A remarkable grassroots effort to combat educational inequality in San Antonio reached a historic milestone this Sunday, as the 17th Annual GED Fabulous Holiday Brunch raised over $120,000, pushing the initiative’s total fundraising past the $1 million mark since its inception in 2008.

The achievement stands as a testament to the power of community action in addressing a critical challenge: approximately 18% of San Antonio adults lack a high school diploma, a rate that exceeds both the Texas state average of 17.2% and the national average of 12.7%.

“Not bad for a grassroots group with no office, no salaries,” reflected Michael Quintanilla, one of the lead organizers and master of ceremonies for the event. “Just pure volunteerism, cultural pride, and the connection we have with the power of education, community, and leadership.”

The initiative’s origin story is deeply personal. In 2008, acclaimed Spanish language journalist Martha Tijerina witnessed a woman break into tears upon receiving a $200 scholarship. When Tijerina inquired about the emotional response, she learned the modest sum would enable the recipient to pursue her GED (General Educational Development) credential. That moment sparked a movement that would transform countless lives.

Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of Alamo Community College District, emphasizes the economic impact of the program. “Students who earn a certificate or associate degree with us earn on average $10,000 more per year,” he notes. “Their journey on the GED accomplishment is a step on that path.”

The brunch, held at the Westin San Antonio North, drew nearly 600 guests and featured an impressive roster of speakers, including U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, State Sen. Jose Menendez, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, and Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Dr. Blandina “Bambi” Cardenas delivered a keynote address on the civil rights history of the GED exam and public school education access in Texas.

A highlight of the event was the testimony of Brenda Valdes, whose journey from GED recipient to incoming Stanford Ph.D. student exemplifies the program’s impact. Valdes’s mother, a janitor at an Alamo Community College, watched proudly from the audience as her daughter shared her story.

For Quintanilla, the mission is deeply personal. He recalled studying alongside his mother at their dining room table – he for his Trinity University courses, she for her GED exam. “I saved my money from two little jobs to pay for her exam,” he shared. “This year, I became a distinguished alumni with the Tower Award given to me by Trinity’s president. I was the only Chicano honoree.”

The GED Brunch Leadership Committee, which includes 70-80 volunteer members led by founding chair Martha Tijerina, operates under the auspices of the Alamo Colleges Foundation. The foundation serves as the fiduciary agent, ensuring funds support GED programs and GED-to-college scholarships at the Alamo Colleges District.

In San Antonio, where non-high school graduates are 3.5 times more likely to live in poverty than those with a high school degree or higher education, the initiative’s impact extends far beyond individual success stories. It represents a community-driven effort to break the cycle of poverty through education, one GED at a time.

Leadership Committee

Martha Tijerina, Founding Chair

Dr. Vangie Aguilera • Barbara Aguirre • Diana Aguirre Martínez • Lila Aguirre • Diana Alcocer • Maria Elena Torralva Alonso • Sytvia Arriola • Elaine Ayala • Pamela Bain • Carolina Barrera • Barbara Bermea • Eleanor Berna • Maria Antonietta Berriozábal • Linda A. Brandmiller • Mary Cabral • Preciliana Cabral • Mamie Benitez Campbell • Julia and Don Castellano-Hoyt • Terry Acevedo Carmona • Rosie Castro • Emma Chapa • Jo Cox • Luz Elena and Ed Day • Bri Dimas • Clara Ernst • Mary Esther Escobedo • Celeste W. Flynn • Dr. Gloria De Leon • Frances Garza-Alvarado • Dr. Adela González • Lydia Hannawi • Patty Arellano Hernandez • Claudia Hernández • Ann Rene Islas • Della Jimenez • Eileen Kret • Norma G. Maldonado • Rosalie Manzano • Sylvia Limon Martínez • Margaret Mireles • Janelle Mundine • Thomas Murguía • Laura N. Narváez • Dr. Hector Nevárez • Martin Padrón • Delia Pompa • Michael Quintanilla • Candi Ramírez • Raquel Ramírez • Yolanda Ríos Rangel • Norma Estela Reyes • Adelfa Reyna • Dr. Sylvia Reyna • Dr. Maria “Cuca” Robledo Montecel • Norma S. Rodríguez • Teresa Villarreal Rodríguez • Dr. Yolanda Rodriguez-Escobar • Elizabeth Ruiz • Lita Salazar • Minnie Abrego Sánchez • Dr. Yolanda Santos • Pam Rosales Sheffield • Herlinda Sifuentes • Dr. Adelina Silva • Doris Slay-Barber • Lupe Torres Venema • Imelda Treviño • Carmen Vázquez-González • Janie Velázquez • Alejandra Villarreal • Linda Wilson • Barbara Witte-Howell • Dolores Zapata-Caballero

*For more information about supporting GED programs at the Alamo Colleges District, contact Richard Farias, Director of Annual Giving, at rfarias14@alamo.edu.*

Photos courtesy of Michael Quintanilla and Martin Padron Jr.