Current Terry Scholars

Terry Scholars: 2010-2011

Kevin Conway
Kevin Conway graduated from Katy High School in Katy, Texas. During high school, he was very active in National Honor Society and Best Buddies. Kevin played the sousaphone in the Katy Tiger Marching Band and the tuba during concert season. Throughout his high school career Kevin received many awards for both music and academics. Kevin is now an accounting major at UTSA and hopes to get his masters degree. Ultimately, Kevin hopes to become a Certified Public Accountant.

Melinda Fuqua
Melinda graduated from Keller High School in May of 2010. She was very involved throughout high school in athletic, community service and academic clubs and activities. Her freshman year, Melinda played volleyball and made the varsity softball team. She played outfield and often pinch ran. She won several awards for softball including Academic All American and The Heart Award. Melinda is dedicated to helping others. In eighth grade, she began a family fundraiser called Game Time that raised money for kids with cancer at Cook Children's Hospital. She continued this fundraiser for the next five years, through her senior year in high school, raising over $5,000 for the hospital. Throughout high school, she also volunteered at Cook Children's Hospital, Christ Haven for Children, Revive and Special Olympics. Melinda was a member of Greencord, Circle of Friends, National Honors Society, Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Health Occupation Students of America. Her Junior and Senior year, Melinda was president of FCCLA. During this time in FCCLA, she participated in STAR events, advancing to state both years. Her senior year, she placed first in State and had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Chicago to compete at the national level. Melinda is also proud of her participation in the Breast Cancer Three Day, walking 60 miles to raise funds for finding a cure to Breast Cancer. Melinda is a nursing major and after college graduation, plans on obtaining her doctorate to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Maranda Greses
Maranda Greses graduated from Richard King High School in Corpus Christi, Texas with honors and numerous academic achievements. In 2009 she was nominated to represent her school at the National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. She was an active member of various extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, athletic training, and other academic clubs. Most of her community involvement included giving back to highly impoverished areas within Corpus Christi. Aside from her many academic achievements, she has also received numerous art awards. Her creativity has lead her to not only win a company logo contest for UniFirst but also other regional awards. She is currently working as a supervisor for CVS Pharmacy while studying as a Business major at University of Texas San Antonio.

Brandy Johnson
Brandy Johnson graduated from Leander High School. There she played on the varsity tennis team for four years, and loved every second of it. While at Leander High Brandy won the LionHeart award several times. The LionHeart award is presented to the person the coach feels showed the greatest heart both on and off the court. Brandy was also involved in the PALS program (Peer Assisting and Leadership Skills), there she got to work as a mentor to young, at-risk children. PALS was Brandy's favorite thing in high school. She loved working with the kids and knowing that she was making a real impact in their lives. Brandy placed Academic All District for three years and was Academic All State in her senior year. Community service is a high priority for Brandy and before she started college she had over 1000 hours served. At UTSA Brandy is a psychology major with a pre-law minor. Brandy's goal after UTSA is to be either a child defense lawyer or a criminal psychologist.

Ishmael "Smiley" Mendez
Ishmael Mendez graduated from San Benito High School in San Benito, Texas as class Salutatorian. He was involved in various clubs and organizations throughout his career as well as lettering in Cross Country. He is a very active member of his church where he devotes most of his time. He is majoring in Mathematics and wishes to be a high school math teacher. Ishmael's ultimate goal is to be a high school principal.

Taylor Newlin
Taylor Newlin graduated from Frisco Wakeland High School. She graduated 13th in a class of 430, was a member of the iNationals Honor Society, received the President's Education Award for Outstanding Excellence, and Student of the Semester for academic excellence. In high school Taylor played on the women's golf team. She was a 3 year team captain and holds two State Champion titles. Other awards she achieved in high school athletics include most driven female golfer all four years, first team all state honors, first and second team all area honors, District champion all four years, 1st and 2nd place Regional finishes, and recognized by the School Board as Outstanding Athlete. She also holds a course record at Twin Creek Golf Club, shooting a 62 during the Golf FORE a Cure tournament. Currently Taylor is a member of the UTSA women's golf team and is pursuing a degree in business. When Taylor is not playing golf or at school she spends spare time volunteering for organizations such as, Habitat for Humanity, First Tee, Scottish Rite, Wounded Warriors and many others. After she finishes her undergraduate degree she would like to attend graduate school.

Sadie Rodriguez
Sadie Rodriguez graduated with Distinguished Honors from A.C. Jones High School as the Valedictorian of her class of 2010. During her years in high school, she played volleyball, soccer, and marched with the band in the color guard. She participated in UIL academics, gave back to the community through Key club, was in the A.C. Jones "Math and Science Society", was a PAL, and the National Honor Society Treasurer. Sadie received presidential recognition for her academic achievement, was the Girls' State Alternate for 2010, received an award from the Corpus Christi Caller Times Distinguished Scholars in the Academics category, and also accumulated 26 college credit hours through the "dual credit" program in her high school. She attends Our Lady of Victory Catholic church where she stays active in service for her community as a member of the Catholic Youth Organization and by being a member of "Knights of the Altar" for her church. Sadie is currently pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in psychology, and will be applying to medical school upon graduation. Her ultimate goal is to practice surgery; she wishes to be able to do everything in her power to change lives.

Maria Guadalupe Hinojosa Salinas
Maria Guadalupe Hinojosa Salinas graduated from Martin High School in Laredo, Texas and is currently a Biology major at UTSA. She plans to use her degree to continue her education in medical school.

Eric Solis
Eric Solis attended Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio, Texas where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and in the top 5% of his class. He was involved in many extracurricular activities such as: PALs, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the UIL Academic Team. All throughout high school Eric participated in many community service projects including: Habitat for Humanity, Raul Jimenez Dinner, Ditch graffiti clean ups, and tutoring elementary students to prepare for the TAKS test. Eric is currently pursuing a degree in Mathematics at UTSA and plans to become a successful, effective, and ultimately fun high school Math teacher.

Ernest Thomas
Ernest Thomas graduated from Health Careers High School in San Antonio, Texas. He was involved with the Chess Club, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honors Society. Ernest is pursing a Biology degree and plans to become a Dentist.

Eric Tong
Eric Tong attended Winston Churchill High School where he participated in numerous extracurricular activities, including the National Honor Society, Winner's Circle, and UIL Academics. Eric is pursuing a degree in Biology. He plans to attend dental school to become a Dentist.

Miriam Volosen
Miriam Volosen was part of the first graduating class at Brandeis High School in San Antonio. Miriam was active in giving back to her high school and communities through being a part of NHS, Friends having Fun, and other various organizations on campus. Miriam is a Biology major with plans to enter Medical School after graduation.