More than 200 people attended the STARS breakfast on Saturday, October 18, the STARS honoring South Phoenix legend and longtime South Mountain Community College supporter Alfredo Gutierrez.
Gutierrez, who passed away this past September, 2025, was a fixture in politics and social activism in South Phoenix throughout this distinguished career, and was instrumental in creating the initiative behind the formation of South Mountain Community College.
The STARS (Students Transformed to Achieve Radiant Success) scholarship goes directly to student support, and the breakfast included students who shared their stories about how the scholarship had made a difference in their lives. Stories by students and SMCC alumni included sisters Mikayla and Zoe Castillo, Calista Perez, and Veronica Popple.
The honorable Art Hamilton, who served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 1973 to 1999 and was a close personal a friend to Alfredo, was the keynote speaker and shared stories of inspiration and friendship. Alfredo’s widow Sharon Zapata was on hand and was presented an award by former SMCC faculty Dr. Jerome Garrison, who continues to work to keep the STARS scholarship alive.
There was also a video about Alfredo’s life created by the South Phoenix Oral History Project, and SMCC Storytelling faculty member Liz Warren emceed the event, and SMCC Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Kristina Scott gave the closing remarks.
