Betty Adamson, an undergraduate at the University of Houston-Victoria, recently became the first student to receive a new scholarship from UHV’s Mexican American Student Organization. The scholarship, valued at $500, is to help cover the cost of participation in the university’s study-abroad program to Cuernavaca, Mexico.

“The opportunity to learn Spanish while experiencing Mexican culture firsthand at Universidad Internacional is a great fit with the goals of our organization. This scholarship is our way of encouraging students to go,” said MASO President Shauna Holder. “We’re happy to be part of Betty’s trip to Mexico.”

The study-abroad partnership between UHV and the Universidad Internacional was established in 2005. Adamson and her stepdaughter, Brett Adamson, who is also studying abroad, will be among the second group of students to participate in the program.

Adamson lives in Victoria and works for the Victoria Independent School District as a purchasing agent. She plans to graduate with a bachelor of arts in applied arts and sciences in May 2007.

“I am very proud of MASO’s leadership in helping UHV students access this wonderful opportunity to live and learn in another culture,” said UHV President Tim Hudson.

MASO was founded to promote the advancement of Mexican-American and Latin-American students at UHV and in the surrounding community. Any student enrolled in at least three credit hours can join the organization which, in addition to hosting social events, conducts fundraisers several times a year to generate funding for scholarships.

In the future, MASO hopes to continue offering the study-abroad scholarship, open to any UHV undergraduate or graduate student regardless of his or her ethnic heritage. For more information on the organization and its scholarship offerings, contact Shauna Holder at (361) 570-4355.