Gloria Guzman
Teacher Scholarship

Gloria Guzman was a beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished young Mexican-American woman whose life was taken from our community at a young age. She was raised in the Pilsen community, where she lived on 17th Street and attended Cooper Elementary and Middle School in Chicago, IL.

Gloria was a student at Benito Juarez High School and graduated in 1991. Gloria’s teachers and friends recall her as a vibrant, courageous and full of life young girl. She was an active student involved in extracurricular activities at school and was just as involved with her St. Adalbert parish family.

After graduation from Benito Juarez High School, Gloria was determined to continue with her higher education. She enrolled at UIC to pursue her vocation of becoming a teacher. She enrolled at UIC in the Education Graduate program and graduated with her degree in 1996.

Gloria began her teaching career at Nightingale Elementary School in the Gage Park neighborhood. She spoke about her students with excitement and looked forward to teaching them. She was eager and confident she would become an amazing teacher to the children she taught.

With only one month of starting her career as a teacher, Gloria’s life ended in late August of 1996. She lost her life in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Although her teaching career ended too soon, all who knew Gloria wanted her life to be remembered and honored.

Benito Juarez - Class of 1991 Alumni are humbled to be able to honor Gloria’s memory through the Gloria Guzman Teacher Scholarship. Through this scholarship Gloria’s passion for teaching will contribute to the dream of young students of Benito Juarez High School who aspire to become future teachers. Gloria’s life will not be forgotten but live through those who choose to become great educators.

May her spirit and enthusiasm for teaching

continue to survive and live through you!

We wish you all the best!