Crowley funding dreams with scholarships awarded to college students in five Central American countries

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.; Sept. 9, 2009) Crowley's scholarship program continues to cross borders helping five new students in their respective Central American countries fund their educations and their dreams. Over the last month, Crowley has awarded scholarships to students in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras and El Salvador.

The scholarships are part of Crowley's commitment to provide educational opportunities to exemplary students with strong academic records and financial need. In Central America, the scholarships are awarded to one student in each country each year through graduation, bringing the total to 20 scholarship recipients to date. The scholarships are well-received, especially from students who come from very modest means.

University of Costa Rica student Yerlin Alvarez Monge was awarded a Crowley scholarship based on her community service activities with AIDS programs, youth volunteer groups, outstanding academic record and financial need. A native of Parrita, Puntarenas, a town located in the Pacific side of Costa Rica, Alvarez Monge plans to study Customs and Foreign Commerce.

Josseline Vanessa Leiva Flores, 18, the oldest of three siblings, was awarded the Crowley scholarship in Guatemala. She is studying business administration at the Universidad de San Carlos of Guatemala in Puerto Barrios, Izabal. A native of Livingston, Izabal in Guatemala, her goal is to become a manager for a company in Puerto Barrios or Santo Tomas de Castilla.

University of Panama student Yuritzel Ayleen Chiari Howard was awarded a Crowley scholarship. A Maritime Business Administration major at the University's Colon Regional Center, she is eldest of two siblings and lives with her mother.

Joel Isaac Hernandez Lanza, an accounting and finance major at the Universidad Autonoma of Honduras in Valle de Sula, was awarded a Crowley Scholarship. A native of the Colonia El Reparto Lempira at San Pedro Sula, he one of three siblings. Hernandez Lanza said he was honored to receive the scholarship and promised to work hard to take advantage of this special opportunity. One day he said he hopes to work for Crowley.

Marcelino Antonio Guarita Reyes, an accounting major at the Universidad Nacional of El Salvador, was also awarded a Crowley scholarship. A resident of the San Vicente area of El Salvador, Guarita Reyes lives with his mother and three siblings.