Gala Elegante to raise money for college-bound students

By SARAH WILLIAMS
Island Breeze

Daniel Salazar’s friends used to make fun of his many hotel jobs on South Padre Island, but now Salazar has the last laugh thanks to scholarships from sources such as tonight’s Gala Elegante.

His summer jobs paid off when he became a hotel manager at 21.

To achieve his goal, Salazar first had to attend college. A $1,000 scholarship from the Laguna Madre Education Foundation was a much-needed help for tuition and books.

Salazar said he couldn’t have reached his goal without the help of scholarships that funded his education.

He kept up his grades and received an additional $1,000 for each of the three years he was in school. He became assistant general manager for the Radisson Resort on South Padre Island after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in hotel management from University of Houston’s Conrad and Hilton School.

“Through the scholarship, I was able to get my education and live the lifestyle I have now,” Salazar, 28, said. “It has helped make me successful.”

The same scholarship Salazar was awarded will be given to Port Isabel High School students with the money raised at tonight’s Gala Elegante, sponsored by the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce.

The Radisson Resort is hosting the formal dinner with live and silent auctions.

This will be a record-setting year for the event, with 430 people expected to attend, said Roxanne Guenzel, Chamber president.

In 1996, Salazar was the first recipient of the scholarship given by the Laguna Madre Education Foundation.

Last year, 20 scholarships of $1,000 were awarded to students pursing higher education at two- or four-year institutions.

“Our goal is to help students with their continuing education goals, so they can come back to benefit our community,” Guenzel said.

Salazar is now on the judging committee for the scholarship and is Chamber board member.

“I was very proud and glad to be the first recipient, and now I am able to give back to the community,” he said.

Salazar said knowing the ups and downs of the hotel industry gave him an edge when he came back to his hometown, South Padre Island.

“I was fortunate to receive the scholarship. It had a domino effect for me,” he said.

The scholarship foundation awards recipients based on grade point average, extracurricular activities and employment experience. Students must also write an essay to be considered. Scores are tallied through a points system.

New scholarship applications will be awarded after the due date at the beginning of April 2007. The money raised at the gala will be for the 2007-2008 school year.

Guenzel said some students choose four-year career paths, but for others, a two-year degree is more feasible.

“Maybe their circumstances require entering the workforce more quickly to support their family,” she said.

The recipients aren’t expected to return to the community as Salazar did, but Guenzel hopes more students consider coming back.

“(Salazar) is the perfect example of what we hope to happen,” she said.

The Gala Elegante starts at 6 p.m. today. Tickets are $55. For more information call (956) 761-4412.