April 17, 2023

New scholarship fund for UCLA students named for sporting Jaquez family

In honor of the family of standout UCLA basketball players Jaime Jaquez Jr. and his sister Gabriela, the UCLA Latino Alumni Association and UCLA Alumni Association have launched the Jaquez Family Scholarship Fund, which will provide financial support for incoming freshman and transfer students at UCLA.

The new fund was announced at an April 13 fundraising event at UCLA’s Pavilion Club that paid tribute to Jaime and Gabriela and their parents and grandparents, all of whom have been strong proponents of public education, academic achievement and personal excellence.

“The family is exemplary and really represents what the Bruin family is all about — education, dignity, hard work and corazón,” said Sylvia Robledo, a member of the Latino Alumni Association’s board of directors and organizer of the event. “For those of us who struggled, we’re here to help the next generation. Money makes a difference. We want our Latino children to come to UCLA. It is attainable for all of them.”

Proceeds from the launch event will help benefit the scholarship fund endowment, which is also accessible for donations through the UCLA Giving site. The scholarships are intended to provide multiyear support to students during their undergraduate education.

“I want to thank the Jaquez family for creating an opportunity to help students in the future,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said. “For many families, that extra few thousand dollars can make a difference between going to UCLA and not going to UCLA. We have to make certain that students with these extraordinary capabilities can be here and that financial considerations will not get in the way.”