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 the college of their choice. Sixteen years later that total is over 15+ times greater as the Valero Alamo Bowl will award $800,000 in scholarships to 100+ deserving San Antonio area students during 2016-17 school year. This total is a Valero Alamo Bowl record and is anticipated be the top mark in local scholarship giving among all 40 bowls.
The first $575,000 will be split between the 74 scholarship winners who were recognized at the Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship Awards Luncheon presented by H-E-B on December 14 at Sunset Station. The students included at least one winner from every San Antonio area public school and well-established private school.
The scholarships were awarded on the basis of academic achievement, teacher recommendations, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities and honors as well as a personal narrative. A strong preference was also given to students excelling in varsity sports.
In addition to the luncheon, the winners will also be recognized this year at the Valero Alamo Bowl courtesy of game tickets provided by Frost.
The Valero Alamo Bowl has pledged a second wave of scholarships totaling at least $225,000 that will be awarded after the game.
“This year will be one of the most successful in the history of the Valero Alamo Bowl,” said Valero Alamo Bowl Chair Lamont Jefferson. “It began with an extension of our Big 12 and Pac-12 agreements to make us the #1 bowl outside of the CFP through 2025. That relationship has not only delivered three straight Top 15 matchups to San Antonio, it has also brought an average economic impact of $45 million to the city. In addition to contributing $8 million to the universities that participate in the Valero Alamo Bowl, I’m thrilled we are substantially increasing our giving this year so we can award a scholarship to a deserving student from every San Antonio high school.”
These first 74 Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship recipients are:
McClure Meissner, Alamo Heights High School: McClure is ranked #6 in his class and is a four-year letter winner in golf; he is verbally committed to play golf at Southern Methodist University.
Steven Crane, Antonian High School: Lettered four years in football, and two in track while maintaining a 107 GPA. Hopes to attend University of Texas at Austin.
Margaret McDonough, Atonement Academy: Four-year varsity volleyball letter winner, earning second team All-State honors while the team was state runners up, planning to attend Texas A&M University.
Jasmin Gutierrez, Brackenridge High School: Varsity volleyball, basketball, and choir member ranked #4 in her class and planning to attend Texas A&M University.
Jason Whang, Brandeis High School: Ranked #3 in his class while earning varsity letters in basketball and tennis, hopes to attend Harvard University or University of Texas at Austin.
Emily Zamorano, Brennan High School: Four-year varsity tennis letter winner, concertmaster of the varsity orchestra. Hopes to attend Harvard University or University of Texas at Austin.
Edgar Moreno, Burbank High School: Four-year member of the tennis team, band and two-year member of NHS. Plans to study Engineering at St. Mary’s University.
Nicole Saenz, Burbank High School: Water polo team member and MVP, color guard team member, Film Club President and National Honors Society member. Plans to pursue a career as a screenwriter at NYU.
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. Plans to pursue a career in Accounting at Texas Southern University.
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. Hopes to achieve a doctorate degree in Environmental Science and Psychology at University of Texas at Austin.
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. Plans to study Engineering at Texas A&M University.
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. Plans to attend University of Texas at Austin to pursue a career in Petroleum Engineering.
Brock Jones, Clemens High School: Varsity golf team member, president of the Cibolo Creek FFA. Wants to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon at Texas A&M University.
Lindsey Goodrich, Cole High School: Varsity soccer, softball, and band member while being ranked No. 1 in her class. Wants to study Nursing at UCLA.
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. Plans to pursue a career in Architecture at Texas Tech University.
Evan Hodde, Construction Careers Academy-Warren: Distinguished Scholar award winner, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society member. Wants to study Cyber Security at UTSA.
Lane Real, East Central High School: Varsity track member, with 10 years of FFA experience. Pursuing a career in Agriculture at Texas A&M University.
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. Planning to study Sports Medicine at Texas A&M University or UTSA.
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, hopes to pursue a career as a Lawyer starting at Stanford University.
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. Hoping to pursue a degree in Accounting from Baylor University.
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. Wants to study Programming at University of Texas at Austin.
Federico Chavez-Torres, Health Careers High School: Study body President, principal cellist in the varsity orchestra and captain of the field team. Wants to pursue a career in Biotechnology at University of Texas at Austin.
Hao Tran, Highlands High School: Student body President and four-year varsity tennis letter-winner. Planning to study Computer Science at University of Texas at Austin.
Jordan Brown, Highlands High School: Four-year varsity basketball member, two-year track team member and three-year FFA member. Wants to pursue a career in medicine and attend Texas A&M University.
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. Planning to study Business at NYU.
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. Wants to study Business at the University of Portland.
Rebecca Aristotelidis, Incarnate Word High School: Nine-year Girl Scout member, four-year volleyball letter-winner and National Honor Society member. Plans to pursue a career in medicine at University of Pennsylvania.
Christian Hernandez, International School of the Americas: National Honor Society and varsity football team member. Plans to attend Rice University and major in Pre-Medicine.
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. Hopes to attend Cornell University to study Computer Science.
Giselle Marquez, Jefferson High School: Class president, varsity soccer and cross country team member, while serving as the Head Student Athletic Trainer. Plans to study Sports Medicine at Texas Lutheran University.
Angel Hernandez, Johnson High School: AP Scholar with Distinction while serving as a four-year varsity letter winner and tennis team captain. Hopes to pursue a career as a Chemical Engineer and study at either MIT or Harvard University.
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. Plans to study Computer Science at University of Texas at Austin.
Alexis Herrera, Kennedy High School: Participant in Spanish Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society and Trinity University Upward Bound Program. Wants to study Nursing at the University of Incarnate Word.
Olivia Addington, Keystone School: AP Scholar with Distinction while serving as four-year class president, four-year varsity softball and basketball team member. Plans to study Economics at Pomona College Claremont.
Janely Williams, Lanier High School: Ranked No. 2 of 415 students at Lanier, while participating in the marching band and National Honor Society. Plans to attend Trinity University and study Business Administration.
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. Wants to attend either the University of San Diego or Texas Tech University to study Biology.
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. Plans to attend Texas A&M University to study Mechanical Engineering.
Landon Mendez, Lee High School: Senior class President, cross country letter winner, Spanish Honor Society member. Planning to attend Colorado State University to study Environmental Engineering.
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. Plans to study International Relations at Texas A&M University.
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. Hopes to attend Columbia University to study Mechanical Engineering.
Lucero Carrasco, Madison High School: Ranked fourth out of 845 in her class, while participating in varsity softball and serving as NHS Vice President. Wants to attend Stanford University to study Psychology and Biology.
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. Plans to attend University of Texas at Arlington to study Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Ricardo Pena, Memorial High School: Ranked sixth in his class while serving as the varsity soccer captain and lettering for four years. Wants to study Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University.
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. Wants to pursue a career in science at University of Texas at Austin.
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. Plans to attend Texas A&M University to study either Nursing or Accounting.
Alex Brehm, O’Connor High School: Four-year football letter winner, orchestra concertmaster and four-year All-Region Team member. Plans to study Business Systems Analysis at University of Alabama.
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. Wants to attend Wellesley College to study Engineering.
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. Plans to study Journalism at NYU or University of Texas at Austin.
Justin Shin, Reagan High School: JROTC Platoon Leader, tennis team member, Science Olympiad participant while maintaining a 108.99 GPA. Wants to attend UC-Berkeley to study Applied Mathematics.
Jacob Powell, Roosevelt High School: Varsity cross country team member, AP Scholar award winner, lead programmer of school’s R4 robot. Plans to study medicine at Texas A&M University.
Shanoa Fowler, Roosevelt High School: Four-year varsity football team member, while earning a 107.065 GPA Plans to continue his education at University of Incarnate Word to study Nursing.
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. Wants to attend Rice University to study Chemical Engineering.
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. Plans to study Biology at Rice University.
Roger Terrazas, Somerset High School: Captain of the tennis team, Secretary of the National Honor Society, regional qualifier at UIL Academics. Plans to attend University of Texas at Austin to pursue a career in Software Engineering.
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. Would like to attend Stanford University or Texas A&M University to study Civil Engineering.
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. Plans to attend University of Texas at Austin to study Aerospace Engineering.
Robert Hernandez, Southside High School: Four-year football letter winner, captain and first-team All-District selection, President of AVID Club. Would like to pursue a career in medicine at University of Texas at Austin.
Eduardo Vicuna, Southwest High School: Soccer assistant coach, manager and player for four years. Planning to attend Texas A&M University and study Physical Education.
Christine Tijerina, St. Anthony Catholic High School: Participated in volleyball, track and field, cross country and National Honor Society. Wants to pursue a career in medicine at Rice University.
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. Will attend UTSA and study Nursing.
Laurel Pena, Taft High School: Four-year tennis letter winner, team captain and All-District selection while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Planning to study Nutrition at Texas A&M University.
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. Will attend Cedarville University to study Political Science.
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. Plans to study Engineering at Trinity University.
Victoria Flener, TMI The Episcopal School of Texas: Varsity softball team member, school newspaper reporter and National Honor Society member. Would like to study International Relations at George Washington University.
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. Plans to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University.
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. Planning to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering at MIT or University of Texas at Austin.
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. Planning to attend UTSA to pursue a career in medicine.
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. Planning to study Engineering at University of Texas at Austin.
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. Would like to pursue a career as a statistician at Northwestern University.
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. Hoping to attend Vanderbilt University to study Psychology.
Shining Star ENERGY Scholarships
This year, four students received scholarships courtesy of Shining Star ENERGY. Paul Rodriguez from Harlandale High School and Juan Villela from Taft High School each received a $10,000 scholarship. While James Avila from McCollum High School and Shanoa Fowler from Roosevelt High School each received a $15,000 scholarship from Sondra Grohman, president of Shining Star ENERGY, at this year’s luncheon at Sunset Station.
For more information on Valero Alamo Bowl scholarships and other charitable programs, please visit their Community Outreach page.
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