Chris Soriano, a 21-year old native of Long Beach, has just been named The Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s “Male Scholar of the Year” for 2015.

“It’s been a blessing to have all these opportunities opened up through HSF,” said Soriano, who won a $4,000 Hispanic Scholarship Fund scholarship in 2014.

Being named “Male Scholar of the Year” means that Soriano will now travel the country to represent the scholarship organization. According to Alex Manriquez, a spokeswoman for the fund, the last fellow to hold this honor had to go to New York in order to appear on Spanish as well as English-language networks.

As reported in Press Telegram, Manriquez stated that Soriano would “be our ambassador if we need somebody to speak on our behalf.”

And in his new role, Soriano will have a chance to tell his academic story.

“I was very discouraged as a student,” revealed Soriano, who went on to say that he did not think of himself as “capable.”

Both of Soriano’s parents were immigrants from El Salvador. As a first-generation U.S. citizen, Soriano said he struggled to reach his potential at Long Beach Polytechnic High.

The young award-winner spent a year at Long Beach City College before getting serious about his education and transferring to UCLA.

The benefits Soriano got from earning his HGF scholarship were beyond financial.

“It’s someone believing in me and my dream and helping me and motivating me on my path to success,” said Soriano, who is now a junior at UCLA with hopes of one day becoming a doctor.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund, established in 1975, has awarded more than $470 million to undergraduates and graduate students over the years.

The scholarships range from $500 to $5,000.

Last year the national organization gave away more than $36 million in academic awards.