“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.”
- Maya Angelou
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Phi Chapter Hermanos’ service, professional and academic accomplishments are only possible due to the sacrifice and support from important individuals in our lives. An Hermano’s success is the legacy that these individuals leave long after they may no longer be around. Phi Chapter’s Legacy scholarships strive to provide financial support to the next generation of terrapins.
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Phi Chapter has partnered with La Unidad Latina Service and Education Fund, a non-profit 501(c)(3), to raise funds for scholarships. All contributions are tax deductible.
Phi chapter has awarded the following in scholarships: :​
2022 - $1,500 - Winners
2023 - $2,100 - Winners
2024 - $3,500 - Winners
Total $7,100
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Special thanks to these Hermanos, their families and other supporters for financial contributions to the 2024 scholarship fund:
Hermano Steven Ventura (Fall 1996, #3)
Hermano Roger Hernandez (Fall 1996, #2)
Hermano Edwin Ramirez (Spring 2020, # 2)
Hermano Nathaniel Guzman (Spring 2009, #5)
Hermano Jorge Campos (Alpha Delta Chapter at George Mason University, Spring 1999, #1)
Hermano Yuri Bautista (Fall 1996, #1)
Hermano Jose Centeno-Melendez (Spring 2009, #1)
Hermano Christian Del Cid (Spring 2009, #2)
Hermano Carlos Salazar (Spring 2009, #3)
Hermano Peter Canales (Spring 2009, #4)
Hermano Lorn Hinish (Fall 1995, # 1)
Hermano Juan Sempertegui (Fall 1995, #3)
Claudia Barragan​
$500 LEgacy Book
Scholarships
Criteria
- First generation college student
- Involvement and commitment to Latino/a/x community
- Enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park, Montgomery Community College, Prince George’s Community College, Northern Virginia Community College, or George Mason University for the Fall 2024 semester
- Current recipient of school-based financial aid
- Submission of a 500 word statement explaining financial need
​​- After application deadline, the scholarship selection committee will identify finalists to be interviewed.
Scholarship winners will be selected after the interview.
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The 2025 scholarship application will be posted in July 2025
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For questions, please contact Hermano Juan Sempertegui at Juan.M.Sempertegui@gmail.com.​
HONOREES
MARIA M. SEMPERTEGUI
In the Fall 2022, Hermano Juan M. Sempertegui (Fall 1995, #3) established book scholarships in honor of his late mother Maria M. Sempertegui. Hermano Steven Ventura (Fall 1996, #3) donated an additional book scholarship in honor of Mrs. Sempertegui as well.
Maria M. Sempertegui was born on December 5, 1951, in Cochabamba, Bolivia and was the youngest of nine siblings. She completed Cosmetology school in Bolivia and opened a hair salon before becoming the first person in her entire family to migrate to the Unites States in 1979. Eventually, many family members followed her to the United States. For more than 24 years, she worked as a Bus Aide with Maryland's Montgomery Public School System. Mrs. Sempertegui was also licensed by the State of Maryland as a Senior Cosmetologist and was the proud owner of Maria's Hair Salon, LLC in Langley Park, MD. She was honored to become a U.S. Citizen in 1995. Mrs. Sempertegui passed away on September 20, 2016. She was married to Jorge for more than 35 years. Mrs. Sempertegui and her husband had three children (Juan, Steven and Andrea) and she is the grandmother to five granddaughters, three of whom are also named Maria.
Roger Hernandez, Sr.
In the Fall 2024, Hermano Roger Hernandez, Jr. (Fall 1996, #2) established a book scholarship in honor of his father Roger Hernandez, Sr.
Roger Alberto Hernandez, Sr. was born in Managua, Nicaragua on October 13, 1955. He is the second oldest of five siblings. His education was cut short due to the financial demands of the family household. He migrated to the United States at age 24 in 1980 followed by his spouse, Dominga Hernandez and his son, Roger Hernandez, Jr. He desperately sought asylum and a better quality of life for his family due to a war-stricken Nicaragua. His second and last child, Diana Hernandez, was born in 1985. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1993 along with his wife and first born.
Despite his lack of basic education, it did not limit his determination, curiosity, and ingenuity to learn, adapt and master many trades into his adult life. He excelled in numerous professions as a carpenter, plumber, concrete finisher, electrician, construction foreman, maintenance supervisor, and lastly, he retired as a bus driver for Montgomery County Public Schools. His love for classic rock music, the Beatles, and Latin music birthed his hobby into becoming a disc jockey. He adores his children and his granddaughter, Briana Torres, unconditionally. His Maryland home is his treasured haven that he tirelessly worked on by executing numerous remodeling projects throughout his lifetime by his own hands. Hermano Roger feels that his father embodies the true example of a devoted father, "a superhero in my eyes". His countless sacrifices as a family provider fostered an immensely positive impact for his children earning him the nickname, “El Jefe” (The Boss). He is a man of few words, but his unwavering call to action demonstrated his amor de familia.
In the fall of 2024, Hermano Edwin Ramirez (Spring 2020, #2) and his family established a book scholarship in honor of his late grandfather Isaac Castro.
Isaac Castro was born on July 6, 1942, in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Mr. Castro came from humble beginnings, having been raised by his single mother in La Paz. Despite facing financial challenges, Isaac was determined to provide for his family by any means necessary, helping his mother sell various homemade meals in the local market to make ends meet. He excelled as a student and attended Colegio Nacional Bolivar with aspirations to become an accountant. His career plans changed, however, when he was presented with the opportunity to move to the United States in 1963. Although he had a limited English proficiency and little to no money at the time, Isaac moved to Washington D.C. for the chance to better provide for his family and establish roots overseas.
Despite the differences in culture and the existing language barrier, Isaac wasn’t deterred from achieving his goal of succeeding in America. With time, Mr. Castro learned English and began to enjoy the fast-paced lifestyle in the nation’s capital. He worked as a banquet waiter at the Sheraton/Marriot Hotel in Wardman Park for over 50 years, meeting several notable figures along the way including politicians, musicians, and athletes. Isaac and his wife Doris achieved their life-long milestone when they purchased their first home in Kensington, Maryland – a feat that was hard to imagine was possible many years ago.
Isaac was passionate about sports – he played soccer for many years and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren compete at their soccer games. Having spent most of his life in the DMV area, Mr. Castro grew to become a loyal sports fan of the local teams - Washington Redskins, Nationals, DC United, and Maryland Terrapins.
Isaac embodied the characteristics of a true gentleman and family man. He cared deeply for his family and loved ones, often putting their needs before his own. He was known for his sense of humor and contagious smile, always knowing how to make others laugh even later in life when he faced different health conditions. His relentless work ethic and countless sacrifices are a testament to his commitment to his family. He is missed dearly by his friends and loved ones, although his legacy remains strong by those who cared for him.
Isaac castro
