"This award honors students who have demonstrated academic excellence in the Latin American Studies (LAS) minor at Eastern Illinois University.   
Applicants for the award must provide both a written statement describing why he or she is deserving of the award and a copy of an essay that   
illustrates significant achievement in LAS course work (e.g., an essay with a minimum of 1,200 words in Spanish or 1,600 in English).   
Awards will be given annually and in varying amounts depending on funds available for distribution.
Recipients will present their essays in the Spring LAS reception. Materials should be submitted electronically,   
in Microsoft Word format, to Dr. Vanesa Landrus, vmlandrus@eiu.edu, by Monday March 26,  2012."