Texas Border Business
PHARR – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD announced its 2021 Spirit of PSJA Student Profiles representing each of the district’s comprehensive high schools and surprised the graduates with the 2nd Annual Superintendent Scholarship.
First launched in 2014, the Spirit of PSJA Student Profiles is a district-level award program that recognizes seniors who demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts and community service. To be selected, students are nominated by faculty or staff and go through a blind selection process where district judges selected the top nominations.
“We congratulate the selected students for their outstanding achievements,” said PSJA Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo who surprised the seniors with a $750 Superintendent Scholarship at a School Board Meeting held Monday, June 14, 2021. “These students exemplify the Spirit of PSJA in every way through their academic accolades and community involvement!”
To be considered for district-level recognition, students must: be current 12th-grade PSJA students; be participating in Dual/Concurrent-Enrollment courses; have completed at least 12 college credit hours and must demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to higher education.
For PSJA Early College High School graduate, Iris Ambuehl, she is grateful for the education and experiences she received at PSJA ISD.
“Thank you for always supporting me and being so understanding. These past years have not been easy, but my PSJA family helped in making them years filled with moments that I will never forget,” said Ambuehl.
In addition to outstanding community service and academic involvement, all five 2021 Spirit of PSJA Student Profiles earned Associate Degrees from South Texas College.
The Spirit of PSJA Student Profiles are as follows:
Iris Ambuehl, PSJA Early College High School
- Associate Degree in Biology. Plans to major in Molecular & Cellular Biology at Johns Hopkins University
Natalie Honl, PSJA North Early College High School
- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Plans to major in Computer Science and English at the University of Houston
Ana Villicana, PSJA Memorial Early College High School
- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Plans to major in Business Finance at the University of Texas at Austin
Iza Garza, PSJA Southwest Early College High School
- Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Plans to attend the University of the Incarnate Word
Benjamin Martinez, PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School
- Associate Degree in Mathematics. Plans to major in Mathematical Economic Analysis at Rice University
“When I made the decision to spend my four-year long high school experience at PSJA, I knew it would be amazing,” said PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM ECHS Student Profile Benjamin Martinez. “PSJA ISD restored my confidence to do well academically in a collaborative learning environment.”
To learn more about these students or the Spirit PSJA Student Profiles Program visit, www.psjaisd.us/studentprofiles
