Recipients of 2024 Mr. South Texas Foundation Scholarships Named by Sen. Zaffirini at TAMIU

The Mr. South Texas Foundation (MSTF) has announced the 11 student recipients of its 2024 MSTF Scholarships.  The recipients were named in a ceremony held Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, hosted by State Senator Judith Zaffirini at Texas A&M International University‘s (TAMIU) Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center.

TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz welcomed attendees and Senator Zaffirini provided remarks.  MSTF recipients were introduced by Juan Gilberto García, TAMIU vice president of Enrollment Management.

"These outstanding students personify our foundation's motto—From Scholarship to Leadership," said Senator Zaffirini, MSTF president, "I am delighted to recognize them for they have not only excelled in academics and extracurricular activities but also demonstrated commitment to community service and dedication to family. We are proud of their achievements and expect them to surpass these accomplishments."

The 2024 Mr. South Texas Foundation provides each recipient with a $1,000 scholarship. The recipients are:

Luis Arriaga – Hector García Early College High School, Arriaga intends to attend the University of Houston this fall to study Electrical Engineering.

Sebastian Avena – Lyndon B. Johnson High School, Avena intends to attend Texas A&M University this fall to become an orthopedic surgeon with a background in Biomedical Engineering. 

Arturo Chavez – Cigarroa High School, Chavez plans to attend Texas A&M International University this fall to study Biology.

Sebastian Guajardo – United High School, Guajardo intends to study business management at the University of Texas in Austin this fall.

Mateo Hernández – Alexander High School, Hernández plans to attend Harvard this fall to study Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Rebecca Leza – St. Augustine High School, Leza will study Architectural Engineering at Texas A&M University Kingsville this fall.

Sofia Tobias – J.W. Nixon High School, Tobias intends to attend Texas A&M International University this fall to study Psychology.

Jorge Perez Torres – Martin High School, Jorge plans to study Business Administration at Texas A&M International University this fall.

Naomi Virrey – United South High School, Virrey will attend Texas A&M International University this fall to study Education.

Alfredo Moran – Laredo College, Moran intends to transfer to the University of Texas at San Antonio to study Business Marketing.

AnaSofia Del Prado – Texas A&M International University, Del Prado is studying Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and will graduate with her Bachelor’s degree in December of this year.  

When the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association named her Mr. South Texas in 1999, Senator Zaffirini established the MSTF and raised the money for the annual scholarships. Her goal then, as now, is to honor students deemed the most likely future Mr. South Texas honorees and who would pledge to return to South Texas.

To date, the MSTF has provided over $250,000 in scholarships to Laredo students. Selection criteria include a commitment to live in South Texas after college graduation, a minimum "B" average in high school, a minimum 90 percent attendance, exemplary character, and leadership potential.

"Investing in promising students pursuing higher education truly benefits our state and region," Senator Zaffirini observed, "Higher education will equip these future leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to continue to excel and help countless others throughout their lives, " Senator Zaffirini said.

For additional information regarding the Mr. South Texas Foundation Scholarship, please contact the Foundation at 956.722.2293.

Recently, the Mr. South Texas Foundation honored 11 students with the 2024 Mr. South Texas Scholarship, during ceremonies held at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Pictured, from left to right, are (Top Row): Juan Gilberto García, TAMIU vice president of Enrollment Management; Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; State Senator Judith Zaffirini; Sebastian Guajardo, United High School; Luis Arriaga, Hector García Early College High School; Sebastian Avena, Lyndon B. Johnson High School; Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU president; Jorge "JD" Delgado, Laredo College Board of Trustees vice president; and Heriberto Hernández, Laredo College dean of Workforce Education. (Bottom Row): Alfredo Moran, Laredo College; AnaSofia Del Prado, TAMIU; Rebecca Leza, St. Augustine High School; Jorge Perez Torres, Martin High School; Naomi Virrey, United South High School; Sofia Tobias, J.W. Nixon High School; and Mateo Hernández, Alexander High School. Not pictured: Arturo Chavez, Cigarroa High School,