SOLANA BEACH — In 1970, a Hispanic track star that was ready to graduate from San Dieguito High School walked into the San Dieguito Citizen office on Cedros Avenue and asked publisher Don Lapham if there was a janitorial job available at the newspaper office.

Lapham was aware of the youngster’s prowess as a track sprinter who had the potential of becoming an Olympic champion. His future plan, Lapham was told, would be to apply for a job in a grocery store because his family could not afford his college tuition.

That disturbed Lapham. He called George Kibby, who was San Dieguito Union High School District superintendent, then Mike Breen, the head of the Solana Beach School District. Both agreed something should be done. They leaned on Ted Gildred, who was developing Lomas Santa Fe Shopping Center and surrounding residential areas. Gildred was raised in Mexico and was sympathetic to the Hispanic community. They had lunch at Tony’s Jacal and Catalina Gonzalez, co-owner of the restaurant with her husband, Tony, heard about their concerns for the student and agreed to help.

The quintet was responsible for the formation of the Mexican-American Educational Guidance Association, or MAEGA, whose sole mission was to raise scholarship funds to encourage Hispanic senior high school students to go on the college.

By 1973, the association’s board of directors had expanded to 13 members including Bill Berrier, Jim Bullock, Paul Ecke Jr., Donald Frick, Ruth Harper, George Lewis, Carmen Michel and Dr. Dick Wheelock, plus the original five.

Thirty-eight years later MAEGA has raised thousands of dollars for scholarships in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation. Many of the recipients are in professional fields. Anna Vallez Orozco, who was an early $300 recipient, is now vice president of MAEGA. Berrier is an active director and Wheelock is the longtime president. Mary, Lapham’s widow, and Kathleen Stowell are directors emeritus.

Scholarship funds come from three dinners (at Tony’s Jacal, of course ), a year-end tamale sale, and contributions from organizations like the Del Mar and Encinitas Rotary Clubs, as well as individual donations.

Hundreds of graduating seniors and many who are continuing their education have benefited from the original five residents who were determined to enhance their future in education.

Bruce Wadman, who is co-treasurer with Betty Byrd, looks after the funds as though they were his own and reminds everyone that it’s strictly a volunteer organization and there is no money for a paid staff. Period. Wheelock concurs.

Others on the current board include Mariaelena Davilla, Marilyn Voorhies, Ana Pedroza (also a previous recipient), Linda Grinsted, Dough Remsen, Brendon Teehan, Deacon Al Graff, Fran Fenical and myself.

According to Fenical, scholarship committee chair, $75,000 is available to award this year to graduating seniors and up to a dozen scholars continuing their education.