Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – Making district history, 40 seniors in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) have been awarded competitive Dell Scholarships for their post-secondary education. The students will receive $20,000, a brand-new laptop, and textbook credits to complete their post-secondary education.
The Dell Scholars program is an initiative of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation that was designed to provide a support system for the challenges many students face while pursuing a degree. Campus and district leaders collaborated with Dell representatives to surprise several students with the news that they were named recipients of the scholarship on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
“This opens a whole new door for me. So many emotions flooded through me in the moment,” said PSJA Southwest ECHS Senior Alex Taylor, one of the recipients surprised with the news. “I am so happy and grateful to be awarded this scholarship.”
In addition to graduating from high school in May, the 40 seniors will be graduating or have already earned Associate Degrees from South Texas College through PSJA ISD’s nationally recognized Early College Program. Through partnerships with South Texas College and other higher education leaders, more than 3,500 PSJA ISD high school students are enrolled in college courses each semester.
“We are very proud of our seniors, and we know how important this scholarship is for them. Receiving this award is not only life-changing, but it will also change generations,” said PSJA College Transition Director Carlos Garcia. “A huge thank you to our College Transition staff for guiding our students through the application process and for removing many obstacles that our students encounter. We wish our students the best of luck on their post-secondary journey.”
The 2022 PSJA ISD Dell Scholars are as follows:
PSJA ECHS Dell Scholars
National Dell Scholars
- Ana Yolanda Garza, Associates of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Diana Gonzalez, Associates of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Issa Mabiel Correa – earned Associates of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in December 2021
- Kaylee Leann Lopez – earned Associates of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in December 2021.
- Dominique Ashlyn Salinas – Associates of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
UT-Austin Dell Scholars
- Alexis Cano, Associates of Science in Mathematics
- Alejandra Cisneros, earned Associates of Science in Mathematics from STC in December 2021
- Cassandra Banda, Associates of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
PSJA North Dell Scholars
UT-Austin Dell Scholars
- Paola Silva- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Hector Solis- Associate Degree in Mathematics
- Katelyn Mercado – Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Alexa Ochoa- Associate Degree in Education
- Debanhi Jaime – Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
PSJA Memorial Dell Scholars
National Dell Recipients
- Natali Acha – Associate Degree in Criminal Justice – Dec. 2020.
- Erick Salcido – Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Dec. 2020.
UT-Austin Dell Recipients
- Ana Alvarez – Associate Degree in Mathematics May 2022
- Ashley Abrego – Associate Degree in Computer Science
- Ashley Martinez – Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in December 2021
- Ashley Olvera – Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Manuel De Leon – Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Paulina Hernandez – Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
PSJA Southwest Dell Scholars
National Dell Scholars
- Yadira Vaca-Araujo- Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Alex Valdez- Associate Degree in Biology
- Rosayra Garcia-Valdez- has earned 12 college credit hours
- Omar Salinas- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
UT-Austin Dell Scholars
- Carlos Rodriguez- Associate Degree in Mathematics
- Montserrat Garcia- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Linda Guillen- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Fernanda Lopez- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Alaiza Mata- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Alexa Munoz- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Luis Segura- Associate Degree in Mathematics
PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Dell Scholars
National Dell Scholars
- Teresa Garza, Associates in Business Administration
- Guillermo Cortez, Associates of Science in Mathematics
UT-Austin Dell Scholars
- Oziel Sauceda, Associates in Computer Science
PSJA Collegiate High School Program Dell Scholars
National Dell Scholars
- Estrella Luna, Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Elias Rodriguez, Associate Degree in Biology
- Aaron Pulido Salinas, Associate Degree in Computer Science
UT-Austin Dell Scholar
- Evelyn Peña, Associates in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Josue Cedillo, Associate Degree in Biology
“We are so proud of our students for their outstanding dedication and commitment to their studies,” said PSJA Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “This is only the beginning of a very bright future.”
To be eligible for the Dell Scholarship, candidates must be participating in an approved college readiness program in grades 11 and 12, plan to enroll full-time at an accredited higher education institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree, qualify for the Pell Grant, and demonstrate financial need.
