GlobalGiving.co.uk: Scholarships for Outstanding Students in Argentina

Pamela shares her experience

Gabriela Mondino — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:35:54 GMT

Greetings Friends of VISIONAR!!

In the attached report, Pamela Pinciroli, one of twelve VISIONAR scholarship recipients, tells us about her experience in college and what it means to her. (To read the report, please open the attached pdf).

Pamela is currently attending her first year of Political Science studies at Universidad de Villa Maria, in the province of Cordoba, Argentina.

I hope you feel excited about and proud of the work that all of us, as partners, are getting accomplished. With VISIONAR scholarships, we are making a difference, one student at a time.

As always, blessings and many thanks.

Gabriela

Attachments:

VISIONAR - June 2013 (PDF)

Meet VISIONAR's new students!

Gabriela Mondino — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:12:11 GMT

We are excited to announce that we awarded six new scholarships for the 2013 academic year!! Thanks to your precious support, VISIONAR is touching the lives of these motivated young students in ways that will impact their future!

Please read about our six new students in the attached update.

New students Continuing students Graduated student

Sofía Miraglio Maximiliano Senno Karen Centurión

Mariana Filippi Emiliano Gudiño

Eliana Pérez María Angela Contreras

Julieta Ludueña Pamela Pinciroli

Antonela Rubiolo Gastón Madera

Karen Gutiérrez

Thank you for taking such an important role in the VISIONAR program. Whether a donor, or a mentor, or someone who cheers us up, we appreciate it all.

Best,

Gabriela

Attachments:

VISIONAR update March 2013 (PDF)

VISIONAR scholarships - great news!

Gabriela Mondino — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:44:43 GMT

Homecoming, and exciting news for 2013!

The week of Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to travel back to Argentina, as I do every year, to meet with VISIONAR students and volunteers. This year it was particularly busy!

Asociación Atrapasueños, the local organization that manages VISIONAR scholarships, has always been extremely dedicated and supportive of our program. Their members, mostly retired teachers and school administrators, all volunteer their time generously to help our students, administer the funds, manage the annual student selection process, and so much more! Miss Evelina Feraudo, Atrapasueños' indefatigable founder and leader, arranged a promotional campaign for us during the week I spent there. We visited the local media, business leaders and government officials in order to garner support for the students in the form of additional donations.

As a result of all our work, we have two new donations for full scholarships: One from the local government, and one from the managing directors of local companies (Parque Industrial San Francisco). This, plus previous fundraising during the year, including the contributions from many of you reading this report, will allow VISIONAR to offer 6 new scholarships in 2013!! This is FANTASTIC news for us! Our active student base will go from 5 to 11 next year!

The profile of the new students, as well as the progress of our current ones deserve a whole separate report and will be sent soon.

Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr. Martin Llaryora, San Francisco's Mayor, the directors of local manufacturing companies, Asociación Atrapasueños and each and every one of you for this HUGE impact we are all having in the lives of deserving college students!

Enjoy some of our pictures in the attachment.

Lastly, on behalf of VISIONAR scholarships and Asociacion Atrapasueños, I send you all our best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year! And may we continue to do great things together!

Warmly,

Gabriela

Attachments:

VISIONAR report December 2012 (PDF)

VISIONAR September 2012 Update

Gabriela Mondino — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:22:01 GMT

VISIONAR scholars tutor at-risk high school students; and other news (see attachment).

Besides maintaining high grades, VISIONAR students are required to dedicate 4 hours a month to community service,

To fulfill this second requirement, Graciela (VISIONAR's coordinator) and the five scholarship recipients started a program that provides one-on-one tutoring to at-risk high school students at Colegio Nacional San Martín in San Francisco, Argentina.

VISIONAR students set up office hours at the school, where students can come by and ask for help in the areas of expertise of each VISIONAR student. Pamela is helping with English lessons, Maxi, Emi and Angela help with math, Maxi also helps with Physics, and Gastón helps with biology.

Maxi commented that one of the students he is helping is very smart, but unmotivated. So besides explaining math concepts, Maxi and the other VISIONAR students are fulfilling a much higher role of inspiring and guiding their younger counterparts.

VISIONAR and Asociación Atrapasueños are very grateful to Colegio Nacional San Martín and to principal Gabriela Vastik for giving our students the opportunity to contribute through this tutoring program and to inspire other students.

Attachments:

VISIONAR_update_for_GLOBALGIVING_Sept_2012.pdf (PDF)

VISIONAR student meets his sponsor

Gabriela Mondino — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 22:12:32 GMT

Maximiliano and VISIONAR sponsor Flavia

Probably one of the most rewarding aspects of a program like VISIONAR is when a student meets for the first time the sponsor that has been supporting him or her with a VISIONAR scholarship. It is a moment of gratitude, mutual admiration and overall joy. And if the meeting is a surprise for one of them, all the more exciting!

That is what happened earlier this year when VISIONAR scholar Maximiliano Senno agreed to surprise his sponsor, Flavia Lamberghini. Maxi lives in San Francisco, Argentina, and is in his third year of Chemical Engineering school at Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Flavia, a San Francisco native as well, lives with her family in Chicago. The meeting was arranged in Sao Paolo, Brazil, with the excuse of taping an interview on VISIONAR for Argentinean television.

As Flavia went from her hotel room to the lobby for her “interview”, she did not suspect Maxi was waiting for her at the end of her elevator ride. When the door opened, the few seconds of confusion were followed by a combination of hugs, laughter and tears. It was a memorable instant that marked their hearts as well as the hearts of those around them.

Maxi and Flavia then had a long conversation, but the moment transcended words. It was the meeting of two kind souls, both enabling a dream: one by providing her generous support, the other one by making the best of the opportunity presented to him. The connection was palpable, even to those of us who had played accomplice and were fortunate to spend that weekend with them.

What about the interview for Argentinean television? We are told they are editing the story and fine-tuning the show's structure before the story can air. But that is accessory to what happened that weekend in Sao Paolo: a special bond was created between Maxi and Flavia that I venture to say will last a very long time.

Attachments:

Update_for_Globalgiving__FlaviayMaxi_Jul_2012.pdf (PDF)

VISIONAR: one graduation; one new scholarship

Gabriela Mondino — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:24:16 GMT

VISIONAR: SUPPORTING HIGHER EDUCATION IN ARGENTINA, ONE STUDENT AT A TIME

(for full report please open pdf attachment)

First VISIONAR graduate and new VISIONAR scholar

The first quarter of 2012 has been very eventful for the organization, with our first VISIONAR graduate and a new VISIONAR scholar on our roster of outstanding students.

Karen Tatiana Centurion is the first VISIONAR scholarship recipient to have completed her coursework. In December 2011, Karen finished the program to be certified as Human Resources manager and is ready to receive her diploma from Insitucion Cervantes after presentation of her thesis in a few weeks (scheduled for April 2012). Karen's final grade point average was 7.8 / 10, equivalent of a B in the US grading system.

Karen's parents and siblings Rosana, Nadia and Oscar are very proud of her accomplishment. With her degree in Human Resources, Karen plans to move to a larger city in Argentina, possibly Cordoba or Santa Fe, where she is hoping to get a job so that she can embark on her next project: to continue studying in a national university and to expand her horizons, possibly in the area of psychology.

Karen, VISIONAR wishes you continued success! As you finish one important chapter and start another, we would like to leave this quote with you: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" (Eleanor Roosevelt).

Continuing with our mission to help one student at a time, in the month of February we brought on board a new VISIONAR student, Pamela Pinciroli.

Pamela graduated high school from Escuela Normal Superior Dr Nicolas Avellaneda, in San Francisco, with a GPA of 8.73/10 (equivalent to A- in the US grading system). Pamela is now enrolled in FASTA (Fraternidad de Agrupaciones Santo Tomas de Aquino), in San Francisco, Argentina, to pursue a three-year degree in English studies / translation. After getting her degree, Pamela is determined to pursue further education in studies in International Relations.

Pamela has proven herself not only academically but also as an important contributor to the community with various volunteering activities: at a retirement home, at the local library, and tutoring other students. In addition, in 2011 Pamela was selected by the US Embassy among 12 Argentine students to participate in a 3-month Youth Ambassadors program in the US. During that program, Pamela had the opportunity to do community service in Washington DC and Johnson City, TN.

VISIONAR welcomes Pamela and wishes her great success!

Attachments:

VISIONAR March 2012 (PDF)

VISIONAR students on local TV

Gabriela Mondino — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:27:36 GMT

VISIONAR is happy to report that, on November 24^th, 2011, the local TV channel in San Francisco, Argentina, Canal 4, dedicated a segment of 10 minutes to VISIONAR scholars and Atrapasuenos manager Graciela Asis. A video of the live show has been requested and will be shared as soon as it is available.

Key messages delivered during the interview:

- VISIONAR goals: to support outstanding college students with leadership potential

- VISIONAR requirements: excellent academic performance and community service

- VISIONAR support: the on-going mentoring provided by Atrapasuenos volunteers

- VISIONAR need for community involvement via donations and volunteering

- VISIONAR’s gratitude: to all supporters and volunteers

Four of our scholars (Maximiliano, Gaston, Emiliano and Maria Angela) were interviewed during the segment. Each student briefly told their story, the college program they are attending, and their experience being part of the VISIONAR team.

As always, we are all so proud of our students, and so very thankful to our supporters!

Gabriela Mondino

contact@vision-ar.org

Attachments:

VISIONAR update Nov 24 2011 (PDF)

VISIONAR update - September 2011

Gabriela Mondino — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:41:06 GMT

VISIONAR - Wine Tasting event Chicago, August 2011

VISIONAR continues making inroads in the communities of Chicago, IL and San Francisco, Argentina. Our dual goal is to promote the organization and to continue raising funds.

In Chicago: August 12th, 2011 - VISIONAR participated in a wine tasting event sponsored by the Argentine Consulate. More than two hundred attendees had the chance to learn about VISIONAR as they registered for the event.

In San Francisco, Argentina: June 11th, August 13th, September 10th - Seminars on Personal Image, organized by VISIONAR and Atrapasueños to raise funds for scholarships. These seminars, led by image consultant Cecilia Varese, are designed to help attendees improve their personal image, be it during job search, in the workplace, or in other aspects of social life. Suggested donation of USD $20 (pesos $60) per seminar.

We invite all our friends and supporters to consider a donation to VISIONAR via Globalgiving. We are getting ready to open the selection process for 2012 scholarships and your help will be greatly appreciated!

As always, if you have questions, feel free to contact me at gmondino@gmail.com

Kind regards,

Gabriela Mondino

Gabriela greeting attendees

Fundraising events in Argentina

Gabriela Mondino — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:04:59 GMT

Please read about our exciting fundraising events in San Francisco, Argentina! Wellness and Personal Image Seminars organized by Atrapasueños Association.

Links:

VISIONAR scholarships

Attachments:

VISIONAR fundraising (PDF)

Update from VISIONAR scholar Maximiliano Senno

Gabriela Mondino — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 03:59:19 GMT

VISIONAR SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholar: Maximiliano Senno

University: Universidad Tecnologica Nacional

Major: Chemical Engineering

Maximiliano, one of our seven scholars sponsored by VISIONAR, was awarded a full scholarship in February 2010. In December 2010 Maximiliano just completed his first year of college. The excerpt below is from a report that Maximiliano sent to VISIONAR's Board members updating us on his experience during this important transition from high school to college.

"These last months school has been more complicated; we had one midterm after another (and more coming up soon), sometimes without much lecture from professors (but rather, self-study). For instance, in Analytical Geometry and Algebra, we had a 20 minute explanation of the topics that would be in the exam. However, I figured things out, and got a 10 in the exam (highest grade). (...) With Physics, something similar happened. The professor gave the topics to study one day before the exam, so we were all scrambling to get ready. I don't have the grade on that one yet, but I am hoping for something similar to Analytical Geometry.

As far as my classmates, things could not be better. I am very happy with them, so I hope our friendship will continue to grow for a long time. I befriended a guy who lives in a town outside of San Francisco (Argentina). He comes over to my apartment almost every day and we study together. When the weather is nice, we go sit in the park and study there. But during finals, I think it will be better to study at home so that we don't get distracted.

It is hard to believe that the year is almost over. Before we know it, it will be "summer break". I write with quotation marks before I am planning to use the summer months to review the material I studied, a bit in a hurry, this past year. I hope to have enough time.

I hope to keep sending you good news every time so that you know there is value in the efforts the VISIONAR team and donors make for us. As always I am grateful."

We believe that Maximilianoe will go into his second year of college with continued success. We are very proud of him and we hope that you, the supporters and donors, feel the same.

VISIONAR Board

Gabriela Mondino

Sandra Cravero

Marcelo Lanzarotti

VISIONAR's three new scholars

Sandra Cravero — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 23:54:08 GMT

VISIONAR scholarships

October 2010 Update

My name is Sandra Cravero and I have served on the board of VISIONAR scholarships for two years. While I live in Chicago IL, my work with VISIONAR allows me to help deserving college students in my hometown of San Francisco (Argentina) to achieve their career goals.

During my visit to San Francisco last October, I had the opportunity to meet with our new VISIONAR scholars: Maria Angela Contreras, Gaston Madera, and Maximiliano Senno, all three in their first year of university. They are very pleased with their careers and they were happy to express their expectations, challenges and also frustrations experienced over the past year.

Maria Angela, who pursues a degree in Accounting, has excellent grades. Besides studying, she is involved in various community service activities like tutoring elementary students in her neighborhood several times a week. She is a very responsible and organized person, with a clear understanding of her career objectives and what she wants to achieve.

Having grown up in the rural area outside San Francisco, Gaston chooses to concentrate on Agronomy Studies. He is currently living with his aunt in the city so that he can attend college. He’s very happy with his career choice and he mentioned that some days he has to travel to Villa Maria city to attend some classes there. He also expressed his desire to study English and the possibility of continuing his studies in the USA. Unlike the other scholars that live with their parents, Gaston has more living expenses since he has to help his aunt to pay some of the house expenses they share.

Maximiliano seems to be a very calm and modest person and he was also very satisfied with his progress at school, where he works toward a Chemical engineering degree. Maximiliano enjoys riding his bike a lot and mentioned that his parents made a lot of effort to buy him a new bicycle to go to school. He also told me that he has experience in video production and would be happy to help us make a video for VISIONAR.

Maria Angela, Maximiliano and Gaston join our continuing VISIONAR scholars, Elizabeth Quinteros, Carolina Gonzalez, Emiliano Gudiño, and Karen Tatiana Centurion, in becoming part of a group of students whose determination, ambition, and hard work earn them high recognition and prepare them well for success in their careers and in their lives.

I wish all of our VISIONAR students continued success!

Sandra Cravero

Attachments:

Oct 2010 update (PDF)

Meet VISIONAR scholar Gaston Madera

Gabriela Mondino — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:31:49 GMT

Gaston and his parents Patricia and Alberto Madera

Gaston Madera: the embodiment of VISIONAR’s values

Gaston Madera is one of VISIONAR’s seven scholarship recipients, living in San Francico, Argentina. While in high school, at I.P.E.M Nº 222 “AGR. AMËRICO A. MILANI”, Gaston received numerous awards in recognition of his academic accomplishments as well as his character. As one of the maximum awards bestowed in the Argentine high school system, Gaston was elected by the student body to guard the national flag at school ceremonies during his senior year.

For Gaston, going to school means a lot more sacrifice and effort that to many other kids. Gaston’s parents live and work in a rural area outside of San Francisco, Argentina. During the school year, and since age 13, Gaston lives by himself in precarious housing in San Francisco, so that he can attend classes daily. Being away from his parents since an early age and taking care of himself, while obtaining excellent grades and the respect of classmates and teachers speak highly of Gaston’s drive to succeed, and of his values.

Now in his freshman year in college, and thanks in part to a VISIONAR scholarship, Gaston is focused on his Agronomy Engineering studies. Gaston continues to excel in school, despite his difficult socioeconomic condition. Gaston is a true inspiration to those around him!

The classes Gaston is taking include Mathematics, Animal Anatomy, Physics, Inorganic Chemistry, Botany, Computer Science and Phylosophy. So far he has taken two final exams (Computer Science and Phylosophy), with excellent grades: 9 and 10 (on a 10 point scale).

Gaston embodies the spirit of VISIONAR: an outstanding young man with a strong vision for himself, a clear objective, and the motivation that will propel him to achieve his goals through his life.

As always, we want to give special thanks to all VISIONAR friends and donors. Gaston and the other six VISIONAR scholars are building their future one day at a time, thanks to your generous support!

VISIONEWS - VISIONAR SPRING 2010 Newsletter

Gabriela Mondino — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:32:02 GMT

Check out VISIONEWS, our Spring 2010 newsletter!

- Three new scholarships awarded this year! - Meet our Board of Directors - Meet one of our volunteers in San Francisco, Argentina - Learn about VISIONAR's recent events in Chicago

Attachments:

VISIONEWS - VISIONAR Spring 2010 Newsletter (PDF)

VISIONAR Workshop on Innovation

Gabriela Mondino — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:36:08 GMT

VISIONAR March 4 2010 Event, Chicago

One of our 2010 goals is to continue to engage the donor community, not only by showing our progress in supporting college students, but also by providing opportunities for our donors' own personal and professional development. On March 4th, VISIONAR organized a workshop in Chicago, led by innovation expert Adam Shames, entitled: THE TIME FOR INNOVATION IS NOW: CREATIVITY COMPETENCIES FOR INDIVIDUAL AND CULTURE CHANGE. In this interactive session, Adam Shames taught the competences that are essential to the creative process, and that can be applied to our professional or personal activities. In Adam's unique approach, innovation and creativity skills were demonstrated through the lens of Argentine cultural traits. For instance, to demonstrate flexibility and adaptation skills, essential to foster creative solutions, Adam invited the audience to practice tango steps, where the male dancer leads and the female dancer typically follows. Adam surprised us by requesting that roles be reversed, and that women lead the dance while men followed. We left Adam's session energized and inspired. Increased awareness on VISIONAR scholarships, new contacts, newly learned creativity skills and an overall positive energy summarize the outcome of this great workshop!

VISIONAR Adam Shames Workshop on Creativity

VISIONAR Board of Directors

VISIONAR awards 3 new scholarships!

Gabriela Mondino — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:46:53 GMT

VISIONAR 2010 scholars

VISIONAR continues to help deserving students in Argentina. Thanks to the support of our generous donors, and to the continued dedication of Atrapasuenos members and volunteers, three new students now enjoy full scholarships to attend college. Gastón Alberto Madera, 17, María Angela Contreras, 18, and Maximiliano Alejandro Senno, 17, were selected in January 2010 for their academic performance and leadership potential, and now join continuing scholars Emiliano Gudiño, Carolina González, Elizabeth Quinteros and Karen Centurión. Gaston enrolled in Agronomy studies; Maria Angela will pursue Accounting, and Maximiliano started a Chemical Engineering program at Universidad Tecnologica Nacional in San Francisco, Argentina. VISIONAR wishes all its seven scholars the best success in the 2010 academic year!

Great Grades for Scholarship Recipients

Gabriela Mondino — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:36:18 GMT

VISIONAR supporters have reasons to be proud. All five students we are sponsoring are making progress toward their college degrees. They are driven, smart, hard working, and their efforts are paying off. VISIONAR is providing these young Argentines with the opportunity to study. In return, VISIONAR asks for their serious commitment to success. VISIONAR requires a minimum GPA of 7.00, which is equivalent to a “B” in the American grading system, and at least 4 hours of community service per month. VISIONAR is managed seamlessly by a local non-profit organization, Atrapasueños, run by Miss Evelina Feraudo. Atrapasueños board member Graciela Asis is instrumental in the success of VISIONAR in Argentina. Graciela is the on-site manager and mentor to the students. VISIONAR is very thankful to Graciela and Evelina for joining us in making this dream come true.

Please read the attached newsletter for further details on the student's progress!

Attachments:

VISIONEWS_1.pdf (PDF)

VISIONAR's five scholars

Gabriela — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:52:04 GMT

Emiliano, the first VISIONAR scholar, is now in his third year of Information Technology studies at the Universidad Tecnologica Nacional, in San Francisco, Argentina.

Emiliano has received recognition from the Dean of UTN for his dedication and his academic achievements. His current GPA is 7.22 /10. Emiliano’s extracurricular interests include volunteering at Atrapasueños’ library.

“I want to become an IT Engineer because it is a career with great potential. My aspiration is to work in companies of great reputation, either in Argentina or abroad.”

Carolina is in her first year of Law school at the Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales (UCES). Carolina also loves English and Oriental dances. As for community service, Carolina helps students with learning disabilities. Elizabeth’s goal is to earn a degree in Social Work, from FASTA.

Elizabeth graduated from IPEM 315 Jose Hernandez High School in November 2008, with honors. “I care about my future, I want to grow, and I aspire to help others in my community.”

Karen started a Human Resources program at Escuela Normal Dr Nicolas Avellaneda. In her spare time, she loves to help others in need, be it her mother’s ill friend, or kids in the hospital.

Lucrecia has always loved math, and is now focused on her objective to become a public accountant. She is enrolled in a 4-year program at the Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales (UCES).

VISIONAR is proud of its five sponsored students and wishes them great success!

Meet our new VISIONAR scholars!!

Gabriela MONDINO — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:18:26 GMT

FOUR deserving students have started college programs in 2009 with YOUR support! Open the attached document to learn more about our students.

In addition, Emiliano, our first VISIONAR student, is now starting his 3rd year of college, with continued support from your donations.

This brings the total number of VISIONAR students to FIVE in 2009.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Attachments:

2009 VISIONAR scholars (PDF)

VISIONAR scholarships; ARGENTINA

Gabriela Mondino — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:24:21 GMT

Elizabeth, 2008 VISIONAR scholar, Argentina

Please check out this attached document for exciting news about VISIONAR! We awarded FOUR new scholarships in San Francisco, Argentina, in August 2008. Also, here are photos of our new scholars.

Carolina and Karen, 2008 VISIONAR scholars, Argentina

Attachments:

VISIONAR Sept 2008 Update (DOC)

First scholarship recipient: Emiliano Gudino

Gabriela — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:26:44 GMT

Emiliano Gudino - Scholarship recipient

Emiliano's Bio. First scholarship recipient - San Francisco, Argentina

Emiliano's Academic Record - 2007

Gabriela — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:19:53 GMT

EMILIANO GUDINO - ACADEMIC REPORT

Emiliano finished his first year of college at Universidad Tecnologica Nacional with outstanding performance. Please see the attached file, with Emiliano's grades and his final GPA of 7.83 / 10 (equivalent to B+ in the US grading system).