Media

American Honda Motor Co. Inc, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Friday awarded eight outstanding Latino undergraduate students a scholarship based on their academic success and interest in a career in the automotive industry. One of the eight scholars has also accepted internship positions at Honda operations in the U.S. The $50,000 scholarship fund for the 2011-12 academic year marks the latest step in a partnership between HSF and Honda that began in 2003.

Each winning student received a scholarship award and eligibility to participate in Honda's summer immersion/internship program. Additionally, this year's winners were invited to get an inside look into Honda's Manufacturing and Research and Development operations in Ohio. The students will also have an opportunity to meet and interact with top Honda executives to discuss the future of the industry. In order to be considered, students were required to have declared their major in the areas of business administration, chemical, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering, and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Selections were also based on students' demonstrated knowledge of the auto industry. This year's winners are:

• Claudia Morales, DePaul University – Business Administration
• Dustin Gallegos, University of Illinois – Electrical Engineering
• Elizabeth Santos, Kettering University – Industrial Engineering
• Francisco Michaud, Drexel University – Accounting/Business Administration
• Henri Idrovo, Illinois Institute of Technology – Electrical Engineering
• Kenneth Castaneda, Yale University – Mechanical Engineering
• Nicholas Diaz, Ohio State University – Business Administration
• Tanya Miracle, University of Akron – Chemical Engineering

"On behalf of Honda, I'd like to congratulate the eight outstanding students who have received this award, said Marc Burt, senior manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity at American Honda. "We hope these scholarships will help reduce the financial strain of pursuing higher education and allow these talented scholars to focus on their academic pursuits."

"Honda's partnership with HSF demonstrates its commitment to improving access to higher education for Latino students," said Frank D. Alvarez, President & CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. "We appreciate Honda's willingness to invest in Hispanic youth through HSF and join us in our work to give more Hispanics the opportunity to pursue their dreams of earning a college degree."

For more information about Honda's partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, please visit at www.HSF.net.

About Honda
Honda is the world's largest engine maker, producing a vast array of products, including automobiles, motorcycles, power equipment and, soon, jet aircraft – all designed to advance mobility and improve the lives of people through continued innovations in technology and design. Based on its belief in The Power of Dreams and in the ability of individuals to create a new and better future for society, Honda supports a variety of initiatives aimed at advancing education and creating experiences of discovery that help young people see and achieve their own dreams. Honda's partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is one of many programs that demonstrate Honda's commitment to the Latino community and to helping young people access The Power of Dreams.

About Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund believes that the country prospers when all Americans have access to the opportunities a college education can afford. As the nation's leading Hispanic higher education fund, HSF works to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree. HSF has awarded over $330 million in scholarships over the past 36 years and has supported a broad range of outreach and education programs to help students and their families navigate collegiate life, from gaining admission and securing financial aid to finding employment after graduation. HSF envisions a future where every Latino household will have at least one college graduate, creating an enduring impact on the college outlook of Latino families nationwide, and strengthening the American economy for generations to come.

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