarships offer the opportunity to take this challenge head-on. "Number one thing is you don't have to pay it back, it's not a loan," said Patricia Lopez, a recipient of scholarships who is majoring in Business Administration at Palo Alto.

Herrera, owner of The Herrera Law Firm and honoree, said, "This scholarship fund is a great way to start … encouraging kids to stay in school because we have the funding …"

Scholarships offer recognition. "It feels good to know that somebody else believes in you or thinks … you can accomplish your goals," said Marycela Barron, a Biology major who has also been awarded scholarships.

Scholarships inspire students. Raquel Hernandez, an Education major, described her experience when she was awarded scholarships. She said, "It made me want to do better at school… they honored you and you want to make sure you honor them."

Guzmán would like to have one-fourth of the students attending Palo Alto College receive scholarships. According to Dr. Beatriz Joseph, vice president of College Services at Palo Alto, the total enrollment reported for Spring 2010 is 7,889 students.

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships. For more information, contact Palo Alto's scholarship coordinator, Carmen Velasquez, interim director of Advising and Student Support Services, at (210) 486-3121. Her office is located inside the Welcome Advising Center.