Posted Date: 03/10/2023
Twenty-Eight extremely accomplished individuals from our community were inducted into the United Independent School District’s Distinguished Alumni Award Program, League of Legends. All of the honorees were selected based on their career accomplishments and the impact they’ve had in our community and country. This year for the first time, two posthumous awards were presented to the families of two of our local heroes, who not only graduated from our high schools but gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their families received a special plaque in their honor. A dinner ceremony was held Thursday evening to mark the special occasion. The newly inducted legends were then invited to speak at their respective alma maters.
On Friday, juniors and seniors from all across our district were in for a treat, after hearing from these prominent achievers during a special assembly held at each high school. The seven legends from each school shared their experiences, challenges and successes with the students, motivating them to never give up on their dreams. Many reflected on the influence their teachers and coaches had on them while they were in high school, enabling them to work hard for their goals. All of them were excited to be back at their alma mater, reminiscing about their years there. Students were attentive to their words and were encouraged to seek out their passions and dreams.
The UISD League of Legends Distinguished Alumni Award Program began in 2014 and since then has been an annual tradition. Its main objective is to recognize the contributions UISD alumni have made to our society and to inspire current students to pursue their goals. United ISD is proud to acknowledge our alumni and their hard work by highlighting the great academic foundation they received at all our exemplary high schools. It is important to demonstrate the vital role our education system has played in shaping these outstanding individuals.
The following recipients were inducted in the 2023 UISD League of Legends:
United High School
Ninfa Peña-Purcell, Ph.D. Class of 1975
Mindy Casso Class of 1986
Dr. Marsha Renee Perales-Hull Class of 1992
Jose S. Tellez II Class of 1993
Patty Kirby Class of 2000
Debbie Hernandez Class of 2007
Dr. Arnoldo Treviño Class of 2011
United South High School
Briza Uvalle Class of 2000
LCPL Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez Class of 2000
Raul Reyes Class of 2001
Cindy Bautista Class of 2006
Alex Cano Class of 2007
Abiel A. Obregon Class of 2009
Gabriela Medina Class of 2011
J.B. Alexander High School
Angel Angco-Barrera Class of 2000
Ramon De la Torre, M.D. Class of 2001
Melinda M. Portillo Class of 2005
Danny Valdez, Ph.D. Class of 2007
Andres D. Garcia Class of 2008
Monika Sanchez Class of 2008
John Bojanski Class of 2012
Lyndon B. Johnson High School
Cassandra Diaz Class of 2014
Erick Garay Class of 2014
Fernando Maciel Class of 2014
Jorge Castañeda Class of 2015
Natalie Coleman Class of 2016
Stephanie Palacios Class of 2017
LCpl David Lee Espinoza Class of 2019
Alexander high School
United High School
Lyndon B. Johnson High School
United South High School