AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), Big Red, America’s original and best-selling red soda, has partnered with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-serving Institutions, to support students pursuing a higher education. Big Red will grant five $1,000 Big Red ¡Avance! scholarships to assist students with the cost of higher education. Scholarships will be awarded for the 2017-2018 academic year. Students can learn more about the scholarships at www.bigred.com/scholarship and sign up to be notified when the scholarship application is live in January 2017.
According to Pew Research Center, Hispanic college enrollment has been on the rise. In 2014, 35% of Hispanics ages 18 – 24 enrolled in a two- to four-year college education, up from 22% in 1993. “Big Red is proud to play a part in these students’ journey to pursue a higher education. Big Red’s partnership with HACU will reach some of America’s brightest young leaders and set them on a path for continued success. Big Red is honored to be HACU’s first beverage partner by establishing the Big Red ¡Avance! Scholarship Program,” says Sergio Trujillo, marketing director at Big Red.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year between September 15 – October 15 to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States. To reach qualified students about the Big Red ¡Avance! Scholarship Program, Big Red will utilize in-store point of sale, a program microsite, public relations and social media.
Allen Bernard Cabanillas and Antonio Huerta are two recent HACU scholarship recipients.
“HACU gave me confidence because an organization believed in me and therefore, I can achieve. I am grateful for these opportunities for my education.” – Allan Bernard Cabanillas, California State University – Los Angeles.
“The HACU Scholarship Program helped me attend college and gave me tools to achieve my goals. I am truly blessed to have been a part of the HACU Scholarship Program.” – Antonio Huerta, Colorado State University-Pueblo.
To learn more about HACU, please visit: http://www.hacu.net.
ABOUT BIG RED
Big Red Inc. is one of the top 10 beverage companies in North America with a history dating back to 1937. Along with Big Red®, recognized as the number-one selling red soda, Big Red Inc. also markets beverage brands Big Red Zero®, Big Blue®, Big Peach®, Big Pineapple®, NuGrape®, and Nesbitt’s® products. Distributed widely throughout the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Independent Bottlers and Pepsi Beverages Company, consumers across the country enjoy Big Red Inc.’s beverages. For more information, please visit www.bigred.com.
ABOUT HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain. The association’s headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas, with offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California. HACU, the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Information is available at www.hacu.net.
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