Gift Legacy eNewsletter 2/15/23

The Alfred Diaz-Infante Memorial Legacy Scholarship Endowment Yesenia Marquez Padilla is one of seven scholars

“I believe that things happen for a reason,” said Hartnell College Alumna Yesenia Marquez Padilla. “Hartnell was put in my path for a reason and I am so glad they were there for me.”

Marquez Padilla, 24, has reason to celebrate and be thankful. On February 2, 2023, she was one of six Alfred Diaz-Infante Memorial Legacy Scholars to be celebrated at the CHISPA annual event, along with one Diaz-Infante Family Scholar. She graduated from Hartnell in May 2022 and transferred to CSU Bakersfield as a Political Science and Pre-Law major. She is set to graduate in December 2023. Alfred Diaz-Infante was the CEO of CHISPA (Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association) for 24 years, making the event the perfect occasion to announce the recipients of his scholarship.  

“I learned to love the law system in this country, although the justice system has flaws. I want to be a catalyst for change,” she said. “I want migrant students to know that there are many opportunities for them, and I want to be a resource for them and their parents.”

Yesenia is from Castroville. She has three siblings. Her parents came from Jalisco, Mexico and her mom is also a Hartnell alumna.

“I am so proud of my mom!” she said. “She is not only a cancer survivor, but she graduated from Hartnell with me last year; we got to walk together at graduation. It was special.”

In 2016, Yesenia graduated from North Monterey County High School in Castroville and went on to Cal State University East Bay. During a trip to Mexico, she fell ill and had to immediately undergo surgery for appendicitis, and later her gallbladder was removed. She could not travel back to the United States and had to remain in Mexico for one year for proper healing.

“I have always been determined to finish school and I went through my illness with lots of stress because of all the delays with my education plan,” she said. “It was not easy to transition from a university to a community college – for a while, I felt a lot of shame for taking so much time to pick up the pieces and continue.”

But she held her head up high and turned the situation into a positive outcome. As a member of her local LULAC, she raised $10,000 for scholarships, became the Reina Fiestas Patrias 2019, and became a champion for community advocacy and higher education. 

This summer, Marquez Padilla will be preparing for her LSATs, the admissions test required by most schools of law.

“I want to make my America better,” she said.

When she has free time from her studies, Yesenia loves to try new foods, travel, explore architecture, dance, play with makeup, hike, and more.

Congratulations to all the 2023 Alfred Diaz-Infante Memorial Legacy Fund Scholars and the 2023 Diaz-Infante Family Fund Scholar! The Hartnell College Foundation is proud of you and looks forward to your contributions to our communities as you become brilliant professionals in your fields of study.