APPLETON, Wis. — Twenty-one percent of U.S. residents students enrolled in degree-granting institutions are Hispanic/Latino, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

A Fox Valley organization is looking to up that percentage. Casa Hispana aims to create brighter futures by investing in its youth.

Avidan Trujillo said he is thankful to walk the halls of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He said attending college is something that’s never been accomplished in his family.

“My dad is from El Salvador. He came to America and was trying to have a better life for him and his family. And I am the very first person in his whole family and my mother’s family to ever go to college,” Trujillo said.  

What You Need To Know

  • Casa Hispana is a nonprofit organization that aims to advocate for and empower the Hispanic/Latino community through awareness, education and celebration of diverse cultures to help current and future generations thrive in the Fox Valley

  • Casa Hispana's scholarship program began in 1992

  • Scholarships of $500 and $1,000 are offered in Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties to Hispanic/Latino residents pursuing post-secondary education

It’s been a bumpy road to UWO for Trujillo. His lifelong dream was the NFL. Early on, Trujillo said he was recognized for his pro potential.

“I was awarded the Jacobson Award at my high school. It was basically an award for the best offensive lineman who is just an all-around great person, has a hard work ethic, and is someone they can rely on,” Trujillo said.

Trujillo’s dreams were downed after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Doctors successfully removed the cancerous organ and Trujillo went on to play a full year of college football as #67 for UWO, but injuries forced him to consider a career off the field.

“I know they need a lot of nurses. I’ve been in the hospital many times, and they were always so nice to me, and they were helping. And I definitely feel that I could use my skills and my strengths to better other people in this field,” Trujillo said.

Even though Trujillo no longer played football for UWO, his grit and academic achievements didn’t go unnoticed.

Carlos Salazar is the executive director at Casa Hispana. The organization awarded Trujillo a scholarship.

“That was tremendous joy. Listening to his story. His mom also being there and telling us that the background of everything that went on in his life that was, yeah, we’re doing a good job,” Salazar said.

Every year, Casa Hispana awards two- and four-year scholarships. Salazar said his organization goes beyond education.

“Casa Hispana is a connection hub for our Latino Hispanic community here in the Fox Valley. We help with free bilingual resources. We refer people to health, financial, legal, employment and housing resources,” Salazar said.

Thanks to Casa Hispana’s scholarship, Trujillo can continue his education.

He’s also no longer in a class by himself; his sister now attends UWO.

The NFL may still be in the picture for this nursing student. Trujillo said he would have a unique position on the field.

“Potentially become a doctor. I think that’ll be huge on my family, huge on myself, huge for my family name, the Trujillos. The scholarships, they help me push forward, they help me. It gives me a beacon of hope,” Trujillo said.

Scholarships of $500 and $1,000 are offered in Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties to Hispanic/Latino residents pursuing post-secondary education.

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