We Heart Edgar

So...in case you didn't hear about the launch yesterday, famed former Mariner hitter Edgar Martinez and his wife Holli have set up a scholarship fund for Latino undergrad students and also for minorities pursuing teacher-training programs. He and his wife know how many students a teacher can affect, and how having teachers that look like us can really inspire us.

But you know what? While Washington State schools had 24% minority students in the 2007-2008 school year, only 7% of the teachers were minorities. AND - in 2005-2006, only 16 percent of teaching certificates were issued to minorities.

Now we know there's a problem with graduation levels in our nation and state--especially among minorities. And according to our own study of Puget Sound Latinos, we found that only 16% have attended or are graduating from college. Let's work on giving these students something to aspire to!

So Edgar and Holli have set up The Martinez Foundation and donated $200K of their own funds to guarantee a minimum of ten $20,000 scholarships to Latino undergrads! They'd like you to help them with this amazing cause. The Martinez Foundation fundraising event will take place October 18 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. See more at http://www.themartinezfoundation.org/

¡Gracias, Edgar y Holli!