Sampaguita Group

Ryan-Tejero

By: Ryan Tejero

 

The Sampaguita Group is an independent, not-for-profit corporation committed to raising funds and awarding partial scholarships to Filipino American women matriculated in colleges and universities in the United States.

This organization was founded with the mission to increase public awareness about the phenomenon called Educational Downward Mobility affecting second-generation (U.S.-born) Filipino Americans; to financially assist Filipino American women matriculated in colleges and universities in the United States by awarding partial scholarships; and to encourage other organizations to establishing their own collegiate scholarship programs for Filipino American students matriculated in colleges and universities in the United States.

In 2015, the call to establish an organization to financially assist Filipino American college women came after a report in the Harvard Asian American Policy Review identified a phenomenon called “Educational Downward Mobility” affecting U.S.-born Filipino Americans. Studies showed that, when it comes to succeeding in college, U.S.-born Filipino Americans lagged behind their immigrant Filipino American counterparts. In several studies, this discrepancy was attributed to a number of issues—including socioeconomic challenges. Furthermore, because of possible cultural biases, females may be experiencing fewer opportunities to attend college than their male counterparts; thus our scholarship focus.

Since its inception in 2015, Sampaguita Group has awarded more than $15,500.00 in partial college scholarships to women from College of DuPage, Denison University, DePaul University, Dominican University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Illinois State University, Loyola University, Marquette University, University of Illinois@ Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin@Madison.

Although our top scholarship recipients have worn crowns, we are not a pageant. Merit requirements include a 300-word written essay (50%) and the verbal presentation of that essay at The Sampaguita Ball (50%). Both segments are judged by an independent panel of journalists and community leaders.

By investing in higher education we hope to increase the number of Filipino American women college graduates and their opportunities for lifelong success.

One of the major events that Sampaguita Group has organized this year is the 2019 PKP MEN’S FASHION SHOW, which showcases the talents of three local designers, skills of Kali Center martial artists, and modeling pivots of notable community leaders. The proceeds of this project will benefit the collegiate scholarship fund. This event will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Burr Ridge Town Center in suburban town of Burr Ridge.

Tagged as one of the biggest events in the Filipino American community is the 5th Annual Sampaguita Ball. There will be dinner, dancing, and the announcement of the 2019 Sampaguita Scholarship winners. This will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont on Saturday, July 27, 2019. The proceeds of this gala event will benefit the collegiate scholarship fund of The Sampaguita Group.

For details and information on how get involved in The Sampaguita Group, please contact info@sampaguitagroup.org or call phone (312) 620-2270.

club1

2018 Sampaguita Scholarship Recipients: (L to R) Safia Amerin, Northeastern University, 1st Runner-Up | Brianne Lagtapon, Marquette University, 2nd Runner- Up | Jessica Lomibao, Loyola University Graduate School, Miss Sampaguita USA 2018 | Alyssa Doruelo, Marquette University, 3rd Runner-Up | Gina Gualberto, University of Missouri, 4th Runner-Up. [Photo courtesy of Jhun Patron]

About administrator

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Scroll To Top