The Region 19 Head Start Undergraduate Scholarship was established in 1992 as an opportunity solely for former Head Start students who are high school seniors.
Generously sponsored by the Parent Policy Council, the $2,000 scholarship is awarded every year to help students with education expenses.
Meet the two recipients of the 2016-17 Head Start Parent Policy Council Scholarship award.
Nayellie Y. Alonso is very excited to attend the University of Texas at Austin and is looking forward to becoming involved in the campus life. Her educational journey began at Santiago Rodriguez Head Start. Alonso credits Head Start experience for her love for learning. In addition to being an honor student in high school, her love for children and desire to give back to the community led to her interest in the healthcare profession. Alonso's future ambitions are to become a nurse, attend medical school and pursue a pediatric surgeon career. She hopes to be a role model and empower children to live fulfilling lives.
Diego X. Reyes is studying Political Science and is a freshman at El Paso Community College (EPCC). His Head Start experience began at Ysleta Head Start. He strongly feels that his Head Start experience sparked a curiosity for learning. With the help of his family and teachers, Reyes, an ADHD and special needs student, worked hard to overcome the unique challenges associated with this diagnosis.
While in high school, he took Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Reyes plans to major in Political Science with a minor in history and foreign languages, and to study abroad to experience first-hand other cultures, history, and traditions.
His future career goal is to obtain a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Texas and become a successful US diplomat.