Community Connection Fall/Winter 2018 Volume 1, Issue 1 Foundation Welcomes 12 New Scholars Our 12 new scholarship recipients boast impressive statistics, with two salutatorians, six who graduated in the Top 10 in their class, four who are first-generation college students and two who earned their associates degree while in high school. Their college fields of study are just as impressive, with majors ranging from aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering to accounting, communication sciences and disorders, and environmental science, to animal science, pre-dental and nursing. Learn more about our 2018 Scholarship During the spring, community members and Foundation Raffle Tickets Available Recipients beginning on page 2. staff reviewed 124 Scholarship applications. Three finalists were selected from each school. Each underwent a How would you like to win personal interview in which we got to know the applicants better. The 12 scholars selected received one of these great items? $16,000 payable over four years while the finalists each received $500. a Big Green Egg The Brazos Education Foundation provides scholarships to graduating seniors attending 12 High $500 Visa gift card Schools in McLennan County, including Connally High School, Gholson High School, Harmony Benelli Super Black Science Academy, La Vega High School, Mart High School, McGregor High School, Moody High Eagle 3 - 12 Gauge School, Rapoport Academy’s Meyer High School, University High School, Valley Mills High School, Shotgun Waco High School and West High School. RTIC cooler package Please join us in congratulating the Foundation's 2018 scholarship recipients! We look forward to We have these fabulous sharing their journey with them. prizes for our annual raffle. Buy some tickets and help area kids pursue their higher education dreams. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 6 for $50. Visit our website or call the Foundation to purchase. Foundation Team 9th Annual Golf Tournament Set for Oct. 22 Support local students by participating in or sponsoring the Missy Larson 2018 Education 4 Everyone Golf Tournament, presented by Bird- Executive Director Kultgen Ford, at 11:30 a.m. for lunch with a 1 p.m. start on Monday, David Horner Oct. 22 at Ridgewood Country Club. This golf tournament, in its 9th Director of Development year, is the biggest fundraising effort for the Brazos Education Adele Williams Foundation. It allows the foundation to provide scholarships and other Director of Programming resources to aid in the goal of providing higher Education 4 Everyone. Julie Carlson By taking part in this event, you will contribute to this wonderful cause Engagement Coordinator and help change students’ lives forever. The Education 4 Everyone Nanette Torres event is fun-filled, includes great prizes and, most importantly, benefits Office Manager a great cause. For more information contact, Randall Larson at (254) 297-7463. www.brazosfoundation.org 2018 Scholarship Recipients Emmanuel Avila, Jr., is a Zachary Bartek graduated Dawson Brown has many Brett Castanon served as a first-generation college stu- from Rapoport Academy’s interests with regional medals volunteer fire fighter for the dent who graduated from Meyer High School while sim- in art and science as well as in Gholson and Abbott VFDs. Harmony Science Academy, ultaneously earning his associ- Jazz Band and his school’s The Gholson High School where he was captain of the ate’s degree at MCC. He One-Act play. The McGregor graduate played football, com- Robotics team. He plans to plans to study accounting at High School graduate will peted in UIL Academics and study mechanical engineering Baylor University. “As a first- study aerospace engineering served as Class Representa- at Texas A&M. “As the first in generation college student, at Texas A&M. “This scholar- tive. He is attending Texas my family to be able to attend the Brazos Education Founda- ship allows me to show other A&M majoring in construction college, I want to strive to do tion scholarship will provide students, who are in a similar science. “I will work hard to better and work hard to take the perfect opportunity to situation, that if you put forth become successful and hope advantage of all the opportu- help me pursue my educa- the work and stand and fight, to focus on employing our nities,” he said. tional ambitions.” anything is possible,” he said. nation’s veterans.” Makayla Caudle dreams of Blessed with a heavenly voice, Connally Salutatorian Judith La Vega’s Ariel Johnson becoming a veterinarian. “All Waco High’s Emily Hines Hernadez kept busy during held numerous leadership my life I have been around could have pursued a career high school. She qualified for roles while in high school, animals. I’ve raised them and in music, but she is majoring state in speech & debate, including class president, doctored them to my best in environmental science at served as president of Na- National Honor Society pres- abilities,” she said. The Moody UT Austin. While at WHS, tional Honor Society and was ident, cheerleading captain and High School graduate will she was the lead actress in named Region All-Star Crew student council vice-president. pursue an animal science ma- theatre productions, sang in for One-Act Play. She is at- She plans to pursue a nurs- jor at Tarleton. While in high Show and Chamber choirs tending UT Austin where she ing degree at MCC. “I am school, she was heavily in- and traveled to Germany as will major in communication motivated to complete my volved with FFA. “I hope one an exchange student. “I want sciences and disorders. “I do schooling and get the highest day to have the ability to em- to inspire those around me to not want children to be em- degree that I can receive. My power other students to be passionate about a sustain- barrassed to speak. I aspire to goal is to receive a doc- achieve their target.” able future.” work as a speech therapist.” torate.” www.brazosfoundation.org 2018 Scholarship Recipients Courtney Klaus of Valley Cristal Leon has set a lofty Isabella Lozano already could Kylie Rawlins, Mart’s salutato- Mills went on her first medical career goal: to direct marketing be counted as a college graduate, rian, played Pee Wee football mission two years ago. It was efforts for the Dallas Cowboys. having earned her associate’s for three years. “Football an experience that changed her At Mary Hardin Baylor, she degree in May. At University showed me that I can do any- life. She will pursue a nursing plans to major in marketing and High School, Isabella was class thing I put my mind to as long major at UT Tyler. “I learned sports management. At West president, captain of varsity tennis as I give it my all and don’t not to take things for granted High School, Cristal participat- and a member of the Waco quit,” she said. During high and always say ‘thank you’ for ed in FFA, basketball, track and Youth Council. She plans to school, she was class treasurer, even the smallest things,” she volleyball and was captain of the study biomedical engineering at played in the band and compet- said. While in high school, she cheer squad. “I have learned to Texas A&M. “I have learned that ed in varsity volleyball, basket- was class president, student dream big, follow the path set when one of my peers, teachers of ball and golf. She plans to pur- council treasurer and played out for me, and to live life as family members try to help, I sue a nursing career at Concor- varsity softball. complete as possible.” should always be open to it.” dia University. Murray Watson, Jr., 1932-2018 razos Education Foundation founder and chairman Murray Watson, Jr., had many pithy sayings that he loved to share with scholarship recipients. “The education you have will determine the success you achieve.” BB “The hardest thing to pay for is yesterday’s groceries.” “Never give up. Rise to the occasion. One day you can look back and see how far you’ve come.” “I have always believed that education is the one thing that can’t be taken away from a person, and I want to create ways to make higher education more accessible to young people.” Sadly, Mr. Watson passed away in late July, but his dedication to serving others lives on Murray Watson, Jr. and Missy Larson with scholars Diego through the Brazos Education Foundation, under the direction of his daughter, Missy Lar- Loredo and Aman Meerza. son. Formed in 2009, the Foundation was the brainchild of Mr. Watson and the board of Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc., who decided to give back by helping area students go to college and succeed. The first four scholars arrived in 2010 and have since graduated from college and settled into professions, from engineering and sales to nursing and social work. This year, 48 Brazos Scholars will benefit from generous donations with $16,000 scholarships ($4,000 annually). For many, this scholarship makes the difference between dropping out and graduating. By this time next year, 100 active Brazos Scholars and Brazos Alumni will be pursuing their education and career goals. Thank you for continuing Mr. Watson’s legacy through the lives of these Scholars. www.brazosfoundation.org Organiztion Brazos Education Foundation, Inc. Mailing Address 2600 Washington Ave. Waco, TX 76701 Tel: 254-732-1946 Email: [email protected] EDUCATION 4 EVERYONE We’re on the web: Brazosfoundation.org How You Can Help AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Brazos Education Foundation every time you shop, at no cost to you. ou might shop for the holidays on Y Black Friday, Small Business Saturday Step 1: Visit smile.amazon.com.