Meet the 2007-2008 UTSA Student Alumni Scholars!

Jessica Maldonado
Classification: Senior – first year scholarship recipient
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
Community/School Service: Hispanic Student Association, Red Cross, Alpha Phi Omega, Catholic Student Association, mentor, Tomas Rivera Center
Employment: Destination Maternity, child-care provider
Future Plans: To become a teacher at the elementary school level
Quote: “My goal is to become a teacher to help children learn and have fun doing so. Helping children learn is such a rush because you can immediately see the advancement in their thinking and the confidence developed from doing something new.”
Scholarship Benefactor: Michael J. Kwiatkowski ’78

Edward Martinez
Classification: Freshman - first year scholarship recipient
High School Graduation: Fox Tech High School, 2007
Major: Architecture
Honors/Awards: Captain, Fox Tech Football Team; All District Honorable Mention Wide Receiver
Community Service: Volunteer, Good Samaritan Center
Employment: Oak Hills Country Club
Future Plans: A career in architecture/building design
Quote: “It isn’t enough to be a vocal leader. It is a must to lead by example and by performance.”
Scholarship Benefactor: Dr. Harriett Romo

Robin McIlhenny
Classification: Senior, UTSA Honors College, first year scholarship recipient
Major: History
Honors/Awards: Archer Fellow; president, UTSA Honors Student Association; member, UTSA Institute of Law and Public Affairs; International Travel Abroad Scholar; UTSA Presidential Scholar; Great Conversation! scholarship recipient
Community Service - Students Committed to Change, family service camp, Red Cross volunteer
Employment: Intern with U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez
Future Plans: After graduation from law school, a career in international law working for the U.S. State Department or for a non-profit organization
Quote: “I hope to have a career where I not only get to experience new places, but I can help make peoples’ lives better.”
Scholarship Benefactor: Dr. Kenneth Weiher

Rafael Moras
Classification: Sophomore, UTSA Honors College – second year scholarship recipient
Major/Minor: Music/Voice Performance
Honors/Awards: Presidential Scholar in the Arts; title role in The Crittenden Opera Workshop’s World Premiere production of Tony Caruso’s Last Broadcast; master classes with maestro Placido Domingo and Metropolitan Opera soprano Sharon Sweet
Community Service: Volunteer music minister for Holy Trinity Church
Future Plans: A career in music performing as an operatic tenor in local, regional, national and international venues
Quote: “As an operatic tenor I feel blessed to be able to say that my passion constitutes both my work and my hobby. The world of opera is exciting in that it demands that those who perform in it be not only excellent musicians and actors, but proficient athletes and scholars as well in preparing for any one of the myriad of roles it has to offer.”
Scholarship Benefactors: Betty ’76 and Howard Halff

Adam Newman
Classification: Junior, UTSA Honors College – third year scholarship recipient
Major: Computer Science
Honors/Awards: UTSA President’s List
Community Service:  Volunteer with church activities
Employment: Intern, USAA; mentor, UTSA computer science students
Future Plans: To obtain a computer programmer position with USAA
Quote: “I dedicate myself fully to whatever I choose to do. I achieve my goals because I work for them; I do what it takes to get the job done.”
Scholarship Benefactor: Mary Anne Morgan ’77

Anna Phelix
Classification: Freshman, UTSA Honors College - first year scholarship recipient
High School Graduation: Health Careers High School, 2007
Major: Biology
Honors/Awards: Member, 1st place area competition team, Health Occupations Students of America; Chairperson, Teen to Teen; Organ Donation Awareness Group
Community Service: Habitat for Humanity, University Hospital Junior Volunteer Program, volunteer/usher St. Matthew Catholic Church
Employment: Resident assistant Kingsley Place Special Care Center
Future Plans: A career as an occupational therapist
Quote: “This extremely generous scholarship will greatly assist me in reaching my future goals.”
Scholarship Benefactor: Valero Energy Corporation

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