SAN DIEGO–Lanae Gutierrez has faced many obstacles in her life including becoming a single teenage mother, handling her young son’s battle with cancer, and dealing with the tragic death of her father. In spite of these challenges, Lanae, a probation officer who lives in Chula Vista, is pursuing her educational goal of earning a college degree in criminal justice administration to help at-risk youth.
Lanae is one of 13 recent high school graduates and 5 adults continuing their education selected by the Cox Kids Foundation as a recipient of a 2010 Cox Heroes Scholarships presented by Mission Federal Credit Union. She will receive a $2,500 Cox Heroes Scholarship to continue her education at National University.
This year, $52,500 in Cox Heroes scholarships has been awarded to San Diego-area high school students and adults who are continuing their educational goals.
Cox Heroes Scholarships recognize the hard work and commitment of high school seniors and adults re-entering school who have overcome personal challenges while pursuing educational advancement at a San Diego-area vocational school or university.
The 2010 Cox Heroes scholarship recipients are:
| $5,000 High School Recipients: |
| Jordan Harrison – Steele Canyon High School |
| Ereca Nguyen – Hoover High School |
| $2,500 High School Recipients: |
| Dorcus Bangenyi – Crawford CHAMPS |
| Mariana Diestra – School of International Business in Kearny High School |
| Humberto Figueroa – Granite Hills High School |
| Alan Hurtado – Clairemont High School |
| Kevin Huynh – Eastlake High School |
| Chelsea Jauregui – Ramona High School |
| Maricela León – Oceanside High School |
| Anthony Martinez – San Diego High School of Business |
| Joshua Morse – Point Loma High School |
| Ly Nguyen – Hoover High School |
| Brenda Vega – Sweetwater High School |
| Adult Recipients: |
| David Campbell ($1,500) |
| Lanae Gutierrez ($2,500 |
| Deena Hernandez ($2,500) |
| Noemi Tracy ($3,500) |
| Alberto Vasquez ($5,000) |
Since 1999, the Cox Kids Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications, has raised more than $3.5 million to support children and families in need in the areas of health, education and social services throughout San Diego County. The Cox Kids Foundation, a fund of the San Diego Foundation, is supported by nearly 1,000 employees who donate funds from their paychecks that are matched 100% by Cox Communications. It is managed by a board of 40 Cox employees who volunteer their time to oversee the foundation and determine how the funds are allocated. In 2009, the Cox Kids Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary of community giving and donated more than $700,000 to the San Diego community. www.cox.com.
