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Manny Murillo spreads the wealth 10
BACK TO SCHOOL
BY ALLISON BROWN
West Valley View Staff Writer
T
he Manny Murillo Scholarship for Employed Students program at Agua Fria is more than just $500. It’s a lifelong lesson about saving money and getting a head start on adulthood. “I’ve been a substitute at Agua Fria
WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | JULY 21, 2021
High School for 15 years. That’s a long time, so I knew all the students, especially the juniors and seniors,” said Murillo, who also graduated from Agua Fria in 1962. “For my scholarship program, I would tell students, ‘First of all, you need to have a parttime job. You need to be on track to graduate, and you need to have at least
$500 in your savings account when you graduate. If you do, I’ll match that $500.’” Murillo is the CEO — and only member — of his nonprofit. He started the program in 2017 and has since given almost $30,000 in scholarship funds that come out of his own pocket. Typically, 10 to 15 students are selected for the scholarship each year, though this year there were only six. He has also made substantial financial contributions to Agua Fria for upgraded computer systems, track team uniforms and the fine arts program. How does he pay for it as a retired teacher? “The answer to that is very simple: I’m a saver,” Murillo said. “My parents taught us to Manny Murillo’s nonprofit has given almost $30,000 in be savers. We were a migrant scholarship funds since 2017. (Photo courtesy of the Manny Murillo Scholarship Program) family and were very poor. When I retired 15 years ago, I started working in real estate. ognizes that’s not what is important. I’d buy old houses, fix them up and sell “I’m a single man, I’m retired, I them. So, I made a lot of money in the don’t have any children and I have a last 12 years. But I’m single, I don’t lot of money in the bank. What am I have a family or kids and I have money going to do with that? Sure, if I wantto give away.” ed to, I could go buy an expensive car, Besides giving students the $500, Mu- but will I? No, it’s not a priority,” Murillo is teaching them the importance of rillo said. “What’s important to me is saving, avoiding loans and being finan- to help the kids in the community. So, cially responsible. His teaching seems yeah, I could pack up and go anywhere to work, as one scholarship recipient in the world if I want, but I choose to this year had $4,000 saved for college. be here. I love my lifestyle.” This topic is so important to Murillo The scholarship program is excluthat he voiced it to the state Legisla- sively for seniors at Agua Fria High ture. In 2019, a proposed bill would School. For those interested in applyrequire high school students to take a ing, students must submit a short essay financial literacy class before they can on their financial need and why they graduate. The bill passed 15-1. want to be part of the program, a work At 78 years old, Murillo could have schedule with at least 15 hours a week easily taken his small fortune and spent and proof of a savings account. retirement living lavishly, but he recContact Murillo at 623-882-0625.
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