Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – For 30 years, the Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) has invested in one goal: helping Rio Grande Valley students earn a college education regardless of financial circumstances.
The organization celebrated the milestone at its 30th Annual Scholarship Banquet, where it awarded $1 million in four-year, renewable scholarships to its 2026 class of scholars. Since its founding in 1996, VAMOS has awarded more than $27 million in scholarships to over 1,450 students, pairing financial assistance with mentoring and support throughout their college years.
The evening reflected a partnership among educators, business leaders, donors, volunteers and mentors committed to expanding educational opportunity across the region.
Keynote speaker Elizabeth Diaz Gonzalez, a member of the VAMOS Class of 1999 and principal of the UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy, credited the organization with changing the course of her life.
“Receiving the VAMOS Scholarship did more than help pay for college,” Gonzalez said. “It changed the entire trajectory of my life.”
Her story, from overcoming a difficult childhood to becoming an educator and school leader, demonstrated the long-term impact VAMOS seeks to create by investing in students and supporting them beyond high school.
Representing presenting sponsor Chick-fil-A Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen operator Francisco Castellanos said VAMOS stands apart because it continues supporting students after they begin college.
“To truly have an organization like VAMOS that is going to be with you, not just when you graduate high school, but to be there for all the right reasons and support you for the next four years, that’s an awesome responsibility,” Castellanos said.
During the banquet, Chick-fil-A Rio Grande Valley presented a $25,000 donation to support the VAMOS mission.
The 2026 scholars were recognized for academic excellence, leadership, community service and perseverance while balancing rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, jobs and family responsibilities. They will continue their education at colleges and universities across Texas and the United States, joining a growing network of VAMOS alumni serving as educators, health care professionals, business leaders, public servants and entrepreneurs.
As VAMOS begins its fourth decade, its legacy extends far beyond scholarship dollars. More than 1,450 students have gained not only access to higher education but also the guidance, mentorship and encouragement to build careers, strengthen their communities and inspire the generations that follow.
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