Fundraiser

We held a fundraiser for a local non-profit this weekend. The National Hispanic Institute is an organization that I have been working with since high school and I was very happy to see so many people come out to support the event.

NHI runs leadership programs for high achieving Hispanic high school students. Their graduation, acceptance and retention rates are incredible. 98% of the students go to 4-year universities and 68% go on to pursue post-graduate degrees. Considering they have served over 40,000 students nationwide, those are impressive statistics. They use game theory and hands-on exercises to enhance the students' critical thinking and communication skills....skills that are vital for success in many aspects of their lives.

NHI also sets up support systems and resources for their students to help ensure their success. Colleges and universities that partner with NHI are so confident and impressed with the quality of students that come out of their programs that many offer automatic scholarships for NHI students that are accepted to their schools. Colorado State, for example, offers a minimum $20,000 scholarship just for being accepted. Their students are actively recruited by top universities around the country and internationally.

Our tournament yesterday raised about $2500 to support the local chapter. The money raised will go towards travel and tuition for Austin area NHI Freshman to attend the week-long summer programs. NHI was so pleased with the results and the support of the tournament, they plan to run more tournaments through out the year.

Thank you to all of our sponsors: A-Tex Family Fun Center, Predator Cues, Westin La Cantera Resort, Hyatt Hill Country Resort, Austin Wellness Center, Barton Creek Country Club Resort and Spa, and Slick Willies Pool Hall.

Congrats to the top finishers:

1st place - Mike Lindell
2nd place - Patrick Ward
3rd place - Charles "Chaz" Kiley
4th place - Ross Brookshire
5th/6th place - Bob Stark Jr. & James Buzzard

I also want to thanks Sylver Ochoa for volunteering his time to do challenge matches and raise additional money for NHI.

For more information about NHI please visit www.nhi-net.org