It’s always a celebration when we can show how we uplift our community through our students and today we’re hitting a home run. It’s a home run for our community and it’s a home run for the students receiving this scholarship.
Slowly but surely, Margarita Sanchez is building a better life thanks to Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Originally from Leon, Guanajuato, in Mexico, Sanchez enrolled in English as a Second Language classes at MATC and then decided to get her General Educational Development certificate. In December 2023, she received an administrative professional certificate through the college’s Integrated Education and Training program.
Now she’s working to earn an associate degree in accounting.
“Life has taught me that opportunities can be hard to come by,” Sanchez said. “When you get them, you take them to achieve your dreams and make a positive impact for your community.”
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Sanchez and 64 other MATC students got some help to achieve their dreams, receiving scholarships funded by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 333, the Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation and the MATC Foundation Inc., the college’s philanthropic partner in student success.
The recipients were honored at a ceremony at the MATC Education Center at Walker’s Square. The event was attended by MATC administrators, LULAC council members and representatives of the Milwaukee Brewers, including pitcher Freddy Peralta and Chorizo, the team’s racing sausage.
WISN-12 news anchor Diana Gutiérrez emceed the event.
“It’s always a celebration when we can show how we uplift our community through our students, and today we’re hitting a home run,” said MATC President Anthony Cruz, Ed.D. “It’s a home run for our community and it’s a home run for the students receiving this scholarship.”
See coverage of the event:
Spectrum News
Fox Channel 6
CBS Channel 58
Telemundo
The scholarships ranged from $250 to $1,000 each. Five of the 66 students received an additional $1,000 from the MATC Foundation: Sanchez, Elizabeth Banuelos, Beatriz Caballero, Mireya Marquez and Francisco Ramirez.
LULAC, Hispanic/Latino players with the Milwaukee Brewers and the MATC Foundation started the scholarship program in 2014. Since then, 272 students have received more than $200,000 in financial assistance.
“This is truly an investment,” Dr. Cruz said. “Our students come to us for education and then go into the world of work. They need this financial support to achieve their dreams.”
For Peralta’s work with the scholarship program, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson proclaimed Wednesday as Freddy Peralta Day. “He’s a champion both on the field and off the field,” said Oscar Tovar, senior staff assistant manager to Johnson. “He’s giving back every single day.”
Peralta also is the Brewers’ nominee for the annual Roberto Clemente Award, given to the Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual contributions to the team.
Vote for Peralta to win the 2024 Clemente Award
Also honored by the city on Wednesday was Dr. Arturo Martinez, who worked at MATC for 32 years. Dr. Martinez oversaw the college’s bilingual programs and tirelessly advocated for Hispanic/Latino/a students on their higher journeys. Before he died in December 2022 at the age of 69, Dr. Martinez was instrumental in forming the LULAC Brewers scholarship.
“He was a very humble individual,” Tovar said. “He’s sorely missed.”
Katina Shaw, vice president of community relations for the Brewers, awarded the inaugural Jamar Shaw Entrepreneur Scholarship to MATC student ShaTerri Dotson.
Shaw and her husband started the scholarship in memory of their son who was shot and killed in 2023. “We wanted to help people who share the passion for entrepreneurship that Jamar had,” Shaw said.
Dotson dropped out of high school, got pregnant as a teenager and spent 10 years in and out of prison. Despondent and depressed in the summer of 2023, she attempted to take her own life. “What a miracle it was that I failed,” she told the crowd.
She survived and dedicated herself to improving her life. She enrolled in MATC’s Entrepreneurship program and plans to work with women who are in prison or coming out of prison.
“I’m truly honored to be the first to receive this,” Dotson said.
About MATC: As Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 30,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
About The MATC Foundation: The MATC Foundation is the philanthropic partner of Milwaukee Area Technical College. Since 1979, it has collaborated with civic leaders, employers, regional residents, the college community and alumni to create accessible paths to family-sustaining employment through large-scale, career focused scholarships and other student financial support programs like quick-turnaround emergency grants. The Foundation’s work ultimately promotes economic opportunity for MATC students, their families and the entire region. In addition, the Foundation supports vital college initiatives and is the trusted fiscal steward for Milwaukee PBS, a viewer service of MATC.
About LULAC: LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic/Latino/a civil rights organization in the United States. The organization advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of Hispanic/Latino/a Americans.
