Continuing the legacy and preserving the memory of a beautiful spirit.
Edward J. Blanco Jr.
The Edward Blanco Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded to young multifaceted men residing in Louisiana. Applicants must be pursuing a post-secondary degree.
Ed lived by the poem “Attitude” by Charles Swindoll. The poem is listed below. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, click the “Apply Now” button and explain how your life reflects the attributes therein.
“Attitude” by Charles R. Swindoll
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.
It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.
It will make or break a company...a church....a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.
Edward J. Blanco, Jr
Edward J. Blanco, Jr. (1959-1996) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and lived in Lafayette for many years. At the time of his passing, he served as the Physical Plant Manager at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now ULL) and owner/operator of Louisiana Martial Arts Academy, teaching martial arts to youth in the Lafayette community.
Ed was a 1981 graduate of USL, an Industrial Engineering major. As a student, he was a University Police officer and standout fullback on the football team. Upon graduation, he served the Lafayette community as a Lafayette Police officer, a member of the Magnolia Peace Officers Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) member, Universal Karate Association member, and Immaculate Heart of Mary church member. In 1991, he was named Outstanding Man of the Year by the Lafayette Jaycees and Man of the Year by the South Louisiana Association of Martial Arts. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, instructor, and mentor. His legacy lives on through those whose lives he touched.