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Elko, NV, USA. “I graduated from Elko High School and this is an opportunity for me to give something back to the community,” said Juaristi, CEO of the technology company Arbola (“tree” in Basque). As the businessman explained, the boys and girls awarded with this scholarship can go to any community college or university of their choice.

Vince Juaristi is who created the program seven years ago and the only person that funds it. “So far we’ve given between 40 and 50,000 dollars, between 500 and 1,000 per student,” said the philanthropist. A very decent amount of money that the youngsters don’t forget: “Some of them write me when they get their diplomas, or to ask me for references for masters or jobs.”

There are three criteria that Juaristi −with the aid of his mother, Rosie Juaristi, who “likes to help”− follows to choose applicants: Academic performance, community service, and a 1,000-words-essay upon one of the topics he decides. This year’s list of possible topics was Population growth, Genetic engineering, Species extinctions, Virtual world, and Borrowed law.

At the beginning of each year Juaristi publishes the bases to apply for the scholarship and by the end of February applicants must have submitted their forms. Between April and May the granted students are selected and in June the award ceremony occurs.

Vince Juaristi is happy with the fact that he’s helped 50 students with his scholarships. “It’s wonderful,” he said. Still, he wants to do more − “Now I don’t know whether to expand it to new high schools or expand the stipend.”