Texas Exes Awards $2.53 Million to 684 Students at Scholarship Dinners

Scholarships are more often than not a nameless, faceless exchange: a donor writes a check, and eventually a student uses that money to fund an education. Not so at the Texas Exes, where our scholarship team makes sure that students and donors get the chance to meet and get to know each other—and grow that check into a meaningful relationship. Case in point: This year’s three annual scholarship dinners, where the Texas Exes awarded a record $2.53 million to 684 students. This year’s awards represent a 33 percent increase over last year. (Get the full scoop on our scholarship program’s record-breaking year in this nifty infographic.) At the dinners—one each for chapter scholarships, named and dedicated scholarships, and the Forty Acres Scholars Program—scholars, donors, and friends met and mingled, as well as listened to moving speeches by recipients whose lives have been changed. Forty Acres Scholars Program Director Kristy Kimball says that her team’s strategic scheduling of the dinners paid off. To increase the number of out-of-town guests who would be able to attend, the team scheduled the dinners to coincide with other major draws—including a home football game and the Chapter Leadership Conference. “We had more donors attend this year than before,” Kimball says. “It was really great to see the students interact with the people who are directly impacting their education.”  Photo by Matt Valentine.  From left: Keimon McDowell, Brittany Blassengill, donor Marilyn White, Andrea Gallardo, and Frank Puente.

Texas Exes Awards $2.53 Million to 684 Students at Scholarship Dinners

Scholarships are more often than not a nameless, faceless exchange: a donor writes a check, and eventually a student uses that money to fund an education. Not so at the Texas Exes, where our scholarship team makes sure that students and donors get the chance to meet and get to know each other—and grow that check into a meaningful relationship. Case in point: This year’s three annual scholarship dinners, where the Texas Exes awarded a record $2.53 million to 684 students. This year’s awards represent a 33 percent increase over last year. (Get the full scoop on our scholarship program’s record-breaking year in this nifty infographic.) At the dinners—one each for chapter scholarships, named and dedicated scholarships, and the Forty Acres Scholars Program—scholars, donors, and friends met and mingled, as well as listened to moving speeches by recipients whose lives have been changed. Forty Acres Scholars Program Director Kristy Kimball says that her team’s strategic scheduling of the dinners paid off. To increase the number of out-of-town guests who would be able to attend, the team scheduled the dinners to coincide with other major draws—including a home football game and the Chapter Leadership Conference. “We had more donors attend this year than before,” Kimball says. “It was really great to see the students interact with the people who are directly impacting their education.”  Photo by Matt Valentine.  From left: Keimon McDowell, Brittany Blassengill, donor Marilyn White, Andrea Gallardo, and Frank Puente.

Texas Exes Awards $2.53 Million to 684 Students at Scholarship Dinners

Scholarships are more often than not a nameless, faceless exchange: a donor writes a check, and eventually a student uses that money to fund an education. Not so at the Texas Exes, where our scholarship team makes sure that students and donors get the chance to meet and get to know each other—and grow that check into a meaningful relationship. Case in point: This year’s three annual scholarship dinners, where the Texas Exes awarded a record $2.53 million to 684 students. This year’s awards represent a 33 percent increase over last year. (Get the full scoop on our scholarship program’s record-breaking year in this nifty infographic.) At the dinners—one each for chapter scholarships, named and dedicated scholarships, and the Forty Acres Scholars Program—scholars, donors, and friends met and mingled, as well as listened to moving speeches by recipients whose lives have been changed. Forty Acres Scholars Program Director Kristy Kimball says that her team’s strategic scheduling of the dinners paid off. To increase the number of out-of-town guests who would be able to attend, the team scheduled the dinners to coincide with other major draws—including a home football game and the Chapter Leadership Conference. “We had more donors attend this year than before,” Kimball says. “It was really great to see the students interact with the people who are directly impacting their education.”  Photo by Matt Valentine.  From left: Keimon McDowell, Brittany Blassengill, donor Marilyn White, Andrea Gallardo, and Frank Puente.

Budget Talking Points

Tier one research universities are engines that power the Texas economy. They benefit all Texans, not just students and employees. The proposed Senate budget cuts UT-Austin appropriations for core academic funding and special items by 10%, which is roughly $48 million. The proposal has moved funding for some special items into grants through the AUF, rather than state appropriations. This is a bad precedent to set, because it lowers the state’s long term investment in higher education. The Senate budget does not include the Dell Medical School in health-related formula funding, only funding it at $1.1, which could result in a loss of more than a $10M. The current proposal could damage our state’s future by continuing the systemic divestment of public higher education. Since 1984, UT-Austin has seen a more than 40% decrease in state funding. We want our students to receive hands-on educational experiences that give them a competitive edge in jobs after college. Public higher education provides an excellent education at a competitive and affordable price. UT-Austin alumni generate $6.2 billion in state income to the Texas economy annually across a broad range of industries that help keep our state competitive. UT-Austin brought more than $1 billion in government research grants to our state over the past two years, which is equal to adding 8,000 new jobs. The proposed budget for UT-Austin is harmful to our state’s workforce and economic vitality. We cannot advance and stay competitive without a well-educated citizenry. All alumni, business leaders, and Texans should be deeply concerned by the proposal being considered in the Senate. It is bad for business and bad for Texas families. President Fenves has made value and affordability major priorities for UT-Austin. The tuition freeze comes just as the legislature is making cuts to funding. This will tie the hands of the university. Companies are moving here precisely because we have a strong, well-educated workforce. We create leaders and build knowledge through research that benefits every corner of our state.  

Budget Talking Points

Tier one research universities are engines that power the Texas economy. They benefit all Texans, not just students and employees. The proposed Senate budget cuts UT-Austin appropriations for core academic funding and special items by 10%, which is roughly $48 million. The proposal has moved funding for some special items into grants through the AUF, rather than state appropriations. This is a bad precedent to set, because it lowers the state’s long term investment in higher education. The Senate budget does not include the Dell Medical School in health-related formula funding, only funding it at $1.1, which could result in a loss of more than a $10M. The current proposal could damage our state’s future by continuing the systemic divestment of public higher education. Since 1984, UT-Austin has seen a more than 40% decrease in state funding. We want our students to receive hands-on educational experiences that give them a competitive edge in jobs after college. Public higher education provides an excellent education at a competitive and affordable price. UT-Austin alumni generate $6.2 billion in state income to the Texas economy annually across a broad range of industries that help keep our state competitive. UT-Austin brought more than $1 billion in government research grants to our state over the past two years, which is equal to adding 8,000 new jobs. The proposed budget for UT-Austin is harmful to our state’s workforce and economic vitality. We cannot advance and stay competitive without a well-educated citizenry. All alumni, business leaders, and Texans should be deeply concerned by the proposal being considered in the Senate. It is bad for business and bad for Texas families. President Fenves has made value and affordability major priorities for UT-Austin. The tuition freeze comes just as the legislature is making cuts to funding. This will tie the hands of the university. Companies are moving here precisely because we have a strong, well-educated workforce. We create leaders and build knowledge through research that benefits every corner of our state.  

Budget Talking Points

Tier one research universities are engines that power the Texas economy. They benefit all Texans, not just students and employees. The proposed Senate budget cuts UT-Austin appropriations for core academic funding and special items by 10%, which is roughly $48 million. The proposal has moved funding for some special items into grants through the AUF, rather than state appropriations. This is a bad precedent to set, because it lowers the state’s long term investment in higher education. The Senate budget does not include the Dell Medical School in health-related formula funding, only funding it at $1.1, which could result in a loss of more than a $10M. The current proposal could damage our state’s future by continuing the systemic divestment of public higher education. Since 1984, UT-Austin has seen a more than 40% decrease in state funding. We want our students to receive hands-on educational experiences that give them a competitive edge in jobs after college. Public higher education provides an excellent education at a competitive and affordable price. UT-Austin alumni generate $6.2 billion in state income to the Texas economy annually across a broad range of industries that help keep our state competitive. UT-Austin brought more than $1 billion in government research grants to our state over the past two years, which is equal to adding 8,000 new jobs. The proposed budget for UT-Austin is harmful to our state’s workforce and economic vitality. We cannot advance and stay competitive without a well-educated citizenry. All alumni, business leaders, and Texans should be deeply concerned by the proposal being considered in the Senate. It is bad for business and bad for Texas families. President Fenves has made value and affordability major priorities for UT-Austin. The tuition freeze comes just as the legislature is making cuts to funding. This will tie the hands of the university. Companies are moving here precisely because we have a strong, well-educated workforce. We create leaders and build knowledge through research that benefits every corner of our state.  

Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2022 Announced

The University of Texas at Austin’s premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship continues to grow more and more competitive, as this year nearly 6,500 students applied for the Forty Acres Scholars Program—almost 2,000 more than last year. On March 1-3, 52 impressive finalists visited the UT campus for a full weekend of in-person interviews and a glimpse at what life on the Forty Acres could look like. Administered by the Texas Exes, the Forty Acres Scholars Program offers a rich college experience that provides academic, leadership, and cultural opportunities within a close-knit cohort of fellow scholars. Funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and an enrichment stipend for approved academic, leadership, professional, and service activities. Throughout the four years, scholars benefit from a variety of programming opportunities and alumni connections. Today, we are pleased to announce the 21 exceptional scholars of the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2022. “We are so excited to welcome the newest cohort of Forty Acres Scholars. Throughout the selection process, the words passionate, driven, motivated, and vision were used to describe these students,” says Kristy Parks, director of scholarships. “They will join our diverse scholar community, currently comprised of 70 scholars on campus and 36 alumni, who embody the university’s core values and are committed to UT’s mission of transforming lives for the benefit of society” Meet the Class of 2022: Hannah Bernier from Scottsdale, Arizona, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending the International Baccalaureate Program at Desert Mountain High School, Bernier was a human resources volunteer for Taliesin West, and a writer for Spoon University, an online food publication. In 2017, she received the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Silver Medal for poetry. A competitive mountain biker, Bernier recently competed in a 24-hour mountain bike event, “24 Hours in the Old Pueblo,” and placed second in the four-person women open category. She plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering honors and a BDP certificate in Environment and Sustainability. She is the daughter of Paula and Bob Bernier. Phillip Boltan from Flower Mound, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Chevron Enrichment Award. While attending Flower Mound High School, in addition to being a taekwondo black belt, Boltan was leader of the VEX Robotics Club, co-founded the chess club, and was a four-year member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Boltan was a semifinalist in Chemistry at the Broadcom MASTERS Science Fair, and a two-time Technology Student Association National Qualifier. At UT, he plans to pursue majors in chemical engineering and business with a certificate in computational science and engineering. He is the son of Zinaida and Vlad Boltan. Brian Chavez from Port Isabel, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Beverly and Will O’Hara. While attending Port Isabel High School, Chavez founded several organizations and worked on implementing public health initiatives like purified water bottle filling stations, a concept inspired by a visit he took to UT. He was also student body president, National Honor Society president, and captain of the football team. Chavez plans to pursue a degree in biochemistry as a Health Science Scholar. He is the son of Mary and Victor Chavez. Marshall Comeaux from Dallas, Texas, is the recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey and John H. Massey Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Cistercian Preparatory School, Comeaux was not only co-founder of the school’s first robotics team, but started a community service program that took student volunteers to a local community center to teach underprivileged children LEGO robotics. He was named a National AP Scholar, National Merit Finalist, and is an Eagle Scout. He plans to major in business honors and Plan II honors. He is the son of Gabrielle and Paul Comeaux. Abby Criswell from Austin, Texas, is the recipient of the Bransford Trust Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Westlake High School, Criswell was captain of the ultimate frisbee team and coached on her local swim team. Criswell, who is passionate about art history and Latin, was also president of Westlake’s Latin Club. She completed an internship with the NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science Program and was named a National Merit Finalist, National AP Scholar, and “Student of the Year” in four of her classes. She plans to major in computer science as a Turing Scholar and pursue pre-med courses and research as a Dean’s Scholar. She is the daughter of Liesl and Glenn Criswell. Ashish Davé from Pearland, Texas, is the recipient of the Barbara and Alan Dreeben Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Dawson High School, Davé was president of the National Honor Society, after running on a platform to reform and expand current service projects. He was president of the Interact Club, which played a large role in local Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and helped found Dawson High School’s Council for Harvey Disaster Relief. Davé was named a National Merit Finalist and National AP Scholar, and is an Eagle Scout from BSA Troop 404. He plans to pursue majors in business honors, finance, and Plan II honors. He is the son of Anuradha and Samir Davé. Soren Ettinger DeCou from Missouri City, Texas, is the recipient of the Stuart W. Stedman Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Ridge Point High School, DeCou interned at the Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, where she helped execute projects to combat opioid use in Houston-area high schools, and was a student delegate to China through the Fort Bend ISD Global Partnership Initiative. She was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and speaks Mandarin, which she plans to continue studying at UT while pursuing majors in biomedical engineering honors and Plan II honors. She is the daughter of Rivka and Nicholas Ettinger. Anne La Grange from Palmhurst, Texas, is the recipient of the Madison Charitable Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Pioneer High School, La Grange was president of Business Professionals of America and founded the Love All Racquet Donation Program, a service organization that connects low-income youth with athletic equipment. La Grange is an avid photographer. She was named a National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and awarded the Economics for Leaders Excellence Award. She plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance, with a Spanish minor. She is the daughter of Angelica and Michael La Grange. Kerry Mackenzie from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Waltrip/Texas Exes Fort Worth Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Trinity Valley High School, Mackenzie was president of the Junior World Affairs Council and Trojan Tutors, where she tutored third graders at a local charter school for four years. She was named a National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction. Mackenzie gave a TED talk on the importance of incorporating the study of art and humanities into educational curriculums, which is part of what inspired her to major in Plan II honors and international relations and global studies at UT. She is the daughter of Kelly and Terry Mackenzie. Alejandro Martinez from Alton, Texas, is the recipient of the Cain, Denius, McGill Family Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Mission High School, Martinez was captain of the FTC Robotics Team and High School Rocketry Team, where he competed in the Team America Rocketry Challenge. He was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, a U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee, and salutatorian of his class. Martinez is the first in his family to attend college, but has been a longtime Longhorn football fan thanks to his father. Martinez conducted research in mathematical biology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley while in high school and plans to pursue a major in aerospace engineering honors at UT. He is the son of Hilario and Rocio Martinez. Lucious McDaniel IV from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the George Kozmetsky Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Dr. Justin Wakeland High School, McDaniel was president of Texas DECA and a varsity golfer. He has won awards for his public speaking skills, and is chair of the State Board of Education at Texas Boys State. An aspiring social entrepreneur, McDaniel plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance, along with a real estate certificate. He is the son of Vykie and Lucious McDaniel III. Michael Neiswander from San Antonio, Texas, is the recipient of the Lenora and Walter F. Brown San Antonio Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Northside Health Careers High School, he played varsity tennis and was a Nationally Distinguished GUILD Piano Competitor and two-time National Latin Exam Gold Medalist. This past summer, Neiswander worked with an NGO in Zambia, World Bicycle Relief, to deliver bicycles to families in need. He plans to major in business honors and finance. He is the son of Elizabeth and Mark Neiswander. Melissa Porras Paniagua from Spring, Texas, is the recipient of the Sylvie and Gary Crum Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Klein Oak High School, Paniagua was a two-time marching band drum major, president of the French Club, and member of the National, Music, and French Honor Societies. A DECA ICDC competitor, she is the reigning first place winner in the Experienced category for the Texas French Symposium. Paniagua is an avid traveler, and loves to cook and oil paint. She plans to pursue majors in business honors and marketing. She is the daughter of Estrella Paniagua and Arturo Porras. Elizabeth Sebastian from Spanish Fort, Alabama, is the recipient of the Tom and Sally Dunning Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Daphne High School, Sebastian was on the executive council for Girls Service Club. A flute player, Sebastian was section leader in the Daphne High School Band and attended Alabama Girls State and Alabama Allstate for three years. As a military child, Sebastian attended nine different schools around the country. She plans to pursue a degree in social work and study Spanish at UT. She is the daughter of Annette and James Sebastian. Emily Slaughter from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Jeanne L. and Michael L. Klein Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Robert L. Paschal High School, Slaughter was sergeant at arms of the National Honor Society, a council member at Kimbell Art Museum for Children’s and Teen Programming and Education, and a mentor in the “Academy 4” program, where she worked as a mentor to underprivileged fourth graders to promote literacy and leadership. She was named an AP Scholar with Honors and FWISD Superintendent Scholar. Slaughter plans to pursue a degree in nursing. She is the daughter of Wynn and James Slaughter. Jillian Smith from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Friends of Darrell K Royal Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. While attending Frisco High School, Smith was president of Junior Frisco Women’s League, captain of the Speech and Debate Team, was a violinist for the school’s orchestra, and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. She also worked under a city councilwoman to conduct public policy research surrounding public education finance reform. Smith plans to pursue a degree in government though the liberal arts honors program with a double major in philosophy or certificate in public policy. She is the daughter of Melissa and Kevin Smith. Michael Smith from Spring, Texas, is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Klein Oak High School, Smith co-founded and lead a mariachi band, which he brought to the State UIL competition. He was also vice president of the orchestra and served as the orchestra representative in Klein Oak High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. He is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and International Thespian Society. Smith plans to pursue a degree in business honors, with a double major in finance and minor in entrepreneurship. He is the son of Emma Barria-Smith and Alan Smith. Robert Cole Urrea from El Paso, Texas, is the recipient of the Karen and Charles Matthews, Jr. Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Cathedral High School, Urrea was a three-year varsity basketball captain and the first freshman to play under hall of fame coach Tony Harper. Urrea also co-founded the Irish Kilt Brigade and brought back the school newspaper. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, two-time TAPPS Academic All-State, and a top attorney at the Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session. Urrea plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance. He is the son of Barbara and Luis Urrea. Holland Wiles from Dallas, Texas, is the recipient of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Highland Park High School, Wiles was a cross country captain, senior class representative on student council, and a member of the National Honor Society. She also founded and served as president of the Dwell with Dignity Club, where she was able to combine her passion with service with her love of interior design by hosting a fundraiser to sponsor a family’s new home interior. Wiles plans to pursue a degree in interior design. She is the daughter of Courtney and Worthey Wiles.   Austin Witt from Mineola, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Mineola High School, Witt was class president, yearbook editor in chief, a guest speaker at the Peace of Mind Tyler Mental Health Conference, and worked several summers with the COR Leadership Team at Sky Ranch Summer Camps. He has won the TSHA Willie Lee Gay award for African American history research and multiple Texas high school online newspaper competitions. Witt plans to pursue a degree in psychology through the liberal arts honors program. He is the son of Kim and Chris Witt.   Rachel Wood from Austin, Texas, is a recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Hyde Park High School, Wood founded the nonprofit “Austin Serving Abaco” to serve Haitian immigrants in Abaco, was a four-year varsity cheerleader, and served five years as a special needs cheer coach. She has been named one of KVUE Austin’s “Five Who Care,” awarded the Wendy’s Heisman award, and was a four-year National Cheerleading Association All American. At UT, she’s looking forward to cheering on the Longhorns as part of the UT Co-ed Cheer Squad, while pursuing a degree in education and a bilingual teaching certification in Spanish. She is the daughter of Dena and Brian Wood.

Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2022 Announced

The University of Texas at Austin’s premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship continues to grow more and more competitive, as this year nearly 6,500 students applied for the Forty Acres Scholars Program—almost 2,000 more than last year. On March 1-3, 52 impressive finalists visited the UT campus for a full weekend of in-person interviews and a glimpse at what life on the Forty Acres could look like. Administered by the Texas Exes, the Forty Acres Scholars Program offers a rich college experience that provides academic, leadership, and cultural opportunities within a close-knit cohort of fellow scholars. Funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and an enrichment stipend for approved academic, leadership, professional, and service activities. Throughout the four years, scholars benefit from a variety of programming opportunities and alumni connections. Today, we are pleased to announce the 21 exceptional scholars of the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2022. “We are so excited to welcome the newest cohort of Forty Acres Scholars. Throughout the selection process, the words passionate, driven, motivated, and vision were used to describe these students,” says Kristy Parks, director of scholarships. “They will join our diverse scholar community, currently comprised of 70 scholars on campus and 36 alumni, who embody the university’s core values and are committed to UT’s mission of transforming lives for the benefit of society” Meet the Class of 2022: Hannah Bernier from Scottsdale, Arizona, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending the International Baccalaureate Program at Desert Mountain High School, Bernier was a human resources volunteer for Taliesin West, and a writer for Spoon University, an online food publication. In 2017, she received the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Silver Medal for poetry. A competitive mountain biker, Bernier recently competed in a 24-hour mountain bike event, “24 Hours in the Old Pueblo,” and placed second in the four-person women open category. She plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering honors and a BDP certificate in Environment and Sustainability. She is the daughter of Paula and Bob Bernier. Phillip Boltan from Flower Mound, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Chevron Enrichment Award. While attending Flower Mound High School, in addition to being a taekwondo black belt, Boltan was leader of the VEX Robotics Club, co-founded the chess club, and was a four-year member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Boltan was a semifinalist in Chemistry at the Broadcom MASTERS Science Fair, and a two-time Technology Student Association National Qualifier. At UT, he plans to pursue majors in chemical engineering and business with a certificate in computational science and engineering. He is the son of Zinaida and Vlad Boltan. Brian Chavez from Port Isabel, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Beverly and Will O’Hara. While attending Port Isabel High School, Chavez founded several organizations and worked on implementing public health initiatives like purified water bottle filling stations, a concept inspired by a visit he took to UT. He was also student body president, National Honor Society president, and captain of the football team. Chavez plans to pursue a degree in biochemistry as a Health Science Scholar. He is the son of Mary and Victor Chavez. Marshall Comeaux from Dallas, Texas, is the recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey and John H. Massey Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Cistercian Preparatory School, Comeaux was not only co-founder of the school’s first robotics team, but started a community service program that took student volunteers to a local community center to teach underprivileged children LEGO robotics. He was named a National AP Scholar, National Merit Finalist, and is an Eagle Scout. He plans to major in business honors and Plan II honors. He is the son of Gabrielle and Paul Comeaux. Abby Criswell from Austin, Texas, is the recipient of the Bransford Trust Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Westlake High School, Criswell was captain of the ultimate frisbee team and coached on her local swim team. Criswell, who is passionate about art history and Latin, was also president of Westlake’s Latin Club. She completed an internship with the NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science Program and was named a National Merit Finalist, National AP Scholar, and “Student of the Year” in four of her classes. She plans to major in computer science as a Turing Scholar and pursue pre-med courses and research as a Dean’s Scholar. She is the daughter of Liesl and Glenn Criswell. Ashish Davé from Pearland, Texas, is the recipient of the Barbara and Alan Dreeben Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Dawson High School, Davé was president of the National Honor Society, after running on a platform to reform and expand current service projects. He was president of the Interact Club, which played a large role in local Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and helped found Dawson High School’s Council for Harvey Disaster Relief. Davé was named a National Merit Finalist and National AP Scholar, and is an Eagle Scout from BSA Troop 404. He plans to pursue majors in business honors, finance, and Plan II honors. He is the son of Anuradha and Samir Davé. Soren Ettinger DeCou from Missouri City, Texas, is the recipient of the Stuart W. Stedman Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Ridge Point High School, DeCou interned at the Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, where she helped execute projects to combat opioid use in Houston-area high schools, and was a student delegate to China through the Fort Bend ISD Global Partnership Initiative. She was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and speaks Mandarin, which she plans to continue studying at UT while pursuing majors in biomedical engineering honors and Plan II honors. She is the daughter of Rivka and Nicholas Ettinger. Anne La Grange from Palmhurst, Texas, is the recipient of the Madison Charitable Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Pioneer High School, La Grange was president of Business Professionals of America and founded the Love All Racquet Donation Program, a service organization that connects low-income youth with athletic equipment. La Grange is an avid photographer. She was named a National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and awarded the Economics for Leaders Excellence Award. She plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance, with a Spanish minor. She is the daughter of Angelica and Michael La Grange. Kerry Mackenzie from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Waltrip/Texas Exes Fort Worth Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Trinity Valley High School, Mackenzie was president of the Junior World Affairs Council and Trojan Tutors, where she tutored third graders at a local charter school for four years. She was named a National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction. Mackenzie gave a TED talk on the importance of incorporating the study of art and humanities into educational curriculums, which is part of what inspired her to major in Plan II honors and international relations and global studies at UT. She is the daughter of Kelly and Terry Mackenzie. Alejandro Martinez from Alton, Texas, is the recipient of the Cain, Denius, McGill Family Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Mission High School, Martinez was captain of the FTC Robotics Team and High School Rocketry Team, where he competed in the Team America Rocketry Challenge. He was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, a U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee, and salutatorian of his class. Martinez is the first in his family to attend college, but has been a longtime Longhorn football fan thanks to his father. Martinez conducted research in mathematical biology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley while in high school and plans to pursue a major in aerospace engineering honors at UT. He is the son of Hilario and Rocio Martinez. Lucious McDaniel IV from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the George Kozmetsky Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Dr. Justin Wakeland High School, McDaniel was president of Texas DECA and a varsity golfer. He has won awards for his public speaking skills, and is chair of the State Board of Education at Texas Boys State. An aspiring social entrepreneur, McDaniel plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance, along with a real estate certificate. He is the son of Vykie and Lucious McDaniel III. Michael Neiswander from San Antonio, Texas, is the recipient of the Lenora and Walter F. Brown San Antonio Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Northside Health Careers High School, he played varsity tennis and was a Nationally Distinguished GUILD Piano Competitor and two-time National Latin Exam Gold Medalist. This past summer, Neiswander worked with an NGO in Zambia, World Bicycle Relief, to deliver bicycles to families in need. He plans to major in business honors and finance. He is the son of Elizabeth and Mark Neiswander. Melissa Porras Paniagua from Spring, Texas, is the recipient of the Sylvie and Gary Crum Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Klein Oak High School, Paniagua was a two-time marching band drum major, president of the French Club, and member of the National, Music, and French Honor Societies. A DECA ICDC competitor, she is the reigning first place winner in the Experienced category for the Texas French Symposium. Paniagua is an avid traveler, and loves to cook and oil paint. She plans to pursue majors in business honors and marketing. She is the daughter of Estrella Paniagua and Arturo Porras. Elizabeth Sebastian from Spanish Fort, Alabama, is the recipient of the Tom and Sally Dunning Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Daphne High School, Sebastian was on the executive council for Girls Service Club. A flute player, Sebastian was section leader in the Daphne High School Band and attended Alabama Girls State and Alabama Allstate for three years. As a military child, Sebastian attended nine different schools around the country. She plans to pursue a degree in social work and study Spanish at UT. She is the daughter of Annette and James Sebastian. Emily Slaughter from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Jeanne L. and Michael L. Klein Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Robert L. Paschal High School, Slaughter was sergeant at arms of the National Honor Society, a council member at Kimbell Art Museum for Children’s and Teen Programming and Education, and a mentor in the “Academy 4” program, where she worked as a mentor to underprivileged fourth graders to promote literacy and leadership. She was named an AP Scholar with Honors and FWISD Superintendent Scholar. Slaughter plans to pursue a degree in nursing. She is the daughter of Wynn and James Slaughter. Jillian Smith from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Friends of Darrell K Royal Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. While attending Frisco High School, Smith was president of Junior Frisco Women’s League, captain of the Speech and Debate Team, was a violinist for the school’s orchestra, and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. She also worked under a city councilwoman to conduct public policy research surrounding public education finance reform. Smith plans to pursue a degree in government though the liberal arts honors program with a double major in philosophy or certificate in public policy. She is the daughter of Melissa and Kevin Smith. Michael Smith from Spring, Texas, is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Klein Oak High School, Smith co-founded and lead a mariachi band, which he brought to the State UIL competition. He was also vice president of the orchestra and served as the orchestra representative in Klein Oak High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. He is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and International Thespian Society. Smith plans to pursue a degree in business honors, with a double major in finance and minor in entrepreneurship. He is the son of Emma Barria-Smith and Alan Smith. Robert Cole Urrea from El Paso, Texas, is the recipient of the Karen and Charles Matthews, Jr. Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Cathedral High School, Urrea was a three-year varsity basketball captain and the first freshman to play under hall of fame coach Tony Harper. Urrea also co-founded the Irish Kilt Brigade and brought back the school newspaper. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, two-time TAPPS Academic All-State, and a top attorney at the Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session. Urrea plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance. He is the son of Barbara and Luis Urrea. Holland Wiles from Dallas, Texas, is the recipient of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Highland Park High School, Wiles was a cross country captain, senior class representative on student council, and a member of the National Honor Society. She also founded and served as president of the Dwell with Dignity Club, where she was able to combine her passion with service with her love of interior design by hosting a fundraiser to sponsor a family’s new home interior. Wiles plans to pursue a degree in interior design. She is the daughter of Courtney and Worthey Wiles.   Austin Witt from Mineola, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Mineola High School, Witt was class president, yearbook editor in chief, a guest speaker at the Peace of Mind Tyler Mental Health Conference, and worked several summers with the COR Leadership Team at Sky Ranch Summer Camps. He has won the TSHA Willie Lee Gay award for African American history research and multiple Texas high school online newspaper competitions. Witt plans to pursue a degree in psychology through the liberal arts honors program. He is the son of Kim and Chris Witt.   Rachel Wood from Austin, Texas, is a recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Hyde Park High School, Wood founded the nonprofit “Austin Serving Abaco” to serve Haitian immigrants in Abaco, was a four-year varsity cheerleader, and served five years as a special needs cheer coach. She has been named one of KVUE Austin’s “Five Who Care,” awarded the Wendy’s Heisman award, and was a four-year National Cheerleading Association All American. At UT, she’s looking forward to cheering on the Longhorns as part of the UT Co-ed Cheer Squad, while pursuing a degree in education and a bilingual teaching certification in Spanish. She is the daughter of Dena and Brian Wood.

Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2022 Announced

The University of Texas at Austin’s premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship continues to grow more and more competitive, as this year nearly 6,500 students applied for the Forty Acres Scholars Program—almost 2,000 more than last year. On March 1-3, 52 impressive finalists visited the UT campus for a full weekend of in-person interviews and a glimpse at what life on the Forty Acres could look like. Administered by the Texas Exes, the Forty Acres Scholars Program offers a rich college experience that provides academic, leadership, and cultural opportunities within a close-knit cohort of fellow scholars. Funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and an enrichment stipend for approved academic, leadership, professional, and service activities. Throughout the four years, scholars benefit from a variety of programming opportunities and alumni connections. Today, we are pleased to announce the 21 exceptional scholars of the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2022. “We are so excited to welcome the newest cohort of Forty Acres Scholars. Throughout the selection process, the words passionate, driven, motivated, and vision were used to describe these students,” says Kristy Parks, director of scholarships. “They will join our diverse scholar community, currently comprised of 70 scholars on campus and 36 alumni, who embody the university’s core values and are committed to UT’s mission of transforming lives for the benefit of society” Meet the Class of 2022: Hannah Bernier from Scottsdale, Arizona, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending the International Baccalaureate Program at Desert Mountain High School, Bernier was a human resources volunteer for Taliesin West, and a writer for Spoon University, an online food publication. In 2017, she received the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Silver Medal for poetry. A competitive mountain biker, Bernier recently competed in a 24-hour mountain bike event, “24 Hours in the Old Pueblo,” and placed second in the four-person women open category. She plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering honors and a BDP certificate in Environment and Sustainability. She is the daughter of Paula and Bob Bernier. Phillip Boltan from Flower Mound, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Chevron Enrichment Award. While attending Flower Mound High School, in addition to being a taekwondo black belt, Boltan was leader of the VEX Robotics Club, co-founded the chess club, and was a four-year member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Boltan was a semifinalist in Chemistry at the Broadcom MASTERS Science Fair, and a two-time Technology Student Association National Qualifier. At UT, he plans to pursue majors in chemical engineering and business with a certificate in computational science and engineering. He is the son of Zinaida and Vlad Boltan. Brian Chavez from Port Isabel, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Beverly and Will O’Hara. While attending Port Isabel High School, Chavez founded several organizations and worked on implementing public health initiatives like purified water bottle filling stations, a concept inspired by a visit he took to UT. He was also student body president, National Honor Society president, and captain of the football team. Chavez plans to pursue a degree in biochemistry as a Health Science Scholar. He is the son of Mary and Victor Chavez. Marshall Comeaux from Dallas, Texas, is the recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey and John H. Massey Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Cistercian Preparatory School, Comeaux was not only co-founder of the school’s first robotics team, but started a community service program that took student volunteers to a local community center to teach underprivileged children LEGO robotics. He was named a National AP Scholar, National Merit Finalist, and is an Eagle Scout. He plans to major in business honors and Plan II honors. He is the son of Gabrielle and Paul Comeaux. Abby Criswell from Austin, Texas, is the recipient of the Bransford Trust Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Westlake High School, Criswell was captain of the ultimate frisbee team and coached on her local swim team. Criswell, who is passionate about art history and Latin, was also president of Westlake’s Latin Club. She completed an internship with the NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science Program and was named a National Merit Finalist, National AP Scholar, and “Student of the Year” in four of her classes. She plans to major in computer science as a Turing Scholar and pursue pre-med courses and research as a Dean’s Scholar. She is the daughter of Liesl and Glenn Criswell. Ashish Davé from Pearland, Texas, is the recipient of the Barbara and Alan Dreeben Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Dawson High School, Davé was president of the National Honor Society, after running on a platform to reform and expand current service projects. He was president of the Interact Club, which played a large role in local Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and helped found Dawson High School’s Council for Harvey Disaster Relief. Davé was named a National Merit Finalist and National AP Scholar, and is an Eagle Scout from BSA Troop 404. He plans to pursue majors in business honors, finance, and Plan II honors. He is the son of Anuradha and Samir Davé. Soren Ettinger DeCou from Missouri City, Texas, is the recipient of the Stuart W. Stedman Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Ridge Point High School, DeCou interned at the Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, where she helped execute projects to combat opioid use in Houston-area high schools, and was a student delegate to China through the Fort Bend ISD Global Partnership Initiative. She was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and speaks Mandarin, which she plans to continue studying at UT while pursuing majors in biomedical engineering honors and Plan II honors. She is the daughter of Rivka and Nicholas Ettinger. Anne La Grange from Palmhurst, Texas, is the recipient of the Madison Charitable Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Pioneer High School, La Grange was president of Business Professionals of America and founded the Love All Racquet Donation Program, a service organization that connects low-income youth with athletic equipment. La Grange is an avid photographer. She was named a National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and awarded the Economics for Leaders Excellence Award. She plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance, with a Spanish minor. She is the daughter of Angelica and Michael La Grange. Kerry Mackenzie from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Waltrip/Texas Exes Fort Worth Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Trinity Valley High School, Mackenzie was president of the Junior World Affairs Council and Trojan Tutors, where she tutored third graders at a local charter school for four years. She was named a National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction. Mackenzie gave a TED talk on the importance of incorporating the study of art and humanities into educational curriculums, which is part of what inspired her to major in Plan II honors and international relations and global studies at UT. She is the daughter of Kelly and Terry Mackenzie. Alejandro Martinez from Alton, Texas, is the recipient of the Cain, Denius, McGill Family Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Mission High School, Martinez was captain of the FTC Robotics Team and High School Rocketry Team, where he competed in the Team America Rocketry Challenge. He was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, a U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee, and salutatorian of his class. Martinez is the first in his family to attend college, but has been a longtime Longhorn football fan thanks to his father. Martinez conducted research in mathematical biology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley while in high school and plans to pursue a major in aerospace engineering honors at UT. He is the son of Hilario and Rocio Martinez. Lucious McDaniel IV from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the George Kozmetsky Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Dr. Justin Wakeland High School, McDaniel was president of Texas DECA and a varsity golfer. He has won awards for his public speaking skills, and is chair of the State Board of Education at Texas Boys State. An aspiring social entrepreneur, McDaniel plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance, along with a real estate certificate. He is the son of Vykie and Lucious McDaniel III. Michael Neiswander from San Antonio, Texas, is the recipient of the Lenora and Walter F. Brown San Antonio Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Northside Health Careers High School, he played varsity tennis and was a Nationally Distinguished GUILD Piano Competitor and two-time National Latin Exam Gold Medalist. This past summer, Neiswander worked with an NGO in Zambia, World Bicycle Relief, to deliver bicycles to families in need. He plans to major in business honors and finance. He is the son of Elizabeth and Mark Neiswander. Melissa Porras Paniagua from Spring, Texas, is the recipient of the Sylvie and Gary Crum Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Klein Oak High School, Paniagua was a two-time marching band drum major, president of the French Club, and member of the National, Music, and French Honor Societies. A DECA ICDC competitor, she is the reigning first place winner in the Experienced category for the Texas French Symposium. Paniagua is an avid traveler, and loves to cook and oil paint. She plans to pursue majors in business honors and marketing. She is the daughter of Estrella Paniagua and Arturo Porras. Elizabeth Sebastian from Spanish Fort, Alabama, is the recipient of the Tom and Sally Dunning Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Daphne High School, Sebastian was on the executive council for Girls Service Club. A flute player, Sebastian was section leader in the Daphne High School Band and attended Alabama Girls State and Alabama Allstate for three years. As a military child, Sebastian attended nine different schools around the country. She plans to pursue a degree in social work and study Spanish at UT. She is the daughter of Annette and James Sebastian. Emily Slaughter from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Jeanne L. and Michael L. Klein Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Robert L. Paschal High School, Slaughter was sergeant at arms of the National Honor Society, a council member at Kimbell Art Museum for Children’s and Teen Programming and Education, and a mentor in the “Academy 4” program, where she worked as a mentor to underprivileged fourth graders to promote literacy and leadership. She was named an AP Scholar with Honors and FWISD Superintendent Scholar. Slaughter plans to pursue a degree in nursing. She is the daughter of Wynn and James Slaughter. Jillian Smith from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Friends of Darrell K Royal Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. While attending Frisco High School, Smith was president of Junior Frisco Women’s League, captain of the Speech and Debate Team, was a violinist for the school’s orchestra, and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. She also worked under a city councilwoman to conduct public policy research surrounding public education finance reform. Smith plans to pursue a degree in government though the liberal arts honors program with a double major in philosophy or certificate in public policy. She is the daughter of Melissa and Kevin Smith. Michael Smith from Spring, Texas, is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Klein Oak High School, Smith co-founded and lead a mariachi band, which he brought to the State UIL competition. He was also vice president of the orchestra and served as the orchestra representative in Klein Oak High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. He is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and International Thespian Society. Smith plans to pursue a degree in business honors, with a double major in finance and minor in entrepreneurship. He is the son of Emma Barria-Smith and Alan Smith. Robert Cole Urrea from El Paso, Texas, is the recipient of the Karen and Charles Matthews, Jr. Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Cathedral High School, Urrea was a three-year varsity basketball captain and the first freshman to play under hall of fame coach Tony Harper. Urrea also co-founded the Irish Kilt Brigade and brought back the school newspaper. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, two-time TAPPS Academic All-State, and a top attorney at the Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session. Urrea plans to pursue majors in business honors and finance. He is the son of Barbara and Luis Urrea. Holland Wiles from Dallas, Texas, is the recipient of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Highland Park High School, Wiles was a cross country captain, senior class representative on student council, and a member of the National Honor Society. She also founded and served as president of the Dwell with Dignity Club, where she was able to combine her passion with service with her love of interior design by hosting a fundraiser to sponsor a family’s new home interior. Wiles plans to pursue a degree in interior design. She is the daughter of Courtney and Worthey Wiles.   Austin Witt from Mineola, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Mineola High School, Witt was class president, yearbook editor in chief, a guest speaker at the Peace of Mind Tyler Mental Health Conference, and worked several summers with the COR Leadership Team at Sky Ranch Summer Camps. He has won the TSHA Willie Lee Gay award for African American history research and multiple Texas high school online newspaper competitions. Witt plans to pursue a degree in psychology through the liberal arts honors program. He is the son of Kim and Chris Witt.   Rachel Wood from Austin, Texas, is a recipient of the Stamps Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Hyde Park High School, Wood founded the nonprofit “Austin Serving Abaco” to serve Haitian immigrants in Abaco, was a four-year varsity cheerleader, and served five years as a special needs cheer coach. She has been named one of KVUE Austin’s “Five Who Care,” awarded the Wendy’s Heisman award, and was a four-year National Cheerleading Association All American. At UT, she’s looking forward to cheering on the Longhorns as part of the UT Co-ed Cheer Squad, while pursuing a degree in education and a bilingual teaching certification in Spanish. She is the daughter of Dena and Brian Wood.

Forty Acres Scholars Finalists Announced, Class of 2022

The Forty Acres Scholars Program has announced an impressive list of 53 finalists for the Class of 2022. From more than 6,400 applications, these high school seniors are exceptional inside and outside of the classroom. Among them are founders of companies and nonprofits, researchers, editors of school newspapers and literary magazines, club founders and presidents, team captains, varsity athletes, and talented dancers and musicians.The finalists hail from around the Lone Star State, in addition to Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and Tennessee. Their academic interests stretch across all disciplines, representing 10 of UT’s undergraduate colleges. From March 1-3, the students will come to Austin for Finalist Weekend, where they will learn more about the campus and the Forty Acres Scholars Program, sit down for interviews, and get a glimpse of what their future life in Austin could look like.

Forty Acres Scholars Finalists Announced, Class of 2022

The Forty Acres Scholars Program has announced an impressive list of 53 finalists for the Class of 2022. From more than 6,400 applications, these high school seniors are exceptional inside and outside of the classroom. Among them are founders of companies and nonprofits, researchers, editors of school newspapers and literary magazines, club founders and presidents, team captains, varsity athletes, and talented dancers and musicians.The finalists hail from around the Lone Star State, in addition to Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and Tennessee. Their academic interests stretch across all disciplines, representing 10 of UT’s undergraduate colleges. From March 1-3, the students will come to Austin for Finalist Weekend, where they will learn more about the campus and the Forty Acres Scholars Program, sit down for interviews, and get a glimpse of what their future life in Austin could look like.

Forty Acres Scholars Finalists Announced, Class of 2022

The Forty Acres Scholars Program has announced an impressive list of 53 finalists for the Class of 2022. From more than 6,400 applications, these high school seniors are exceptional inside and outside of the classroom. Among them are founders of companies and nonprofits, researchers, editors of school newspapers and literary magazines, club founders and presidents, team captains, varsity athletes, and talented dancers and musicians.The finalists hail from around the Lone Star State, in addition to Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and Tennessee. Their academic interests stretch across all disciplines, representing 10 of UT’s undergraduate colleges. From March 1-3, the students will come to Austin for Finalist Weekend, where they will learn more about the campus and the Forty Acres Scholars Program, sit down for interviews, and get a glimpse of what their future life in Austin could look like.

Meet the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2021

The Texas Exes is pleased to announce the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2021. More than 4,998 students applied for The University of Texas at Austin’s premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship, and 14 exceptional scholars were selected from a group of 45 finalists. These impressive scholars range from writers to musicians, athletes to philanthropists. Among the incoming class is a playwright, an award-winning violinist, and a Presidential Gold Service Award recipient. Many more are student government leaders, AP Scholars, and newspaper editors. Administered by the Texas Exes, the Forty Acres Scholars Program offers a rich college experience that provides academic, leadership, and cultural opportunities within a close-knit cohort of fellow scholars. Funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and an enrichment stipend for approved academic, leadership, professional and service activities. Throughout the four years, scholars benefit from a variety of programming opportunities and alumni connections. Meet the Class of 2021: Sabrina Benitez from McAllen, Texas is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending the Lamar Academy International Baccalaureate Program through McAllen Memorial High School, Benitez was an advisor for the school district's superintendent, co-founded an organization dedicated to raising self-esteem in young adults, ran a school-wide campaign raising awareness for childhood cancer, and served as editor of the Indelible Ink literary magazine. She was also a National Hispanic Scholar, an AP Scholar with Honors, and a Student SpaceFlight Experiment Program researcher selected to conduct an experiment on the International Space Station. She aspires to become a medical doctor and plans to major in biochemistry as a Health Science Scholar. She is the daughter of Norma Arreola and Juan Benitez.   Mary Margaret Burniston from Kerrville, Texas is the recipient of the Hobby/Beckworth Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Tivy High School, she co-founded local nonprofit Bark in the Park KTX, working closely with local animal shelters to increase adoptions and decrease euthanasia rates, was president of the mentoring program Peer Assistance and Leadership and president of the community service driven Interact Club, and served as editor-in-chief of the school yearbook. She was also vice president of the National Honors Society, vice chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory, and served on the National Remind Student Board. She is the recipient of the Scholastic Arts & Awards’ National Gold Medal for Short Story and National Silver Medal with Distinction for Writing Portfolio. She plans to pursue degrees in radio-television-film and English through the Liberal Arts Honors program. She is daughter to Kathryn and Michael Burniston.   Olivia Cardenas from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Jeanne L. and Michael L. Klein. At The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Cardenas served as editor-in-chief of the newspaper and vice president for student council; was a youth playwright at The Alley Theater; founded and acted as president of the HSPVA Library Desk Concert, modeled after NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series; and coached a middle school debate team. She has written more than a dozen original plays, won the Houston Playwright 360 competition, is a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, winner of the Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship for Excellence, a College Board recognized AP scholar, and is graduating with Highest Art Area Honors. She plans to major in Plan II honors and government. She is the daughter of Lynley and Victor Cardenas.   Ricky Cooks from Texarkana, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Beverly and Will O'Hara, and the Chevron Enrichment Award. At Texas High School, he served as student body president and as vice president of the Texas Association of Student Councils, was editor of the school newspaper, and was a delegate at the United States Senate Youth Program. He was also an AP Scholar with Distinction and received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. A true Longhorn at heart, Cooks learned "Texas Fight" and "The Eyes of Texas" at age 15 after touring UT for the first time. He plans to pursue a degree in business honors, with either accounting or Spanish as an additional major. He is the son of Sharon and Ricky Cooks Sr.   Carlyn Crow from Austin, Texas is the recipient of the Charline and Red McCombs Family Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. At James Bowie High School, Crow served as class president, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, Key Club treasurer, and was a part of PALS (Peer Assistance, Leadership, and Service), Oak Hill United Methodist Church Student Leadership Team, Girl Scouts, the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and theatre. Crow opened the Austin branch of Top Tier Learning, a start-up peer-to-peer tutoring company, and now serves as the Austin Branch Manager. She was also a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honor. Crow is a pun-loving fourth generation Longhorn who plans to major in business honors and Plan II honors. She is the daughter of Jeanna and Brian Crow.   Josh De Anda from El Paso, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by John B. Connally IV. While attending El Paso High School, De Anda served as editor-in-chief of the school literary magazine, concertmaster of the school orchestra, and captain and attorney of the mock trial team. He founded the Bach in the Barrio initiative to bring classical music to underserved El Paso elementary schools, started the COMER! El Paso initiative aimed at researching and promoting healthier eating in El Paso, and was a student in the Mundos Unidos Dual-Language magnet program. He is a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, an AP Scholar, and a University of Texas at El Paso Honors Convocation Honoree. De Anda is proud to be the second Forty Acres Scholar from El Paso and plans to pursue a career in foreign policy, majoring in business honors and Plan II honors. He is the son of Maria D. De Anda.   Ashley Deutser from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the John and Cynthia Adkins/Texas Exes Houston Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. Deutser led numerous change initiatives while attending The Kinkaid School, including a Special Headmaster Leadership Project and serving as a chair of the Stress and Wellness Committee. She is deeply involved in philanthropy at a local and national level—including her work as a youth advisor for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and board member for Youth Philanthropy Connect. An editorial she wrote, “Mantle of Civic Duty Falls to Houston Youth,” was published in the Houston Chronicle. At UT, Deutser plans to major in business honors. She is the daughter of Jill and Bradley Deutser.   Min Jun Kim from Austin, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by S. Todd and Diana Maclin. At Westwood High School, where Kim was the class of 2017’s Salutatorian, he served as co-concertmaster and president of Westwood’s symphony orchestra and captain of the school’s Science Olympiad team. Kim also ran on the varsity cross country team, was president of the National French Honor Society, a U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee and a three-year Texas Music Scholar. He is a violinist for Austin Korean Presbyterian Church and a three-year all-state violinist. Further, Kim has been named a National Merit Finalist and a National AP Scholar. At UT, Kim plans to major in biochemistry as a Dean’s Scholar. He is the son of Han Won Bae and Woo Jin Kim.   Joe Levin from Pacific Palisades, California is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Harvard-Westlake High School, Levin founded his own sports blog, therallycaps.com, interned with Texas Monthly magazine, and was the editor-in-chief of the high school’s sports magazine, Big Red. Joe was an intern for the Religion of Sports TV series, which debuted on DirecTV's Audience Network last fall. When he was a sophomore, Joe travelled to Cuba and helped produce a documentary on Cuban baseball that was selected for multiple film festivals. At UT, Levin plants to major in journalism and Plan II honors. He is the son of Helen and Jordan Levin.   John McDonald from Spring, Texas is the recipient of the Sylvie and Gary Crum Forty Acres Scholarship. At Klein High School, McDonald served as president for both the National Honor Society and Latin Club. He was a four-year member and social officer for the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and a four-time HOSA International Qualifier. He is a National Hispanic Scholar and received the Presidential Gold Service Award. McDonald plans to major in business honors at UT. He is the son of Nanette McDonald.   Ronen Melloul from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Carnegie Vangaurd High School, Ronen served as soccer captain, the Jewish Student Union president, and the Model United Nations treasurer, and served on the Houston Area Youth Council on Service Leadership Committee. He is a National Hispanic Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, and was awarded the Beth Israel Brotherhood Award. At UT, he plans to major in business honors. He is the son of Yudith and Rod Melloul.   Yessmeen Moharram from Plano, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the College of Fine Arts. At Plano Senior High School, Moharram was president of the International Thespian Society Troupe and a member of student congress. She was also a theater technician for various shows at the high school, working as a lighting technician, costumer, stage manager, and more, and won the All Star Tech Crew award at the University Interscholastic League One Act Play Competition two years in a row. Moharram plans to major in theatre design and technology at UT. She is the daughter of Abdellatif and Nagia Moharram.     Hannah Penley from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the Mary John and Ralph Spence Forty Acres Scholarship. While at Clear Lake High School, Penley served as the varsity cross country captain, the varsity soccer captain, and the president of the Best Buddies Club, an organization that pairs special education students with their general education peers. She was a four-year Superintendent's Scholar Award recipient, and works as a volunteer soccer coach for a variety of organizations. At UT, Penley plans to major in special education. She is the daughter of Kaija and Ned Penley.     Shilpa Rajagopal from Irvine, California is the recipient of the Erin and Thomas A. Bunkley Forty Acres Scholarship. At Northwood High School, Rajagopal served as editor-in-chief of the school yearbook, president of the Prom Project/Working Wardrobes club that works to raise funds for low-income girls, and Link Crew leader to help mentor incoming freshmen. She was also a National Merit Scholar, four-time Regional/State Finalist for the National History Day competition, and a recipient of the Comcast Leaders and Achievers 2017 Scholarship Award. Outside of school, as a member of the Arpana Dance Company, she performed for various non-profit organizations in Southern California. At UT, Rajagopal plans to pursue a double major in economics and biology as a Health Science Scholar. She is the daughter of Shyamala and Rajagopal Sethuraman.

Meet the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2021

The Texas Exes is pleased to announce the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2021. More than 4,998 students applied for The University of Texas at Austin’s premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship, and 14 exceptional scholars were selected from a group of 45 finalists. These impressive scholars range from writers to musicians, athletes to philanthropists. Among the incoming class is a playwright, an award-winning violinist, and a Presidential Gold Service Award recipient. Many more are student government leaders, AP Scholars, and newspaper editors. Administered by the Texas Exes, the Forty Acres Scholars Program offers a rich college experience that provides academic, leadership, and cultural opportunities within a close-knit cohort of fellow scholars. Funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and an enrichment stipend for approved academic, leadership, professional and service activities. Throughout the four years, scholars benefit from a variety of programming opportunities and alumni connections. Meet the Class of 2021: Sabrina Benitez from McAllen, Texas is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending the Lamar Academy International Baccalaureate Program through McAllen Memorial High School, Benitez was an advisor for the school district's superintendent, co-founded an organization dedicated to raising self-esteem in young adults, ran a school-wide campaign raising awareness for childhood cancer, and served as editor of the Indelible Ink literary magazine. She was also a National Hispanic Scholar, an AP Scholar with Honors, and a Student SpaceFlight Experiment Program researcher selected to conduct an experiment on the International Space Station. She aspires to become a medical doctor and plans to major in biochemistry as a Health Science Scholar. She is the daughter of Norma Arreola and Juan Benitez.   Mary Margaret Burniston from Kerrville, Texas is the recipient of the Hobby/Beckworth Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Tivy High School, she co-founded local nonprofit Bark in the Park KTX, working closely with local animal shelters to increase adoptions and decrease euthanasia rates, was president of the mentoring program Peer Assistance and Leadership and president of the community service driven Interact Club, and served as editor-in-chief of the school yearbook. She was also vice president of the National Honors Society, vice chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory, and served on the National Remind Student Board. She is the recipient of the Scholastic Arts & Awards’ National Gold Medal for Short Story and National Silver Medal with Distinction for Writing Portfolio. She plans to pursue degrees in radio-television-film and English through the Liberal Arts Honors program. She is daughter to Kathryn and Michael Burniston.   Olivia Cardenas from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Jeanne L. and Michael L. Klein. At The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Cardenas served as editor-in-chief of the newspaper and vice president for student council; was a youth playwright at The Alley Theater; founded and acted as president of the HSPVA Library Desk Concert, modeled after NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series; and coached a middle school debate team. She has written more than a dozen original plays, won the Houston Playwright 360 competition, is a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, winner of the Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship for Excellence, a College Board recognized AP scholar, and is graduating with Highest Art Area Honors. She plans to major in Plan II honors and government. She is the daughter of Lynley and Victor Cardenas.   Ricky Cooks from Texarkana, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Beverly and Will O'Hara, and the Chevron Enrichment Award. At Texas High School, he served as student body president and as vice president of the Texas Association of Student Councils, was editor of the school newspaper, and was a delegate at the United States Senate Youth Program. He was also an AP Scholar with Distinction and received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. A true Longhorn at heart, Cooks learned "Texas Fight" and "The Eyes of Texas" at age 15 after touring UT for the first time. He plans to pursue a degree in business honors, with either accounting or Spanish as an additional major. He is the son of Sharon and Ricky Cooks Sr.   Carlyn Crow from Austin, Texas is the recipient of the Charline and Red McCombs Family Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. At James Bowie High School, Crow served as class president, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, Key Club treasurer, and was a part of PALS (Peer Assistance, Leadership, and Service), Oak Hill United Methodist Church Student Leadership Team, Girl Scouts, the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and theatre. Crow opened the Austin branch of Top Tier Learning, a start-up peer-to-peer tutoring company, and now serves as the Austin Branch Manager. She was also a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honor. Crow is a pun-loving fourth generation Longhorn who plans to major in business honors and Plan II honors. She is the daughter of Jeanna and Brian Crow.   Josh De Anda from El Paso, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by John B. Connally IV. While attending El Paso High School, De Anda served as editor-in-chief of the school literary magazine, concertmaster of the school orchestra, and captain and attorney of the mock trial team. He founded the Bach in the Barrio initiative to bring classical music to underserved El Paso elementary schools, started the COMER! El Paso initiative aimed at researching and promoting healthier eating in El Paso, and was a student in the Mundos Unidos Dual-Language magnet program. He is a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, an AP Scholar, and a University of Texas at El Paso Honors Convocation Honoree. De Anda is proud to be the second Forty Acres Scholar from El Paso and plans to pursue a career in foreign policy, majoring in business honors and Plan II honors. He is the son of Maria D. De Anda.   Ashley Deutser from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the John and Cynthia Adkins/Texas Exes Houston Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. Deutser led numerous change initiatives while attending The Kinkaid School, including a Special Headmaster Leadership Project and serving as a chair of the Stress and Wellness Committee. She is deeply involved in philanthropy at a local and national level—including her work as a youth advisor for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and board member for Youth Philanthropy Connect. An editorial she wrote, “Mantle of Civic Duty Falls to Houston Youth,” was published in the Houston Chronicle. At UT, Deutser plans to major in business honors. She is the daughter of Jill and Bradley Deutser.   Min Jun Kim from Austin, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by S. Todd and Diana Maclin. At Westwood High School, where Kim was the class of 2017’s Salutatorian, he served as co-concertmaster and president of Westwood’s symphony orchestra and captain of the school’s Science Olympiad team. Kim also ran on the varsity cross country team, was president of the National French Honor Society, a U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee and a three-year Texas Music Scholar. He is a violinist for Austin Korean Presbyterian Church and a three-year all-state violinist. Further, Kim has been named a National Merit Finalist and a National AP Scholar. At UT, Kim plans to major in biochemistry as a Dean’s Scholar. He is the son of Han Won Bae and Woo Jin Kim.   Joe Levin from Pacific Palisades, California is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Harvard-Westlake High School, Levin founded his own sports blog, therallycaps.com, interned with Texas Monthly magazine, and was the editor-in-chief of the high school’s sports magazine, Big Red. Joe was an intern for the Religion of Sports TV series, which debuted on DirecTV's Audience Network last fall. When he was a sophomore, Joe travelled to Cuba and helped produce a documentary on Cuban baseball that was selected for multiple film festivals. At UT, Levin plants to major in journalism and Plan II honors. He is the son of Helen and Jordan Levin.   John McDonald from Spring, Texas is the recipient of the Sylvie and Gary Crum Forty Acres Scholarship. At Klein High School, McDonald served as president for both the National Honor Society and Latin Club. He was a four-year member and social officer for the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and a four-time HOSA International Qualifier. He is a National Hispanic Scholar and received the Presidential Gold Service Award. McDonald plans to major in business honors at UT. He is the son of Nanette McDonald.   Ronen Melloul from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Carnegie Vangaurd High School, Ronen served as soccer captain, the Jewish Student Union president, and the Model United Nations treasurer, and served on the Houston Area Youth Council on Service Leadership Committee. He is a National Hispanic Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, and was awarded the Beth Israel Brotherhood Award. At UT, he plans to major in business honors. He is the son of Yudith and Rod Melloul.   Yessmeen Moharram from Plano, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the College of Fine Arts. At Plano Senior High School, Moharram was president of the International Thespian Society Troupe and a member of student congress. She was also a theater technician for various shows at the high school, working as a lighting technician, costumer, stage manager, and more, and won the All Star Tech Crew award at the University Interscholastic League One Act Play Competition two years in a row. Moharram plans to major in theatre design and technology at UT. She is the daughter of Abdellatif and Nagia Moharram.     Hannah Penley from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the Mary John and Ralph Spence Forty Acres Scholarship. While at Clear Lake High School, Penley served as the varsity cross country captain, the varsity soccer captain, and the president of the Best Buddies Club, an organization that pairs special education students with their general education peers. She was a four-year Superintendent's Scholar Award recipient, and works as a volunteer soccer coach for a variety of organizations. At UT, Penley plans to major in special education. She is the daughter of Kaija and Ned Penley.     Shilpa Rajagopal from Irvine, California is the recipient of the Erin and Thomas A. Bunkley Forty Acres Scholarship. At Northwood High School, Rajagopal served as editor-in-chief of the school yearbook, president of the Prom Project/Working Wardrobes club that works to raise funds for low-income girls, and Link Crew leader to help mentor incoming freshmen. She was also a National Merit Scholar, four-time Regional/State Finalist for the National History Day competition, and a recipient of the Comcast Leaders and Achievers 2017 Scholarship Award. Outside of school, as a member of the Arpana Dance Company, she performed for various non-profit organizations in Southern California. At UT, Rajagopal plans to pursue a double major in economics and biology as a Health Science Scholar. She is the daughter of Shyamala and Rajagopal Sethuraman.

Meet the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2021

The Texas Exes is pleased to announce the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2021. More than 4,998 students applied for The University of Texas at Austin’s premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship, and 14 exceptional scholars were selected from a group of 45 finalists. These impressive scholars range from writers to musicians, athletes to philanthropists. Among the incoming class is a playwright, an award-winning violinist, and a Presidential Gold Service Award recipient. Many more are student government leaders, AP Scholars, and newspaper editors. Administered by the Texas Exes, the Forty Acres Scholars Program offers a rich college experience that provides academic, leadership, and cultural opportunities within a close-knit cohort of fellow scholars. Funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and an enrichment stipend for approved academic, leadership, professional and service activities. Throughout the four years, scholars benefit from a variety of programming opportunities and alumni connections. Meet the Class of 2021: Sabrina Benitez from McAllen, Texas is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending the Lamar Academy International Baccalaureate Program through McAllen Memorial High School, Benitez was an advisor for the school district's superintendent, co-founded an organization dedicated to raising self-esteem in young adults, ran a school-wide campaign raising awareness for childhood cancer, and served as editor of the Indelible Ink literary magazine. She was also a National Hispanic Scholar, an AP Scholar with Honors, and a Student SpaceFlight Experiment Program researcher selected to conduct an experiment on the International Space Station. She aspires to become a medical doctor and plans to major in biochemistry as a Health Science Scholar. She is the daughter of Norma Arreola and Juan Benitez.   Mary Margaret Burniston from Kerrville, Texas is the recipient of the Hobby/Beckworth Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Tivy High School, she co-founded local nonprofit Bark in the Park KTX, working closely with local animal shelters to increase adoptions and decrease euthanasia rates, was president of the mentoring program Peer Assistance and Leadership and president of the community service driven Interact Club, and served as editor-in-chief of the school yearbook. She was also vice president of the National Honors Society, vice chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory, and served on the National Remind Student Board. She is the recipient of the Scholastic Arts & Awards’ National Gold Medal for Short Story and National Silver Medal with Distinction for Writing Portfolio. She plans to pursue degrees in radio-television-film and English through the Liberal Arts Honors program. She is daughter to Kathryn and Michael Burniston.   Olivia Cardenas from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Jeanne L. and Michael L. Klein. At The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Cardenas served as editor-in-chief of the newspaper and vice president for student council; was a youth playwright at The Alley Theater; founded and acted as president of the HSPVA Library Desk Concert, modeled after NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series; and coached a middle school debate team. She has written more than a dozen original plays, won the Houston Playwright 360 competition, is a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, winner of the Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship for Excellence, a College Board recognized AP scholar, and is graduating with Highest Art Area Honors. She plans to major in Plan II honors and government. She is the daughter of Lynley and Victor Cardenas.   Ricky Cooks from Texarkana, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Beverly and Will O'Hara, and the Chevron Enrichment Award. At Texas High School, he served as student body president and as vice president of the Texas Association of Student Councils, was editor of the school newspaper, and was a delegate at the United States Senate Youth Program. He was also an AP Scholar with Distinction and received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. A true Longhorn at heart, Cooks learned "Texas Fight" and "The Eyes of Texas" at age 15 after touring UT for the first time. He plans to pursue a degree in business honors, with either accounting or Spanish as an additional major. He is the son of Sharon and Ricky Cooks Sr.   Carlyn Crow from Austin, Texas is the recipient of the Charline and Red McCombs Family Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. At James Bowie High School, Crow served as class president, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, Key Club treasurer, and was a part of PALS (Peer Assistance, Leadership, and Service), Oak Hill United Methodist Church Student Leadership Team, Girl Scouts, the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and theatre. Crow opened the Austin branch of Top Tier Learning, a start-up peer-to-peer tutoring company, and now serves as the Austin Branch Manager. She was also a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honor. Crow is a pun-loving fourth generation Longhorn who plans to major in business honors and Plan II honors. She is the daughter of Jeanna and Brian Crow.   Josh De Anda from El Paso, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by John B. Connally IV. While attending El Paso High School, De Anda served as editor-in-chief of the school literary magazine, concertmaster of the school orchestra, and captain and attorney of the mock trial team. He founded the Bach in the Barrio initiative to bring classical music to underserved El Paso elementary schools, started the COMER! El Paso initiative aimed at researching and promoting healthier eating in El Paso, and was a student in the Mundos Unidos Dual-Language magnet program. He is a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, an AP Scholar, and a University of Texas at El Paso Honors Convocation Honoree. De Anda is proud to be the second Forty Acres Scholar from El Paso and plans to pursue a career in foreign policy, majoring in business honors and Plan II honors. He is the son of Maria D. De Anda.   Ashley Deutser from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the John and Cynthia Adkins/Texas Exes Houston Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. Deutser led numerous change initiatives while attending The Kinkaid School, including a Special Headmaster Leadership Project and serving as a chair of the Stress and Wellness Committee. She is deeply involved in philanthropy at a local and national level—including her work as a youth advisor for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and board member for Youth Philanthropy Connect. An editorial she wrote, “Mantle of Civic Duty Falls to Houston Youth,” was published in the Houston Chronicle. At UT, Deutser plans to major in business honors. She is the daughter of Jill and Bradley Deutser.   Min Jun Kim from Austin, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by S. Todd and Diana Maclin. At Westwood High School, where Kim was the class of 2017’s Salutatorian, he served as co-concertmaster and president of Westwood’s symphony orchestra and captain of the school’s Science Olympiad team. Kim also ran on the varsity cross country team, was president of the National French Honor Society, a U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee and a three-year Texas Music Scholar. He is a violinist for Austin Korean Presbyterian Church and a three-year all-state violinist. Further, Kim has been named a National Merit Finalist and a National AP Scholar. At UT, Kim plans to major in biochemistry as a Dean’s Scholar. He is the son of Han Won Bae and Woo Jin Kim.   Joe Levin from Pacific Palisades, California is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Harvard-Westlake High School, Levin founded his own sports blog, therallycaps.com, interned with Texas Monthly magazine, and was the editor-in-chief of the high school’s sports magazine, Big Red. Joe was an intern for the Religion of Sports TV series, which debuted on DirecTV's Audience Network last fall. When he was a sophomore, Joe travelled to Cuba and helped produce a documentary on Cuban baseball that was selected for multiple film festivals. At UT, Levin plants to major in journalism and Plan II honors. He is the son of Helen and Jordan Levin.   John McDonald from Spring, Texas is the recipient of the Sylvie and Gary Crum Forty Acres Scholarship. At Klein High School, McDonald served as president for both the National Honor Society and Latin Club. He was a four-year member and social officer for the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and a four-time HOSA International Qualifier. He is a National Hispanic Scholar and received the Presidential Gold Service Award. McDonald plans to major in business honors at UT. He is the son of Nanette McDonald.   Ronen Melloul from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Carnegie Vangaurd High School, Ronen served as soccer captain, the Jewish Student Union president, and the Model United Nations treasurer, and served on the Houston Area Youth Council on Service Leadership Committee. He is a National Hispanic Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, and was awarded the Beth Israel Brotherhood Award. At UT, he plans to major in business honors. He is the son of Yudith and Rod Melloul.   Yessmeen Moharram from Plano, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the College of Fine Arts. At Plano Senior High School, Moharram was president of the International Thespian Society Troupe and a member of student congress. She was also a theater technician for various shows at the high school, working as a lighting technician, costumer, stage manager, and more, and won the All Star Tech Crew award at the University Interscholastic League One Act Play Competition two years in a row. Moharram plans to major in theatre design and technology at UT. She is the daughter of Abdellatif and Nagia Moharram.     Hannah Penley from Houston, Texas is the recipient of the Mary John and Ralph Spence Forty Acres Scholarship. While at Clear Lake High School, Penley served as the varsity cross country captain, the varsity soccer captain, and the president of the Best Buddies Club, an organization that pairs special education students with their general education peers. She was a four-year Superintendent's Scholar Award recipient, and works as a volunteer soccer coach for a variety of organizations. At UT, Penley plans to major in special education. She is the daughter of Kaija and Ned Penley.     Shilpa Rajagopal from Irvine, California is the recipient of the Erin and Thomas A. Bunkley Forty Acres Scholarship. At Northwood High School, Rajagopal served as editor-in-chief of the school yearbook, president of the Prom Project/Working Wardrobes club that works to raise funds for low-income girls, and Link Crew leader to help mentor incoming freshmen. She was also a National Merit Scholar, four-time Regional/State Finalist for the National History Day competition, and a recipient of the Comcast Leaders and Achievers 2017 Scholarship Award. Outside of school, as a member of the Arpana Dance Company, she performed for various non-profit organizations in Southern California. At UT, Rajagopal plans to pursue a double major in economics and biology as a Health Science Scholar. She is the daughter of Shyamala and Rajagopal Sethuraman.

Forty Acres Scholars Class of 2021 Finalists Announced

The Forty Acres Scholars Program has announced an impressive list of 45 finalists for the Class of 2021. These high school seniors, who hail from four states outside of Texas—and of course from all over the Lone Star State—are exceptional inside and outside of the classroom. Among them are founders of companies and nonprofits, app developers, editors of school newspapers and literary journals, club presidents, team captains, varsity athletes, researchers, student pilots, and talented dancers and actors. This remarkable group of students will visit Austin on March 2-4 to interview for a spot as a Forty Acres Scholar—the premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin. Learn more about this year's finalists below. Meet the finalists: Alicia Alvarez Houston, TX YES Prep - North Forest   Travis Arnold Spring, TX Klein High School Abhinav Ashar Cypress, TX  Cypress Woods High School Sabrina Benitez McAllen, TX McAllen Memorial High School Mary Margaret Burniston Kerrville, TX Tivy High School  Olivia Cardenas Houston, TX The High School for Performing & Visual Arts Anne Chow Austin, TX Westwood High School Alex Chukwuma Allen, TX Allen High School Ricky Cooks Wake Village, TX Texas High School Shanaya Cross Corpus Christi, TX W.B. Ray High School Carlyn Crow Austin, TX James Bowie High School Carrie Cruces Houston, TX Saint Agnes Academy Kevin Dalton Naperville, IL Naperville North High School Joshua De Anda El Paso, TX El Paso High School Ashley Deuster Houston, TX The Kinkaid School Alyssa Diaz Edinburg, TX Edinburg High School Zakiyya Ellington Allen, TX Allen High School Scott Gold Houston, TX Emery High School Morgan Grosch Spicewood, TX Cedar Park High School Shehryar Khursheed McAllen, Tx IDEA Quest College Preparatory  Min Kim Austin, TX Westwood High School Joe Levin Pacific Palisades, CA Harvard-Westlake School Desiree Lopez Rowlett, TX Garland High School Pierce Lowary Dallas, TX Highland Park High School   Faith Matheson Katy, TX Cinco Ranch High School   John McDonald Spring, TX Klein High School   Ronen Melloul Houston, TX Carnegie Vanguard High School   Yessmeen Moharram Plano, TX Plano Senior High School Cat Palacios Edinburg, TX Robert Vela High School Hannah Penley Houston, TX Clear Lake High School   Bhavana Penmetsa Plano, TX Imagine International Academy of North Texas Shilpa Rajagopal Irvine, CA Northwood High School Gabriel Ramirez McAllen, TX McAllen High School Margaret Rauch Downers Grove, IL Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School   Justin Rhines Canton, IL Bishop Thomas K. Gorman High School   Alejandra Rocha Brownsville, TX Saint Joseph Academy   Zach Rudner Dallas, TX Greenhill School Aman Sharma Portland, OR Westview High School Rylan Shewmaker Abilene, TX  Abilene High School Madison Smither New Orleans, LA Benjamin Franklin High School Maggie Stein Dallas, TX The Hockaday School Michelle Tang Houston, TX Bellaire Senior High School Olivia Vines Austin, TX L.C. Anderson High School   Annabelle Vu Houston, TX Jersey Village High School   Frank Yang Houston, TX Memorial Senior High School  

Forty Acres Scholars Class of 2021 Finalists Announced

The Forty Acres Scholars Program has announced an impressive list of 45 finalists for the Class of 2021. These high school seniors, who hail from four states outside of Texas—and of course from all over the Lone Star State—are exceptional inside and outside of the classroom. Among them are founders of companies and nonprofits, app developers, editors of school newspapers and literary journals, club presidents, team captains, varsity athletes, researchers, student pilots, and talented dancers and actors. This remarkable group of students will visit Austin on March 2-4 to interview for a spot as a Forty Acres Scholar—the premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin. Learn more about this year's finalists below. Meet the finalists: Alicia Alvarez Houston, TX YES Prep - North Forest   Travis Arnold Spring, TX Klein High School Abhinav Ashar Cypress, TX  Cypress Woods High School Sabrina Benitez McAllen, TX McAllen Memorial High School Mary Margaret Burniston Kerrville, TX Tivy High School  Olivia Cardenas Houston, TX The High School for Performing & Visual Arts Anne Chow Austin, TX Westwood High School Alex Chukwuma Allen, TX Allen High School Ricky Cooks Wake Village, TX Texas High School Shanaya Cross Corpus Christi, TX W.B. Ray High School Carlyn Crow Austin, TX James Bowie High School Carrie Cruces Houston, TX Saint Agnes Academy Kevin Dalton Naperville, IL Naperville North High School Joshua De Anda El Paso, TX El Paso High School Ashley Deuster Houston, TX The Kinkaid School Alyssa Diaz Edinburg, TX Edinburg High School Zakiyya Ellington Allen, TX Allen High School Scott Gold Houston, TX Emery High School Morgan Grosch Spicewood, TX Cedar Park High School Shehryar Khursheed McAllen, Tx IDEA Quest College Preparatory  Min Kim Austin, TX Westwood High School Joe Levin Pacific Palisades, CA Harvard-Westlake School Desiree Lopez Rowlett, TX Garland High School Pierce Lowary Dallas, TX Highland Park High School   Faith Matheson Katy, TX Cinco Ranch High School   John McDonald Spring, TX Klein High School   Ronen Melloul Houston, TX Carnegie Vanguard High School   Yessmeen Moharram Plano, TX Plano Senior High School Cat Palacios Edinburg, TX Robert Vela High School Hannah Penley Houston, TX Clear Lake High School   Bhavana Penmetsa Plano, TX Imagine International Academy of North Texas Shilpa Rajagopal Irvine, CA Northwood High School Gabriel Ramirez McAllen, TX McAllen High School Margaret Rauch Downers Grove, IL Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School   Justin Rhines Canton, IL Bishop Thomas K. Gorman High School   Alejandra Rocha Brownsville, TX Saint Joseph Academy   Zach Rudner Dallas, TX Greenhill School Aman Sharma Portland, OR Westview High School Rylan Shewmaker Abilene, TX  Abilene High School Madison Smither New Orleans, LA Benjamin Franklin High School Maggie Stein Dallas, TX The Hockaday School Michelle Tang Houston, TX Bellaire Senior High School Olivia Vines Austin, TX L.C. Anderson High School   Annabelle Vu Houston, TX Jersey Village High School   Frank Yang Houston, TX Memorial Senior High School  

Forty Acres Scholars Class of 2021 Finalists Announced

The Forty Acres Scholars Program has announced an impressive list of 45 finalists for the Class of 2021. These high school seniors, who hail from four states outside of Texas—and of course from all over the Lone Star State—are exceptional inside and outside of the classroom. Among them are founders of companies and nonprofits, app developers, editors of school newspapers and literary journals, club presidents, team captains, varsity athletes, researchers, student pilots, and talented dancers and actors. This remarkable group of students will visit Austin on March 2-4 to interview for a spot as a Forty Acres Scholar—the premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin. Learn more about this year's finalists below. Meet the finalists: Alicia Alvarez Houston, TX YES Prep - North Forest   Travis Arnold Spring, TX Klein High School Abhinav Ashar Cypress, TX  Cypress Woods High School Sabrina Benitez McAllen, TX McAllen Memorial High School Mary Margaret Burniston Kerrville, TX Tivy High School  Olivia Cardenas Houston, TX The High School for Performing & Visual Arts Anne Chow Austin, TX Westwood High School Alex Chukwuma Allen, TX Allen High School Ricky Cooks Wake Village, TX Texas High School Shanaya Cross Corpus Christi, TX W.B. Ray High School Carlyn Crow Austin, TX James Bowie High School Carrie Cruces Houston, TX Saint Agnes Academy Kevin Dalton Naperville, IL Naperville North High School Joshua De Anda El Paso, TX El Paso High School Ashley Deuster Houston, TX The Kinkaid School Alyssa Diaz Edinburg, TX Edinburg High School Zakiyya Ellington Allen, TX Allen High School Scott Gold Houston, TX Emery High School Morgan Grosch Spicewood, TX Cedar Park High School Shehryar Khursheed McAllen, Tx IDEA Quest College Preparatory  Min Kim Austin, TX Westwood High School Joe Levin Pacific Palisades, CA Harvard-Westlake School Desiree Lopez Rowlett, TX Garland High School Pierce Lowary Dallas, TX Highland Park High School   Faith Matheson Katy, TX Cinco Ranch High School   John McDonald Spring, TX Klein High School   Ronen Melloul Houston, TX Carnegie Vanguard High School   Yessmeen Moharram Plano, TX Plano Senior High School Cat Palacios Edinburg, TX Robert Vela High School Hannah Penley Houston, TX Clear Lake High School   Bhavana Penmetsa Plano, TX Imagine International Academy of North Texas Shilpa Rajagopal Irvine, CA Northwood High School Gabriel Ramirez McAllen, TX McAllen High School Margaret Rauch Downers Grove, IL Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School   Justin Rhines Canton, IL Bishop Thomas K. Gorman High School   Alejandra Rocha Brownsville, TX Saint Joseph Academy   Zach Rudner Dallas, TX Greenhill School Aman Sharma Portland, OR Westview High School Rylan Shewmaker Abilene, TX  Abilene High School Madison Smither New Orleans, LA Benjamin Franklin High School Maggie Stein Dallas, TX The Hockaday School Michelle Tang Houston, TX Bellaire Senior High School Olivia Vines Austin, TX L.C. Anderson High School   Annabelle Vu Houston, TX Jersey Village High School   Frank Yang Houston, TX Memorial Senior High School