ORRVILLE, Ohio, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, Café Bustelo, in partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), announced the winners of the Café Bustelo El Café del Futuro Scholarship Essay Contest.

In January, Café Bustelo challenged U.S. Latino students 18 years of age and older who were currently enrolled as a full-time student at an HACU member institution to submit an 800-word essay in English or Spanish for a chance to win one of nine $5,000 scholarships. Including this year’s contest, Café Bustelo has proudly contributed over $100,000 in college scholarships to winning students nationwide.

Each prospective scholarship recipient answered the following essay question:

“Describe how your Hispanic/Latino heritage, family, and the community, in which you grew up, have impacted your desire and motivation to obtain a college degree. Additionally, describe what you intend to accomplish with your degree and how you will give back to your community.”

More than 550 eligible entries were received from U.S. students enrolled in HACU member colleges nationwide and were judged by a qualified panel of judges and assigned a scoring designation. The top nine winners were students who exemplify community engagement and embrace and celebrate their Latino heritage, as Café Bustelo does.

The following students have been selected as official winners of the 2016 edition:

• Ana Garbiela Kovats, studying Education at San Diego State University
• Araceli Agustin Gomez, studying Agriculture at California State University, Fresno
• Carissa Ford, studying Social Work at Florida International University
• Joseph Madera, studying Business Administration at Arizona State University
• Juan Pinzon, studying Computer Engineering at San Jose State University
• Kevin Santana, studying Finance at Florida International University
• Maricela Ramirez, studying to be a Physician Assistant at Heritage University
• Veronica Rico, studying Engineering at California State University, Northridge
• Yesenia Perez, studying Mental Health at DePaul University

As a beloved brand among Latinos in the U.S., Café Bustelo is committed to giving back to those families and individuals who never hold back and, since 2014, has promoted higher education in the U.S. Latino community through this scholarship program.

About The J.M. Smucker Company

For nearly 120 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that bring families together to share memorable meals and moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of consumer food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. In consumer foods and beverages, its brands include Smucker’s®, Folgers®, Jif®, Dunkin’ Donuts®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, R.W. Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®, Café Bustelo®, Martha White®, truRoots®, Sahale Snacks®, Robin Hood®, and Bick’s®. In pet food and pet snacks, its brands include Meow Mix®, Milk-Bone®, Kibbles ‘n Bits®, Natural Balance®, and 9Lives®. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information about the Company, visit jmsmucker.com.

The J.M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Pillsbury® is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC and Dunkin’ Donuts® is a registered trademark of DD IP Holder LLC.

Dunkin’ Donuts® brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores. This information does not pertain to Dunkin’ Donuts® coffee or other products for sale in Dunkin’ Donuts® restaurants.

©/®  Rowland Coffee Roasters, Inc.

About HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) represents approximately 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 government relations offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California. HACU, the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), celebrates its 30 year anniversary in 2016. Information is available at www.hacu.net.

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