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VISIONAR SCHOLARSHIPS – FEB 2017 UPDATE

So much to share! I promise it is worth the read!

• Goodbyes • New Leadership • Six Graduates in 2016! • Reconnecting – 2016 year-end gathering • Out in the World – updates from our alumni

Goodbyes With heavy hearts in 2016 we said goodbye to two Atrapasueños leaders: in February Graciela “Cheli” Asís de Lombardi, executive director of VISIONAR Scholarships and beloved mentor, lost a brave battle with cancer, and in July we lost the founder of Atrapasueños, Ms. Evelina Feraudo. Evelina was at the forefront of San Francisco’s political and civic life for decades and her passing left a void in the community. Evelina and Cheli opened the doors of Atrapasueños when VISIONAR was only an idea, they embraced it and they worked tirelessly to make it into the successful program that it is today. They are deeply missed and remembered with much gratitude.

New leadership To continue with Evelina’s and Cheli’s legacy, Atrapasueños Board of Directors appointed Ms. Ana María Aimasso as its new President, directly in charge of VISIONAR Scholarships.

Ana María brings experience in and passion for education, just like Cheli and Evelina before her. Ana María is an assertive leader, a true mentor, an advisor, and a friend to our VISIONAR students. Under her initiative, the community service requirement is now organized in partnership with a residence for underprivileged kids where our VISIONAR students volunteer their time. Ana María always has the time to listen and advise our VISIONAR students when they are facing challenges, be it academic or personal, and she is always present to celebrate their accomplishments. Ana María attends thesis defenses and graduation ceremonies, and it is not unusual for her to wait outside exam rooms during finals to show her support to our scholars. We could not ask for a better and more dedicated leader!

GRACIELA EVELINA

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Six graduates! Now onto our biggest pride: in 2016 six VISIONAR students graduated thanks to your support! That is the highest number of VISIONAR graduations in any given year since its inception.

• Darío graduated with honors from Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales (UCES). He received a degree in international business. Darío has gotten valuable work experience as a marketing manager at Vulcano, a local industrial equipment manufacturer, since 2015. Now he has set higher goals for himself: for 2017, he enrolled in a higher degree program in International Relations/Political Science at Universidad Nacional de Rosario. This is a huge step for Darío because it involves moving out of his hometown of San Francisco, and leaving family and friends to continue growing in his field. We wish him continued success!

• Matías also graduated from the international business program at UCES with top grades and is already employed at Tebsa, an import-export consulting firm in San Francisco. Matías says he is grateful for a great job, great team, and the opportunity to keep learning how to develop an export strategy and how to implement it. In addition, when his busy schedule permits, Matías dedicates time to his other passion as a volunteer firefighter. We are thankful to Matías for his invaluable contribution to the San Francisco community.

• Maximiliano graduated with honors and a chemical engineering degree from Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN). The exciting news is that Maxi has just been accepted as a doctoral candidate by the prestigious CONICET institute to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics. For Maxi, this will also entail moving to Santa Fe city. An important new chapter for Maxi in starts in the New Year and we wish him the best!

DARIO AND HIS FAMILY AT GRADUATION

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• Mariana made her dream come true by becoming a Physical Education teacher. When you see

or speak with Mariana, it is loud and clear that her passion is in PhyEd and teaching kids of all ages and abilities. Her face lights up when she tells you how fulfilling her work is! Not only has she trained to teach in elementary and secondary school, but she has also gained experience in sports for kids with disabilities.

• Karen and Micaela recently graduated among the top in their class at FASTA with a degree in

Psychopedagogy. After summer break, both Karen and Micaela will be looking for jobs in local schools; they already have strong recommendations from their teachers and mentors. We will provide more updates as we hear from them in a few months.

MARIANA CELEBRATES WITH CLASSMATES

MICAELA STUDYING FOR EXAMS AND DRINKING MATÉ (traditional Argentine tea that accompanies most students during long study sessions)

MARIANA COACHED KIDS WITH DISABILITIES IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

KAREN

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Reconnecting Last December, I spent a few days in San Francisco, Argentina and had the chance to reconnect with VISIONAR students as well as Atrapasueños staff. We gathered for a traditional “choripaneada” (delicious grilled sausage between two halves of perfectly baked bread). It was a pleasant gathering where we recounted our blessings and toasted to more goals and dreams for the year ahead. As you saw in the update above, we had a lot to celebrate!

Out in the world Where are our VISIONAR alumni now? Just as it is exciting to see our VISIONAR students flourish, it is heart warming to know that those already “out in the world” continue to grow professionally and personally. Today we are featuring one of our alumni, and you will hear from the others in the coming months.

Emiliano was our first VISIONAR student in 2007 and today is an accomplished software engineer at Globant (www.globant.com) in Cordoba City. Among other responsibilities, Emi was recently assigned the Disney account! He is creating apps for park guests that are visually impaired. An exciting professional path, international exposure, and the opportunity to contribute to society in a very meaningful way! So proud of you, Emi!!

Please consider supporting one VISIONAR student through their school year, which represents USD $1,525 in today’s exchange rates. This amount helps pay for university fees, school supplies, books and transportation. As always, any amount is deeply appreciated and welcome. You may make your donation at: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/support-education-in-argentina/ Thank you for your support! Gabriela