2017 Scholars

Alexander Bekar

Mentor: Lily Dong, Ph.D.

Design and Technology Academy @ Roosevelt High School

Alexander is a member of the HOSA chapter at his school and a member of the band. He also participates in UIL Ready Writing and UIL Social Studies competitions. Additionally, he is an active member of church and attended PREP from 2014-2016.

Angelica Park

Mentor: Gregory Aune, Ph.D.

Johnson High School

Angelica participates in the UIL/Region Choir Junior Olympics and serves as her Club Volleyball Team Captain. She often volunteers at GenCure, the Texas Cord Blood Bank, the San Antonio Bereavement Center, and the San Antonio Food Bank. She is Leader Member of LifeTeen at her church. Additionally, she has been recognized as an Outstanding Soloist in Solo and Ensemble and is the JHS Freshman A Team Volleyball Team Captain and MVP.

Anton Perera

Mentor: Senlin Li, Ph.D.

Basis San Antonio Medical Center

Anton is his National Science Bowl Team Captain and Founder, a UIL Science competitor, a Texas Forensics Association Debate competitor and a UIL Debate competitor. He is his Junior Statesmen of America Chapter Co-founder and Vice President, and serves as a Peer tutor in AP Geography and AP U.S. Government/Politics.

Beril Saygin

Mentor: Georgianna Gould, Ph.D.

Keystone School

Beril was the Freshman Class President. Additionally, she is the Founder and President of Astronomy Club, a Chairperson in Foreign Language Club and the Cultural Awareness Committee, a member of the school Yearbook staff, a member of the Key Crew (Spirit Club), and the Captain of her Quizbowl and Science bowl teams. She volunteers at SNIPSA and Respite Care and is also a member of the high school volleyball team and a club tennis team.

Brandon Rice

Mentor: Georgianna Gould, Ph.D.

BASIS North Central

Brandon is the head of web design and the assistant editor-in chief for his school newspaper. He is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and is in the Honors Band as a French horn player. He is a member of the table top gaming club and the co-founder of the SNIPSA volunteer organization. Additionally, he enjoys CrossFit activities and is a Peer tutor in Math.

Donald Duggan

Mentor: Sunil Ahuja, Ph.D.

Keystone School

Donald is a member of the Academic Worldquest Choir and the Astronomy Club at his school. He also participates in the Model UN and plays tennis. Additionally, he has participated in the theater arts and TCEA Robotics.

Elizabeth Esparza

Mentor: Danet Lapiz-Bluhm, Ph.D.

Fox Tech High School

Elizabeth is a competitive swimmer and enjoys playing Water Polo. She volunteers as a Sunday school teaching assistant at her church. She is musically inclined and enjoys playing both the piano and the flute.

Gabriella Montemayor

Mentor: Sunil Ahuja, Ph.D.

Judson Early College Academy

Gabriella is a member of the San Antonio Humane Society and volunteers at the animal rescue center. She also actively participates in UIL Ready Writing.

Giovanna Romero

Mentor: Luke Norton, Ph.D.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Giovanna is the Class of 2020 President at her school, serves as Student Council Secretary, and National Junior Honor Society Vice President. She is a member of the Young Women’s Journalist Association, an aspiring violinist, and a member of the Yearbook club. She participates in the Harvard Kindness Initiative and Science Fair competitions.

Hiromi Avila

Mentor: Miranda Orr, Ph.D

Harmony Science Academy

Hiromi focuses on her academics and is proud to be a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She strives to maintain her class rank and currently is among the top 3 in her class based on grade point average.

Jair De La Rosa

Mentor: James Lechleiter, Ph.D.

St Philip’s Early College High School

Jair thoroughly enjoys the field of science and is very excited about the new experiences awaiting him as a Voelcker Scholar. He has competed in the Alamo Regional Science & Engineering Fair and the Junior Academy of Science.

Jordan Glassman

Mentor: Miranda Orr, Ph.D.

Taft High School

Jordan excels in academics and in music. He is a member of his high school drumline. In his spare time, he enjoys volunteering in church related activities.

Mara Asmis

Mentor: Luke Norton, Ph.D.

Health Careers High School

Mara is a scholar-athlete. She enjoys swimming, both recreationally and competitively. She is a member of her high school swim team and also competes in a club swim team. Additionally, she enjoys the musical arts and plays the piano.

Mariluz Gonzalez

Mentor: Danet Lapiz-Bluhm, Ph.D.

Memorial Early College High School

Mariluz is a proud member of the San Marcos Mariachi Academy and also plays the guitar. She is an alter server at her church and enjoys volunteering wherever she is needed.

McKenzie Siller

Mentor: Elizabeth Leadbetter, Ph.D.

Providence Catholic School

McKenzie enjoys being a long-term member of the Page Turners Club. Additionally, she balances academics and athletics playing as a member of her school softball team.

Riley Pritchett

Mentor: Gangadhara Reddy Sareddy, Ph.D.

Ronald Reagan High School

Riley is a volunteer at the San Antonio Humane Society and is pursuing becoming a volunteer at the San Antonio’s Habitat for Humanity and Food Bank. He is community-service minded and strives to excel both in academics and in volunteerism.

Sunwoo Kim

Mentor: Lily Dong, Ph.D.

Churchill High School

Sunwoo is a member the Orchestra at her school and also serves as the freshman representative for that organization. She is member of the National Junior Honor Society and served as an officer. She competes in Academic UIL and is part of a local ping pong club. Additionally, she enjoys activities with her church youth group.

Valeria Acosta

Mentor: Gregory Collins, Ph.D.

Harmony Science Academy

Valeria excels in academics and is currently ranked as the top student in her class of 106. She is also musically inclined and a member of her school’s band. She is eager to learn more about the opportunities in biomedical research and is excited to be a member of the newest cohort of Volcker Scholars.

Varsha Mulamreddy

Mentor: Pratap Kumar, Ph.D.

Brandeis High School

Varsha is a member of her student council, an environmental club called the EcoBroncos, and the Future Physicians Club. She is also a volunteer at Grace Hospice and a member of Girls Inc., which focuses on encouraging girls to pursue STEM. She is also a member of the school JV golf team and enjoys playing the piano.

Yuan Yuan Ding

Mentor: Senlin Li, Ph.D.

St. Mary’s Hall

Yuan Yuan is a Baron Ambassador for her school. She volunteers in her community at local animal shelters, at the Animal Defense League of Texas, and at pet foster clinics. She also volunteers at the San Antonio Food Bank, where she makes and serves meals, and packages boxes in the warehouse.