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THE HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE MAZDA FOUNDATION (USA) HOST CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT TO HONOR LATINO SCHOLARS

SAN FRANCISCO, April 11, 2003 - The Hispanic Scholarship (HSF), the nation's leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education, and the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. hosted its annual HSF/Mazda Celebration of Achievement earlier this week. Each year, several undergraduate students attending the University of California at Irvine and California State University, Fullerton are chosen to receive scholarships for their college education. In recognition of their academic success, 18 talented scholars and their families were invited to attend a reception held at the Mazda North American Operations' headquarters in Irvine, Calif.

HSF and the Mazda Foundation recognize the importance of strengthening America by advancing the college education of Hispanic Americans. The HSF/Mazda Foundation scholarship program was established to promote higher education among Latino students studying in the fields of mathematics, engineering, computer science and business. This year, scholars were honored with a certificate of recognition and were presented with their award checks totaling more than $52,000.

"We are grateful to the Mazda Foundation for recognizing the need and supporting the effort to create a tradition of college-going students within the Hispanic community," said Sara Martinez Tucker, HSF president and CEO. "By increasing the number of Hispanics receiving a college degree, we are providing tremendous benefit to the Hispanic community today and creating leaders of tomorrow."

"Mazda believes that a college education is the on-ramp to a successful social and economic future for Latinos and for the country," said Jay Amestoy, president of the Mazda Foundation and vice president, public and government affairs, Mazda North American Operations. "That's why, for the fifth year in a row, the Mazda Foundation is proud to provide college scholarships to outstanding Latino students who attend these two universities nearby Mazda's corporate headquarters in Irvine, Calif. We are particularly proud that this year 18 students - the largest number ever - will receive full college scholarships from Mazda's corporate foundation."

Over the past five years, HSF and the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. have awarded scholarships to more than 73 deserving college students totaling more than $275,000. Selection of recipients is based on criteria such as academic standing, class level and major. Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 to $5,000.

About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation's leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education. Founded in 1975, HSF's vision is to strengthen the country by advancing college education among Hispanic Americans, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. In support of its mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning college degrees, HSF provides the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. Headquartered in San Francisco, HSF has opened regional offices in Southern and Central California, the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Midwest. In addition, HSF launched the Washington, D.C.-based Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute to generate public partnerships in support of its work. During its 28-year history, HSF has awarded nearly 54,000 scholarships in excess of $89 million to Latinos from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who have attended more than 1,300 colleges and universities.

About the Mazda Foundation
Acting on a strong sense of responsibility to give something back to the communities in which it operates, Mazda established a philanthropic foundation. As the corporate foundation of Mazda North American Operations, it has awarded nearly $3.8 million to worthwhile causes across the United States since its initial grants in 1992. Over the past five years, the Foundation has dedicated a significant portion of its contributions to programs that serve minority populations.

Media Contact: Sonia Torres, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, (415) 808-2353, storres@hsf.net

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