Recently, Alexander High School (AHS) senior Yulissa Rodriguez (daughter of Juan and Ritha Rodriguez), was surprised and delighted when she was presented with a $10,000.00 university scholarship after winning a video essay contest sponsored by "Students Paying It Forward". The contest was open to all local public school seniors who were the top 35 percentile of their class. The assignment was to submit a video that illustrated how the COVID pandemic had impacted their prospects of attending a college or university in the near future. The winner of the contest was determined by a committee of judges.
The concept of "Students Paying It Forward" began with Alexander High School students Kiandra and Mario Andre Dominguez. The siblings had observed the plight of numerous 12th grade students, whose families were left financially strained by the COVID pandemic of 2020-2021. They sensed an urgency to help one of their peers, and consulted with their parents Mario Dominguez and Michelle Quintanilla, who in turn, helped them establish the non-profit initiative. "My sister and I saw what was happening, so we wanted to get involved and help a fellow student. The generosity of our friends and family members enabled us to meet our goal of raising $10,000.00. We are extremely happy for Yulissa", said Dominguez.
"This is such a big surprise. I want to thank my parents, counselors, teachers and friends who have helped me along the way. I am also very grateful for what Kiandra, Mario Andre and their family have made possible. I feel amazed and honored to receive this scholarship" said Yulissa . The future veterinarian has been admitted into the honors program at Texas A&M University in Bryan, Texas.
"Students Paying It Forward" founders Kiandra and Mario Andre Dominguez reveal the $10,000.00
check to video essay winner Yulissa Rodriguez.
L-R: Yulissa Rodriguez, Kiandra Dominguez and Mario Andre Dominguez
Scholarship winner Yulissa Rodriguez
L-R: Mario Andre Domniguez, Mario Dominguez, Michelle Quintanilla, Yulissa Rodriguez and her
parents, Ritha Rodriguez & Juan Rodriguez; Kiandra Dominguez.
L-R: Melissa Ramirez, UISD Director of Counseling and Instructional Accountability; AHS Counselor
Martha Cavazos; AHS Health and Science Magnet Dean Elvira Gaona;Yulissa Rodriguez;
Kiandra Dominguez, Mario Andre Dominguez and AHS Principal Ernesto Sandoval Jr.
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