Relive the magic with our Visiones’ Highlights Reel!
LUCA’s Visiones Benefit Gala was the perfect way to wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month! This year we celebrated our 13th annual gala and it was a beautiful reminder of the importance of bringing together our scholars, donors, community and corporate partners, and other friends and bringing the magic of LUCA’s mission to life!
Thank you to all those who shared this special evening with us and embraced the opportunity to shine a special light on our scholars and their accomplishments. To our Board Members, your ongoing partnership, support, and commitment changes lives and this year in particular, you truly sparked brighter futures!
Highlights included Founder’s Award honoree and keynote speaker, John Quinones, who delivered a truly moving speech sharing personal aspects of his own youth and journey to college and to becoming an Emmy award-winning journalist. What blew us away was the excitement that the scholars showed at the opportunity to meet, take a photo, or share their own dreams with Mr. Quinones- They felt inspired by his story, perhaps seeing similarities to their own journey.
The feeling of their own inspiration and empowerment was undeniable!
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Danone provided a special opportunity for LUCA to take part in a panel discussion with leaders and employees from its White Plains office on October 7th.
Danone’s HOLA ERG invited Founder and Executive Director Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, LUCA Scholar Alondra Vallejo, and Board Chair and Volunteer College Coach Christine Louvet to host a special lunch and panel discussion for members of the Danone community.
The theme of the presentation was “LUCA Legacy, Empowerment in Action.” Danone hosts included Anibal Fuentes, Executive Sponsor; Paula Estrella, HOLA Co-Chair; Josue Isals, HOLA Co-Chair; and Emma Ramirez, Sr. Associate Manager.
Shirley highlighted the impact of LUCA’s work, explaining how it transforms lives and strengthens communities—one student, one family at a time. She emphasized that when we are in a position to lift others up, celebrating who we are also means reaching back, reaching to the side, and bringing others along with us.
When asked for a key takeaway from the panel discussion, Christine added, “Education is a beacon of hope and LUCA is a beacon of hope. I would encourage anyone who has the capacity and willingness to volunteer at LUCA to give it a try. You don’t need to be an expert, you’ll learn."
LUCA is thrilled to announce that 8 of our 10 LUCA Scholars who submitted applications through the QuestBridge National College Match have been named Finalists!
QuestBridge- a prestigious national program that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to the nation’s top colleges and universities-. LUCA Coaches have supported many Scholars completing this daunting application helping make selective universities not only possible for our scholars, but also completely takes away the burden of cost for families.
Being named a finalist is a remarkable achievement that reflects scholars’ determination and dedication to their education. We are so proud of our scholars, their families, and their LUCA College Coaches and Financial Aid team who help with the submission of the applications.
Congratulations to our incredible Finalists—your hard work and determination continue to inspire us all!
Over the past few weeks, LUCA’s program team has been meeting with high school students at our partner high schools to share how LUCA makes an impact by guiding students through the Scholar application process and highlighting the key aspects of support and resources available to them. Students also have the opportunity to hear directly from current LUCA Scholars about their experience and the difference that their college coaches have made in their college journey.
In October, we had the opportunity to visit New Rochelle High School and Ossining High School, and look forward to continuing visits to our six remaining partner high schools in the coming weeks.
FAFSA Boot Camps bring LUCA volunteers and staff directly to students and families to help submit applications for federal, state, and institutional aid. These events are open to all families, not just LUCA Scholars, so more students in the community can get the support they need to navigate the college financial aid process.
This October, we hosted our LUCA Scholar FAFSA Boot Camp at Westchester Community College (WCC), where 54 Scholars from the Class of 2026 and their families took important steps toward financing their college journeys.
In addition, thanks to the generous support of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, we were able—and will continue—to support students at our partner high schools. In October, we helped students at White Plains High School and Ossining High School, a reminder that LUCA is here for the entire community.
It’s not too late to get involved! Volunteer at our upcoming FAFSA Boot Camps and help empower the next generation of college students.
For more information, contact:
Catherine Maroney, Senior Manager, Partnerships & Volunteers
Tel: 914-863-1390 Email: cmaroney@lucany.org
LUCA
75 Virginia Road, 2nd fl. | White Plains, NY 10603
914-828-0404
lucany.org
