SAN DIEGO — Cristo Rey Parish commemorates the legacy of a dedicated school administrator through a scholarship program that bears her name.
Since its creation in 1991, the Maida Torres-Spanovik scholarships have been a source of hope and opportunity for the parish’s young people who dream of attaining a college degree.
This year’s scholarships will be presented on Oct. 20 after the 1 p.m. Sunday Mass.
Maida Torres-Spanovik, Ph.D., was an active member of the San Diego parish for many years before her death in 2004. She was a former teacher and Area Superintendent at the Sweetwater Union School District.
She had a clear vision: support the young people at her parish who wanted to go to college but could not afford it. This vision continues to be a beacon of hope for many of them today, thanks to the educator’s family and the Hispanic Committee at the parish, currently headed by Olga Loya Estrada, the program’s coordinator.
“It’s been an incredible project, and it has had a great impact on the community,” Loya said.
Scholarship applicants often mention that they had seen others receive financial help to pursue their studies and had decided to follow their example.
“They tell us, ‘Here I am, meeting my goal,’” she said.
Torres-Spanovik donated the funds to begin the program. Since her passing, her family members and friends have continued to fund it, giving around $15,000 annually, Loya said.
The parish administers the program and holds events throughout the year to raise funds for the scholarships, collecting an average of $5,000 annually.
The total amount awarded varies every year, based on how much money is available. Applicants attending a university full-time can receive as much as $2,500, while those attending a commmunity college part-time can receive up to $500. The coordinator stressed that all qualified applicants receive a scholarship, adding that she expects that between 15 to 18 scholarships will be awarded this year, the same as last year.
Applicants must submit an essay about their academic goals and career plans and proof of current enrollment in a university or college. As important, they also must prove that they are members of the parish and participate in one of its ministries.
One of the recipients is Monserrat Ramírez Gutiérrez, who is 31 years old. She moved to the United States when she was 8.
She is a “Dreamer,” an undocumented immigrant brought to the United States as a child who has received temporary legal status.
“As a family, we faced many difficulties here,” she recalled. “As a ‘Dreamer,’ I didn’t have the same opportunities to continue studying as someone who is a citizen.”
She said that she enrolled in a community college knowing that she did not have enough funds to attend a university.
“Getting (the parish’s) scholarship was an enormous relief for me and my family,” she said. “It not only covered a portion of my educational expenses, but it also allowed me to concentrate on my classes without having to worry about how I was going to pay for the next semester,” said Ramírez.
She received a scholarship from the parish for six years, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University.
Many scholarship winners return to the parish after graduating from college to participate in one of the ministries.
That’s what happened with Ramírez, and then some.
“I now serve as the administrator of the parish,” she said, formally taking over two years ago. “I’m trying to give back a little of what they gave me.”
The day the parish awards the scholarships is special. The recipients sit together in the church. After Mass, each is called up to receive their check.
Afterward, the students and their families are invited to the parish hall for a reception with the family members of Torres-Spanovik, who year after year travel here from their home in New Mexico for the presentation.
The recipients and the family members are able to chat. Previous recipients share their scholarship’s impact. And a member of the Torres-Spanovik family speaks about her legacy.
“It’s a beautiful reception,” Loya said.
The committee would like to raise more funds to be able to give more scholarships.
“We’re a tiny parish and our capacity to raise funds is nearing its limit,” Loya said.
She noted that the parish organized a dinner-dance this year, supported by many families, a significant community event.
“However, despite our efforts and enthusiasm, we did not raise a substantial amount of funds.”
She noted that a family member of Torres-Spanovik has passed away, putting at risk future funding for the scholarship program.
This year, though, there’s a celebration to plan for the 2024 scholarship recipients.
For more information, contact Olga Loya at (619) 994-7154 or loyaestrada@att.net.
