Sanchez Scholars Cohort Introduced at TAMIU Reception

A select group of 20 Texas A&M International University students have been named Sanchez Scholars by the Sanchez Family Foundation at a reception held recently at TAMIU's Western Hemispheric Trade Center for Scholars and their families.

Sanchez Foundation Members Antonio R. "Tony" Sanchez and his wife Maria G. "Tani" Sanchez were present.

The students are the beneficiaries of a $400,000 scholarship gift from The Sanchez Family Foundation that will provide books, fees and tuition for four-year degree program completion at TAMIU. The Scholarship Award is $5,000 per student per school year.

This is the second cohort to date, bringing the total Sanchez Scholars currently enrolled at TAMIU to 40.

In earlier comments, Sanchez said the Foundation considers its gift an investment in the future of Texas.

"We have long maintained that higher education is the only true catalyst to change. The scholarships reflect a commitment to the city and state that has been home to us for generations and that continues to bless us," Sanchez explained.

The Scholars, their high schools of origin and planned major, are as follows:

Valerie Antú - Cigarroa High School (CHS), Nursing; Nora Edith Bolaños - CHS, Biology; Luis Emilio Cadena - Nixon High School (NHS), Management Information Systems; James Vincent Cortéz - NHS, Biology; Elizabeth Marie Dovalina - Alexander High School (AHS), Business Administration; Linda Evans - Martin High School (MHS), Nursing; and Maribel Higareda - Lyndon B. Johnson High School, Nursing.

Also, Oneida Ibarra - CHS, Biology; Eliana Ledesma - Carrizo Springs High School (CSHS), Undeclared; Alexandria Martínez - CSHS, Undeclared; Samuel Mendez - NHS, Management Information Systems; Luis Arturo Molina Jr. - United High School (UHS), Business Administration; Raquel Náñez - CSHS, Biology; Marco Antonio Pineda - Freer High School (FHS), Accounting and Janece Marilyn Quiroz - MHS, Accounting.

Also, Sergio Gerardo Ramírez - UHS, Accounting; Maricela Reyna - CHS, Business Administration; Karina Lizette Ríos - CHS, Undeclared; and Taylor Ashley D'non - FHS, Management Information Systems.

For additional information on the Sanchez Scholars, please contact the TAMIU Office of Financial Aid at 956.326.2225, visit offices in the Killam Library, room 158 or e-mail financialaid@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu