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Fiesta del Pueblo awarded 2026 Maria Guadalupe Cervantes Memorial Scholarship
TIFTON – The Fiesta del Pueblo committee recently awarded its 2026 Maria Guadalupe Cervantes Memorial scholarship to a distinguished student: EVELIN SELENNE DEL ANGEL.
As part of the Festival and to support students who need it, this scholarship was established in 2004 and commemorates Cervantes, a former educator from Mexico who tragically lost her life in the Omega tornado of 2000. La Fiesta del Pueblo strengthens this endowment annually raising funds through vendor fees, donations, and festival proceeds.
EVELIN SELENNE DEL ANGEL
Evelin is the daughter of Carlos Del Angel and Angelica Hernandez; she has a younger brother, David Del Angel. She graduated from Cook County High School, Class of 2025. Evelin is enrolled as a full-time student at ABAC, pursuing a Bachelor’s in History and Government. Her achievements include the Georgia Trio Achiever Award 2026, SAEOPP 2026, and the HEP/CAMP Conference award.
She has dedicated her time to the community, helping others at Moultrie Catholic Church, Tifton Schools, and festivals such as La Fiesta del Pueblo.
Her goal is to grow through education, embrace opportunities, and create a future where she is financially secure, fulfilled in her career, and able to support the people she cares about while making a difference.
From left: Dina Willis, Evelin Del Angel, and David Del Angel.
Scholarships
Dina Willis, founder of Fiesta del Pueblo and Oscar Martinez, winner of the MGC 2024 scholarship.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Awards of the Fiesta del Pueblo 2024 Committee Maria Guadalupe Cervantes Memorial Scholarship
TIFTON, GA - The la Fiesta del Pueblo committee proudly announces that OSCAR MARTÍNEZ HERNÁNDEZ of Pearson, Georgia, has been awarded the 2024 Maria Guadalupe Cervantes Memorial Scholarship.
Oscar is the son of the late Roberto Martinez Leal and Lucila Hernandez Trejo, and has an older brother named Lucio Martinez. Currently in his third year at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education. Oscar plans to open his own agricultural business after graduation.
Oscar graduated from Atkinson County High School in May 2022. As the first in his family to attend college and graduate with a four-year degree, he credits the support of his family and the guidance of his high school teachers for making his dream a reality. Recently, he completed an internship in Congressman Austin Scott's Washington D.C. office, an experience he found deeply memorable.
Throughout his time at ABAC, Oscar has demonstrated leadership and community involvement. He has served as an ambassador, senator for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and orientation leader during the summer of 2023. He is an active member of several clubs, including MANRRS, Cultura Latinx Club (CLC), Collegiate FFA (CFFA), and the Education Club.
Oscar's commitment to community service is evident through his work with the ABAC Upward Bound program, where he assisted with the Emory Farmworker project in the Bainbridge area. In addition, he serves as a volunteer firefighter for his county.
On the top picture committee Fiesta del Pueblo 2024 - on the bottom Lucila Hernández (mother) Oscar Martínez (winner) Lucio Martinez (brother)
The Maria Guadalupe Cervantes Scholarship (MGC) was endowed to ABAC in 2004 to honor Maria Guadalupe Cervantes, a dedicated educator in Mexico who was unable to pursue a teaching career in the United States. The scholarship is funded by donations from a retired priest, friends of the Cervantes family and members of the Omega and Tifton communities. La Fiesta del Pueblo Inc. contributes to the endowment each year through festival vendor fees and individual donations.
Scholarship in Memory of María Guadalupe Cervantes
This scholarship was endowed to ABAC in 2004 in honor of Cervantes, who had been an educator in Mexico, but was never able to work as a teacher in the U.S. Maria Guadalupe lost her life in the tornado that struck Omega in 2000. The funds to start this scholarship came from donations from a retired priest, friends of the Cervantes family and people in the Omega and Tifton communities.
La Fiesta del pueblo feeds the endowment each year by supporting education and raises funds for this scholarship from fees paid by vendors to set up booths at the festival to sell their wares. The scholarship awarded in the spring or fall was established to assist a Georgia student who needs it and is a freshman or sophomore enrolled full-time at ABAC. Through our partnerships with government and non-profit organizations, we are able to showcase the resources available to families in the community.
La Fiesta del Pueblo also funds a Maria Guadalupe Cervantes Scholarship and nurtures the endowment each year, supporting education and raises funds for this scholarship with fees paid by vendors, donations, and money raised from the wet booth that appears each year on the day of the festival. The scholarship is awarded in the spring or fall and was established to assist "1" sometimes "2" Georgia students who need it and who is a first or second year college student enrolled full time at ABAC.
Georgia residents who need financial support and do not qualify for state or federal aid may be eligible for this scholarship. First preference is for high school graduates with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Consideration will be given to students with GEDs. All applications and required documents must be submitted no later than April 30.