STC awards 41 scholarships to students from across Hidalgo and Starr counties

They are the best and brightest students in Hidalgo and Starr counties and now they are part of South Texas College’s 11^th class of Valley Scholars students. Forty-one students earned full tuition scholarships from the program to earn associate’s degrees from STC. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students had to rank in the top 10 percent of their high school classes and show an interest in scholastic achievement, leadership and community service.

“I was so honored to be selected for a scholarship from this prestigious program,” said Anissa Falcon. “I worked very hard throughout high school and am pleased to know that this scholarship is the fruit of my labor. STC provides students like me a wonderful opportunity to ease into the college environment and provides a variety of great support systems to ensure my success. I couldn’t be more pleased to be a Valley Scholar.”

Once admitted into STC’s Valley Scholars program, students must maintain a 3.25 grade point average at STC and full-time enrollment status during the fall and spring semesters. Each student is also required to be actively engaged in a variety of community service projects throughout the academic year.

In addition to providing scholarship funds to cover tuition costs, STC provides Valley Scholars with a variety of free services including tutoring, mentoring, book exchanges, campus job placement, scholarship searches, college tours and access to early admissions programs to medical schools and universities.

Students receiving scholarships this semester include Laidee Francia from Edcouch-Elsa High School; Juan J. Pecina from Edinburg Economedes High School; Paula Hinojosa from Edinburg North High School; Stephanie King from Hidalgo High School; Sonia Armendariz, Hugo Chong, Adriana Garza, Dulce Gutierrez, Gilbert Hernandez, Priscilla Leal, Jessica Marin, Jorge Murillo, Joshua B. Orozco, Azucena Reyes, Adrian Rivera and Cesar A. Vigil from La Joya High School; Anne Madrazo from McAllen High School; Benjamin Frye, Elvira Obregon, Juan Rodriguez and Carol Zamarron Mission Veterans Memorial High School; Amy Espiricueta from PSJA High School; Rosalinda Castillo, Ester Guerrero, Carolina Orta and Cecily Saldana from PSJA Memorial High School; Anissa Falcon, Jesus Garcia, Jonhatan Hernandez and Iliana Vasquez from Rio Grande City High School; Jose U. Cantu, Julie Gonzalez and Horacio Guerra Jr. from Roma High School; Hanna Lopez and Keyla A. Palacios from Sharyland High School; Iris V. Trevino from South Palm Gardens High School; Edna Cortez and Angelica A. Martinez from Valley View High School; Fabiola Garcia from Weslaco High School; and Adalaila Castillo and Elias Lopez from Weslaco East High School.

The 11^th class of Valley Scholars is very diverse with plans to study a wide variety of fields at STC including biology, business administration, computer science, criminal justice, culinary arts, education, engineering, interdisciplinary studies, nursing, physical therapy assistance, radiology and Spanish.

“We are thrilled to have these students join our group of Valley Scholars,” said program coordinator Marie Olivarez. “They will be the college’s 11th class of scholars to enter this program. They are each very bright and gifted students who deserve this honor and recognition. We expect great things from each of them and know that they will make STC proud.”

For more information about STC’s Valley Scholars Program or to become a program sponsor contact Marie Olivarez at 956-872-6440.