Ashworth College News & Events

TV personality Cristina Saralegui's Sonando Contigo and Ashworth College makes graduate's dreams a reality

NORCROSS, Georgia – August 19, 2008 – There are many reasons why students seek education beyond high school. For some it is as simple as getting the right training to get a better job or to make more money to support their family. For others it is something much more personal - fulfilling a passion for learning. For all, at the end of the process is receiving a diploma to validate their achievement.

Yuma, Arizona native Carolina Alfaro had dreams for making a better life for herself and her family. Pursuing a diploma in Massage Techniques from Ashworth College's Career School was the first step to reaching her goal of becoming a child care management specialist.

Alfaro's years of study, balancing life and family obligations began to pay off when she received her diploma from Ashworth, a leader in distance education. However, there was still one thing missing… the opportunity to attend her graduation ceremony which would be held August 9 in Norcross, GA.

Enter veteran TV host Cristina Saralegui. Familiarly known as the Latina "Oprah," Saralegui is a revered activist among the Hispanic community. Through her Univision show, The Cristina Show, she hosts a one-hour, primetime special entitled Soñando Contigo ("Dreaming with You") which aims to make a dream a reality for a deserving Hispanic family or individual.

Alfaro's story came to the attention of show producers who were reviewing thousands of requests for the September 15 segment which will air on Univision at 10:00 p.m., EST. Coming from a family of seven; Alfaro is the first to complete a higher education program. Unfortunately, financial constraints prevented her from attending her Ashworth graduation ceremony in Norcross, a community just north of Atlanta.

"We reviewed thousands of letters," said Isabel Cuervo, Cristina Show producer. "Having the opportunity to meet Carolina and her family, we know we made the right selection. She is goal-oriented and very deserving."

On August 6, 2008, representatives from Soñando Contigo flew to Yuma where they surprised her with a special graduation present – an opportunity for her and her parents to attend the Ashworth's ceremony. Within 24 hours, Carolina, her parents and the production crew arrived in Atlanta for a whirlwind of graduation activities.

To encourage Alfaro's future success, Jon Bouffler, Ashworth Executive Vice President presented her with a scholarship to Ashworth College's Associate Degree program in Early Childhood Education.

"We're excited to participate in such a worthwhile event," said Bouffler. "As educators, a story like Carolina's reminds us of the significant impact education has on our student's lives."

"It also demonstrates that there is more to distance education. A simple act like attending a live ceremony has special significance for many of our graduates," he added. "Some are changing careers. Some never completed high school. Some are military personnel completing their degrees while being deployed around the world. Our students come from diverse backgrounds and situations; as such they have made significant commitment to improve their lives through education – often juggling work, family and finances to realize their dreams."

"Attending my graduation is a major highlight of my educational career, so far," Alfaro said. "Ashworth's program allowed me to reach my goals quickly and affordably."

She added that she is looking forward to combining her massage techniques training with her future studies in early childcare. "By combining the two disciplines, I will be able to instill greater confidence in the children I work with," she explained.

In addition to the graduation ceremony, Alfaro had the opportunity to meet Ashworth administration and staff, participate in a Career Workshop sponsored by CareerBuilder.com®, and meet with her instructor, Kristy Carter, owner of The Center for Psychotherapy & Healing Arts.

About Cristina Saralegui
Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, multi-media mogul and activist, Cristina Saralegui is recognized as one of the most influential role models for today's Hispanic woman.

In 1989, Saralegui debuted as host and executive producer of The Cristina Show on Univision, the nation's leading Spanish-language television network. In 2007, she celebrated 18 years on the air, 12 Emmys and nearly 4,000 shows. "The Cristina Show" is viewed throughout Latin America and Europe.

Saralegui's bilingual web site, www.cristinaonline.com was launched in October 1998. The same year, her autobiography My Life as a Blonde, released simultaneously in English and Spanish by Warner Books.

Named one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America" by Time Magazine in 2005, Saralegui's contributions have been further recognized by the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television and the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame where she became the first Latina inductee. She also became the first Spanish-language television personality to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Saralegui also serves on the Board of Directors of The Museum of Television & Radio and is a member of the National Council of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFar).

Cuban-born Saralegui is committed to making a difference, devoting time to a myriad of social causes. In 1996 she and her She and her husband Marcos Avila (former musician and founding member of the musical group, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine) founded the "Arriba la Vida/Up with Life Foundation" in 1996, a private foundation dedicated to AIDS awareness and education among Hispanics. The couple has three children and reside in Miami.

About Univision Communications Inc.
Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its portfolio includes Television, Radio, Music and Internet targeting the Hispanic community. Its television operations include the Univision Network, TeleFutura Network, Galavision, Univision and TeleFutura Television Groups. Univision also owns and operates Univision Radio, Univision Music Group and Univision Online.

About Ashworth College

Ashworth College, a leader in distance education, offers students worldwide more than 100 career-focused High School, Career School online diploma programs; undergraduate and graduate online certificate programs; and Associate, Bachelor's and Master's online degree programs; that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers specialized programs to corporate partners, active duty military personnel, military spouses, and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a division of the US Department of Education. Ashworth High School is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). For more information visit AshworthCollege.edu.

Press Contact:
Richard Orr
Ashworth College
publicity@ashworthcollege.edu
(770) 729-8400