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Foundation formed in memory of Ariel Rosado

FeaturesFoundation formed in memory of Ariel Rosado
It was less than a year ago that Belizeans bid a premature farewell to the accomplished and well-loved Ariel Rosado, 28 years old. Ariel lost his life on May 14, 2011, in a traffic accident on the Northern Highway. The high regard which Belizeans continue to hold for this stellar individual has spilled over into the formation of a foundation to aid Belizean youth to also achieve success in their own lives through education and sports.
  
The Ariel Rosado Memorial Educational Foundation was officially launched yesterday by a team of founding members inclusive of Ariel’s father and mother, Doctor Alvaro Rosado and his wife, Dorla, who joined forces with a team of other key persons, including Ariel’s best friend Winston Swift.
  
The foundation, though still in its formative phase, is aiming to offer to twenty high school students scholarships covering their entire high school term. The foundation is also seeking to sponsor a March 9th ride across Belize.
  
Terry Gordon, a board member, told the audience, “The Ariel Rosado Memorial Educational Foundation has been established to commemorate the life of an outstanding individual and a Belizean youth who lost his life in a traffic accident three weeks after completing his 28th birthday.
  
“Ariel was a sterling role model for Belizeans of all ages; inspiring many by example through his accomplishments in cycling and in education. He was a caring and compassionate person who many times put others before himself. 
  
“Ariel dominated junior cycling in Belize at the tender ages of fourteen and fifteen, winning practically every junior race of that period. At age fifteen, Ariel realized that there was no challenge in the junior races and started ranks with the big boys.
  
“At age sixteen he surprised the Belizean cycling community by beating a team of fifty-one senior cyclists including foreigners to win the 2000 KREM New Year’s Cycling Classic. He went on to win every major cycling race in Belize, except the elusive Cross Country Cycling Classic”.
  
Prior to his death, Ariel had just completed his thesis for his Master’s Degree in Corporate Law from the University of the West Indies in Barbados.
  
Dr. Alvaro told the audience, “The evolution of the foundation started the day after Ariel’s death: The seed was planted when a suggestion was made that it would be a travesty if something was not done to keep his memory alive.
  
“The initial thought was to sponsor and to dedicate one of the major cycling races in his memory; we realize that sponsoring a race will only serve to keep Ariel’s memory alive for one day, whereas a foundation will impact the lives of many Belizean youth”.
  
Dr. Alvaro explained that it was Barney Brown, a founding member, who initially explored the idea of the foundation, after which other key persons, including Bruce Sanchez, Sr. and Jr., owners of Bruce Cycling Club Bike Shop, came up with the idea to incorporate education alongside sports.
  
The board members concluded by explaining that the details for the foundation are still being worked out and will be released to the public upon finality. At the end of the press meet donations to a tune of $3,792 were collected from businesses and audience members. The first donation, as a symbolic act, was made by Ariel’s daughter, 6-year-old Soniya Rosado.

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