By Zack Frink

The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization (PACO) is offering scholarships to area college students. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 6. Interested applicants can apply at the Dayton Foundation's website.

PACO will award up to five scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 to Hispanic students who have been accepted to or are currently attending technical school or university. The scholarships can be used at any accredited higher education institution and are eligible to go toward any field of study.

Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must be a resident of Montgomery, Miami, Clark, Warren or Greene Counties. Non-Hispanic students can apply for scholarships, but must be committed to and highly involved in promoting Hispanic culture throughout their community and school.

Mike Wathen, treasurer of PACO, said the organization has been able to increase the number and amount of scholarships because of the success of their annual Hispanic Heritage Festival.

Aside from the festival, PACO hosts monthly mixers, observes Three Kings Day and have food basket giveaways for Thanksgiving.