The Tostitos announced the creation of the Tostitos Cesar Chavez Latino Scholarship Fund to benefit Latino students in the state of Arizona. Administered in partnership with the Cesar Chavez Foundation, the Fund will provide $500,000 over the next five years to qualified Latino students in Arizona in an effort to promote academic success.

As part of the Fund, 11 scholarships will be awarded annually by Tostitos and the Cesar Chavez Foundation. Scholarships will be granted based on academic excellence, leadership in extra-curricular activities, commitment to volunteer service in the community and financial need.

“We are so proud to partner with the Cesar Chavez Foundation to recognize Arizona’s Latino youth through the creation of the Tostitos Cesar Chavez Latino Scholarship Fund,” said Justin Lambeth, vice president of marketing, Frito-Lay North America. “The Tostitos brand is all about helping people make connections. Through this Scholarship Fund, we’re helping create one of the most meaningful connections possible for Latino students throughout Arizona—the chance to continue their educations and fulfill their dreams.”

The 2011 Tostitos Cesar Chavez Latino Scholarship Fund program will also be highlighted during the annual Si Se Puede Gala. Presented by the Cesar Chavez Foundation, the gala honors the values, traditions and legacy of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

Upon receipt of their awards, scholarship recipients will be asked to complete 30 hours of service to the PepsiCo/Frito-Lay Adelante Employee Group. Adelante, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is Frito-Lay’s employee resource group that works across the company’s many locations and business functions to create a more inclusive corporate culture and support the many diverse communities in which Frito-Lay operates.