Scholarships for Excellence
Laurie Gonzalez
$90 for 90 Scholarship
$2000
My name is Laurie Gonzalez and I was born in the beloved city of Williamsburg, Virginia in 2004, where I lived for a few years before moving to El Paso, Texas. I attended CDL at Austin High School from 2007-2008, which then led me onto elementary school at Crockett and middle school at Armendariz. After leaving middle school, I found my way back to Austin High School, where I will now be graduating from as an early graduate, in the top 10% of my class, as well as with a 3.9 GPA. Throughout my time at Austin, I have been involved in many activities, such as Student Council, Journalism, Leadership, and Softball. I also earned over 300 community service hours within and outside of Austin High School. My senior year, I was chosen to represent Austin as Lady in Waiting through the 2020-2021 Homecoming Court. I started out in New Tech at Austin during my freshmen and sophomore year, in hopes of pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. I later decided that I would rather lean towards a career in Vet Tech, which ultimately didn’t work out because I decided to graduate in three years rather than the full four. After graduating high school, I plan on furthering my academic studies
through the University of Alaska Anchorage and study marine biology. After earning my marine
biology degree, I hope to attend a veterinary school and pursue my dream career of helping
animals as a Marine Veterinarian. As I leave this warm climate for a much bitter cold one, my
heart will always be full of warmth as I reflect on my years not only in El Paso, but especially
those at Austin High School. My involvement in school projects, organizations, and team sports
are an undeniable experience that provided strength and made me the person that I am today.
Carlos Saenz
Javier Delgado Memorial Scholarship
$1500
Miner Scholarship
$500
I was always deemed “smart” by my close relatives as a young child. My family boasted about my grades and told everyone I’d be the first to attend college or university. As an elementary schooler, I wasn’t conscious about my “gift” with academics; I just genuinely enjoyed learning.
As I grew into a preteen, my perception of life changed. Instead of studying for the test, I stayed after school to play with my friends because I didn’t want to seem nerdy. Instead of participating in class, I cracked jokes to make my peers laugh because I wanted to seem fun and lively. I didn’t fully comprehend how big of a decision I had made at the time, but it follows me around to this day. I didn’t care to do my homework or pay attention in class and was surrounded by friends with the same mentality. During my sophomore year, my love for math and science had risen again. Unknowingly, I paid attention in class and did my assignments, yet I was still thoroughly distracted by being who I made myself out to be. An ultimatum presented itself to me: I either do well in school or do well socially. I couldn’t comprehend the notion of simultaneously thriving in both and I was on a mission to find myself, my true self. I have always been a bright person I just needed to apply it now especially if I wanted to graduate in white. In the end, I accomplished my goals, and I was right I look good in white.
Luizinho Felipe
Stella Adams Memorial Scholarship
$1000
I Grew up in Cd. Juarez, Mexico, notorious for its poverty, high violence, and cartel presence, A place lacking opportunity; I felt cut off from the outside world. In my neighborhood, there were no paved roads and the rooms in the house were dire and in need for repair. Due to these circumstances my mother brought us to El Paso from Juarez, so my family and I were homeless for about two years. We lived in different shelters, which included Salvation Army, "La Posada", and "Dame la Mano". As a child, I never second guessed my family’s state of poverty and thought that this way of living was normal. “As a kid you don't know any better, you do not miss what you do not have,” my mom told me. I slowly began to realize that, whether we liked it or not, our socio-economic status statistically makes a huge difference in reaching "success" in life. As a kid, I came to the conclusion that no matter how overlooked I was by society, I would make sure that my income status wasn't the determinant on my achievements. I wanted to be in the soccer team despite not having a ride back home, I would walk 2.4 miles back home. Not enough money for clothes? I'd walk to an up-mountain neighborhood and ask door to door, for a job pulling out their weeds. The next summer with the experience I had, I was able to complete twelve houses a day. Point is, I came from nothing, but I was blessed with a second opportunity, through a fresh start in the United States. Even if I had a rough start, I am proud of what I have accomplished throughout my high school career. I get to be the first in my family to attend a college, UT Austin one of the best in the world. As the older sibling, I am making sure my younger sisters have a path to walk through where they won’t feel overlooked.
Ricardo Velasquez
Stella Adams Memorial Scholarship $1000
Hello, my name is Ricardo Velasquez. Throughout my childhood I would always say "can't wait to grow up" Soon I realize that I shouldn't have said that. Life moves pretty fast. If you don't take a while to look around and enjoy it, you'll miss it. I grew up in a Spanish household, born and raised in El Paso, Texas. My parents and grandparents would always say to me "La educacion es lo más imporante en la vida!" Which translates to "Education is the most important thing in life." Throughout my education I was always curious and keeping myself busy in different clubs, organizations, and programs that would help me find my path to pursuing what I want to do in life. Being involved in school was recognize for my great contributes and was able to be part of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. I so grateful to be part of the Sandra Day O' Conor Law Enforcement Academy/ Panther New Tech . I met all of my great closest friends. When Junior Year came along I joined the Vet Tech Program in Center for Career Technology Education. Having these different opportunities to expand my learning skills has helped with who I am today. It was a hard deciding which institution I will be attending. I finally decided to attend University of Texas of El Paso to study Business. I want to learn more about the manage business and start my own business in the future. I am grateful and blessed for the opportunities I had and the opportunities that keep coming my way!
Pablo Corral
Stella Adams Memorial Scholarship $1000
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Hi I’m Pablo Corral, I grew up in central El Paso and I was raised by my hardworking mother. Of course she couldn’t have done it alone, she had help from my grandparents. They helped show me that anything is possible as long as I work hard for it. Ever since I was little, I remember wanting to go to Austin because of the SDO Academy because I have always wanted to be a police officer. I never stopped believing in that dream, especially because my mom didn’t let me give up on that dream. Along the way I was able to meet incredible friends that I feel like I can call family because they kept me on the right track and I feel like I was able to do the same thing for them. Throughout my high school days I was able to make good accomplishments, such as, being nationally recognized twice at a national journalism convention, I was able to be part of a group that won $10,000 for athletics in a competition, and a couple more accomplishments. I was able to come across good teachers who just just weren’t teachers, but they were good mentors and friends. Due to these amazing people guiding, helping, and inspiring me to be a good student. I was able to walk across that stage with my diploma in my hand. I got to have a good high school experience even if it was cut short but I still have good memories with many people. I appreciate everyone that allowed me to make memories with them and for helping me grow as a person.
Fatima Rodriguez
Non Traditional
Scholarship
$1000
The idea of attending college was engraved in my mind since before I could even decide what I wanted to study. I saw it as my ultimate long-term goal since it only seemed so far from wherever I was and indeed it was, it was far from what I was then, an elementary school kid. Now that I look back to my younger self, I question and wonder—how was a kid so young so certain of what she wanted and determined to accomplish what she put her mind to, yet not know what that endpoint would be.
Throughout my last year of elementary and middle school I took many turns regarding what I wanted to become as an adult considering all the possible jobs I could attain. Deep down I always knew what would push me to keep on doing that same job in addition to enjoying and loving it. My mother was a huge help when I was in this career hunt and suggested I take on a challenging, adventurous, and interesting job due to my daredevil nature.
As an Eith grader, it was quite common to see high school programs visit us in hopes of captivating our eyes and attending their campus. I remember going through every school table there was that day. One by one throughout the whole gym, I must have heard, “This school is perfect for you.” a gazillion times, yet every single time it was a lie. Nothing caught my attention, and I was starting to get frustrated with the fact that if I did not decide on a magnet program, it would be as if I did not care for what my future looked like.
Yes, I had lofty standards for myself, but I had to. As a child of an immigrant parent, I learned to value everything that was done for me as well as the importance of an education. I felt the obligation to become better and to be one of the first members of my family to have a degree and enforce it. I wanted to make my parents proud, for they have done plenty for me as well as given me the freedom to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
The pressure of making the final decision was overwhelming, but in the end, I finally made my choice. The day I thought I had gone over all the school tables was the day I decided the beginning of the rest of my life. I had in fact not gone through them all, I missed one because they were running a little late. As the young man set the table up I approached him with the last drop of hope I had. Austin High School Magnet program, the last school my mother wanted me to attend due to its bad reputation in the past. The only school that got my heart racing. It became my home and sanctuary for the past four years.
Marlenne Garcia
Stella Adams
Memorial Scholarship
$1000
My name is Marlenne Esmeralda Garcia. I am 17 years old, I was raised in El Paso since I was a year old. I was born on July 13,2003. I was raided by grandmother, aunts and uncle. When I was 5 years old I started kindergarten at Clendenin Elementary School. I grew up a Spanish speaker in a Spanish speaking home so when I started school I had to work my way to learning how to speak English. Then came middle school the beginning of everything. I attended Bassett middle school for 3 years. I played basketball, track, and soccer. My 7th grade year which was my first time playing in an organized basketball team we won a championship. I was also part of the orchestra and played the violin for 2 years. At last came high school, I attended Austin High school for 4 years. During my freshman and sophomore year I was a part of the new tech & law enforcement program in which I acquired many knowledge for the future career I want to pursue. I also did extra curricular activities like piano and choir.I played basketball for 4 years and played varsity for 3 years. I graduated high school with a 3.8 gpa in the too 10% and top 10 of my class. I currently work at a Mexican restaurant as a waitress and will continue to study in order to become a forensic scientist. I will attend EPCC to begin my basics and continue at UTEP.
Jalyn Williams
Katherine Victoria Aguilar
Memorial Scholarship
$500
My name is Jalyn Williams, I am 18 years old, and I will be attending El Paso Community College in the fall. I will be graduating High school with a Memorial scholarship of excellence worth up to 500 dollars, as well as with a total of 5 cords one representing the dual credit course that I took, as well as the UT Onramps course. Two for my performing acknowledgement and one for the culinary course I took at the Center for Career & Technology Education.
When I was younger school was never really something that I enjoyed because it never really made me excited about learning because I always struggled with understanding and focusing on the task at hand. It honestly got so bad. That, at a certain point I had to get tested to check if I had dyslexia. However, turns out that I actually struggle with ADD which basically is is the term commonly used to describe symptoms of inattention, distractibility, and poor working memory. Once My family and I found out, my parents instantly put me in. Certain classes that could help get my condition more under control.
Because of my condition reading was never really something that I was Never really fond of. Although when I was around the age of eight-nine, I had started taking an interest in cooking, so once I started reading cookbooks, I could sit there for hours and relish in the enjoyment of learning the step-by-step process of making food. After that I started engross myself in the art of Culinary. I started helping my parents out with dinner, which only intrigued me even further. Then I started cooking and making full meals all by myself. Once I started doing that. It made me realize that even though I did love to cook it wasn't just making the food that I became infatuated with. It was the expressions that everyone would make when they would enjoy my food. It made me realize that this is what I am good at and what I would love to do in the future as a career. So, I am currently working on obtaining the skills that I need in order to open up my own place so I can spread my gift for more people to adore what I make as well as hopefully help change the world at least plate at a time, because I believe that something as small as good food can have that power to change an individual's frame of mind for the better.
Ashley Saucedo
Expatriate Scholarship
$750
Damian Jacquez
Katherine Victoria Aguilar Memorial Scholarship
$1000
Vivian Morales
William Luther Lyon, Jr. Class of 1941 Memorial Scholarship
$750