The V.E.S.T.A. Leadership Foundation was founded in 1953 by a
group of Hispanic alumni from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona,
and the University of Arizona. This group of individuals agreed to organize
and initiate programs to address issues which confronted the Hispanic community. Their motto was, “Progress Through Education”. The name “Vesta” comes from Roman mythology meaning goddess of hearth and fire. The founding members, inspired by the symbolic “tending of the fire by the Vestal Virgins”, committed themselves to encouraging and assisting Arizona’s Hispanic youth to attain the
highest level of education and to serve the Arizona community.

          V-igilance & Virtuosity
        E-ducational Excellence
        S-uccess through Schooling and Social Service
        T-eaching Tolerance
        A-ttainment of Aspirations