About the Jalapeño Open!
Since 1992 scholarship funds have been generated through the Jalapeño Open golf tournament with $500 generated in that first year. Our first scholarship of $500 was awarded in 1993 to Joey Barroso of Vallivue High School. Joey went on to graduate from Boise State University and much to our surprise and joy he recently received his MBA from BSU! Since 1994 the tournament has been hosted and sponsored by Metalcraft, Inc., a company owned by Richard Cortez. Rich was instrumental in the formation and success of the organization over the years as well as a passionate supporter of education for Hispanic youth. In 2004 Rich passed away from cancer and in his memory the scholarship program was renamed the Richard G. Cortez Scholarship fund. In 2023 the HBA awarded $24,500 in scholarships to 19 students from Idaho. Since 1993 the HBA has awarded 552 scholarships totaling almost $550,000!
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Mission Statement
Our Mission is to help reduce the financial obstacles that prevent minority students from furthering their education and fulfilling their potential.
Everyone benefits when we invest in a generation of leaders who represent the diverse society in which we live in.
Scholarship Recipients
For a list of all our past and present Richard G. Cortez Scholarship recipients, as well as their schools they have or will be attending, be sure to visit the HBA’s Scholarship Recipients page.