Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District announced on Thursday that Selena Castañon, a senior at Edinburg North High School, has been awarded the Navy’s prestigious $180,000 Minority Serving Institution Scholarship Reservation.
“I’m extremely excited about getting this scholarship,” said Castañon. “It’s going to help pay for my schooling, and then eventually, I’m going to be commissioned to the United States Navy. That means I’m going to graduate debt-free.”
Selena’s father said that he was very happy for his daughter and highly proud of her accomplishment.
“I know it’s not going to be easy for the future, but this is a good start,” said Jorge Castañon, Selena’s father. “I think it’s a good example for all the students at Edinburg North and even in the Valley.”
The scholarship will pay for Selena’s four-year expenses to attend Clark Atlanta University. She will receive a monthly stipend for personal items and an additional $750 a year for books.
“I would like to thank Edinburg CISD, Edinburg North as a whole because the teachers, the staff, have all been extremely helpful, and my JROTC instructors for pushing me to apply and helping me to fill out paperwork,” Selena said.
Selena carries a 3.5 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, and serves as an Army JROTC Battalion Commander at her school. She also earned an industry-based certification in cosmetology through the Career and Technical Education Program.
“I am super proud of Selena. I wish that all of our children follow in her footsteps,” said ECISD Superintendent Dr. Mario Salinas. “Our effort in our school district is to produce well-rounded students that can go out into the world and succeed. Selena is going to get a full scholarship to go to a prestigious university, and then she’s going to give back to our nation by enlisting in the Navy.”
Selena is one of only 150 students nationwide selected for the scholarship because of her exceptional academic and leadership record.
“I am so proud of Selena and all of her accomplishments,” said ECISD School Board President Miguel “Mike” Farias. “Not only is she going to go to get an education at a prestigious college, but she is going to dedicate eight years of her life in service to our country.”
While attending Clark Atlanta University, Selena will be taking naval science courses, learning a little history about the Navy, and certain personal standards or codes of conduct.
“I am very proud. Selena is just an amazing student and an amazing young lady,” Edinburg North High School Principal Mark Micallef said. “She will do wonderful things in her future. We’re very excited about this opportunity, and you know we support her 100 percent.”
“We are very proud of this young lady. You know she’s the first one to receive and to be honored with this scholarship,” said Major Saul Gonzalez, the JROTC instructor at Edinburg North High School. “This is going to change her life. She is our future for our military.”
According to military officials, thousands of students from around the country applied for the Navy ROTC scholarship.
“Upon graduating, she will receive a commission in the United States Navy and ultimately be driving ships, submarine officer aviation, or if she decides to go to special warfare,” said Cmdr. DJ Jackson, the Deputy Director for Outreach and Diversity at the Navy Recruiting Command.
With more than 330,000 active-duty sailors, 290 deployable ships, more than 3,700 aircraft, and dozens of bases in the U.S. and across the globe, America’s Navy is the largest, most powerful naval force in the world.
“Some advice I would give anybody is to apply. You never know what’s going to happen,” Selena said.
Edinburg CISD is currently enrolling students for the 2021-2022 school year. To register your child, visit register.ecisd.us or call (956) 289-2300.
