Maria Serrano Santana made the bold choice to pursue a college education while the oldest of her four children was four years old and the youngest was eight months old. She created the time to study at any chance that she could. Despite the challenges of being a mother, wife, and student in Holguin, Cuba, her perseverance paid off. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching in 1988 and unconsciously served as a role model for future generations in the family. 

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Maria immigrated to the United States in 2001 with her husband Medardo. As they adjusted to life in a new country and learned to navigate the world in two languages, the significance of higher education was repeated time and time again. To this day, Maria Serrano Santana still emphasizes the value of education as a means to better one's life.

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Immigrants and refugees should have the opportunity to expand their career options through the pursuit of education and continue the dreams they left behind in their homeland. La Santana Scholarship seeks to support students of immigrant backgrounds through a one-time award of $500.00 to be used towards education costs, such as tuition, course fees, textbooks, parking permit, technology, etc.

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Any high school senior, trade school student, or two or four-year undergraduate student who was born, raised, or is currently studying in Kentucky and who is an immigrant and/or child of immigrants may apply for this $500.00 scholarship for education costs.​