Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Fancy footwork and dedicated studies merge for the Becas Ball. The oldest charity in the Puerto Vallarta area is celebrating 50 continuous years.

"We've had over 5000 scholars with careers and this is very significant for us," says Carlos Fregoso, American-Mexican Foundation President. "We're pushing for more and more every year, right now we have almost 400 scholars and out of which almost half are in university, which is a big step from before, we used to have maybe one or two in university, so we are very proud of this program."

Becas Vallarta has evolved and now supports many college students. They really appreciate the opportunity to fulfill their destiny.

I realized my dream, I now work as a dentist with my own consulting office and business," says Jose Guadalupe Carrillo, dentist. "Becas Vallarta is very, very important because many young people don't have the possibilities economically to continue their studies and the organization is so vital to many potentially great students."

"Becas changed my life radically because my family could not afford to continue sending me to school," says Jose Apolonio Abelos, Lawyer, "The organization let me complete my dream of becoming a lawyer and helping others who fall through the cracks."

Becas Vallarta, the America Mexico Foundation, provides a chance for gifted children to become the best they can be.

"It's important because it is the oldest charity in Vallarta," says Carlos, "We're giving education to kids that don't have any means to get an education and we're changing the lives of these kids because they are mostly from very poor families and they have homes with no electricity, no running water, so it's a big step for them to get a career and make some money and be somebody."

The opportunity of a lifetime awaits those who want to pass their barriers and exceed. These kids also continue giving back to the organization that helped them achieve their goals.

Editor's note: Continuing the celebration of Becas Vallarta’s fifty years of funding scholarships for local youngsters, eighth grade through university, La Leche Restaurant and Liverpool Department Stores are sponsoring a Becas Brunch and Fashion Show on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. Tickets are $300 pesos and must be bought in advance. All members of Becas are selling tickets or you can contact Polly Vicars at phvicars(at)gmail.com, (322) 223-1371 or 044-322-182-0215.

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