Jeremy Benavides
Class of 2012
Plan II Honors, Aerospace Engineering & Business Foundations
The University of Texas at Austin
Awarded by: Hispanic Scholarship Consortium

Jeremy had a successful first year at UT Austin where he studies aerospace engineering, business foundations and is in the prestigious Plan II Honors Program.  The program is a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. It differs from most honors programs in that its core curriculum is itself a major. Jeremy regularly volunteers with the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium and participated in intramural sports including flag football, volleyball, and softball.  Jeremy is a first generation college student.

Michelle Buescher
Class of 2011
Mathematics - Actuarial Science
The University of Texas at Austin
Awarded by: Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas – Austin Chapter & Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

Michelle is a junior majoring in Mathematics – Actuarial Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.  While maintaining her studies, Michelle has also been an active member of Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico de Tejas since 1998 and is currently a member of the Longhorn Band. In addition, Michelle volunteers for local community events such as Explore UT, Feria Para Aprender, and HSC outreach efforts. Michelle is also a member of the World-Class Drum & Bugle Corps, The Bluecoats and has previously marched with The Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps.  She is a first generation college student.

Pamela Carlile
Class of 2011
English & Spanish
Texas State University
Awarded by: Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

Pamela Carlile, a first generation college student, is a junior studying English and Spanish at Texas State University and has been an HSC scholar since 2007. She is a member of the Texas State Honors Program, Delta Gamma, one of the six Greek sororities on campus, and Alpha Sigma Pi, the National Society of Leadership and Success. Pamela received a Liberal Arts Excellence Award for the second year in a row, which is given to students who maintain a 3.5 GPA overall and a 3.75 GPA in their major. She also participated in several service projects with her sorority to benefit their philanthropy, Service for Sight, as well as the annual Bobcat Build city-wide community service project.  Pamela's goal is to continue her education and earn a Ph.D. and become a professor of Engish literature.   

Antonio Ceniceros
Class of 2010
Art & Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Awarded by: Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

A senior art and education major at UTSA, Antonio has funded his college education entirely on his own. Despite the struggles he has faced, Antonio has stayed committed to his education and the service of others. He arranged an art show for the first annual international Anzaldua conference, titled "El Mundo Zurdo." He has been working closely with local artists to display art work from minorities, such as females and people of color. This has sparked a new interest in organizing and being the curator for local art shows. Antonio is a first generation college student.

María Chávez
Class of 2010
International Business & Marketing
The University of Texas at Austin
Awarded by: Mr. and Mrs. Manuel & Jane Zuniga & Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

As the daughter of two hard-working Mexican immigrants and as a first generation college student, María Chávez has learned that everything in the world comes with hard work and motivation. Even though there were culture clashes between her Mexican background and the new life she led in the US, she was able to turn around and acquire the best aspects of each. She enjoys volunteering in all types of social profit enterprises, such as Cine las Americas International Film Festival, Coats for Kids, the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce East Side Memorial High School Mentor Program, and working at Austin School of Film, a non-profit organization. In fall 2008, she studied at the Comillas Pontifical University (ICADE) in Madrid, Spain, and had a great time immersing herself in different types of societies. From her experience, María decided that knowing only two languages was not sufficient to be able to communicate with the world, and is now studying French. She hopes to continue helping the community and expand to foreign relations, in order to bring the world closer to unity and prosperity.

Samantha Chen
Class of 2013
Mechanical Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin
Awarded by: Mr. and Mrs. Manuel & Jane Zuniga & Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

A 2009 graduate of McNeil High School, Samantha is on her way to becoming a mechanical engineer.  A first generation college student, Samantha participated in Drama Club, H.O.P.E., Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and was the vice-president of the choir.  She dedicated countless hours to basketball, community service and a part-time job while maintaining a strong academic record.

Jeremy Constancio
Class of 2010
Political Science & Human Rights
Columbia University
Awarded by: Fiesta de Independencia Foundation & Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

Jeremy Constancio is a fourth year student attending Columbia University in New York City. Jeremy is majoring in Political Science with a special concentration in Human Rights. During his freshman year he founded S.A.M.E. (Students for Allied Marriage Equality) of which he is still a member. Jeremy is also a member of the Columbia College Democrats. After graduation, Jeremy plans to go on to law school.

Maria del Sol Cordova
Class of 2012
Psychology & Criminology
St. Edward’s University
Awarded by: Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

A first generation college student and child of immigrant parents, Sol had a great first year at St. Edward’s University.  A psychology and criminology double major, Sol is a member of the Hispanic Student Association and the Student Service Council.  She volunteered for several events with the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium and Univision KAKW Television.  Additionally, she is a member of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir.

Ashley Corona
Class of 2011
Psychology & Government
The University of Texas at Austin
Awarded by: Hispanic Bar Association Charitable Foundation & Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

A psychology and government student at The University of Texas at Austin, Ashley is classified as a junior for completing 70 credit hours even though she graduated from Reagan High School in June of 2008.  Committed to her alma mater, Ashley serves on the Reagan High School Redesign Committee and is a regular mentor at the school.  Additionally, Ashley has been recognized as the Univision Student of the Year and earned Fox 7’s Outstanding Community Service Leaders Award.  She is a first generation college student who plans on a career in law.

Manuel De Lara
Class of 2013
Landscape Architecture
Texas Tech University
Awarded by: CasaBella Architects & Hispanic Scholarship Consortium 

A graduate of Anderson High School, Manuel is dedicated to the study of landscape architecture.  In addition to his studies at Texas Tech, he is a member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland following a prolific high school career as a section and instrument leader in the marching band, concert band, jazz band, orchestra and indoor drumline.  Manuel also participated in the Spanish National Honor Society while in high school.