(AUSTIN) -- Students from local high schools, Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) were honored by the Mr. South Texas Foundation on Tuesday (June 6) for their outstanding scholarship and leadership. Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, president of the foundation, presented $19,000 in scholarships, $1,000 to each of the 19 students who earned an award. Donors to the scholarship fund include AT&T, the D.D. Hachar Charitable Trust and the Laredo National Bank-Grupo Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (LNB/BBVA Group).

"It truly is my pleasure to recognize the outstanding scholarship demonstrated by these students, but more important to support their transition toward future leadership in our community," said Senator Zaffirini, who was named Mr. South Texas in 1999 by the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association. "They are wonderful examples of true leaders who learned to balance academic excellence, extracurricular activities, community service and dedication to family."

The mission of the Mr. South Texas Scholarship Foundation is to support students who are from the Laredo area, plan to return to South Texas after graduation and could be future Mr. South Texas honorees. Founded in 1999, the foundation has provided $59,000 in scholarships to students who have demonstrated the leadership skills necessary to one day become Mr. South Texas.

"This year's scholarship recipients will have a broad impact upon the South Texas community," said Senator Zaffirini. "These outstanding students will become the future doctors, teachers, business leaders and elected officials in Laredo."

The 19 students receiving awards include:

• Ryan N. Reyes, 2005 graduate, Alexander High School;
• Christopher Johnathan Gómez, 2006 graduate, Alexander High School;
• Heathcliff Amando López, 2005 graduate, Cigarroa High School;
• Victor Javier Sánchez, 2006 graduate, Cigarroa High School;
• Javier Torres, 2006 graduate, LBJ High School;
• Naria Noriega, 2005 graduate, Martin High School;
• Rodrigo Angel Rodriguez, 2006 graduate, Martin High School;
• Victor H. Ramirez, 2005 graduate, Nixon High School;
• Brenda Araceli Rojo, 2006 graduate, Nixon High School;
• Geoffrey Daves, 2005 graduate, St. Augustine High School;
• Erika Martinez, 2006 graduate, St. Augustine High School;
• Sergio Ramirez, 2005 graduate, United High School;
• Ricardo Gabriel Sánchez, 2006 graduate, United High School;
• Ramiro Ballesteros, 2005 graduate, United South High School;
• Briana Castaño, 2006 graduate, United South High School;
• Gerardo González, student, Laredo Community College;
• José B. Maldonado, student, Laredo Community College;
• Michael Ray Salas, student, TAMIU; and
• Julio Cesar Medina, student, TAMIU.

Senator Judith Zaffirini praises outstanding academic achievement and community service demonstrated by local students who received scholarships from the Mr. South Texas Foundation. (Photo: EDUARDO X. GARCIA, TAMIU)

Ricardo "Ricky" Sanchez," a recent graduate from United High School, accepts a $1,000 scholarship from Senator Judith Zaffirini on behalf of the Mr. South Texas Foundation. An outstanding baseball player at United, Sanchez will study criminal justice at TAMIU. (Photo: EDUARDO X. GARCIA, TAMIU)

Senator Judith Zaffirini joins 16 outstanding students who each received $1,000 scholarships from the Mr. South Texas Foundation. Since 1999 the foundation has provided $59,000 in scholarships to students with the leadership skills necessary to become Mr. South Texas. (Photo: EDUARDO X. GARCIA, TAMIU)

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