Puerto Vallarta - On February 26, 2011, the beautiful patio of the Casa Magna Marriott sparkled with the last vestiges of the sunset and the colorfully clad Becas Vallarta supporters who were there to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of this completely volunteer foundation which over the last fifty years has funded the education of thousands of Puerto Vallarta young people, eighth grade through university.

The atmosphere was alive with music, warm weather, conviviality and anticipation of what was ahead. Handsome waiters served the crowd with Margaritas and wine donated by Nina's Cork + Bottle, Cavas de Thierry, Coyul Licoria, El Dorado, La Palapa, Outback, River Café, and two anonymous benefactors.

Dressed in our best, Linda Wirth and I could hardly believe that we had actually done the impossible. We had our part ready for this Ball even though the date was moved up two weeks. Mentally we checked off that we had brought everything we had been working on for the last four weeks: Newsletters - newly written, laid out and printed, menu and wine cards for the tables, seating arrangements for the almost 300 attendees, posters from the last 19 Becas Balls, door prizes, the wine that was being served all around us and the myriad of small things that make an event run smoothly. Satisfied, we joined in the fun and enjoyed sipping the wine that just the day before had been stacked in our car along with the newsletters, etc.

Too soon, it seemed, it was time to go into the dining area. As each guest entered she or he was given a unique gift bag by a smiling Becado (scholarship student). These gift bags were donated and prepared by Marcelo Mico Pilates aided by the Timothy Real Estate Group.

Inside was a complimentary admission ticket to Fandango from Salvador Luna Peña of Fandango, which is valid when used with a purchase of a $150 peso companion ticket. I am still blown away that Salvador, with the urging of Sergio Zepeda, the Teatro Vallarta Manager, donated 300 complimentary $450 peso tickets to us.

This is the third year that Carol and Charlotte at Xocodiva Chocolates have prepared and donated 300 little packages of their chocolates, which are indeed the "Food of the Gods." The Timothy Group donated refrigerator magnets with the important Vallarta telephone numbers, Marcelo Mico Pilates and Spa prepared bath salts, beautifully and colorfully packaged, both June Rosen Lopez Jewelry and La Leche Restaurant gave 10% discount cards. June, one of our perennial donors also will give 10% of the purchase of any jewelry bought with this card to Becas. What a treat for our attendees and another proof of the incredible support given to us by our community.

When the guests entered the dazzling ballroom they were stunned by the absolute perfection of the setting. Rocco Troyani Productions and President Mariel de Fregoso exceeded everyone’s expectation with this incredible tableau. Tables with dramatic arrangements of white calla lilies and colorful pansies complimented the exquisite china and glassware. The tables were comfortably spaced around two dance floors that soon were filled with bodies swaying to the melodic sounds of Grupo Cubana.

Trio, Vitea and Anfitrion de Mexico donated both white and red wine, which was served throughout the gourmet dinner of Lobster Bisque, Endives Salad with Honey & Apple Vinaigrette, Grilled Salmon with Dijon Sauce, Wild Mushroom Risotta and Creme Brulee. Vegetarian and Chicken Dinners were available for those who don’t eat fish. While everything was absolute delicious, I want to compliment the Marriott chefs for their Lobster Bisque, which was a gourmet’s delight!

President Mariel de Fregoso welcomed the almost 300 attendees to this Fifty Year Celebration and acknowledged many who were with us who had their lives changed by the education they received through Becas.

Judy and Angelo Galeana, early members of Becas, took a personal interest in each of the young students. They traveled by bus to each of the ten junior highs in which we had becados and came to know the young people intimately. Husband and I joined them in this endeavor when we started with Becas and were amazed what they were able to do. They employed several of the Becados for after school work in their spacious home on Francisca Rodriguez in El Centro and served as mentors to those they could not actually employ. Although Angelo has passed away, Judy remains an active part of Becas and is one of our reliable Compadres. She invited many of the becados whom she had helped in past years to be her guests at this fifty year celebration even though she could not join them.

We were thrilled that Guadalupe Espino Ochoa, now a lawyer, and his brother Cesar Espino Ochoa, now a psychologist, and both prominent in their home town of Talpa de Allende, were able to make the trip down to the Ball. They were accompanied to the event by Bill Worth, and Guy Lawlor, who, along with Galeanas and Becas, helped them every step of the way to becoming professionals. Lupe actually lived in Judy and Angelo’s home for much of his university career as he could not afford to rent a place in Vallarta. Judy also helped Cesar with his lodging and was his “Vallarta Mom” as well as his mentor while studying for his university degree.

Dr. José Guadalupe Carrillo Soto, Orthodontist practicing on Calle Allende in el centro, became a becado in eighth grade and continued with the program until he received his professional degree. Lupe was another whom Judy helped by giving him part time work in her home to augment his income, as well as encouraging him in his school work. He has kept in touch with us through the years and we are so proud of our Dr. Lupe!

Another prominent professional in Puerto Vallarta who attended the ball is Lic. Marcelo Lara. He has Bernice Starr, Becas, Judy and Angelo Galeana to thank for his education as they all took part in getting him into school and encouraging him along the way. He is now the Jefe of all Combustibles at our airport here in Vallarta and recently earned his law degree at CUC to add to the degree he earned with the very first graduating class at our branch of the University of Guadalajara, CUC.

José Avalos Grano, another guest at the ball whom Judy has mentored and mothered, now has his law degree and is practicing here in Vallarta, but has not given up his connection to Judy. He still helps out in her Vallarta home as she is in Scottsdale, Arizona a good part of the year now.

There was one successful becado at the table who did not have Judy as a mentor, but our founder Bernice Starr. L.C.P. (CPA) Guillermo Arechiga López was one of the becados that Bernice Starr arranged to send to Mexico City to go to high school when Puerto Vallarta had none. It took him several years with many detours, but now is a licensed accountant who is the Director of Ecopa and is very proud of his Becas connection.

A protégée of Bernice who not at the table, because we did not know about him, is a bell man at the Casa Magna Marriott. The day after the ball when Carl Johnson and I were gathering up the leavings from the Ball, this man asked me if I knew Bernice Starr. It was then that he revealed that he, like Guillermo, was one who Bernice arranged to go to Mexico City to study. Family events intervened and he was forced to come home and give up his scholarship, but he has never forgotten his time with Becas or our founder Bernice.

In addition to our little group of successful becados, one of our founders, Lupita Sanchez de Covarrubias, was in attendance. We are so proud that Lupe is well and still active in Becas and the community. Her passion at this moment is raising funds for the Asilio de San Juan Diego, a long time dream of hers that is almost to fruition. Email Lupe at malupita88(at)hotmail.com for information on a fabulous event to raise funds for the Old Folks Home coming up.

Joan Cannon, Jenny Jenkins and Margaret Tolton took on the job of the Silent Auction. All the rest of us had worked to get donations for the auction, with Pat Bendix and Aurora de la Torre pushing me very hard as to whom got the most gifts. The items were arranged in such an eye catching way and were of such high caliber that every item sold!

Gifts were donated by Artell, Barcelo Hotel, Café des Artistes, Canopy River, Casa Espiritu, Casa Magna Marriott. Casa Magna Marriott Champions Sports Bar, Casa Magna Marriott Mikado, Casa Isabel, Casa Encantada-Patzcuaro, Victoria of Casa Encantada, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Club de Golf Marina, Daiquiri Dick's, Dhelma Nutricion Y Medicina Estetica, Dickinson Guest House Guadalajara, El Eden Eco Park, Elements, Embarcadero, Época, Four Seasons-Mexico City, French Riviera, Grand Bay Hotel, Island Navidad, Hacienda San Angel, Friendly Hotel, June Rosen Jewelry, La Leche, Lalo Morales, La Palapa, Mundo de Azulejos, No Way José!, Florese Vallarta, Quinta Don Jose-Tlaquepaque, River Café, Ingé Lokos, Tequila Don Crispin and Venus Sunshine.

Nino Foppiani of Mexico City once again donated a piece of his exquisite jewelry as a door prize. Dainty earrings of white gold decked with tiny diamonds were won by one of our own, Lic. José Avalos Grano. Other door prizes of two bottles of red wine donated by Liverpool were won by several attendees.

Now to the dancing. Grupo Cubana pulled out all stops with their eclectic music and their dancers taking on the guests. It was a real happening and when Husband and I left, the dance floor was filled with revelers having fun while doing good!

¡Muchisimas Gracias a Todos!