2016 marks the tenth anniversary of the Green Scholarship Program.  The GSP was conceived to honor the memory of Milton and Doris Green, parents of Patricia Green Pratt.  Since its inception, the foundation has sought to provide the opportunity for higher education to economically deprived youth in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose, and Todos Santos. Beginning with one student, the GSP now boasts of fifty-one current students as well as fifty “alumni” who have graduated and currently hold jobs in various fields from culinary arts, accounting, psychology, nutrition, business administration and criminology.Students are carefully chosen from many applicants.  They are provided with tuition, books, English classes, seminars, transportation and much more.  In an effort to educate for leadership roles in the community, they participate in English classes several times a week. Additionally, monthly life skills seminars are presented by various professionals from the United States as well as from Mexico. Current students are enrolled in colleges located in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo including Universidad Del Golfo, Universidad Mundial, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, and ITES.  A new addition to our program, is the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, located in La Paz, which hosts five marine biology majors.  These five students have been awarded scholarships by the Bisbee Tournament and represent a recently formed partnership to enhance the conservation efforts in Cabo and throughout the Baja region.GSP students must be committed to community service and express a strong desire to succeed and enhance their future. Individual and group projects are planned on a regular monthly basis.  Social events include an annual Christmas party as well as a luncheon in July where new scholars are introduced and awards are given to deserving young men and women.  These events provide a framework in which the students can form a community of scholars and friends.During these first ten years, GSP scholars have been transformed by their experience with the GSP. These students have been able to change their lives for the better, and create a positive impact not only on their families but also in the community of Los Cabos. We asked some of them to share their experiences with our readers. Here are some of their thoughts (quoted from students).“The Green Scholarship Program has already changed my life, because one of my dreams is to be a professional but I couldn´t afford college. I’m at the point of finishing my career. I´m so grateful because I´m learning a second language and they also helped me to get a job. These are just some of things that The Green Scholarship program has done for me.”Ana Dircio“For me Green Scholarship Program is a great help to study my college career. To be a person responsible, honest and dedicated to my profession. I thank GSP for all that helped me and specially all to Mrs. Pratt for taking care of the students of Los Cabos to have a better future.”

Leocadia de Jesus

“I’d like to thank specially to those who have supported the GSP, and at the same time, have helped each one of us to reach our goals in life. GSP is not just a social organization which helps students; this program teaches people to develop the skills for their personal growth and becoming an important part of the society and to  take care of others. I’m so proud of being part of such a great program. Because all of you means a lot for me.”

Carlos Diaz

The Green Scholarship Program is a non-profit 501(c) funded by private donors as well as several local businesses. It is guided by Coordinator Jorge Rodriguez and a volunteer Board of Directors.  Patricia Pratt has valiantly encouraged the GSP to continue to grow and evolve after the untimely death of her husband Arthur “Arturo” Pratt in 2012. Mr. Pratt was dedicated to the values and goals of the GSP so it is in his honor and memory that the 10th annual overall program will be dedicated in his honor.

Ana Dircio – CriminologyUniversidad Mundial.

Fabiola Perez – PsychologyUniversidad Mundial.

Flor Silva – Interior DesignUniversidad Mundial.

Yahaira Carrero – PsychologyUniversidad Mundial.

Maydely Resendiz  – Culinary artsUniversidad Mundial.

Zuleyma Benitez – a Psychology graduate was invited to be the special speaker for a local radio station.  She spoke about conflicts of authority with children and families and strategies for conflict resolution.

We are proud of the influence our graduates are having as organizational and community leaders due to their enhanced ability to communicate, inspire, and influence others.

This seminar was led by Cinthia Gomez, a GSP graduate of Nutrition at Universidad Mundial.  Cinthia talked about easy ways to improve personal diet, manage weight, boost energy level, and prevent diseases.

All the students were very interested in this topic.

David Castillo hosted a “Business Practices” Seminar for GSP Students

In this workshop, David Castillo focused on how to create a single page financial model for a business. Mr. Castillo brought in a special guest, a young local entrepreneur, Basilio Lopez who is the owner of a chain of cyber coffees in the Cabo area.  Basilio share about his experience and important of maintaining good quality of service in business and in all that you do.  , he talked with the students telling them how to maintain good quality in their own business.  We were very thankful for the seminar, as we know it’s in great demand by individual consumers, organizations, associations, small businesses and large corporations alike.

The next seminars of life skills are Budgeting and Good life habits to maintain a healthy mind and body.