Pueblo County commissioners recognize 1st pot scholarship recipients

*I love this story. The tax on marijuana in Pueblo, Colorado, goes to 25 scholarships for Latino students. Light it up for education! VL

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By Anthony A. Mestas, The Pueblo Chieftain (3 minute read)

Janet Calzadillas Chavez received a college scholarship Wednesday — but this one was a lot different from most.

It was the first of its kind in the state and one of the first like it in the world.

The 18-year-old East High School graduate was among 25 Pueblo County students to receive a scholarship derived from the county’s marijuana excise tax, which means proceeds from marijuana sales have been used to fund college scholarships.

“I think it’s a good opportunity. I know marijuana is a big issue right now, but I think it is providing something for us to continue our dreams,” Calzadillas Chavez said on the steps of the Pueblo County Courthouse.

Calzadillas Chavez, who will attend Colorado State University-Pueblo, and other students received $2,000 from Pueblo County. Some attended the Pueblo County commissioners meeting Wednesday to be recognized.

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The commissioners approved a partnership with the Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation to administer the Pueblo County Scholarship Fund using pot excise tax dollars to match state funding from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. READ MORE

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[Photo courtesy of Westword]

Suggested reading

“If you don’t do anything, nothing will happen.” Nancy De Los Santos Reza learned this important lesson early in life. College wasn’t an option, so she got a job as a secretary. A colleague, an older woman who had taken a liking to her, encouraged Nancy to ask her supervisor about attending a professional conference in California. “What’s the worst that could happen?” the woman asked. “They say ‘no’ and you don’t go? You’re already not going.” As a result, Nancy found herself in San Francisco on a life-changing trip. She would go on to earn two college degrees and become the producer of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel’s movie review program, At the Movies.

De Los Santos Reza’s is one of eight inspiring personal essays by Latinas included in this collection. Each contributor overcame obstacles to happiness and success, and here they share their life lessons in the hopes of motivating others. Whether overcoming fear, guilt or low self-esteem, these women seek to encourage others to discover their personal power.

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