EDINBURG, Texas - The Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) is celebrating 30 years of service to first-generation, low-income students across the Rio Grande Valley.
In recognition of this year’s anniversary, VAMOS has a goal of raising $1 million in scholarship funds.
The organization’s largest fundraiser each year is a golf tournament. The 30th Annual VAMOS Golf Tournament takes place on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen, Texas. Proceeds from the tournament will directly support four-year renewable scholarships, with awards of up to $20,000 over four academic years for students from Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties.
The Rio Grande Guardian recently interviewed VAMOS Alumni Karla Rodriguez. She said the program was invaluable for her. Here is the interview:
VAMOS awarded four-year renewable scholarships to 63 students to attend the university of their choice. VAMOS Board Treasurer Sergio Contreras said the 2026 fundraising goal will allow the organization to expand its reach and serve even more students across the region. Here is the interview with Contreras:
The biggest contributor to VAMOS is DHR Health. This was acknowledged by Richard Cantu, president of the VAMOS Board of Directors.
“DHR Health’s unwavering support of VAMOS since 1997 reflects the profound impact that sustained community partnerships can have on the future of our region,” Cantu said.
“DHR Health’s long-standing commitment to education has been instrumental in advancing our mission and truly changing lives across the Rio Grande Valley. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we are deeply thankful to DHR Health for standing with VAMOS for nearly three decades and for recognizing that investing in education opens doors of opportunity, strengthens our community, and transforms lives.”
Brianna Maldonado is a VAMOS scholar and a second-year student at UT-Rio Grande Valley. In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Maldonado said VAMOS was crucial for her education and career.
“I was awarded a VAMOS scholarship in 2024 and since then, I've been meeting with mentors. And so, right now I am second year student at UTRGV, and I need one more year to graduate with my bachelor's in integrated health science.”
Asked how important VAMOS was to her, Maldonado said: “It was extremely important. I am from a small town named Roma, Texas, and from there, my mom was a single mom raising a five-member family. I would always question myself, can I go to college? Can I afford it? And VAMOS made that a possibility. It was extremely important.”
Maldonado continued: “If it was not for VAMOS, I wouldn't be able to even think about coming to college. So yes, it has completely transformed my life. It gave me an opportunity.”
Maldonado added: “If you are a 1st Gen student, if you are a woman, if you're from a minority, you can make your dreams come true. There are programs like VAMOS that will help you get through.”
Editor’s Note: Here is an audio recording of remarks made at a recent VAMOS press conference. It was held to announce the group’s upcoming golf tournament. The recording features VAMOS Alumni and Scholar Karla Rodriguez, VAMOS Board Treasurer Sergio Contreras, DHR Health physician Dr. Andrew Phillips, and VAMOS Scholar Brianna Maldonado:
