For the 2020-21 season, the Valero Alamo Bowl will award the largest number of scholarships in its history with over $1 million split between the high school and collegiate programs and over 150 winners. This amount is projected to be the most in local scholarship giving among all the NCAA bowl games and will bring the all-time total to over $7 million.
A record 84 San Antonio area students representing 71 different high schools have been selected as Valero Alamo Bowl Student-Athlete Scholarship recepients and will share in $630,000 in awards to attend the college of their choice.
The students included at least one winner from every San Antonio area public school and well-established private school that applied. The scholarships were awarded based on academic achievement, teacher recommendations, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities and varsity sports as well as honors received and a personal narrative.
Each winner will receive a $7,500 award and will be invited to attend and be recognized at the 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl.
The Valero Alamo Bowl has also pledged to continue its university scholarship program at the same level as in past years in Spring 2021.
Called the Valero Alamo Bowl Community Partners Scholarship, this program is funded by the Bowl and matching programs at all six of San Antonio’s four-year universities. In Spring 2020, 69 winners were selected to split a total of $440,000. These students will also be invited to attend and be recognized at the 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl.
“While 2020 has presented unprecedented challenges, the Valero Alamo Bowl is unwavering in its commitment to deliver a positive impact to our city and looks forward to safely hosting all of our partners, fans, scholarship recipients and the visiting teams according to the Alamodome’s successful safety protocols,” said Clay Jett, Chair of the 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl. “With the support of our loyal ticket buyers, partners and Valero, we are elated that for the fifth straight year Valero Alamo Bowl scholarship programs will award over $1 million to deserving San Antonio area students.”
Angel Isaac from Edison High School is this year’s Brincat Award Winner. This scholarship is annually given in honor of 2008 Valero Alamo Bowl Chairman, Bob Brincat, a tireless advocate for the Bowl’s scholarship program who passed away after a courageous fight against lymphoma. Bob was a tremendous supporter of the scholarship program which is why we continue to provide a scholarship in his honor.
The first recipient of the John R. “Jack” Rogers Memorial Scholarship honoring 2004 Valero Alamo Bowl Chair Jack Rogers is Ariana Martinez from Holmes High School. She was selected as the applicant that most exemplifies the values as defined by Jack’s life. Those include her excellence in academics, athletics, leadership as well as her ability to demonstrate high character traits such as kindness and strength during times of adversity.
A portion of the proceeds from all bowl events and partnerships helps fund the Valero Alamo Bowl Student-Athlete Scholarship program. In 2020, the program also received funding from Covenant, Frost, H-E-B, NuStar Energy, Parrish & Co., PwC and Valero.
This year’s 84 Valero Alamo Bowl Student-Athlete Scholarship recipients listed by school are:
Sophia Carroll, Alamo Heights High School – Sophia is an All-State swimmer and on top of being a member of the cross country and track teams. She also is an avid cello player. She plans on going to Grinnell College and will study to be a social worker.
Michael Frei, Antonian High School – Michael has played on the basketball and baseball for Antonian. He is also a student ambassador and was involved in student council. He wants to go to the University of Texas at Austin with plans to go to dental or medical school.
Scott Hettie, Boerne High School – Scott is a captain of both the football team and the soccer team. He is also on the Football Leadership Committee in addition to being involved in FCA, student council, and National Honor Society. He intends to go to Texas A&M University and study automotive engineering.
Denzel Papillon, Byron P. Steele High School – Denzel is a member of the wrestling team and he also competes for the varsity bowling team. He is involved in DECA and National Honor Society. He plans on going to the University of Texas at Austin.
Andrew Briseno, Central Catholic High School – Andrew is a captain of the varsity track and field team in addition to being on the varsity cross country team. He also participates in the Health and Science Club and the Spanish Club. He intends to go to Baylor University and eventually go to medical school.
Ashley Belshe, Claudia Taylor Johnson High School– Ashley played on the varsity soccer team. She is also a PALS mentor and helps with ALE working with special needs students. She plans to go to Clemson University and become a nurse.
Harper McCracken, Comfort High School – Harper is on the varsity golf and tennis teams in addition to being on the varsity cheer team. She has been student council president twice and was also president of her school’s National Honor Society. She plans to attend Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in marketing.
Gabrielle Jimenez, Communications Arts High School – Gabrielle is on the Taft Raider tennis team. She is also involved in student council, National Honor Society, and her school’s Fellowship of Faith organization. She intends to go to New York University and study international relations.
Lucy Garrison, Construction Careers Academy – Lucy is on the varsity swim team, on which she is a co-captain and Academic All-District. She also participates in track and field and water polo. She plans on going to Utah State University and study construction management.
Vivian Salazar, Dillard McCollum High School – Vivian is a captain on the tennis team and plays on the volleyball team. She is also involved in student council, Spanish club, and Health Occupations Students of America. She plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin and intends to become a physician assistant.
Marco Balatbat, Douglas MacArthur High School – Marco has been a four-year member of his school’s band. He is the active drum major and has been named best marcher twice. He wants to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio and study mechanical engineering.
Reyna Stovall, Douglas MacArthur High School – Reyna is a member of the varsity soccer team. She also participates in Model U.N. and French club. She plans on going to the University of Texas at Austin to get a degree in international relations.
Brylee Brim, Earl Warren High School – Brylee has been a member of the cross country and track teams at Earl Warren. She also volunteers at Community Bible Church. She plans on attending Northwest Vista to study environmental science.
Christian Luensmann, East Central High School – Christian is a player for the varsity football team and is also a member of the varsity powerlifting team. He is a part of the East Central Unity Council and is actively involved in the school’s FCA chapter. He plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin to study to become a surgeon.
Alexandria Licea, East Central High School – Alexandria is a three-year member of the varsity powerlifting team. She also is a part of the East Central Unity Council and participates in student council, National Honor Society, and she was the editor of the yearbook. She intends to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study psychology.
Michael Haag, Floresville High School – Michael is a member of the basketball and track teams and was Academic All-District for basketball. He has also been his class treasurer and historian and is involved in National Honor Society. He plans on going to Baylor University to pursue a degree in communications.
Ilse Rodriguez, George W. Brackenridge High School – Ilse has been a member of the varsity soccer teams for four years and is a captain of the team. She is also a member of Brackenridge High School’s JROTC program and the National Honor Society. She plans on going to Texas A&M University.
Levi Wiatrek, Great Hearts Monte Vista –Levi was a member of the state champion varsity cross country team and received All-State honors. He has also been a member of the varsity track, basketball and swim teams during his high school career. He is a student ambassador and peer tutor. He wants to go to Baylor University and plans on studying biomedical engineering.
Darren Lopez, Great Hearts Northern Oaks – Darren is a captain on the cross-country team and is also a member of the varsity track and basketball teams. He is also the founder of the Griffin Service Club. He intends to go to Harvard University with plans on becoming a neurosurgeon.
Karina Trejo, Harlandale High School – Karina is a member of the Harlandale High School dance team. She also has been an active member of student council, serving as vice president for two years. She intends to go to the University of Texas at Austin with plans on becoming a game developer.
Francisco Hernandez III, Harlandale STEM Early College High School – Francisco is the co-captain on both the varsity tennis and varsity soccer teams. He is also a team leader for the Robotics Club and is the student council president. Francisco plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a career in the medical field.
Pilar Conchita Tanjuatco, Health Careers High School – Pilar is a member of the varsity tennis team. She is also involved in the Filipino Culture Club and participates in Academic Decathlon. She intends to go to Rice University and go into the medical field.
Dayanh Rubio-Gomez, Highlands High School – Dayanh has been a member of the Highlands High School marching band for four years and is the current drum major. She has also been involved with the mock trial team at Highlands and has been a member of the student council. She plans on going to Rice University to get a degree in political science.
Heaven Cedillo, Holy Cross of San Antonio – Heaven is a player for the varsity soccer and cross-country teams and runs hurdles for the track team. She also participates in Art Club and the DASA Academic’s Team. She plans on going to the Rhode Island School of Design to pursue a degree in art or art history.
Cristina Kiefaber, Incarnate Word High School – San Antonio – Cristina is a member of the Incarnate Word basketball team. She is also an active member in the National Honor Society, serving as the vice president. She intends to attend Cornell University to study to eventually become a college professor.
Audrey Michel, International School of the Americas – San Antonio – Audrey is a member of her school’s varsity softball team. She is also an avid piano player and is involved in many other programs including Model U.N. and Ignition Green. She plans on attending Rice University and will eventually go to medical school.
Faris Haghamed, James Madison High School – Faris is a captain on the football team and a member of the track team. He was also the vice president of his school’s National Honor Society. He plans on attending Rice University with intentions to enter the medical field.
Elena DeLeon, John F. Kennedy High School – Elena participated in the Heart of Texas Junior Roller Derby. She also participated in Trinity University’s Upward Bound program for three years. She intends to go to Baylor University to study mathematics.
Kenndra Joseph, John Jay High School – Kenndra ran hurdles for the varsity track team. She also served as a student athletic trainer and participated in the science fair two different times in addition to being a part of the science bowl team. She plans on going to the United States Air Force Academy and study chemical engineering.
Luis Cardona, Jr., John Jay High School – Luis has been a varsity member of the football team for three years and varsity track athlete for two years. He plans to attend Texas A&M University to study mechanical engineering.
Genevieve Nelson, John Jay Science and Engineering Academy – Genevieve was a member of the varsity volleyball team in addition to being a part of the John Jay Varsity Mariachi Jalisco and the school’s chamber orchestra. She wants to attend the University of the Incarnate Word and pursue a career as a physical therapist.
Aliyah Aycock, John Marshall Harlan High School – Aliyah is currently a member of the varsity cheer team and plans on running track this upcoming season. She participated in the marching band her freshman year, and is currently active in HOSA and National Honor Society. She plans on going to the University of North Texas and obtaining a degree in chemistry with the intention of going into the medical field.
Madaline Hoglund, John Marshall High School – Madaline is a member of the varsity swim team as well as being a four-year member of her school’s marching band. She is also involved in the Science National Honor Society. She intends to attend the University of Texas at Austin and study biomedical engineering.
Jacob Montecinos, John Marshall High School – Jacob is a member of the cross-country and track teams at John Marshall. He also participated in his schools NJROTC program and has a white belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He plans on attending Texas A&M – San Antonio and pursuing business and kinesiology degrees.
Alyssa Elizondo, John Paul Stevens High School – Alyssa is a player for her school’s varsity basketball team and has earned Academic All-District honors three different years. She is also involved in National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She wants to attend the University of the Incarnate Word to pursue a degree in radiology.
Tatyana Gladden, Judson High School – Tatyana has spent three years playing varsity volleyball as a blocker and was also on the softball team. She is a member of her school’s science club, art club, and National Honor Society. She plans on going to the University of Texas at Dallas to study computer science.
Abram Galdeano, Karen Wagner High School – Abram is a member of the varsity baseball team and has been a member of his school’s National Honor Society for four years. He wants to go to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a career as a physicist.
Kaitlin Albarran, Keystone School – Kaitlin plays for her school’s varsity softball and basketball teams, earning a Defensive Gold Glove her freshman year. She has also been cast in three different productions with the Keystone theater department and is heavily involved in student government and the Foreign Language Club. She plans on attending Harvard College and eventually go to medical school.
Emily Martinez, L.W. Fox Tech High School – Emily has been a member of her school’s varsity basketball team for three years. She has also spent time volunteering for the Red Cross, Food Bank, and Salvation Army throughout her high school career. She plans on going to the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a career in the medical field.
Marco Campos, L.W. Fox Tech High School – Marco has been a member of his school’s swimming team for three years. He is also a state qualifier for Texas Youth and Government and is involved in National Honor Society. He intends to go to the University of Texas at Austin and get a degree in electrical engineering.
Nathan Slubar, Legacy of Educational Excellence High School – San Antonio – Nathan has been a four-year member of the marching band as a clarinet player. He plans on enrolling at Northwest Vista to pursue a career in film and animation.
Sofia Palos, Legacy of Educational Excellence High School – Sofia is a member of the Dance Plus competition team and has been a captain for two years. She is involved in the Math and Spanish Honor Societies and was Vice President of the STEM Ambassadors. She plans on attending New York University with intentions to go to law school.
Emily Gianotti, Louis D. Brandeis High School – Emily is the Senior Varsity Captain for the varsity swim team and a state championship qualifier in the 100m butterfly. She is the Founder and President of Broncode, a computer science club, and is has served as her class treasurer. She wants to go to MIT to pursue a computer science degree.
Jade Gibbs, Luther Burbank High School – Jade is a two-year member of the volleyball team and is also a decorated member of her Academic Decathlon team. She also participates in National Honor Society. She intends on attending Sam Houston State University and studying anthropology.
Margaret Urban, Lutheran High School – Margaret is a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, and track teams at Lutheran. She is the captain of the volleyball team. She is also a member an all-girls robotics team and is her church’s youth event organizer. She plans on going to Texas A&M University to pursue a career in forensic science.
Katherine Brown, New Braunfels High School – Katherine is a four-year member of the New Braunfels High School varsity swim team. She has also been a member of the school’s marching band for four years and has been a section leader for two years. She intends to go to Ohio State University and become a speech pathologist.
Marina Amaya, Northside School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship – (Business Careers) – Marina is a member of the pep squad, the varsity dance team, and the varsity cheerleading team where she was an All-American nominee. She is active in student council and is a member of the Business Professionals of America. She wants to enroll at the University of Texas at Austin with the intention of becoming a teacher.
Ezra Ramirez, Northside School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship – San Antonio – Ezra has been a member of the varsity bowling team for three years. He is also a member of the competition team for the CyberPatriots and is first chair bass for the school orchestra. He plans on going to Texas A&M University to obtain a degree in computer design.
Ariana Martinez, Oliver Wendell Holmes High School – San Antonio – Ariana is a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. She has earned All-Academic honors for both volleyball and basketball and is a student leader for the freshman mentor program at her school. She plans on attending the University of Nevada Las Vegas and major in kinesiology.
Cassiana Mefrige, Providence High School – San Antonio – Cassiana is a member of the varsity track and volleyball teams in addition to being on the cheer team at Providence. She is the president of her school’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter and performs with the St. George Maronite Lebanese Dance Group. She intends to enroll at Tulane University to study architecture.
Sarah Hauck, Providence High School – San Antonio – Sarah plays for the varsity basketball, volleyball, and track teams. She is involved in student council, National Honor Society, and the National Spanish Honor Society. She wants to attend Rice University and pursue a career in physical therapy.
Bradley Ludington, Randolph High School – Universal City – Bradley is a member of the varsity swimming team and has varsity letters for cross-country as well. He has also obtained his Eagle Scout ranking with the Boy Scouts of America. Bradley intends to enroll at the University of Texas at Austin and study biology.
Emma Swofford, Robert G. Cole High School – San Antonio – Emma is a player for the varsity volleyball team and runs hurdles for the varsity track team. She is the Senior Class President and is a member of both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She plans on attending Stanford University to pursue a degree in psychology.
Cade Cunov, Ronald Reagan High School – San Antonio – Cade has been a member of the varsity football team for two years and has competed in track in the long and triple jump. He is involved in student council and FCA. Cade plans on enrolling at the University of Texas at Austin and hopes to obtain a master’s degree in business administration.
Sofia Meagher, Saint Mary’s Hall – San Antonio – Sofia plays for the varsity basketball, track, and field hockey teams at Saint Mary’s. Additionally, she is a member of the National Art Honor Society and is a state recognized pianist. She intends to go to the University of Texas at Austin and major in architecture or graphic design.
Levolea Wallace, Sam Houston High School – San Antonio – Levolea has been a captain of the varsity volleyball team for three years, a captain of the varsity basketball team for two years, and a captain of the varsity softball team for one year. When she’s not captaining one of her teams, she does community service projects with her chapter of the ALO Christian Sorority. Levolea plans on attending the University of Houston.
Leslie Rogers, Sam Houston High School – San Antonio – Leslie is the captain of her robotics team at Sam Houston and is also a member of the marching band. She has also won 1st place in the team competition with her academic decathlon team. She wants to go to Texas A&M University to study architecture.
Lily Oliver, Samuel Clemens High School – Schertz – Lily has been on the Samuel Clemens basketball team for four years. She is the Financial Vice President of her DECA organization and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans on enrolling at Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in accounting.
Madelyn Simpson, San Antonio Christian High School – San Antonio – Madelyn is a member of the varsity tennis team, playing both singles and doubles, and has also played for her school’s volleyball team. She volunteers tutoring other students in math and science in addition to volunteering working with kids’ programs at the library. She intends to enroll at Texas A&M University and obtain a degree in chemical engineering.
Luke Brehm, Sandra Day O’Connor High School – Helotes – Luke plays for the varsity football team in addition to being a violinist for his school’s orchestra and being involved in the National Honor Society. He plans on attending the University of Alabama to pursue a degree in MIS.
Elisabeth Gutierrez, Sidney Lanier High School – San Antonio – Elisabeth is a varsity tennis and track athlete. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and student council. She plans on attending Penn State University to study interior design.
Faith Lopez, Sidney Lanier High School – San Antonio – Faith is a member of the track and field and football teams. She is also co-captain of the cheer team and a participant in mock trial and art club competitions. She intends to go to St. Mary’s University and obtain a business degree.
Hailey Hayes, Smithson Valley High School – Spring Branch – Hailey is a member of the varsity volleyball team and has been a captain for four years. She also volunteers her time at a variety of organizations including Because I Said I Would, Sean’s K-9’s, and the Bulverde Community Garden. She plans on going to Vassar College and eventually get a PHD in clinical psychology.
Sierra Rios, Somerset High School – Somerset – Sierra is a member of the varsity tennis team and has been a member of the Somerset basketball and volleyball teams. She is a team leader for her robotics club and an active participant in Upward Bound. She plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin and study aerospace engineering.
Daniel Robles Villa, South San Antonio High School – San Antonio – Daniel is a section leader for his school’s marching band and has also been the president of the mariachi band. He volunteers with the Interact Club and the National Honor Society. He wants to go the University of Texas at Austin to study music education.
Alan De Loera, Southwest High School – San Antonio – Alan is a team captain for his charrería team that earned 3rd place nationally in 2018. He is also involved in student government, having been elected the junior and senior class president, and was elected club president for the Alternative Energy Team. He intends to enroll at Stanford University to study chemical engineering.
Tumaini Agnes, Southwest Legacy High School – Tumaini has been a member of the varsity basketball team. He currently serves as the Legacy Student Council President and is involved in the school’s ambassadors’ program. He plans on attending Oakwood University to study communications.
Chyna Smith, St. Philip’s Early College High School – San Antonio – Chyna is the student government president at St. Philip’s and is an active participant in Upward Bound. She has earned the Bronze and Silver awards with the Girl Scouts of America. She plans on attending the University of Houston to pursue a degree in biology with intentions to become a physician assistant.
Giselle Martinez, The Christian School at Castle Hills – San Antonio – Giselle is a member of the varsity cheerleading team. She is also involved in her SAWS Impact Club, yearbook, and the Leadership Academy. She intends to enroll at the University of Texas at Austin pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Kellie Heron, Theodore Roosevelt High School – San Antonio – Kellie is a member of the junior varsity basketball and tennis teams at her school. She is a black belt martial artist and has played piano for seven years. She plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin to study forensics science.
Angel Isaac, Thomas A. Edison High School – San Antonio – Angel is the captain of the varsity golf team and is the drum major of the Edison marching band. He is very active throughout his school’s community as the president of both the National Honor Society and as class president. He wants to enroll at Yale University with plans to go into the medical field.
Abraham Guadiano, Thomas Jefferson High School – San Antonio – Abraham captains his school’s football team and has been a member of the team for four years. He participates in mock trial and is involved in with the National Hispanic Institute. He plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin to study biology.
Angelina Salinas-Sosa, Thomas Jefferson High School – San Antonio – Angelina has been a member of the school’s band for four years and she is the acting head drum major. She also spends her time volunteering for the school’s annual blood drive and helping recruit students for the IB program. She plans on enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a career in nursing.
Charles Lopez, TMI Episcopal – San Antonio – Charles is the captain of the varsity track team in addition to playing on the varsity cross-country and soccer teams. He has helped the soccer team to two state titles. He is also the Alpha Company Commander for his AJROTC unit and was class president. He intends to attend the United States Air Force Academy and study biomedical engineering.
Madelyn Elizondo, Tom C. Clark High School – San Antonio – Madelyn plays for the Clark soccer team and is involved in the San Antonio Youth Commission. She participates in earth club, Model U.N., and National Honor Society. She plans on attending Georgetown University to major in political science and eventually go to law school.
Marley Rokas, Veterans Memorial High School – San Antonio – Marley has been a member of the varsity basketball team for four years and the varsity volleyball team for one year. She is active in student council and the National Honor Society. She intends to go to St. Mary’s University and study political science.
Joshua Velazquez, Veterans Memorial High School – San Antonio – Joshua serves as the captain for the varsity soccer team and runs for the varsity cross-country team. He plans on enrolling at the University of Texas at Austin and study computer science.
Ariel Jupiter, Veterans Memorial High School – San Antonio – Ariel is the captain of the varsity basketball team and has been on the team for four years. She wants to go to Louisiana State University to study computer science.
Francisco Hornsby, Virginia Allred Stacey High School – San Antonio – Francisco has been a member of the varsity basketball team for three years and is also a member of the varsity golf team. Additionally, he has spent three years on the school’s jazz band. He intends to enroll at Baylor University and study business.
Haeleigh Witte, William H. Taft High School – San Antonio – Haeleigh is a varsity basketball player in addition to being a member of the National Honor Society. She plans on enrolling at Fordham University with the intention of going to law school to become a sports attorney.
Harrison Harsh, William J. Brennan High School – San Antonio – Harrison is a member of the varsity baseball team and also runs cross-country. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America organization and is involved in student council. He wants to attend Texas A&M University and study engineering.
Jarret Robinson, Winston Churchill High School – San Antonio – Jarret is a member of the varsity football, wrestling, track, and golf teams for his school. He is a captain for the football and track teams. He has also served on the Athletic Leadership Council at Churchill. He plans on attending Trinity University with the intention of eventually going to law school.
Cullen Ingersoll, Winston Churchill High School – San Antonio – Cullen is a letterman for the wrestling, track, and football teams at Churchill. He is also a member of the debate team, attended boys state, and plays the piano. He intends to go to Texas A&M University and has dreams to run his own bio-tech company.
Dynasty Perez, Young Women’s Leadership Academy – San Antonio – Dynasty has been a member of the varsity volleyball team for three years. She is a part of her school’s Student Athlete Leadership Council and Mu Alpha Theta chapter. She plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a career in ministry.