MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College scholarship recipients and scholarship benefactors were recognized at the annual Star Night banquet earlier this month. The banquet is sponsored by the Big Bend Community College Foundation.

About 200 people – the biggest crowd ever – attended “to show appreciation to the community of supporters that donate generously” to help students afford college, said director of communications Matt Killebrew. Both scholarship donors and recipients were individually introduced and recognized.

The foundation awarded 73 scholarships for a total of $158,264 for the 2016-17 academic year, Killebrew said. Another $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded for winter and spring quarters.

Donors provide the money for scholarships, and Star Night is a way to thank the donors, face to face. “Student recipients of scholarships sit with their respective donors, so they may tell donors what a difference their gifts make,” said BBCC president Terry Leas. The foundation’s scholarship program is made possible by the donors, Leas said. “Thank you for giving so much help to so many.”

Big Bend graduate Luis Alvarez was the keynote speaker. Alvarez is the senior academic advisor in the Trio program, which is designed to provide students extra help with academics and support in coping with college. Alvarez and his brother Victor have established a scholarship for BBCC students, which they named the Promoting Positive Change Scholarship.

Alvarez went on to graduate from Washington State University, and he said he knows college is a challenge sometimes. “I know as a college student, a lot of times you feel like your back is against the wall, and you sometimes want to quit. But there’s always a way out,” he said. “It’s OK to feel this way, just take a deep breath – just breathe. There are people here that will help.”

Alvarez said he started the scholarship to help other prospective college students, and to encourage others to think about donating. “Our students have a lot of dreams and aspirations, and as donors you are helping to make the dreams and aspirations of our students come true,” he said. “I am proud to have started this scholarship with my brother to try and promote positive change. I graduated from right here at Big Bend, went on to graduate from Washington State, and I am proud to be back here working and giving back,”

Phi Theta Kappa member Plasido Lindsey also gave a speech, talking about his experience as a non-traditional student.