Maestro José Montoya dedicated his life to acknowledging and lifting up the beauty and power of culture through art, poetry, music, activism, and spiritual ceremony. His life, from the mountains of New Mexico and the fields of California’s Central Valley, to the halls of higher education influenced all his work. His ability to re-craft words, create songs, and beautifully illustrate what it meant to be Chicano will remain as an example for generations.
Maestro José Montoya was part of many circles, but for over 25-years, he was a part of El Círculo de Hombres. El Círculo brought healing and support to thousands of men through the reintegration of ceremony, carnalismo, and kinship. He served on the Board of Directors of the National Compadres Network as the voice of the elders since the organization’s inception. His contributions to the healing of youth, men, families, and communities will continue through the teachings he so generously shared and entrusted to all of us.
To honor Maestro Montoya’s collective contributions, the National Compadres Network will award a $500 scholarship to a male and a female student (age 13 – 26) currently enrolled and working to complete their education. The focus of the scholarship is “Flor y Canto”.
The scholarship application process includes submitting a written personal essay and a creative piece (e.g. poem, song, sculpture, carving, video, photograph, etc.) that reflects the applicant’s culture and its beauty and healing strength.
In the personal essay (500 word limit), the applicant should specifically and directly explain the manner in which their culture has been a source of strength and healing; the way in which culture-rooted strength and healing has affected them personally, their family, and the broader community; and lastly, how the applicant sees culture as being a part of their life as they develop their personal talents and gifts. The personal essay and creative piece will be considered when selecting the scholarships.
Essays and the creative piece, or a photograph of the piece such as a sculpture or carving, can be sent to Anthony Guillean at National Compadres Network at [email protected].
The submission deadline has been extended to Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2016. Awardees will be announced July 1, 2016.
For more information on the scholarship, please email Anthony Guillean at [email protected] or call him at (408) 484-4293.