Community : Ritchie Valens Music Scholarships Awarded

Ritchie Valens, of “La Bamba” fame, would have been proud. More than 100 talented Latino youths competed for $5,000 in Youth Opportunities Foundation music scholarships named in memory of the rock star who died in a 1959 plane crash.

Competitors ranging from operatic vocalists to punk-rock guitarists performed in two categories. Sharing first-place honors in the 15-18-year-old division were clarinetist Olivia Luna, 15, of Los Angeles, and flutist Ruben Rivas, 18, of Bell. A 13-year-old violinist, Michael Gutierrez of Arcadia, captured first place in the 10-14-year-old class.