United Independent School District announced its 2026 League of Legends on Thursday evening at a special event where 29 alumni from the four high schools were honored for their well-deserved accomplishments.

 

The homegrown talent who received awards ranged from doctors to military veterans, law enforcement, principals, and creatives.

 

Dr. Catherine Martin, a local dentist and 2010 graduate of John B. Alexander High School, said it was a big honor to be recognized.

 

“It’s incredible. I don’t think I ever would have pictured myself here, especially back in Laredo,” Dr. Martin said. “When I was here, I thought being successful meant going out and doing big things, and I have come to learn that the most special part about being back is I get to treat patients I have known for years, and I get to touch lives that have touched my life.”

 

Berenize A. Garcia, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant and a 2011 graduate of Lyndon B. Johnson High School, had a message for students: “Don’t do life alone. Get involved. Seek opportunities. Volunteer. Always believe in yourself,” she said. She credited a teacher, Jennifer Brewster, for pointing her in the right direction. 

 

Dr. Oscar Perez, LISD Executive Director for Health and Safety and a 1976 graduate of United High School, beamed while surrounded by friends and family.

 

“I feel blessed and I thank God for this opportunity that allows me to be recognized as a Longhorn Legend and I would have graduated 50 years ago come May, so I am extremely excited about this honor and it will forever be etched in my heart,” Dr. Perez said. “So I thank UISD for everything that they do in recognizing alumni that have gone far and beyond to do what is best for our community.

 

And Gregorio De La Cruz III with the Laredo Police Department and a United South High School 2005 graduate, said the honor was “humbling.” A superb athlete in high school who was nominated for the award by Coach Juan Botello, De La Cruz said he still runs into teachers to this day who remember him.

 

United ISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz, previously inducted into the League of Legends as a Longhorn Legend, said all honorees from all the high schools reflect something special.

 

“We have a great spectrum of individuals who have contributed to society who are currently serving in different roles here in our community as well as those who have gone beyond the state of Texas and are making their mark,” Dr. Cruz said.

 

“They are letting the rest of the community know that United ISD is a world-class organization in terms of providing world-class education and making sure that our students are prepared and able to compete locally, nationwide and in many cases globally so their stories are great,” Dr. Cruz added. “Our students are going to be excited that there is a life after high school and whatever dreams they have, certainly those dreams can come true with perseverance and determination and being great students here at United ISD.”

 

Those honored include the following:

 

United High School:

• Dr. Oscar Perez, Class of 1976

• Sara A. Hernandez, Class of 1984

• Rene F. Cruz, Class of 1986

• Lizzy Newsome, Class of 1990

• Jose Angel Cavada, Class of 2000

• Michelle Y. Gonzales, Class of 2000

• Janet Zapata, Class of 2004

• Dr. Valerie Ann Perez, Class of 2013

• Rose Troche-Sanchez, Class of 2013

 

United South High School:

• Eloy Morales, Jr., Class of 1993

• Ricardo Cordova, Class of 2000

• Amber Almanza, Class of 2002

• Juan Carlos Arriaga, Class of 2004

• Gregorio De La Cruz III, Class of 2005

• Maura V. Ramon, Jr., Class of 2007

 

 

John B. Alexander High School:

• Dr. Imelda De La Rosa, Class of 1998

• Danielle M. Flores, Class of 1998

• Carlos D. Gonzalez, Class of 2000

• Michael Salinas, Class of 2001

• Erika Beatriz Ramon, Class of 2003

• Allan Casillas, Class of 2010

• Dr. Ricardo Guerra, Class of 2010

• Dr. Catherine Martin, Class of 2010

 

Lyndon B. Johnson High School:

• Janet Michelle Carrillo, Class of 2005

• Gilberto Aguilar, Jr., Class of 2006

• Erika Riojas, Class of 2007

• Berenize A. Garcia, Class of 2011

• Manuel Cerda, Jr., Class of 2014

• Maximiliano Zapata, Class of 2014