Board President Tony Aguilera Featured in Jon Doolen's Article: Championing Originality and Financial Literacy for Students

Tony Aguilera, Board President

The Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF) takes great pride in sharing that our Board President, Tony Aguilera, was recently featured in an article by Jon Doolen titled "Be Original. Every Time a Copy Is Made, a Little Bit of Quality Is Lost," published on LinkedIn. In the piece, Aguilera's commitment to originality and excellence is highlighted, reflecting his passion for making a meaningful impact in the lives of students.

Aguilera’s leadership at BSF is evident in the foundation's Student Success Program, an initiative dedicated to equipping students with essential skills beyond academics. One of the most critical aspects of this program is its focus on financial literacy. Understanding personal finance, budgeting, and long-term financial planning can be challenging for many students. BSF bridges this gap by offering hands-on, tailored guidance, real-world strategies, resources, and workshops that empower students to take control of their financial futures.

“As part of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation’s commitment to empowering our youth, we are excited to launch our Student Success program, a four-episode speaker series. This series will cover essential topics such as Life Choices & Decision Making, Health and Wellness, Financial Literacy, and Social Skills,” said Aguilera. “These classes, starting on October 2nd and continuing on October 16th, 30th, and November 6th, aim to provide our students with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges effectively.”

Through the Student Success Program, students gain real-world knowledge on topics like managing debt, creating budgets, and building savings—all skills that are vital for success both during and after college. 

“Our third class on October 30th will focus on Financial Literacy, which directly ties into Jon Doolen's insightful message. Jon highlights an important truth—financial stewardship isn’t about chasing trends but about making thoughtful, long-term decisions that align with your values,” said Aguilera. “At the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation, we believe in fostering not only academic excellence but also soft skills like critical thinking, resilience, and sound decision-making. These are the qualities that will help our students become future leaders in their communities.”

At BSF, we believe that each student has the potential to shape their own path, and our financial literacy efforts ensure they are prepared to do so with confidence. Just as Aguilera champions originality and quality in his work, we remain committed to giving students the tools they need to craft their own unique and successful futures.

For more on Jon Doolen’s article and Tony Aguilera’s feature, you can read the full piece here.