Losing her job was a blessing for Elena Martinez.

"I had a job for 22 years and I lost my job last year," Martinez said. "I got into school and it was the best thing I ever did."

Martinez is pursuing her associate degree in early-childhood education at Santa Fe Community College and was one of MANA del Norte's five scholarship winners for 2010. Martinez, of Santa Fe, and the others will be honored at a banquet on Sept. 18.

"I feel very excited," Martinez, 52, said of winning the $1,000 scholarship. She said she chose to pursue early-childhood education because she enjoys volunteering at her grandchildren's schools in her spare time.

"I might as well go get a job there," she said with a laugh. "I love children."

Martinez, who is in her second semester, said her goals are to get straight A's, continue her education even further and find a job. She's on track to do all of that, despite the challenges of going to school.

It's been rough, she said, "going to school again after 35 years. I'm usually the oldest one in class, but I really enjoy it because I'm also the smartest one."

She wants to set an example for her grand kids, who are 10 and 11 years old.

"I want them to look up to me as a mentor, as an educator," Martinez said. "I want them to say, 'My grandma, she's smart.'

"What's important to me is knowing what their homework is, especially the math," Martinez added. "They're in fifth and sixth grade, and they're already doing algebra and stuff I don't know. That excites me, being able to help them with their homework instead of them helping me."

Nichole Medina, the public-relations director for MANA del Norte, said the national organization is designed to help Latinas pursue higher education.The MANA del Norte chapter of the national organization focuses specifically on helping nontraditional students.

"A lot of the scholarship recipients do tend to be single mothers," Medina said. "When a single mother receives a post-secondary education, that will make a lasting impression on her children and it breaks the cycle of poverty."

Brittney Vasquez of Santa Fe is one of those single mothers. She's pursuing a business-administration degree from Santa Fe Community College.

"I want to lead my kids on the right path and the right direction so they finish school and go to college," Vasquez said. "I want to get a good degree and have a good life for my children and a better future."

Vasquez, 19, is in her fourth semester and said she is grateful for the $1,000 scholarship.

"I'm happy that I got it," she said. "It could help me pay for my schooling because my financial aid doesn't cover all my books and stuff."

Vasquez plans to pursue a bachelor's degree at The University of New Mexico after receiving her associate degree.

Eventually she'd like to open a small salon. But these past few years of school haven't been easy, she said.

She has had to balance homework with raising three kids ages 4, 3 and 9 months.

The other scholarship recipients are: Amy L. DeHerrera, 38, of Pecos, who is pursing an associate degree in nursing from Santa Fe Community College; Olga Trujillo, 52, of Taos, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work from New Mexico Highlands University; and Melinda Lucero, 20, of Española, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from UNM.

Medina said MANA has had to cut back its number of scholarship recipients this year because of the economy, though the amount of each grant has remained the same. Medina, who received the scholarship in 2004, said the organization was happy to be able to offer any scholarship at all.

"Some organizations have decided not to continue to offer certain scholarships," Medina said.

The scholarship is funded by MANA del Norte's annual scholarship banquet ticket sales and silent-auction proceeds.

This year, the event will be held Sept. 18 at The Lodge at Santa Fe.

The organization is still looking for donations for its silent auction, which donates its proceeds to the scholarship fund.Those interested in donating should call Dolores Roybal at 577-0325.

Medina said it's important for the community to support organizations like MANA del Norte because its members and former scholarship recipients reciprocate the giving by making their own contributions to their local community.

"What happens is a lot of the women who receive scholarships continue to give back to the community," Medina said. "You give back to the community when you feel the community has supported you, and you continue to see the community flourish, especially in regards to education."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.