2011 Scholars

Alan Wang

Mentor: Dr. David Morilak

Brandeis High School
Alan has served as the National Science Bowl Team Captain and participated in Math UIL competition. He’s involved in karate and plays the piano and enjoys art. Additionally, he is on the swim team and the debate team at school.

Anand Ahuja

Mentor: Dr. Sunil Ahuja

Keystone School
Anand is a strong competitor and successful recipient of numerous science fair awards. He has competed in UIL science and math competitions and tutored 7th graders to take the SAT for the Duke Tip Program. Anand is also described as a great team player participating in basketball and soccer

 

 

Anand recently won first prize in zoology in the team event with Wesley Rodriguez at the Alamo Regional Academy of Science and Engineering competition held at St. Mary’s University. Anand’s mentor, Dr. Sunil Ahuja, is incredibly proud of Anand’s accomplishments!

Britny Vale

Mentor: Dr. Jack Lancaster

The Atonement Academy
Britny is on the school volleyball and basketball teams and has been a member of the National Volleyball team as well. She is a member of the Impact 15 club and volunteers with the Elf Louise Christmas project and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Cassandra Alvarado

Mentor: Dr. Carlos Orihuela

Health Careers High School
Cassandra has completed 3 years of PREP and has received honors and scholarships to local universities. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and has received recognition by the Duke TIP Program. She also plays the trumpet for the San Antonio Brass and volunteers for the Catholic War Veterans, St. Matthew’s Church and the Reagan Public Library.

Catherine Arcos

Mentor: Dr. Alina Maloyan

Kipp University Prep High School
Catherine is a hard working student and volunteer and is described as extremely motivated, naturally intelligent and meticulous. She is a team player always helping other to excel through her work with the St. John Youth Group and St. John Faith Formation Group.

Cori Ballard

Mentor: Dr. Senlin Li

John Marshall High School
Cori is ranked 7th in her freshman class and a member of the Student Council and National Junior Honor Society. She has participated in History Fairs and placed 8th in the state and is a cellist in the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. Cori was selected by Lead America to receive the Gold President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence from the President of the United States.

Diana Olshevskaya

Mentor: Dr. Alina Maloyan

International School of the Americas
Diana plays club tennis, is a member of the math and science club, the debate team, and the book club. She served as a Freshman Board Leader at her school and participated in the Interact Volunteer Club. She has been a part of MUNSU and CTMUN simulations of the United Nations and is a UIL winner in history, science and writing.

Efosa Iyinbor

Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Eaton

Health Careers High School
Efosa-Dimitar is an active participant of the science bowl team and an online NASA Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education. He has entered UIL competitions for math, history, dictionary skills, calculator, and number sense. Efosa has also placed 1st in the ALPHA Mentathlon competition, state finalist in the Mathcounts Bexar Chapter Competition, and 1st in the ALPHA Eureka Commercial Skit and Paper Stool competitions.

John Larrumbide

Mentor: Dr. David Wampler

Roosevelt High School-Engineering Technology Academy
Jacob is a member of the Junior ROTC-in the varsity rifle team, the Riders Lacrosse team, the Technology Students Association and is in the National Honor Society. He is civic-minded and recently raised $5000 to support an orphanage in his mother’s hometown in India and he volunteers regularly with his church youth group.

Jonah Crayton

Mentor: Dr. Reto Asmis

City Center Health Careers High School
Jonah is a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA and has gone to Austin, Texas to compete for the Math Olympiad. He is the freshman class historian and author of an article for the class newsletter. Jonah is described as a model student with a keen interest in Anatomy and Physiology which is a college level course taught at CCHC. His interests also include church activities like ACTS retreats for teens.

Joseph Lucas

Mentor: Dr. Qiitao Ran

John Jay-Science and Engineering Academy
Joseph has competed in the science fair, winning awards in physics. He plays the trombone and is a member of the school band. He volunteers at his church as a teacher’s assistant in Sunday School classes.

Joseph Pecha

Mentor: Dr. Jean Jiang

The Atonement Academy
Joseph has won awards in the private school interscholastic association science competitions, placing 1st in district and 2nd in state. He plays the piano and sings in the Honor’s Choir at school. Additionally, he plays varsity football and junior varsity basketballs. He volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen and is a member of the Youth Society.

Kevin Lee

Mentor: Dr. Thomas Slaga

Keystone School
Kevin is a member of the Spanish and the Chess Club. He plays on the varsity tennis team and the varsity golf team. He also enjoys playing the piano. He won the first grand prize at the ARASE science fair, 1st at the Exxon Mobile State Science Fair and has won many awards at the chapter Mathcounts and Math Olympiad competitions.

Marisela Casanova

Mentor: Dr. Lily Dong

John Jay High School-Science and Engineering Academy
Maricela was a student of the PREP program, graduating with honors and receiving a scholarship. She is a member of the Marching Band and the Mariachi Group playing the flute, guitar and golpe. She is described as a very dedicated, creative and diligent student. Maricela participated in the Teen Medical Academy at the Health Science Center and is now a student teacher for the program.

Mary De Filippo

Mentor: Dr. Sunil Ahuja

Antonian College Preparatory High School
Mary has been on academic honor roll since 4th grade and placed 3rd in History and Science Fairs in middle school. She is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society and was recognized for her top scores in the Critical Reading section of the SAT exam by the Dukes TIP Program. Mary is also an advocate of her community by participating in the St. Matthew’s Closet which ministers to homeless children living in S.A.M.M. shelters.

Pavan Patamalla

Mentor: Dr. Senlin Li

St. Mary’s Hall
Pavan has won 1st place in Novice Debate and is a Varsity State Points Holder. He has won awards as part of the robotics and engineering club and has participated in model United Nations clubs. He plays JV football and basketball. He is also a Junior Statesman of America, a science bowl team member, a National Piano Guild player and is a Life Rank Boy Scout. Pavan also volunteers at the S.A.M. shelter and the Hindu Temple of San Antonio.

Rebecca Garcia

Mentor: Dr. Jason O’Connor

Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Rebecca is the Freshman Council Treasurer, a past participant of the PREP I and II program, and the Teen Medical Academy at the Health Science Center. She has also participated in the OLLU Crime Scene Investigation Camp, National History Fair competitions, Ethno Mathematics Club and the Epigenetic Dynamics in the Immune System Symposium. Rebecca is described as always prepared, ready to learn and passionate about science.

Sarina Obeid

Mentor: Dr. Sunil Ahuja

The Atonement Academy
Sarina has competed in her school science fair, plays the piano and sings in the Honors Choir at school and in the choir at her church as well. She has been awarded superior rankings in both solo and ensemble vocal competitions. She has been in girl scouts for 10 years and has achieved the Silver Award. She volunteers as a tutor in math and science and participates in the Maronite Youth Organization.

Selena Ortiz

Mentor: Dr. Pratap Kumar

KIPP University Prep High School
Selena runs in cross country and is part of the scrabble club at school. She has won numerous scholastic honors at her school and describes herself as extremely eager to learn new things.

Taylor Devlin

Mentor: Dr. Borries Demeler

TMI-Episcopal School of Texas
Taylor was awarded the best overall project at her 8th grade science fair and is a dedicated participant in volleyball, basketball and softball. She is described as being very responsible and passionate about her academic and extracurricular activities. Taylor is also a member of the BETA club which is a leadership and community service organization that helps to clean the Ronald McDonald House and deliver gifts at Christmas.