Twenty United Independent School District high school students have received the Legacy Scholarship awarded by the San Antonio Area Foundation, thanks to an anonymous donor.

 

The scholarship amount totals $40,000 each for their college career. The students, who are juniors, were among a total of 38 students honored this week at a banquet ceremony held at the Laredo Independent School District Performing Arts Center.

“I now feel a sense of relief and happiness, and I am only going to go further now,” said Danyka Charles from United South High School. She wants to give back to the Laredo community by becoming a physical therapist and teaching her softball skills to young athletes.

 

“Work hard, be positive,” she said she would advise students. “Applying for new scholarships may seem like a lot but it will pay off in the end.”

 

United ISD Director of Guidance and Counseling Melissa Ramirez said these scholarships give students more motivation to start preparing for college their senior year.

 

“We are so proud of our students. This is the biggest scholarship our students will receive … unless they get a full ride,” said Ramirez, who also wanted to thank the San Antonio Area Foundation for investing in our youth and students here in Webb County.

Jonah Vaughn of Alexander High School, who is a member of the tennis team and the chess club, said this scholarship will help him tremendously in the future.

“I am super excited to save money on tuition that will allow me to reach a whole other level of schooling,” said Jonah, who plans to study business administration and then attend law school.

The scholars are the following:

Alexander High School: Andrea Sanmiguel, Paola Gonzalez, Sofia Rankin, Victoria Figueroa, Brielle Lira, Carla Morales, Emma Dominguez, Emmanuel Lopez, Felipe Rivera, Isabella Martinez, Miranda Garza, Nathan Valls, Pablo Marroquin, Eduardo Martinez, Jonah Vaughn

United High School: Arian Zambanini, Athena Trottman, Kailey Gonzales, Mariana Lopez Vazquez

United South High School: Danyka Charles