Press releases are posted on Independent and celebrate the achievement in person. “Each year, this event is a highlight for me, standing on stage and handing each admitted student a symbolic envelope with the bold words ‘#WestmontSaidYES’, to their college dream,” says Irene Neller, Westmont’s vice president of enrollment and one of the architects of the annual event. Every accepted student is also notified of the merit scholarship they’ve earned based on their academic achievement. “It’s more than an acceptance letter; it’s a pathway to a future filled with hope,” Neller says. “What a joy it is to celebrate this moment with them and their families. “The event has not only provided knowledge, but has cultivated a community of support, making the journey to college brighter and more attainable for Santa Barbara’s next generation of leaders.” At the event, Westmont announced an exceptional, near full-tuition guarantee to all admitted Santa Barbara students: if they receive and accept the full Pell Grant, Cal Grant and federal loans, their remaining gap need, according to the FAFSA will be met. This ensures that all qualified Santa Barbara County students can access a Westmont education. “Together as a community, we are bridging the opportunity gap for our local youth and cultivating a network of resources students can access to support their plans to pursue higher education,” says Patricia Madrigal, CEO and president of the PEAC Foundation. “This commitment ensures we are actively investing in growing our own here in Santa Barbara.”.
https://www.independent.com/2025/11/21/glittering-futures-event-ignites-college-dreams-for-hispanic-students-2/
Glittering Futures: Event Ignites College Dreams for Hispanic Students
