Carbondale teen earns CMC scholarship from Alpine Bank

Roaring Fork High School grad Tena selected as one of 13 Hispanic/Latino scholars

By Kristin Carlson

Oscar Tena, 2012 Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship
Oscar Tena received the 2012 Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship for Roaring Fork High School, which covers two years of tuition, fees and books for 13 students to attend any Colorado Mountain College campus. Photo Kate Lapides

[CARBONDALE] – Math always came easily to Oscar Tena, but he knew that his college dreams would be hard-won, if not impossible, without a scholarship. Enter Alpine Bank.

“When they called,” Tena said, “I was amazed.”  The middle child of five, he had always heard that college could change lives. “I wanted to experience that,” he said, “for myself and for my family.”

Tena said that his mother started actively encouraging his studies when she heard good reports from his middle school teachers. He memorized numbers and patterns easily, and his teachers took note. At home, he was often able to fix the broken toys and gadgets that others had cast off. His family didn’t have money, but Tena had the resources of a bright mind and a resilient spirit.

In her recommendation, Roaring Fork High School math teacher Wendy Boland described Tena as the kind of student who “wants to completely understand the concept, not just achieve a certain grade.” She further praised Tena as an “excellent tutor, as he can explain to his peers why you proceed in a certain direction rather than just how to do the .”

Tena plans to complete his core curriculum classes at Colorado Mountain College and then transfer to Colorado Mesa University to earn a degree in mechanical engineering.

This is the 17th year Alpine Bank has honored regional high school graduates through the bank’s Latino/Hispanic Scholarships. This year’s 13 recipients receive a scholarship that covers two years of tuition, fees and books at any Colorado Mountain College campus.

Mentoring, leadership changed lives

In addition to his academic pursuits, Tena has proven an enthusiastic volunteer, especially as a mentor to other students. Carbondale Middle School counselor Susan Turner described him as “a great role model, friend, tutor and support.”

In 8th grade, Tena was part of the first Diversity Team at Carbondale Middle School, where he and seven other students made T-shirts and organized Mix-It-Up Lunches to encourage students to sit with people of different cultures and backgrounds at lunchtime.

Alpine Bank Chairman Bob Young (front row, center) is surrounded by the 2012 class of Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship recipients, who will be attending Colorado Mountain College in the fall. The student scholars and their respective high schools include (back row, from left) Levi Ernest, Red Canyon; Natalie Avila, Yampah Mountain; Ana Orellana, Steamboat Springs; Venezia Cuadras, Coal Ridge; Kevin Kiyoshi Nakagawa, Basalt; Oscar Tena, Roaring Fork; (middle row, from left) Edeyanira Martinez, Summit; Maritza Araiza (merit scholar), Basalt; Damian Montes, Eagle Valley; (front row, from left) Dolly Contreras, Glenwood Springs; Baneza Andrades Vargas, Aspen; Young; Heidi Acosta, Rifle; and Stella Martinez, Battle Mountain. Photo Kate Lapides

While in high school, Tena continued to mentor a group of at-risk boys at the middle school and particularly enjoyed participating in the Buddy Program.  Math teacher Boland, who nominated Tena for the program, said that he excelled in his leadership role, making a real difference in the life of the boy he mentored.

Tena wrote in his application essay, “I have learned to accept the bitter with the sweet, use my own talents and experiences for the benefit of others and share with no expectation of repayment.” As he ventures into college, Tena said he is ready to give it “101%.”

This year’s other student scholars and their respective high schools are Baneza Andrades Vargas, Aspen; Maritza Araiza (merit scholar) and Kevin Kiyoshi Nakagawa, Basalt; Dolly Contreras, Glenwood Springs; Natalie Avila, Yampah Mountain; Venezia Cuadras, Coal Ridge; Heidi Acosta, Rifle; Levi Ernest, Red Canyon; Stella Martinez, Battle Mountain; Damian Montes, Eagle Valley; Edeyanira Martinez, Summit; and Ana Orellana, Steamboat Springs.