Student Scholars

STUDENT SCHOLARS

Costs associated with supporting a single student from Barron have been $6000 pesos/student/year or $3000 pesos/student/half-year. However an analysis of current transportation costs for Barron students concludes that the costs are about $12,000 pesos per student per year for transportation alone. As a consequence, FOB has increased the value of the scholarships for the 2013 -2014 school year to $9000 pesos for all scholarship students who commute from Barron. Scholarships for students of Estrella del Mar employees who live in Mazatlan, and who therefore do not have this travel expense will remain at $6000 pesos per student per school year. No matter how much you contribute, you will be supporting all or part of one or more students in their quest to better themselves and their community. To help support any portion of these expenses, make your payment to FOB CANAM AC and leave your payment with Luis Medina, Phase One reception. In return, you gain contact and perhaps friendship with a local family. Or just donate! 

Please note that FOB CANAM AC is now registered as a charitable Civil Association (AC) in Mexico, therefore your donations should be deductible from your taxes in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

2013 - 2014 Scholarship Program


In June 2013, the Barron Parent/Teacher Selection Committee will chose five deserving students from 20 applicants graduating from the secondary school and five deserving students from applications received from families of Estrella del Mar employees who do not live in Barron. These kids need your donations or better yet, would love to be sponsored by YOU.

Group Three Scholarship Recipients

Rocio - Sponsored by Carleton & Cindy Bates!

Age 14

Rocio is the daughter of Elizabeth and Reynaldo. Rocio loves computers and loves to go running in the afternoon. She was accepted into CBTIS #51 Prep School in Mazatlan. When she finishes Prep School, she wants to study either nutrition or dentistry.

In her application essay, she wrote:
I want to continue my studies and this scholarship would be a great help to my parents because I have another brother who is also in Prep School and it is very difficult for my parents to send us both at the same time. I hope you select me as one of your students because I really want to continue my studies and become a professional so that I can be a better person and help my community.

Rocio finished secondary school with an A average.

Kenia  - Sponsored by Marcia Pratt & Linda Raasveld!

Age 15

Kenia likes soccer and volleyball and chatting with her fiends. She was accepted in the Prep School Ruben Jaramillo. She wants to be a pediatrician or a nutritionist. Ultimately, she wants to attend University.

In her application essay she wrote:
I have always liked school and have always had good grades. I have always liked studying and I am responsible and committed to my studies. I would like to pursue a career and I really love babies. For that reason, my chosen career is pediatrics. But my second option is nutrition. I have always wanted to be a baby doctor since I was young. My dream is to come back to my community and open up a medical clinic. My parents have always helped me and have always had faith in me. This scholarship will allow me to help them. When I am successful in my career and have money, I want to buy a big house for my parents and take them on trips all over the world. I want to have the money to do this for them.

Kenia finished secondary school with an A+ average.


Greisy - Sponsored by Cliff & Barb Du Fresne!

Age 15

Greisy likes to play soccer and baseball, listen to music and watch TV. She was accepted into UAS (Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa). She wants to be a teacher because she really like working with kids.


In her application essay she wrote:
I want to be the best teacher I can be because I want to help kids. I want to help all kids understand what it is they have and to help them feel secure in themselves. My parents have been supporting me in my desire to become a teacher because they know I like to work with kids and play sports. I would like to teach kids to play sports. This has been one of my desires in life and this scholarship will help me get there.

Greisy graduated with a A+ average from secondary school.







Treisy - Sponsored by Cliff & Barb Du Fresne!
Age 14

Treisy likes to play soccer. She was accepted into the Ruben Jaramillo Prep School. She wants to continue her studies because she wants to achieve something important in life and she wants to be a good example for her community. After Prep School, she wants to go on and be a great professional teacher.

In her application essay she wrote:
My family consists of two brothers and my parents and my twin sister, Griesy My "older" sister is also studying. It's always been my mother's dream and willpower to see her children advance thru their studies and to have her children complete their studies. But we are a family with few resources and so this scholarship is very important because I have other siblings in school and it is hard for my parents to send us all at once. 

Treisy finished secondary school with an A+ average.




Iris - Sponsored by Jim & Susan Baillon!

Age 16

Iris loves soccer and attends Ruben Jaramillo Prep School (UAS).  After Prep School, Iris wants to go on to be a chef or a dentist She wants to make something of her life and understands that in order to achieve her goals, she needs an education. She wants to be the pride of her parents and show them she can pursue a career because it is their influence and help that she is motivated to continue her studies.

In her application essay, Iris wrote:
My parents have given me so much support and help in pursuing a dignified educational path. Education will help me along my career path, especially when I encounter career obstacles because I know I can overcome those obstacles and continue forward if I have a good education. When I become a professional, I am going to provide financial help to my family because I am indebted to them for providing me with the willpower to make something out of my life.

Iris graduated with a A+ from secondary school.





Teresita - Sponsored by Jim & Susan Baillon!

Age 16

Teresita likes to read books and watch TV.  She attends Ruben Jaramillo (UAS) in Mazatlan and is University bound. She needs a solid Prep school in order to get into University. She wants to become a professional so she can get a good job and help her family.

In her essay she wrote:
I have always thought that when I finished my studies in secondary school that I would go on to high school, because I can see in the example of my parents, who do not have a high school education, that this is important. I don't want to be in the same situation as they are today. I want to win this scholarship so I can continue studying because the economic situation here is very difficult. My mother has to stay at home and its only my father that works as a farmer. My parents are very concerned about my education and they are the force that encourages me to continue my studies and become a professional. I also have a younger sister who is in the secondary school in Barron and so the economic situation for my parents is very difficult. 

Teresita has an A++ average in Secondary school.

Jorge Manuel - Sponsored by Ron &                   Joyce Pogue

Age 15

Jorge loves to play soccer, baseball and can be seen frequently playing golf. He loves to run, read and listen to music. He would like to attend the School of Naval Engineering in Vera Cruz after finishing high school. He plans on attending University and securing his engineering licence.

In his application essay (which he wrote in English) Jorge says:
As you can see, [I can also speak] some English. My parents are divorced for seven years. I live with my Mom and my brother, Luis Fernando. My life has not been easy for I have been through so much [such] as the divorce of my parents. My parents love me so much but sometimes I feel sad because I miss my dad but I have learned to tend to myself with the help of my mom and my grandparents and my sister. So I forged my character and I [intend] to be the best man and human being like my dad and to be better than him. I would like to enter the Heroic Naval Military School in Vera Cruz because it instills values, character, discipline and after five years of work plus an internship I can have work. Nowadays, jobs are very scarce. I want to prepare very well for a good future and help my Mom out because she has done so much for me. She is my great example. God willing, I think that I will marry, have children, a dog, a house, a car and try every day to make my family happy. So I would like to win the scholarship so that my Mom will "alcanse" for my studies and my brother's studies. I thank you for taking me into consideration and taking the time to read my essay. Despite the difficulties presented to me in my short life, I consider myself lucky to have a wonderful family that always supports me, especially mu Mom, who has been everything in my life. The goal I have set myself is to [graduate] out of junior high with a good grade average and enter high school and later, if God lets me, go to college and pursue a goal that I always [wanted] like and engineer and logistics so in the future [I can] support my Mom and my brother [who] also wants to be a great professional like me.

Jorge graduated from secondary school with an A+ average.



Jose Carlos - Sponsored by Lisa Pratt!

Age - 16

Jose plays soccer on Saturdays and baseball on Sundays. He has a part time job after school during the week. He will go to COBAES prep school in Villa Union. He wants to go to prep school to learn more things so he can better himself.

In his application essay he wrote:
I want this scholarship because my parents don't have the money to send me to Prep school. I want to continue my studies and be a merchant marine nurse. At the same time, when I become a professional, I want to be able to help with household expenses. I want to help them like they have helped me. Also, one of the things I want to do is help with the sports programs in my community because to keep the kids in Barron from going down the wrong path (what I am talking about is drug addiction and alcoholism which are a great problem for the youth of Barron) I think encouraging these kids to participate in sports would go a long way with helping with these problems. Education for me, would open the door to better jobs which would lead to a better quality of life. I really want to do something other than farming either here in my community or in other places.

Jose Carlos finished secondary school with a C+ average and has been admitted to the scholarship program on probation.

EDM Employee Recipients - Group 4

Miguel Angel - Sponsored by Ron & Janice Ohmes!
Age 16
Attends COBAES 95
B+ Grade Average

I want to go on to college and be a nurse. My Mother works as a maid at EDM. Every day after school, I have to help care for my father who lost both legs in an electrical accident. I left school after secondary school to go to work to earn money for my family since my father cannot work, but I decided it was better to reentered school so I can pursue a nursing career.  I love to play baseball and the Colorado Rockies are my favorite team.

Silvia Karina - Sponsored by Anne & Rick Blackburn!
Age 16
Attends CBTIS 51
B Average

In her essay, Silvia writes:

I have two older brothers. My parents are separated and my mom is a single mom who is an administrator at EDM. I love to embroider, an art learned from my grandmother who was a tailor. I want to get a college degree in International Business. Unfortunately I had to abandon my ballet lessons at the Angela Peralta theater when I entered middle school because I didn’t have time to devote to my studies and also I didn’t have enough money to cover both activities.

I want to continue my studies so I can go to University and get a good job. I want to be a professional but most of all I want to help my mom who has always helped me. I want to help those kids with scarce resources achieve their dreams.

Cruz Damian - Sponsored by Torrey Cosgrove & Lynette Salter!
Age 15
Attends Jose Vasconselos Prep School
B average.

I want to study Accounting and Business Administration at University. I am a pretty good athlete and I like to play soccer, baseball and I am a swimmer. I would like to further my education and learn English so I can start my own business, maybe in the Tourist Industry like my parents and grandparents.

Luis Fernando - Sponsored by Bonnie & Harrison Wreschner!
Age 15
Attends Instituto Cultural de Occidente.
A average.

I want to earn money so I can help poor people and live well. I am going to donate to charities. I am going to use a solar panel to generate all the power I need. I to be a good citizen and want to actively participate in the decisions of my community. I want to contribute to society and be a citizen committed to democracy and respect for the law.  I believe in recycling and solar energy. I want to have a balanced diet and lots of exercise. I want to live a longer life.

Anaid Ciltalil - Sponsored by Anonymous!
Age 18
Attends UAS Ruben Jaramillo
B Average

I want to go to medical school in Culiacan and become a dermatologist. I study theatre at Angela Peralta and I hope to receive an acting certificate in two years. My family includes two other siblings so I worry that my family will not have the funds to help me finish prep school and go on to medical school.

Ixchel Dayanaia - Sponsored by Karen Pearlman & Paula Skinner!
Age 15
Attends Colegio Remington AC
A+ average

I want to attend UNAM in Mexico City, one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America. I want to travel and become fluent in other languages. I love to play guitar and like to read and write. My aspiration is to be someone of great importance in life. I never leave things half done I am very detail oriented because I know that little things make a difference. I want to do things well.

Jaime Alam - Sponsored by Bonnie & Harrison Wreschner!
Age 15
Attends Instituto Anglo Moderno
A+ average.

I want to go to University and study engineering and computer science. I love to play American football as well as soccer. I also play the guitar and I like to learn languages. I’ve learned that one of the best human traits is confidence in one’s self.  I realize that if someone wants to reach a goal they have to carefully plan and be determined to reach the goal. This is my project in life and I will succeed.

Group Two Scholarship Recipients

Jose Manuel - Sponsored by Reg & Sharon Nitscke!
Age 15

Jose Manuel lives in Barron and is an artist. He loves to paint, he loves to draw and he loves to sing. He wants to be an architect.

In his application essay, Jose wrote:
I want to be a professional licensed architect but first I need to finish secondary school with really good grades so I can get into prep school of my choice which is CBTIS. I want to go to CBTIS because they specialize in technical things especially construction which is an area that I want to study. And because I like to do art work, the carnival floats of Mazatlan really interest me. One of my dreams is to visit the factory where these floats are made and someday be a contributing artist to the carnival floats. I am also interested in environmental issues especially recycling.  I am very interested in my future studies. I have always had a very good attendance record at school. I understand that a good education will help me become an important person in society. When I become an architect, I want to work on big projects such as hotels, office buildings, etc.  Ultimately, I would like to write a book about my personal life. I always liked being artistic, even singing and cooking; TV programming is of interest to me.

Jose graduated with an A+ average from the secondary school in Barron. After his first year of Prep School, he finished with a "B" average.



Jose Ernesto - Sponsored by Garry & Taressa Szmyrka!
Age 15

Jose lives in Barron.  He likes to play baseball.

In his essay, Jose wrote;
I want to attend CBTIS 51 prep school because it is a good technical school which will prepare me for the university where I want  I want to pursue a technical carrier in electrical engineering. I also want to teach English. I'd like to work either as an electrical engineer or an English teacher or maybe both. I think these professions will help me earn a good salary so I can help my family economically. I especially want to help my nieces get a good education.

Jose graduated with an A+ average from the secondary school. After his first year of Prep School, Jose has maintained his "A" average.

Kassandra Guadalupe - Sponsored by
Ron & Terri Kaasa!

Age 15

Kassandra lives in Barron. She likes to play all sports but is especially interested in football and volleyball.

In her essay, Kassandra wrote:

My aspirations are first and foremost to really do well in my last year of secondary school so I can get into a good prep school which I have chosen to be Ruben Jaramillo (UAS) in Mazatlan. My goal is to do well in prep school so that I can get into a good university where I can study English and computer science. These are the two careers that most interest me.  I want to be an independent, professional women; working only for myself, depending on myself and earning my own salary. Once I have achieved that, I want to help my parents and my brother with his studies. My parents wanted to be professionals but they didn't have the economic opportunity. In there day, there was no secondary school, much less an opportunity to go to prep school. I want to be what my parents didn't have the opportunity to be.

Kassandra has an A+ average in secondary school. Kassandra now has a B+ average after her first year of Prep School.

Daniela Guadalupe - Sponsored by Jayne & Rob Rupe!
Age 15

Daniela lives in Barron. She likes to play football, watch television and play music.

In her essay, Daniela writes:
I want to attend CBTIS 51. This is where I want to study. I understand that prep school is totally different from secondary school. I know I am going to have to work extra hard to pursue the career that I will choose. I don't yet know which career I want to pursue, but I know I want to do something important that will help society. The only thing I lack in achieving my dreams for the future is economic help. My parents never had the opportunity that they are giving me. I will always appreciate them and what they have done for me.

Daniela has a  A+ average in secondary school. After her first year of Prep School. Daniela has a B+ average.

Maria Guadalupe - Sponsored by Kris & Dick McGuire
Age 16

Maria lives down by the river in Barron. She likes to play football and she likes to help her mom around the house.

In her essay, Maria wrote:
My future aspirations are to become a good nurse so I can help sick people and save lives. I want to have children. I really want to study. I understand that to become a nurse I have to study long and hard. I want to go to COBAES 37. There is only one professional in my entire family. I want to become a professional and make my family proud.

Maria has an A+ average in secondary school. She has maintained an A average throughout her academic career in Prep School.

Aldo Michael - Sponsored By
Dale & Lynda Lyster
Age 16

Aldo like to play football and wants to go to UAS in Mazatlan.

In his essay, Also writes:
Since I was very young, I always had a lot of dreams for the future. I want to study and become a professional because my parents did not have the opportunity to do that. I would like to become a lawyer but unfortunately, my parents don't have the economic resources to send me to law school. Society needs well educated people who are willing to give something back to humanity and you can include me in that group. If I become a good professional, I will pursue that mission.

Aldo had a B+ average in secondary school and was on probation with a C+ average last year. He has now pulled his grades up to a B+ average and remains in the program in good standing. Congratulations, Aldo!

Cecelia - Sponsored by DJR, Inc.!
Age 15

Cecelia likes to help her mother around the house. She want to go to COBAES 37

In her essay, Cecelia wrote:
My aspirations for the future are to continue studying, get good grades, work hard in class, and give my studies all the time that they deserve. When I finish prep school, I would like to continue studying a subject of my choice and become a professional. I am not certain what yet, but I think a psychologist or a doctor. Those are the two professions that interest me the most.  I would like to earn money so I can help my parents with the household expenses. 

Cecilia maintained an A+ average in secondary school. Her average is now a B+ after her first year.



2010 - 2011 Scholarship Program - Group One
These first year students have made it to their last year of Prep School and are in good standing with the program. Thanks to the support of their adoptive parents, they are succeeding.

Jesus - Sponsored by Dick & Kris McGuire!
of the USA
Age 17

Jesus lives on the main street of Barron. He likes to play soccer and basketball. He has three siblings, Edgar, Jose and Aide, all in their 20s. He writes:

I know how hard it is to be a student. It's not enough to just walk into a classroom, you have to put into practice what you learn there. You have to suffer a little bit in order to be a good student; mostly in your social life. But we have to be responsible in order to move forward and find the good opportunities in life.  It's my responsibility to continue to be a good student and to succeed in Prep School. And that's why I am asking for this scholarship because most often the family's funds are insufficient and it's very difficult to continue studies without some kind of help. I want to continue with my studies and excel in Prep School. It's my way of saying "Thank you" to my parents and all they have done for me. To show them my thanks through my studies will be much more important than my words.

Jesus just finished his first year at "Jose Vasconcelos" (SEP) high school in Mazatlan where he earned an A average. His subjects were Chemistry, Writing, Math, Information Technology and Music (Jazz).

After his second year of Prep School, Jesus continues to maintain an A average.

Katia - Sponsored by Tim & Nancy Muzyka!
from Canada
Age 16

Katia likes to read and walk. Her greatest wish is to attend Prep School and get good grades. After she graduates she wants to go to University and become a licensed nutritionist.

In her application essay she wrote:
My goal for the future is to excel in Prep School so that I can get into a good university and become a licensed nutritionist. We have a lot of problems in our country with obesity and especially in children. I want to work in this area, giving first preference to my hometown of Barron. I also would like to somehow use my professional studies in Social Work and Nutrition to help combat the violence and drug addiction in my society. I see that many people involved in drugs and violence have never had the opportunity to get an education. I want to thank my parents for everything they have done for me and if I win this scholarship, this will be my way of helping them. I am ready to dedicate myself to my studies because dedication and desire are power. I am tired of watching my parents worry about household finances. The best thing I can do for them and for myself is to win this scholarship.




Katia attend the "Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa" (UAS), an academically oriented high school in Mazatlan. She just completed nine courses in the first year and earned an "A" average and had a 100% attendance record.

Guadalupe - Sponsored by Bob & Julie              Wallace of the USA
Age 17

Guadalupe is interested in soccer and volleyball and wants to study Business Administration.
In his application essay he wrote:
I want this scholarship because my parents have scarce resources to send me to school. And I want to continue my studies so I can pursue a career in Business Administration. I don't want to be like other kids who live in Barron who don't continue their studies because it's very hard financially and the result is that they have no future in the country out here in Barron. I want to become a professional so I can help my family and my town. I don't want to see my parents working so hard out on the farms to get enough money to send me to school.

Guadalupe attends "Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa" (UAS), an academically oriented high school in Mazatlan. He eventually wants to go to college. His average at the end of the first year was A+ and his attendance averaged 98%. He is off to a great start!

After his second year of Prep School, Guadalupe continues to maintain his A+ average.

Irelda- Sponsored by Keith Prosser
of Canada
Age 17

Irelda likes soccer and is considering Marine Biology as a major in University.

In her application essay she wrote:
I want to be able to go to Prep School so that I can become a better person so that when I become an adult, I will be better prepared and have a better quality of life. I want to become what my parents unfortunately could not become so that when I have my own children I will be able to give them the best I can give them. Entering Prep School is very important to me at this stage of my life so that I can continue to grow as a person. and so that I will be prepared to give something back to my community by being a good citizen. I want to give back to my community where I have lived all my life because it has given me so much. I am considering Marine Biology as a career. I know this is not an easy career but I am confident that I can dedicate myself to my studies and succeed and make my parents proud of me. I can't count on any government support to pursue my dreams. I am so thankful for this opportunity to continue to Prep School.

Irelda boards the Barron to Mazatlan buses along with 50 other students every morning at 5:30 bound for "Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa" (UAS). There she studies Math, Science, English, Biology, Logic, and Computer Science. After the first year, she has earned a B+ average and her attendance has been 98%. Irelda wants to be a Marine Biologist. Her best grades so far in her first year of high school have been in Biology, Chemistry and Math. She also has an A+ in English!

After her second year at Prep School, Irelda has a B+ average.

Bianca - Sponsored by Jim & Frances Barnes!
of Canada
Age 17

Bianca like to read and enjoys sports. She would like to study Marine Biology.

In her application essay, Bianca wrote:
My main motive is to continue my studies in Prep School because I realize that education is the key to becoming a better person in the future. My goal is to become one of the best students but my dream doesn't end there. I intend to go to the University after Prep School to become a professional in Marine Biology. There are many students in Prep School who do not finish due to lack of financial resources and I don't want to be one of those because there is no work for young people in Barron and there is not enough money or work to be able to sustain a family here. And I want to continue my education not only to comply with my parents wishes but mostly for me, because it will be me that benefits the most.

Bianca just completed her first year of "Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa" (UAS) high school in Mazatlan where she finished with a C+ average and had a sterling attendance record of 100%. She is currently on probation.

Bianca has raised her grades to a B average and is now in good standing.










Janeth - Sponsored by Dave & Lindy Marvin
of the USA
Age 17

Janeth likes reading and music. She wants to be a teacher.

In her application essay, Janeth wrote:
I want to go to prep school because it will not only be good for me and my future, but also for my family and other people around me. I know with my strong will I can accomplish many things, including pursuing a professional career or anything else that interests me in my life project. With all the help and love of my parents, they have educated me to this point and have helped me go forward in life. Without my parents, I would not be what I am today. And I thank them for all their hard work, their love, their friendship, their honesty and their loyalty. and everything else they have given me. They have been with me in my most difficult times, and I love them very much and I want to make them proud of me.  I want to become a teacher because I feel strongly that I can make a difference in other people's lives, especially young children.  When I have more education, I want to come back to Barron and help my community.

Janeth attends "Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Sinaloa" (COBAES) high school in Mazatlan where she is studying nine different subject areas. She had problems with her first semester grades, especially Math, Information Technology and Writing. She was able, by the end of the school year, to pull her grades up to a C+ average, still not sufficient to continue on the program for the full 2011 -2012 school year. She is currently on probation and will hopefully improve her grades to a B average by November 15.

At the end of the school year, she has raised her average to B+ and is currently reinstated in the program.

Aaron - Sponsored by Sonny Wong
of Canada
Age 16

Aaron wants to pursue a University degree but expects to have to get a job to make it work. He likes sports.

In his application essay, he wrote:
I'd like to win one of these scholarships because my parents work out on the farms and they don't pay them very well and so there is not sufficient money to send me to Prep School. I don't want to stay here in Barron, I want to go to Prep School, because here in Barron there is no future for me. I don't want to get involved in drugs or crime or what other kids who don't go to school get involved in. I need to get an education because I see how hard my parents have to work day after day and they are very tired. I want something better for my life than what my parents have. I want to continue studying so I can come home and help my parents and help my family move forward. I want to get a job that is well paid and dignified. Thank you very much for this really great opportunity.

Aaron attends "Universidad de Sinaloa" (UAS), one of the largest high schools in Mazatlan. After the first year he had a B average in nine different subject areas. His best subjects are Science, Chemistry and Logic. He had Cs in Math and Biology but a strong B in English.

Aaron maintains a "C+" average and is currently on probation.

Jose - Sponsored by John Watson

of the USA
Age 17

Jose lives on the main street of Barron near the stadium. He likes to play soccer and spend time with his friends. Jose wants to further his education past middle school so he can find a good job later on.

In his application essay he wrote:
I would like the help this scholarship would provide so I can get a decent job that will allow me to help my family. I think of myself as a responsible young man with a good vision as to where I want to go in life. I want to make my parents proud of me. Since I was a little boy, my parents have always encouraged my education. Now I want to be the best student I can be for them and for my future.

Jose attends "Colegio de Educacion Professcional Tecnica" (CONALEP), a technical high school in Mazatlan. There he studies Information Technology, Communication, Problem Solving and History. He has achieved a B+ average and has a good attendance record.