Ricardo Perugorria Memorial Scholarship

Ricardo Perugorria Memorial Scholarship

 

Ricardo Perugorria was a committed humanitarian, respected executive and dedicated Democratic activist.  Ricardo’s friends at the Visalia Democratic Club established the Ricardo Perugorria Memorial Scholarship in February, 2013 to carry on his work on behalf of the students of College of the Sequoias.  Each year one student will be selected to receive the scholarship for the fall semester.  If they maintain enrollment and pass their classes it will be continued for the spring semester.  First priority will go to a member of the COS Young Democrats Club. 

Ricardo Perugorria was born March 8, 1948 in O’Brien, Argentina, a small town about 70 miles west of Buenos Aires.  He died on October 19, 2012 in Visalia.  Ricardo attended seminary in Buenos Aires and graduated with a B. A. in Theology.  There he learned the values that led him to work throughout his life for the betterment of society.  In the early 1980s he worked to help rescue people who had been targeted for death by Central American militia groups.  He always remained a student of history, sociology and music. 

Ricardo immigrated to the United States in 1983 and became a citizen in 1992.  He worked as a newspaper editor and then as a Senior Business Analyst for Anthem Blue Cross in Visalia. 

Ricardo became involved in politics in Kern County, serving on the Democratic Central Committee there.  When he moved to Visalia he was elected to the Tulare County Democratic Central Committee, serving as Treasurer and Parliamentarian for many years.  Ricardo was a tireless worker in many election campaigns.  When the College of the Sequoias Young Democrats was formed in 2008 Ricardo gave generously of his time, guidance, and financial support. 

Ricardo’s strong belief was that youth represented the hope for the future, and he wished to do his part to help COS students enjoy the opportunities he felt he had so richly blessed him in America.  This scholarship is dedicated to his memory and his dream.