2023 Scholars
Abigail Windscheffel
Incarnate Word High School
Abigail is a member of the Texas Children’s Service choir where she is a sectional leader. She is on Honor Roll, a member of Varsity Swim and theater at school. Outside of school, Abigail is a member of Girls Inc, Eureka STEM and Young Women’s secretary at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.
Alexis Holmes
Lutheran High School of San Antonio
Alexis maintains a busy schedule by splitting her time between academics, volunteering, and extracurricular activities in and out of school. She has participated in and placed in multiple science fairs. To list a few of her clubs and organizations, Alexis participates in Robotics, Student Council and Mayor’s Fitness Council. As an athlete, Alexis plays basketball, softball, track and tennis.
Aneesa Moreno
CAST Med
At CAST Med, Aneesa is part of numerous clubs, including the Art Club, Guitar Club and Drama Club where she is a dancer. Aneesa served as the President of the National Junior Honor Society last year. Aneesa wants to be a pathologist and anticipates the Academy will help shape her future of reaching her biomedical profession dream.
Anthony Castaneda
John Jay Science and Engineering Academy
At John Jay SEA, Anthony serves as a member of the student council, maintaining his high GPA. With a strong interest in science, Anthony is excited to see what the future holds for him in the biomedical profession.
Ariana Chaudhary
Northside Health Careers High School
Demonstrating her passion of helping others and academics, Ariana is the founder of Access to Specialist Knowledge (ASK), a nonprofit organization where she connects healthcare workers in sub-Saharan Africa to the US, and the co-founder of Biolympiad Club at her school. Ariana also participates in HOSA, science fair, Latin Club and is on a competitive dance team.
Audrey Samora
Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Audrey serves as her class treasurer at YWLA and historian of the Interact Club as part of community service. Moreover, she is an associate with the Math Honor Society, plays soccer and runs track, interns at both Doseum and Women’s Mental Health Services, and teaches a weekly class on Mental Health.
Autumn MacPherson
Karen Wagner High School
At Wagner, Autumn has a love for the arts and is in the Junior Varsity orchestra and Art Club where she competes. Autumn is extremely excited for the Academy and hopes to gain confidence, reduce stress and work on her time management while in the program.
Avani Nagaragere
Northside Health Careers High School
Avani partakes in activities spanning from academics related and sports to volunteering and music. Specifically, Avani is in Youth Leadership Council, volunteers with Project MEND and Texas Diaper Bank, plays volleyball and has over ten years of dance experience in many forms.
Bella Gonzalez
St. Philips Early College
In addition to her academics at St. Philips Early College High School, one of Bella’s extracurricular activities includes taking care of and riding horses. This activity has led Bella to learn discipline since taking care of these animals calls for attention before and after school. She believes that her horses have had the biggest positive impact on her life.
Emad Makinsi
International School of the Americas
Emad is the president of the National Junior Honor Society at his school. He is also a school ambassador for the STEM program and was selected as one of fifteen students to make up the academic scholar group at ISA. Furthermore, Emad is on the basketball team. All experiences have taught him adaptability, teamwork, communication, and patience.
Gabriella Perdikis
Providence High School
Gabriella is active at Providence High School, where she serves as a student ambassador, and is on the Varsity swim team. Outside of school, Gabriella is a JV volunteer at the Witte Museum and is a Girl Scout Senior, where she is a Silver Award Recipient.
Gennevieve Mountcastle
Providence High School
Currently, Gennevieve is a part of multiple activities such as the Central Catholic Marching Band, concert band, and Providence drumline. Furthermore, Gennevieve is on the Varsity basketball team and is in the Global Justice Club, Drama Club, Book Club and the Rosary Interact Club.
Jocelyn Tamez
Judson Early College Academy
Presently, Jocelyn is very active. Her initiatives include class treasurer and Matachines Dancer. Jocelyn is also a member of the Health Professions Club, Student Council, Key Club, Spanish Club and UIL. She looks forward to gaining knowledge from the program to help her on her journey of obtaining a degree in neuroscience.
Klarisse Velazquez
Northside Health Careers High School
Klarisse spends her free time volunteering for Camp Camp, the Feral Cat Coalition and the San Antonio Food Bank. At school, Klarisse is a proud member of HOSA, the Latin Club, and Student Council in addition to running track and field and serving as section leader of clarinets in band.
Linda Lopez
Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Linda is an associate of both the Mu Alpha Data and National Honor Society in addition to being a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She serves as the Vice President of her class of 2026, plays soccer and is in the Transport You Club.
Mannat Dhillon
Ronald Reagan High School
Mannat remains active in and out of school. At Reagan High School, Mannat is in on the JV golf team and a member of the HOSA and Mu Alpha Theta clubs. She is also a participant in policy debate, Got Hope Club and volunteers at the First Tee of San Antonio on weekends.
Meera Nair
William J. Brennan High School
At Brennan High School, Meera is in both the National Junior Honor Society and the Debate Club. Meera has enjoyed playing the piano since the young age of four. She believes that piano has taught her how to build perseverance and grit. Meera feels the same way about science.
Noelia Plantenga
Harlan High School
In addition to her academics, Noelia is in the 3D Print Club, Book Club, Creative Writing Club and Science Club. She is a Regional French Contest competitor and in orchestra. Noelia is also apart of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Academy of Water Influencers.
Paulina Garcia
CAST Med
Serving as treasurer, Paulina is a member of both Year and student council at CAST Med. In addition to her leadership roles in her clubs, Paulina remains active in both volleyball and soccer.
Siri Borra
BASIS- Shavano
Siri spends her time outside of academics in numerous organizations. She holds leadership positions in PURE Youth, UNICEF, and Amnesty International and serves as a volunteer with several cancer related initiatives. Additionally, Siri participates in the arts (piano and dance), sports (volleyball) and medical clubs.
Zulema Garcia
LEE STEM Academy
At LEE STEM Academy, Zulema is a part of the Garden Club where she built a mini aqueduct to collect rainwater, truly demonstrating her love for the environment. Showing her passion for music, Zulema plays the guitar and is a part of the school’s Mariachi Unido.