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Celebrating 15 Years with ¡Lánzate!

christine-orteg
Employee
Employee

 

Since 2005, Southwest has championed Hispanic success in higher education by donating over 4,000 tickets to students across the country. This year alone, we awarded 187 recipients from 120 different schools eight tickets each. Recipients can use these tickets to travel to and from school.

 

According to Rigoberto Perez Hernandez, a former ¡Lánzate! / Take Off! Travel Award recipient and undergraduate student at Cornell University, “The ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program alleviated much of my financial concerns. The award enabled my family to see me graduate and cross the stage at Cornell University. I am the first in my family to graduate from a university and pursue a professional degree.”

 

Through this national education initiative, HACU and Southwest Airlines have left indelible marks on students, their communities, and their families over the past 15 years. ¡Lánzate! / Take Off! Travel Award Program has turned their “what ifs” into “what is.”

 

“I never fail to admit that without the assistance of Southwest, my attempt to pursue an undergraduate degree would have been a nearly impossible feat,” shared ¡Lánzate! / Take Off! Travel Award alumna and student at New York University (NYU), Jessica Arzola. “I have been, and always will be, incredibly grateful to Southwest Airlines.”

 

Together, HACU and Southwest Airlines have given Hispanic students wings and allowed their dreams to take flight!

 

The ¡Lánzate! / Take Off! Travel Award Program is just one of the many ways Southwest Airlines gives back to the Hispanic community throughout the year. Stay tuned to learn more as we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

3 Comments
Exit32
Explorer C

A little prejudicial maybe?   Other races and cultures need help with their educational/travel expenses.    Southwest should not be so biased.

albahullst
Explorer C

The segmentation of US demographics continues with a great idea turned into a exclusionary act against all college kids that are not Latino. All college kids regardless of race, religion or ethnic background miss their family during the holidays. . 

NicoleAshley
Employee
Employee

Hi @albahullst  and @Exit32 , thank you for your comments.  At Southwest Airlines we strongly believe in making a difference in the communities we serve and are proud to sponsor many initiatives throughout the year. Please rest assured all of our programs impact many different cultures, in different ways. For more information about it, check out southwest.com/citizenship.

 

Nicole Ashley

Community Manager