The Valero Alamo Bowl Has San Antonio Covered

The Valero Alamo Bowl’s first scholarship program began in 2000 with 25 local San Antonio area high school students receiving $2,000 scholarships to attend the college of their choice.

Last December the Valero Alamo Bowl selected 76 winners from 65 San Antonio area high schools to share in $590,000 of scholarships as well as committed to scholarship programs at all six of San Antonio’s four-year universities: University of Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary’s University, Texas A&M–San Antonio, Trinity University and UTSA.

Yesterday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joined university administrators and the Valero Alamo Bowl to recognize 64 local college juniors and seniors that will share in $420,000 funded by the Valero Alamo Bowl and matching programs at each university. 

With a goal to reward junior and seniors who have both excelled in the classroom and demonstrated an interest in seeking employment in San Antonio, each university determined its own selection criteria and the amount of each individual award.

These college scholarship winners listed by school are:

University of the Incarnate Word

Alexander Cardenas: Alexander is a senior, studying Communication Arts with a concentration in Communication Studies. After interning with San Antonio Sports, a non-profit organization that embraces the local community through the power of sports, he wants to be involved with sports and similar organizations in the future.

Alaric Chaney: Alaric is a junior, majoring in Communication Arts with a concentration in Communication Studies. Alaric’s experience as the captain for the Spurs Sports and Entertainment WNBA dance team has had a major impact on her life, and she hopes to continue along that path.

Noah Fuentes: Noah is a senior where he is currently studying Business Management and Communications. His ultimate dream is to be an attorney being that he has a passion for helping people.

Nancy Gallegos: Nancy is currently a junior, majoring in Communication Arts with a concentration in Communication Studies, and minors in English and Business Administration. After interning with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) District 18 office, she now knows she wants to continue a career with USCIS, as an Immigration Services Officer, and from there move up to an adjudicator, and hopefully return to UIW to complete her Graduate degree.

Amanda Garcia: Amanda is currently a senior, majoring in Business Administration. She is a first generation American and college student who has taken her family’s history as a source of strength to better herself. After graduation she will attended Graduate school to obtain an MBA or Masters in Marketing.

Angela Gutierrez: Angela is a junior majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in General Business. She is currently on the UIW golf team and participated in two internships at the Republic Golf Club this past year. Her future goals include getting her Masters and pursuing a career in the business industry.

Patrick Manjarrez: Patrick is a senior studying Education to become an Elementary Special Education teacher. He plans on attending Graduate school in the near future, but is currently focusing on preparing to become a fantastic teacher.

Celeste Martinez: Celeste is a Business Administration student with a Management concentration. Celeste has participated as an athlete in her local roller derby league, known as the Heart of Texas Skaters, for almost five years now. She states that roller derby has influenced her future goals being that she wants to become an entrepreneur of a roller skating business.

Daniel Mata: Daniel is a senior pursuing a Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management with a minor in Accounting. His aspirations are to use this knowledge to work as an athletic director for several years, until he is able to create a non-profit, fully funded basketball team for underprivileged adolescents.

Adriana Ortega: Adriana is a senior majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting and a concentration in Finance. Adriana plans on being an entrepreneur, starting her own solar panel installation business to better the community.

Lawson Picasso: Lawson is a senior graduating with her Bachelors in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing in May 2018, and is the President of the Business Club at UIW. When she is not attending classes and organizing club meetings, she is pursuing her own career under her business, D'Nago Marketing. She works in social media marketing, public relations, and training business owners in social media.

Andrew Remelius: Andrew is a junior Communication Arts student where he is the assistant sports and operations director for the university’s TV program, UIWTV. He plans on using the experience he has gained from the school to be a technical director for a professional sports team and hopes to advance the impact of the organization he works with through increased national coverage.

Frank Rivera: Frank is currently a senior studying to complete his bachelor’s in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration. A goal of his is to continue the growth of his existing media production company, Reel Mission Media. After graduation, Frank plans to gain experience in his field of study, and ultimately wants to business venture when financially secure.

David Rodriguez: David is a junior pursuing a Business Management and Economics. His interest in Business Management comes from his love of building projects from the ground up, especially after spending time as a missionary in Kibeho, Rwanda and St. Lucia, South Africa building schools and houses for the local community. His goals upon graduation include pursuing an MBA and eventually owning his own construction company. 

Sarah Tanner: Sarah is a junior majoring in Communication Arts with a concentration in Communication Studies. Sarah serves as the team manager to the UIW synchronized swimming team which is currently ranked third in the United States. Prior to that, she swam for 10 years, competing and medaling at many prestigious national competitions such as, U.S Nationals, U.S Opens, and Junior Olympic Championships. Sarah plans to pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism or Public Relations.

Karla Valdez: Karla is a senior, Communication Arts major with a concentration in Media Studies. She plans to become a professional screenwriter. Her future goals are to work with Pure Flix Studios, a Christian based film studio, and work with Disney Studios to create heart-felt movies like Remember the Titans.

Our Lady of the Lake University

Jorge Cavazos: Jorge is a senior Computer Information Systems and Security major from McAllen.

Yovanna Cervantes: Yovana is a junior Computer Information Systems and Security major from Thermal, California.

Brandell Collins: Brandell is a senior Kinesiology major from San Angelo.

Guadalupe Espinosa: Guadalupe is a junior Education major from Mesquite.

Bobbi Gonzales: Bobbi is junior Criminal Justice major from San Antonio.

Michael Light: Michael is a junior Education major from San Antonio.

Alexandria Moreno: Alexandria is a junior Education major from San Antonio.

Erica Robertson: Erica is a junior Education major from San Antonio.

Victoria Robledo: Victoria is a junior Computer Information Systems and Security major from San Antonio.

Sumer Sagasta: Sumer is a junior Education major from San Antonio.

Jaythy Teschner: Jaythy is a junior Computer Information Systems and Security major from San Antonio.

Paula Villarreal: Paula is a senior Computer Information Systems and Security major from San Antonio.

Dawn Villareal: Dawn is a junior Psychology / Pre-Counseling major from Weslaco.

Guadalupe Villegas: Guadalupe is a junior Computer Information Systems and Security major from San Antonio.

Orren Williams: Orren is a junior Computer Information Systems and Security major from Houston.

St. Mary’s University

Patricio Botello-Faz: Patricio is a junior Exercise and Sport Science major who plays men's soccer at St. Mary's University. An All-Heartland Conference selection last season, Botello-Faz earned Preseason All-Conference honors this year after netting six goals a year ago. He was a member of the Heartland Conference Honor Roll.

LaBraile Fields: LaBraile is a senior Exercise and Sport Science major who played women's basketball at St. Mary's University. A former All-Heartland Conference selection, Fields was named the Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in steals (83) last season.

Jack Kaiser: Jack is a senior Finance and Risk Management major who played baseball at St. Mary's University. A Preseason All-American entering his senior year, Kaiser earned All-Region honors as a junior when he belted a team-leading 53 RBI and 10 home runs. He was a member of the Heartland Conference Honor Roll.

Jonathan Ledger: Jonathan is a senior Exercise and Sport Science major who played men's golf at St. Mary's University. A two-time Heartland Conference Golfer of the Week, Ledger helped lead the Rattlers last season to their first conference championship in eight years. He was a member of the Heartland Conference Honor Roll.

Lisa Tomenendal: Lisa is a senior Environmental Science major who played women's soccer at St. Mary's University. She helped lead the Rattlers to the Heartland Conference Tournament in each of her two seasons with the team, totaling two goals along the way. She was a member of the Heartland Conference Honor Roll.

Texas A&M–San Antonio

Israel Aguero: Israel is a senior at TAMU-SA and his major is Kinesiology with a minor in Special Education. He plans on being a teacher and a coach.

Keyla Arrambide: Keyla is a senior majoring in Business Administration-Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Project Management. Keyla hopes to earn her Master’s Degree in Data Analytics and become a Database Administrator/Information Systems Manager.

Luz Cano: Luz is a junior majoring in Bilingual Generalist EC-6. His goal is to become a bilingual elementary school teacher. He is eager to earn his degree to begin his career and inspire the lives of those around him.

Analysa Castillo: Analysa is a junior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Sociology.

Samuel Davila: Samuel is a junior majoring in Computer Information Systems.

Laraysha Hall: Laraysha is a junior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and pursuing a minor in Early Child-Grade 6 Generalist.

Danielle Holms: Danielle is a senior majoring in Biology.

Dillon Rau: Dillon is a senior who plans to graduate summa cum laude or with the highest of honors. He also works at Northwest Vista College in the Math and Engineering Department as an administrative assistant. He plans on attending graduate school in the future.

Tabatha Rodriguez: Tabatha is a senior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies (EC-6 Education). She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi and plans to graduate in the Spring of 2018. She is a mother of three and a first-generation student.

Ashley Sandoval: Ashley is a junior Supply Chain Management major. She hopes to graduate with honors and work in either the transportation or manufacturing sector of supply chain.

Victoria Terrazas: Previously a student at Northwest Vista College, Victoria graduated from with an associate’s degree in Business Administration. She is now a junior studying Accounting and plans to start her career here in San Antonio after she graduates.

Ricardo Venegas: Ricardo is a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in psychology.

Trinity University

Paige Adrian: Paige is a senior Economics major and hopes to go into the field of urban economics (combining her interests of economics and civil engineering) to help repair and gentrify declining urban areas into functional cities.

Annie Barahona: Annie is a senior studying Business Administration (Finance & Business Analytics) and wants to work in health care administration, specifically the functional arms of compliance or business analytics, to ensure that all constituencies (patient, provider and caregiver) have a positive experience with the health care system, and work to solve healthcare problems of the underprivileged.

Faith Deckard: Faith is a senior Biology major and hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in sociology in order to expand the scope of research/knowledge related to people with criminal records and mental health challenges. In conjunction with this, she hopes to become a college professor who challenges students to broaden their perspectives and world view.

Holly Gabelmann: Holly is a junior Theatre major and wants to attend graduate school for scenic design and ultimately a doctorate in theatre history. During this journey she plans to work at Texas theatres with a goal to one day teach at a university. Her passion is teaching people to express themselves through art, specifically underrepresented groups.

Haleigh Garza: Haleigh is a senior Communication major and hopes to pursue a career in sports, particularly strategic marketing or communication, with an eye towards law school down the road. She wants to ultimately combine these areas of interest to enhance and elevate the fan experience within sports.

Jeanette Gutierrez: Jeanette is a senior studying Art History and hopes to obtain a doctorate in art history with a focus on modern and contemporary Mexican art with a desire to educate the public about Mexico’s history through its art.

Emma MacEachern: Emma is a senior studying Business Analytics and Technology and wants to live and work in San Antonio for a San Antonio based start-up or USAA. She is interested in being part of the team that guides the company’s decision making and wants to remain a part of the professional and cultural community of San Antonio.

Sara McCarty: Sara is a senior Communication major and hopes to live and work in San Antonio with a professional focus on developing social media strategies for companies and clients.

Janett Mu?oz: Janett is a senior Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major and wants to combine her background in the sciences and interest in serving the community by pursuing a graduate degree in public policy with a concentration in health. Her ultimate goal is to serve communities with structural and systemic disadvantages relative to healthcare.

Samuel Steup: Samuel is a senior studying Engineering Science and hopes to combine his knowledge of machine design and technical theatre towards developing theatre venues and equipment, specifically hardware and motorized rigging, by working as an engineer for a major theatrical equipment development firm.

Danielle Trevino: Danielle is a senior Communication and Studio Art major and wants to pursue a career at Texas Public radio or public broadcasting with a desire to bring people together through a common understanding of current events facilitated by varied multimedia. She is passionate about the relationship between visual communication and political discourse.

Deliasofia Zacarias: Deliasofia is a senior Studio Art and Business major and hopes to pursue a dual graduate degree in art administration and policy and modern and contemporary art history. She is passionate about educating and inspiring new generations of the importance of arts and culture.

UTSA

Bryce Alley: Bryce is a fifth-year senior from Longview, Texas and a four-year letter winner for golf who posted a 73.1 average as a senior in 2016-17.

Blake Bogenschutz: Blake, a fifth-year senior from Carthage, Texas, played quarterback for the Roadrunners during the 2014 and 2015 seasons before an injury cut short his career.

Randee Crawford: Randee, a fifth-year student from Livingston, Texas, is a first-team all-conference performer for softball who shares the school’s single-season record with 64 RBIs.

Aimee Ponte: Aimee, a fifth-year senior from St. Sampson’s, Guernsey, is a four-year letter winner for golf who registered a 74.8 average as a senior in 2016-17.

While the Valero Alamo Bowl's primary mission is to deliver a significant economic impact, this new scholarship program means the Bowl has now awarded scholarships to every participating San Antonio high school and university over the last year.

The 76 high school scholarship winners selected last December that split $590,000 to attend the college of their choice are:

McClure Meissner, Alamo Heights High School: McClure is ranked #6 in his class and is a four-year letter winner in golf.

Steven Crane, Antonian High School: Lettered four years in football, and two in track while maintaining a 107 GPA.

Margaret McDonough, Atonement Academy: Four-year varsity volleyball letter winner, earning second team All-State honors while the team was state runners up.

Jasmin Gutierrez, Brackenridge High School: Varsity volleyball, basketball, and choir member ranked #4 in her class.

Jason Whang, Brandeis High School: Ranked #3 in his class while earning varsity letters in basketball and tennis.

Emily Zamorano, Brennan High School: Four-year varsity tennis letter winner, concertmaster of the varsity orchestra.

Edgar Moreno, Burbank High School: Four-year member of the tennis team, band and two-year member of NHS.

Nicole Saenz, Burbank High School: Water polo team member and MVP, color guard team member, Film Club President and National Honors Society member.

Alexis Knight, Business Careers High School: Involved in National Honor Society, Academic Decathlon, student mentoring, National Association of Women Business Owners and Student Leadership Council.

Dominic Gomez, Central Catholic High School: Varsity letter winner in soccer, while serving as the student body Vice President, and volunteering as a research assistant at the Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy.

Johnathan Pressler, Churchill High School: Johnathan is an Eagle Scout, after putting in 12 years of service with the Boy Scouts of America, also a four-year varsity swim team member.

Luke McGhee, Clark High School: Four-year member of the football and basketball teams, captain of the football team, and honored as an All-District wide receiver and All-District basketball team.

Brock Jones, Clemens High School: Varsity golf team member, president of the Cibolo Creek FFA.

Lindsey Goodrich, Cole High School: Varsity soccer, softball, and band member while being ranked No. 1 in her class.

Brinton Freeze, Communications Arts High School: Brinton is an Eagle Scout, while serving as team captain of the varsity tennis team and student body President.

Evan Hodde, Construction Careers Academy-Warren: Distinguished Scholar award winner, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society member.

Lane Real, East Central High School: Four-year varsity track member, with 10 years of FFA experience.

Taylor Ahoyt, Edison High School: Four-year football starter, All-District DB and captain, four-year varsity track member and captain, two-year varsity golf member.

April Casanova, Fox Tech High School: Four-year basketball and volleyball team member and team captain; wants to study Sports Medicine at Texas State University.

Marisa Flores, Fox Tech High School: Ranked second in her class while serving as co-captain of the Pom Squad and team captain of the Mock Trial team.

Oscar Castro, Harlandale High School: Member of the golf team, and student body Vice President, plans to study Biology at UTSA.

Aidan Giddings, Harlandale High School: Ranked #1 in his class of 375 students with a GPA of 104.7, while participating in golf and tennis.

Paul Rodriguez, Harlandale High School: Four-year JROTC member serving as Battalion Operations Officer, Company Commander, Color Guard Commander and Drill Team Co-Commander also the President of the Business Professionals of American and team captain of the UIL Computer Science team and CyberPatriot team.

Federico Chavez-Torres, Health Careers High School: Study body President, principal cellist in the varsity orchestra and captain of the field team.

Hao Tran, Highlands High School: Student body President and four-year varsity tennis letter-winner.

Jordan Brown, Highlands High School: Four-year varsity basketball member, two-year track team member and three-year FFA member.

Kimberly Munrayos, Holmes High School: Captain of the dance team, member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and the National English Honor Society.

Joel Gracia, Holy Cross High School: Joel is an Eagle Scout who participated in varsity soccer for three years, varsity track and field for two years and varsity football for two years.

Rebecca Aristotelidis, Incarnate Word High School: Nine-year Girl Scout member, four-year volleyball letter-winner and National Honor Society member.

Christian Hernandez, International School of the Americas: National Honor Society and varsity football team member.

Ian Flynn, Jay High School: Ian is an Eagle Scout who ranked No. 3 of 611 in his class while serving as team captain of the varsity swim team and president of the debate club.

Giselle Marquez, Jefferson High School: Class president, varsity soccer and cross country team member, while serving as the Head Student Athletic Trainer.

Angel Hernandez, Johnson High School: AP Scholar with Distinction while serving as a four-year varsity letter winner and tennis team captain.

Erin Sylve, Judson Early College Academy: Vice President of the Engineering Club, four-year UIL Science competitor, wants to attend Rice University to study Mechanical Biology.

Travis Langston, Judson High School – Converse: Ranked first out of 773 students, while participating in the Honors Orchestra and the National Honor Society.

Alexis Herrera, Kennedy High School: Participant in Spanish Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society and Trinity University Upward Bound Program.

Olivia Addington, Keystone School: AP Scholar with Distinction while serving as four-year class president, four-year varsity softball and basketball team member.

Janely Williams, Lanier High School: Ranked No. 2 of 415 students at Lanier, while participating in the marching band and National Honor Society.

Briella Nava, Lanier High School: Four-year track and cross country letter winner and captain, Vice President of Gamma Sigma and National Honor Society member.

Matthew Ebert, Lee High School: STEM Magnet Program participant ranked in top 10% of class with a 104.73 GPA, quarterfinalist at the FIRST Robotics Challenge World Championship.

Landon Mendez, Lee High School: Senior class President, cross country letter winner, Spanish Honor Society member.

Abbey Penton, Lutheran High School: Student Body President while serving as the varsity captain of the swimming and cheerleading teams, also competed in varsity volleyball while maintain a 4.0 throughout high school.

Ashton Woods, MacArthur High School: Captain of varsity track & field team, Vice President of National Honor Society, President of the Varsity Orchestra and three-year varsity soccer letter winner.

Lucero Carrasco, Madison High School: Ranked fourth out of 845 in her class, while participating in varsity softball and serving as NHS Vice President.

Ryan Schulze, Marshall High School: Ranked second of 586 in his class, first string violinist in the orchestra, President of the Latin Club, President of the Cinema Club and has tutored other students for four years.

Ricardo Pena, Memorial High School: Ranked sixth in his class while serving as the varsity soccer captain and lettering for four years.

Alejandra Salazar Gonzalez, Memorial High School: First out of 240 in her class, president of National Honor Society, participated in the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science at MIT Summer program.

James Avila, McCollum High School: Is ranked first out of 374 in his class, while serving as the President of the Business Professionals of America society, and being involved in National Honor Society, student council and University Interscholastic League.

Alex Brehm, O’Connor High School: Four-year football letter winner, orchestra concertmaster and four-year All-Region Team member.

Flora Naylor, Providence High School: Three time cross country team MVP, All-State selection in cross country and track, three time state qualifier in cross country and track, track Athlete of the Year, also a two-time state swimming qualifier, Providence Athlete of the Year.

Brooke LaMantia, Randolph High School: Four-year starter in volleyball and softball, two-year varsity basketball player and Athlete of the Year, president of the National Honor Society and FCA.

Justin Shin, Reagan High School: JROTC Platoon Leader, tennis team member, Science Olympiad participant while maintaining a 108.99 GPA.

Jacob Powell, Roosevelt High School: Varsity cross country team member, AP Scholar award winner, lead programmer of school’s R4 robot.

Shanoa Fowler, Roosevelt High School: Four-year varsity football team member, while earning a 107.065 GPA.

Jasmine Paredes, Sam Houston High School: Section leader in the marching band and symphonic band, National Honor Society Treasurer while ranking No. 4 in her class.  

Brooke Evans, San Antonio Christian High School: Four-year varsity team member of cross country and track teams while serving as team captain, president of the student council while ranking first overall in her class.

Roger Terrazas, Somerset High School: Captain of the tennis team, Secretary of the National Honor Society, regional qualifier at UIL Academics.

Ruben Ureno, South San Antonio High School: Member of the school baseball team, Student-Athlete Award winner, member of his church choir/band and director of St. Bonaventure Church choir/band.

Christopher Garcia, Southside High School: Ranked second in his class, while playing four years of football and baseball, serving as football co-captain, baseball captain and All-District team member and MVP and President of National Honor Society.

Robert Hernandez, Southside High School: Four-year football letter winner, captain and first-team All-District selection, President of AVID Club.

Eduardo Vicuna, Southwest High School: Soccer assistant coach, manager and player for four years.

Christine Tijerina, St. Anthony Catholic High School: Participated in volleyball, track and field, cross country and National Honor Society.

Adrianna Denny, Stevens High School: Varsity track and cross country athlete for four years, while ranking first in her class of 566 and serving as class president.

Laurel Pena, Taft High School: Four-year tennis letter winner, team captain and All-District selection while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Nathan Mumme, Christian School at Castle Hills: Four-year football and basketball letter winner and team captain, two-time football state champion, choir state champion and team Vice President, President of National Honor Society.

Thomas Marotta, Winston School San Antonio: Planning to pursue a career in sports journalism and attend Baylor University.

Juan Villela, Taft High School: Has a 4.0 GPA while serving as President of the National Honor Society, and a member of Spanish National Honor Society, student council, robotics and Spanish club.

Victoria Flener, TMI The Episcopal School of Texas: Varsity softball team member, school newspaper reporter and National Honor Society member.

Mercedes Lewis, Travis Early College High School: Student Council President, involved in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Gamma Sigma and the Robotics Club while ranking third in her class with a 4.0 GPA.

Erika Serna, Travis Early College High School: Three-year member of FTC Robotics club, National Honor Society, while also participating in Gamma Sigma, UIL Calculators, Number Sense and General Math with a GPA of 100.659.

Emily Garcia, Wagner High School: Team captain and four-year soccer letter winner, class president and Secretary for the National Honor Society while ranking second of 478 in her class.

Julio Arroyo, Warren High School: Three-year varsity cross country letter winner, two-year soccer letter winner while ranking 8 of 667 in his class.

Gabriella Rios, Warren High School: Three-year member and captain of the UIL Academics team where she won over 30 awards, two-year debate team member and President of Mu Alpha Theta.

Lea Morin, Young Women’s Leadership Academy: Ranked first in her class while earning varsity basketball letters for three-years, serving as student body president, president of Mu Alpha Theta, and a member in National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. 

For 2017, the Valero Alamo Bowl Student-Athlete program will again select at least one graduating high senior from every San Antonio area public school and established private school.

The application is now available at each school’s guidance office and the selections will be made in December based on academic achievement, teacher recommendations, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities/varsity sports, honors received as well as a personal narrative.

Please share with any eligible students so they can possibly be chosen one of this year's 140 winners and be recognized at the 25th Annual Valero Alamo Bowl on Thursday, December 28.