Hijinio & Dolores "Lola" Reynoso Memorial Scholarship
Born and raised in the rural villages of Zacatecas, Mexico, Hijinio and Lola were taught from a young age the value of grit and perseverance. Hijinio came from Guadalajarita, while Lola was raised in El Remolino before migrating to Baja California at age 14. It was there, in Ejido Cucapah Indigena, south of Mexicali, that they met and began their 68-year journey together, starting their life in an adobe house Hijinio built by hand.
In 1962, the family settled in the rich agricultural landscape of Woodlake, California. For decades, they worked side-by-side in the fields as contract laborers, picking oranges, olives, peaches, and grapes. While Hijinio gave back to the community through outreach programs like "La Esperanza", helping to establish Woodlake’s first health clinic, Lola created a sanctuary at home. She was a woman of quiet, immense strength who poured her energy into raising their seven children and welcoming everyone with a warmth that needed no translation.
Despite having no formal education, Hijinio taught himself to read and write, often found with a history book or Reader’s Digest in hand. Both he and Lola shared a deep ideology that education was the key to success. They believed that anything was possible if you armed yourself with knowledge and worked with dignity.
Hijinio passed away in July 2021 at the age of 94, and Lola joined him in March 2026 at the age of 91. Their incredible spirits remain the foundation of their family's success. Due to their tireless sacrifices, their children and grandchildren have gone on to lead distinguished careers in law enforcement, software and electrical engineering, education, immigration law, epidemiology, marketing, and real estate, among many others. This scholarship serves to honor their legacy by supporting the next generation of students who possess that same heart and determination.
Criteria: Preference given to a first generation college student and child of current/former immigrant farm laborer. Demonstrated resilience in balancing academics with family/work
Selected By: Reynoso Family
