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Every year that Rocco Ranallo has been at the University of North Georgia (1688¿ª½±Íø), he searched for scholarships to fund his education and ease his financial burden. Each year, the senior pursuing a cybersecurity degree secured the Goizueta Foundation Scholarship.

"Because of the scholarship, I had one job instead of two," the 36-year-old who lives in Dahlonega, Georgia, said. "It also gave me time to fill out an application to land my internship."

Ranallo's testimonial is not unique. Kyle Murphy, interim assistant director of the Multicultural Student Affairs, explained all 15 Goizueta Scholarship recipients have three things in common. They demonstrate a financial need, exhibit high academic achievement or GPA, and are of Hispanic or Latino heritage.

"It's extremely competitive, and 600 students qualified this year," Murphy, who sits on the Goizueta scholarship selection committee, said. "We interviewed the students to get to know them better before awarding the scholarships."

Thirty students were interviewed and 15 were selected. Eleven of this year's recipients are: Albany Angulo, Eunice Cervantes, Mireille Cypher, Camila Fajardo, John Febres Jr., Marlene Ortiz Gomez, Michelle Alvarado Gonzalez, Maria Martinez, Rene Morales, Alisha Paul, and Ranallo.

All received between $1,000 and $3,000 and must complete at least one community service project. This requirement makes the Goizueta scholarship unique, Murphy said.

"Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to do small volunteer projects each month," he said. "Hopefully in the spring, the students will plan one big event."

Morales, a senior pursuing a biology degree, can hardly wait to participate.

"When I learned the Goizueta scholarship has community service built into it, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for," he said. "I love the community service projects."

Morales said a previous Goizueta Scholars community project involved raising funds for refugees and translating for them, but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled it. He is ready to help with this year's student-led projects where he can be a role model.

"I come from a family who didn't have much from the start," the 22-year-old from Gainesville, Georgia, said. "I want people to know if you dream something, then you can do it."

Murphy said Goizueta is designed to share that lesson.

"It's important for our students to be involved in the community," he said. "Through these projects, students can build a network with community organizations and other schools and understand project management. Those lessons will help them with their futures."