Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2029 Announced

 The Texas Exes is pleased to announce the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2029. This program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Earlier this spring, 64 impressive finalists joined our staff and current Scholars on the UT campus for a full weekend showcasing life on the Forty Acres. The weekend included visits to their admitted colleges, a mock class with a UT professor, a field tour of the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, networking dinners, informative panels, and more—all concluding with individual interviews.Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to our 20 new and exceptional Forty Acres Scholars. Among the incoming class are founders of community service programs, school clubs, and businesses. Also in the mix are four high school valedictorians and six AP Scholars with Distinction. Many more are decorated varsity athletes, team captains, club presidents, musicians, and entrepreneurs.These Scholars will receive full funding for their tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and opportunities for enrichment activities including a global experience, professional and personal development, volunteer and service opportunities, and the chance to help further their education. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, the Forty Acres Scholars Program helps Scholars develop a unique connection with their alma mater—and with each other. Over their four years on campus, Scholar cohorts form a tight bond with each other and serve as a powerful network and resource to each other during their time on campus and beyond.  Meet the Class of 2029:   Isabelle Grace Ballard from New York, New York, is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Avenues the World School in New York, Ballard was the editor of the school newspaper, a part of Humanities Fellowship, and the editor of the school fashion magazine. Her awards and recognitions include the Youth Journalism International 2024 Excellence in Journalism First Place Award, Feature Writing by an Individual and Youth Journalism International 2024 Excellence in Journalism Finalist, and the Frank Keegan Award for News Reporting. She also is very good at learning every lyric to every song! Ballard plans to major in journalism while also exploring art history, philosophy, political science, and theology. She is the daughter of Lisa Ballard and Andrew Ballard. Sienna Dierkes from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Susie and John L. Adams Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Frisco High School, Dierkes was the founder & lead organizer of TEDxFrisco HS Youth, the social media manager for Global Renewal, a global anti-trafficking organization, where she volunteered more than 700 hours, and founder of Aero Design Lab, a marketing agency, where she worked with more than a dozen clients. Her awards and recognitions include being a Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurship Competition Global Finalist, graduating summa cum laude, and Spanish National Honor Society. Dierkes plans to major in Canfield Business Honors while also exploring Finance. She is the daughter of Vikki DiPerna and Jim Dierkes. Ella Dillinger from Boerne, Texas, is the recipient of the Lowell Lebermann Scholarship. While attending the Geneva School of Boerne, Dillinger served as executive editor of design and concept for the Geneva Quarterly, the school magazine, volunteer coordinator for Rebecca’s Wish, a local nonprofit, and was the girls varsity tennis team captain. Her awards and recognitions include the Geneva Quarterly winning a silver crown and two gold crowns from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association while on staff and in leadership, played violin in the 1st in state school orchestra, and was a PSAT National Rural and Small Town Recognized Scholar. She was also born in Germany! Dillinger plans to major in Civics Honors and Plan II Honors. She is the daughter of Mandy and Michael Dillinger. Betty Falvo from San Antonio, Texas, is the recipient of the Catherine G. and Sam L. Susser Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Alamo Heights High School, Falvo was the school mascot all four years, attending sporting events, pep rallies, and fundraisers. She was co-founder and president of Rho Kappa History Honor Society. Falvo also served on the high school's strategic planning committee for three years, where she met with administrators, counselors, department heads, and parents to discuss school policy, curriculum, construction plans, and school-wide events. Her awards and recognitions include earning the President's Volunteer Service Award all four years for serving 100+ hours each year. The majority of these volunteer hours were spent serving families at a local homeless shelter. She served as secretary of the French Club and Latin Club and was a member of National Honor Society, Science NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Sociedad honoraria Hispanica, and Latin Honor Society. Falvo is a classically trained pianist, loves going to concerts, and can't wait to take on Austin's live music scene. She was also the valedictorian of her class. Falvo plans to major in Canfield Business Honors and Plan II Honors. She is the daughter of Annamarie and Mark Falvo. Sean Gelman from Marlboro, New Jersey, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Carl and Keely Carter Family Fund. While attending Marlboro High School, Gelman was the president of Marlboro High School’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter, president of Marlboro High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, and student CEO of the Business Administration Magnet Program at Marlboro High School. His awards and recognitions include first place in the United States in Accounting II at the FBLA National Leadership Conference (2024), captain of Marlboro’s first place team in the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs High School Consumer Bowl (2024), and National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction (2024). He was also a member of Marlboro High School’s varsity cross country and track teams for all four years of high school and created “Project Fight Senior Fraud” - an initiative where he organized workshops at senior citizen communities, educating members about strategies to avoid scams and providing tools for members to conduct due diligence on their financial advisors. Gelman is the valedictorian of his class. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors Program (CBHP) with interests in Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship. He is the son of Meryl and Seth Gelman. Caden George from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, in honor of Alan W. Hamm. While attending the Trinity Valley School, George was elected to key student government positions, including student body president. He served on two summer Global Brigade trips to Honduras, where he set up medical clinics, built eco-stoves for local farmers to improve air quality, and supported reforestation efforts. He was also in an after-school architecture, construction, and engineering mentorship program, and he led the computational design of a penguin exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo and an art deco museum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. His awards and recognitions include a $10,000 scholarship from the ACE Mentorship Program for outstanding involvement, leadership, and commitment to the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields, AP Scholar with Distinction, and Cum Laude Society. He loves to play the cello and was the first chair cellist in his school's orchestra. Among his many interests, George enjoyed serving a captain of his varsity tennis team, writing about his travel in his local community magazine, and co-founded Valley Lawn Service. He plans to major in Mechanical Engineering with an interest in the Industrial Engineering & Management track with a minor in Business. He is the son of Anjum and Dr. Josh George. Mitul Gouni from Allen, Texas, is the recipient of the Diana and S. Todd Maclin Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Allen High School, Gouni was the executive director of Lightbulb Tutoring, president of Allen HS Junior World Affairs Council, and the committee lead of the Allen Gun Safety Committee. His awards and recognitions include the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the PVSA Gold Medal, and a Cameron Scholarship Finalist. Gouni was valedictorian of his graduating class. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors with an interest in exploring Humanities. Gouni is the son of Swapna Konda and Praveen Gouni. Abby Haydon from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Susan M. Cooley. While attending Centennial High School, Haydon was on student council, where she fostered school spirit through community-wide events, school dances, and initiatives that celebrated athletic, academic, and fine art success. She served as Junior Frisco League president and a co-founding officer of Best Buddies. Her awards and recognitions include AP Scholar with Distinction, “Titan Heart” Volleyball Award and the Collin College Health Professions Student of Excellence Award. Haydon also completed the Ascension Seton Austin Half Marathon and the BMW Dallas Half Marathon. She spent two summers volunteering at Texas Health and Children’s Health, where she was inspired to pursue a career in nursing. She plans to major in Nursing as part of the Nursing Honors Program. She is the daughter of Kim and Blake Haydon. Shivani Jayaraj from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Chris Cartwright Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Independence High School, Jayaraj founded the Lead The Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational equity by providing essential infrastructure, like school buses, restrooms, and learning resources, to underserved rural schools around the world. She was the lead organizer of a citywide march in Frisco mobilizing 250 people to advocate for school safety and raise funds for victims of the Uvalde school shooting. She managed logistics with city officials and brought in congressional candidates to amplify the cause. She was also the founder of Youth for Youth, an initiative promoting civic engagement among young voters. Her awards and recognitions include a $1,000 Voter Impact Collective (VIC) award for advancing youth voter engagement in Collin and Dallas Counties, Texas, she qualified twice for the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) and was honored with U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Gold and Silver Awards. Jayaraj plans to major in Canfield Business Honors Program while also pursuing a Scientific Computation and Data Sciences Certificate, and the Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP). She is the daughter of Maheswari Jayaraj and Jayaraj Velayutham. Annabelle Judson from Austin, Texas, is the recipient of the Carol and Gary Kelly Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending St. Michael’s Preparatory School, Judson was the creator, director, and producer of Aiding Austin, an inspiring short series that shines a spotlight on Austin-area nonprofits. As one of the youngest producers at the Austin Film Society, she completed 13 certification classes, mastering professional filmmaking techniques. Additionally, she served as co-founder and co-president of the Mandarin Cultural Club at St. Michael’s, passionately promoting Chinese language and traditions within the community. Her awards and recognitions include being an award-winning filmmaker, recognized at film festivals nationwide for her creative storytelling. Her accolades include Best Student Screenwriter at the Austin Revolution Film Festival and a finalist placement at the Student Los Angeles Film Awards. Beyond filmmaking, her commitment to service has earned the Presidential Bronze and Presidential Gold Awards from AmeriCorps, honoring over 100 hours of community service for two consecutive years. Additionally, she received the Senior Recognition Award from the National Charity League for completing the most volunteer hours in her chapter. Judson proudly serves as the Social Officer for St. Michael’s dance team. Dance is a cornerstone of her life, and she's eager to pursue this passion throughout college. She plans to major in Radio-Television-Film and would love to double-major in advertising and minor in Mandarin Chinese. She is the daughter of Julie and Don Judson. Karys Karlow from Plano, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Reba and Ralph Ferrell; as well as the Chevron Enrichment Award. While attending Trinity Christian Academy, Karlow founded Buckner Rising Stars—a volleyball camp for underprivileged girls, worked in the civil engineering department at University of Texas at Arlington as a paid research intern, and served as the varsity volleyball two-year captain and MVP. Her awards and recognitions include being a National Merit Scholar, WFAA Scholar Athlete of the Week, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Scholastic Art & Writing Award - Regional Gold Key Award Winner. She also won two of the female weightlifting categories at her school. Karlow plans to major in Honors Civil Engineering and Plan II Honors with a possible minor in physics and/or entrepreneurship. She is the daughter of Kelli and Marvin Karlow. Hayden Kramer from Bellaire, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Bret and Michelle Bellard Family. While attending the St. John’s School, Kramer spent last summer as a Wright Scholar (summer internship) with the Air Force Research Laboratory on the Wright Patterson Air Force Base researching aircraft systems fault failures. He is an Eagle Scout and his Eagle project was building a chimney swift tower for migrating birds in a local park in his community. He is also a competitive indoor skydiver and recently won first place in two-way dynamic intermediate at the U.S. National indoor skydiving championships last November. His awards and recognitions include AP Scholar with Distinction, The President’s Volunteer Service Award, and a National Merit Commended Scholar. Kramer also is a certified outdoor skydiver, loves to design and build R/C aircrafts, is a certified scuba diver, and has been to all seven continents. He plans to major in Aerospace Engineering. He is the son of Jennifer and Adam Kramer. London Lee from McKinney, Texas, is the recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending McKinney Boyd High School, Lee was a member of the PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership Services) organization for two years where she provided mentorship and support to children with special needs at partner elementary and middle schools. Lee specialized in working with autistic individuals and others who were largely nonverbal. She was the junior coach of the Lucky Stars cheer team, where she trained and supported special needs athletes in cheerleading routines, promoting confidence, and teamwork. Lee has been working as a behavioral coach for two years delivering personalized behavioral coaching to individuals with special needs. Her awards and recognitions include receiving the National Hispanic Recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievement, the Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a minimum of 3.5 weighted grade point average, and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She has also been a competitive cheerleader for the last four years. She plans to major in Special Education with interests in Educational Policy and Social Work. She is the daughter of Nicole Lee and Chad Fragle. Gabriel Melo from Georgetown, Texas, is the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Rouse High School, Melo was president of Rouse DECA and preseident and founder of Rouse Young Investors Society, and a Bank of America Student Leader. His awards and recognitions include DECA 7th Place Internationally and three-time international finalist in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Event, Top 100 Finalist for the Global Stock Pitch Competition, and a National Merit Finalist. He is fluent in Portuguese and has taught Portuguese fluency to over 100 amazing kids. As President of his DECA chapter, he ran a $50k fundraiser in partnership with the Double Good Kids Foundation to provide opportunities for neurodivergent children and their families. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors with a potential double major in Business Analytics as well as a minor in Marketing. He is the son of Alessandra and Gilson Melo. Jawaad Merali from Pflugerville, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Audrey and Thomas Pesek. While attending Hendrickson High School, Merali was treasurer of the National Honor Society and engineering captain of Science Olympiad. His awards and recognitions include IBM Thomas J. Watson Memorial Award, National Merit Commended Scholar, and AP Scholar with Distinction. Merali was valedictorian of his class. He plans to major in Computer Science with interest in also pursuing a Certificate in Cybersecurity and a Certificate in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence. He is the son of Salika Merali and Taha Merali. Paari Palani from Allen, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Henry and Tanya Nahmad. While attending Lovejoy High School, Palani was Captain of the Debate team, Member of school district's bond planning committee, and President of Investment Club. His awards and recognitions include Top speaker at Stanford in the TOC Policy Division, CX UIL State Champion, and NSDA Degree of Premier Distinction. He also worked at Subway for 4 years, loves playing board games, is always listening to music, and wants to travel to each country in Europe. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors while also pursuing a second major in Finance. He is the son of Priya Kannan and Ananth Palani. Justin Pollack from Irvine, California, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Lana Jones O'Hara and Will O'Hara. While attending University High School, Pollack was a lab and research assistant at the UC Irvine Subsurface Processes Lab, served as a paid organizer for California Democrats over two election cycles where he managed volunteers and organized outreach events in re-election campaigns, and was a member of University High School's Hope Squad chapter as partof an international peer-to-peer suicide prevention organization. His awards and recognitions include a Science Fair project titled "Forming Flash Floods: Applying the Horton Infiltration Model Through an Arroyo’s Stream Course," which won 4th Place at the California State Science & Engineering Fair, 2nd Place at the Orange County Science & Engineering Fair, 1st Place at the Irvine Unified School District science fair, and two recognition awards from the Orange County Water District and Irvine Ranch Water District. He was the 2024 Easton Ethics Award Recipient, for outstanding contributions and active engagement as a teaching assistant and co-author of publications at the UC Irvine Interdisciplinary Center for Ethics & Morality. In his free time, he loves hiking, skiing, off-roading and being outdoors. Pollack plans to major in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology and is interested in the Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP) and the Sustainable Energy or Hydrology minors. He is interested in developing his understanding of engineering and technology to build solutions and effectively manage water and energy resources. He is the son of Susanne Stark and Jaime Pollack. Trey Rolston from Midland, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Vicki and Jim Rado. While attending Legacy High School, Rolston was the Texas Boys State district chairman, president of the choir program, and he cofounded and edited the Rebel Reporter newspaper. His awards and recognitions include being named a National Merit Scholar, a Troupe 5968 National Honor Thespian, and he received Division 1 for both solo and ensemble at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble contest, as well as being his class valedictorian. Rolston also likes to emcee and he was his school's go-to emcee for pep rallies and football games. He plans to major in Music Performance while possibly pursuing certificates in Ethics and Leadership in Law, Politics, and Government, or minor in Law, Justice, and Society. He is the son of Erika Rolston and Jay Rolston. Annika Sawant from Carrollton, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Jon Brelig. While attending Hebron High School, she was president of IntelliChoice, president of the school orchestra, and the STEM club president. Her awards and recognitions include being a two-time National Young Arts Winner in Popular Voice, Salutatorian, and DECA + HOSA state winner, and international competitor. She likes New York Times games, baking, and Gossip Girl. She plans to major in Business Honors and hopes to add a major in Computer Science, Math, or Neuroscience, and possibly minor in Entrepreneurship & Finance! She is the daughter of Rashmi Pawar and Abhay Sawant. Nolan Yee from Katy, Texas, is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending James E. Taylor High School, Yee was vice president of EchoWellness, a fundraising organization that raised over $30,000 across two years for a local special needs school and American veteran support, founder of Katy Soaring Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to making education accessible to underprivileged students, and student body vice president. His awards and recognitions include 4x American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) qualifier, a Gold Medal in the International Psychology Olympiad, and National Champion of the TSA TEAMS engineering competition. He is also a a published singer-songwriter, he has a passion for the ethical integration of AI and the arts, and he has conducted independent research on emotional biases against AI music. He is the son of Yuling Qian and Chee Kong Yee.

Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2029 Announced

 The Texas Exes is pleased to announce the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2029. This program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Earlier this spring, 64 impressive finalists joined our staff and current Scholars on the UT campus for a full weekend showcasing life on the Forty Acres. The weekend included visits to their admitted colleges, a mock class with a UT professor, a field tour of the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, networking dinners, informative panels, and more—all concluding with individual interviews.Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to our 20 new and exceptional Forty Acres Scholars. Among the incoming class are founders of community service programs, school clubs, and businesses. Also in the mix are four high school valedictorians and six AP Scholars with Distinction. Many more are decorated varsity athletes, team captains, club presidents, musicians, and entrepreneurs.These Scholars will receive full funding for their tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and opportunities for enrichment activities including a global experience, professional and personal development, volunteer and service opportunities, and the chance to help further their education. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, the Forty Acres Scholars Program helps Scholars develop a unique connection with their alma mater—and with each other. Over their four years on campus, Scholar cohorts form a tight bond with each other and serve as a powerful network and resource to each other during their time on campus and beyond.  Meet the Class of 2029:   Isabelle Grace Ballard from New York, New York, is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Avenues the World School in New York, Ballard was the editor of the school newspaper, a part of Humanities Fellowship, and the editor of the school fashion magazine. Her awards and recognitions include the Youth Journalism International 2024 Excellence in Journalism First Place Award, Feature Writing by an Individual and Youth Journalism International 2024 Excellence in Journalism Finalist, and the Frank Keegan Award for News Reporting. She also is very good at learning every lyric to every song! Ballard plans to major in journalism while also exploring art history, philosophy, political science, and theology. She is the daughter of Lisa Ballard and Andrew Ballard. Sienna Dierkes from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Susie and John L. Adams Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Frisco High School, Dierkes was the founder & lead organizer of TEDxFrisco HS Youth, the social media manager for Global Renewal, a global anti-trafficking organization, where she volunteered more than 700 hours, and founder of Aero Design Lab, a marketing agency, where she worked with more than a dozen clients. Her awards and recognitions include being a Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurship Competition Global Finalist, graduating summa cum laude, and Spanish National Honor Society. Dierkes plans to major in Canfield Business Honors while also exploring Finance. She is the daughter of Vikki DiPerna and Jim Dierkes. Ella Dillinger from Boerne, Texas, is the recipient of the Lowell Lebermann Scholarship. While attending the Geneva School of Boerne, Dillinger served as executive editor of design and concept for the Geneva Quarterly, the school magazine, volunteer coordinator for Rebecca’s Wish, a local nonprofit, and was the girls varsity tennis team captain. Her awards and recognitions include the Geneva Quarterly winning a silver crown and two gold crowns from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association while on staff and in leadership, played violin in the 1st in state school orchestra, and was a PSAT National Rural and Small Town Recognized Scholar. She was also born in Germany! Dillinger plans to major in Civics Honors and Plan II Honors. She is the daughter of Mandy and Michael Dillinger. Betty Falvo from San Antonio, Texas, is the recipient of the Catherine G. and Sam L. Susser Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Alamo Heights High School, Falvo was the school mascot all four years, attending sporting events, pep rallies, and fundraisers. She was co-founder and president of Rho Kappa History Honor Society. Falvo also served on the high school's strategic planning committee for three years, where she met with administrators, counselors, department heads, and parents to discuss school policy, curriculum, construction plans, and school-wide events. Her awards and recognitions include earning the President's Volunteer Service Award all four years for serving 100+ hours each year. The majority of these volunteer hours were spent serving families at a local homeless shelter. She served as secretary of the French Club and Latin Club and was a member of National Honor Society, Science NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Sociedad honoraria Hispanica, and Latin Honor Society. Falvo is a classically trained pianist, loves going to concerts, and can't wait to take on Austin's live music scene. She was also the valedictorian of her class. Falvo plans to major in Canfield Business Honors and Plan II Honors. She is the daughter of Annamarie and Mark Falvo. Sean Gelman from Marlboro, New Jersey, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Carl and Keely Carter Family Fund. While attending Marlboro High School, Gelman was the president of Marlboro High School’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter, president of Marlboro High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, and student CEO of the Business Administration Magnet Program at Marlboro High School. His awards and recognitions include first place in the United States in Accounting II at the FBLA National Leadership Conference (2024), captain of Marlboro’s first place team in the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs High School Consumer Bowl (2024), and National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction (2024). He was also a member of Marlboro High School’s varsity cross country and track teams for all four years of high school and created “Project Fight Senior Fraud” - an initiative where he organized workshops at senior citizen communities, educating members about strategies to avoid scams and providing tools for members to conduct due diligence on their financial advisors. Gelman is the valedictorian of his class. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors Program (CBHP) with interests in Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship. He is the son of Meryl and Seth Gelman. Caden George from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, in honor of Alan W. Hamm. While attending the Trinity Valley School, George was elected to key student government positions, including student body president. He served on two summer Global Brigade trips to Honduras, where he set up medical clinics, built eco-stoves for local farmers to improve air quality, and supported reforestation efforts. He was also in an after-school architecture, construction, and engineering mentorship program, and he led the computational design of a penguin exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo and an art deco museum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. His awards and recognitions include a $10,000 scholarship from the ACE Mentorship Program for outstanding involvement, leadership, and commitment to the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields, AP Scholar with Distinction, and Cum Laude Society. He loves to play the cello and was the first chair cellist in his school's orchestra. Among his many interests, George enjoyed serving a captain of his varsity tennis team, writing about his travel in his local community magazine, and co-founded Valley Lawn Service. He plans to major in Mechanical Engineering with an interest in the Industrial Engineering & Management track with a minor in Business. He is the son of Anjum and Dr. Josh George. Mitul Gouni from Allen, Texas, is the recipient of the Diana and S. Todd Maclin Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Allen High School, Gouni was the executive director of Lightbulb Tutoring, president of Allen HS Junior World Affairs Council, and the committee lead of the Allen Gun Safety Committee. His awards and recognitions include the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the PVSA Gold Medal, and a Cameron Scholarship Finalist. Gouni was valedictorian of his graduating class. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors with an interest in exploring Humanities. Gouni is the son of Swapna Konda and Praveen Gouni. Abby Haydon from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Susan M. Cooley. While attending Centennial High School, Haydon was on student council, where she fostered school spirit through community-wide events, school dances, and initiatives that celebrated athletic, academic, and fine art success. She served as Junior Frisco League president and a co-founding officer of Best Buddies. Her awards and recognitions include AP Scholar with Distinction, “Titan Heart” Volleyball Award and the Collin College Health Professions Student of Excellence Award. Haydon also completed the Ascension Seton Austin Half Marathon and the BMW Dallas Half Marathon. She spent two summers volunteering at Texas Health and Children’s Health, where she was inspired to pursue a career in nursing. She plans to major in Nursing as part of the Nursing Honors Program. She is the daughter of Kim and Blake Haydon. Shivani Jayaraj from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Chris Cartwright Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Independence High School, Jayaraj founded the Lead The Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational equity by providing essential infrastructure, like school buses, restrooms, and learning resources, to underserved rural schools around the world. She was the lead organizer of a citywide march in Frisco mobilizing 250 people to advocate for school safety and raise funds for victims of the Uvalde school shooting. She managed logistics with city officials and brought in congressional candidates to amplify the cause. She was also the founder of Youth for Youth, an initiative promoting civic engagement among young voters. Her awards and recognitions include a $1,000 Voter Impact Collective (VIC) award for advancing youth voter engagement in Collin and Dallas Counties, Texas, she qualified twice for the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) and was honored with U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Gold and Silver Awards. Jayaraj plans to major in Canfield Business Honors Program while also pursuing a Scientific Computation and Data Sciences Certificate, and the Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP). She is the daughter of Maheswari Jayaraj and Jayaraj Velayutham. Annabelle Judson from Austin, Texas, is the recipient of the Carol and Gary Kelly Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending St. Michael’s Preparatory School, Judson was the creator, director, and producer of Aiding Austin, an inspiring short series that shines a spotlight on Austin-area nonprofits. As one of the youngest producers at the Austin Film Society, she completed 13 certification classes, mastering professional filmmaking techniques. Additionally, she served as co-founder and co-president of the Mandarin Cultural Club at St. Michael’s, passionately promoting Chinese language and traditions within the community. Her awards and recognitions include being an award-winning filmmaker, recognized at film festivals nationwide for her creative storytelling. Her accolades include Best Student Screenwriter at the Austin Revolution Film Festival and a finalist placement at the Student Los Angeles Film Awards. Beyond filmmaking, her commitment to service has earned the Presidential Bronze and Presidential Gold Awards from AmeriCorps, honoring over 100 hours of community service for two consecutive years. Additionally, she received the Senior Recognition Award from the National Charity League for completing the most volunteer hours in her chapter. Judson proudly serves as the Social Officer for St. Michael’s dance team. Dance is a cornerstone of her life, and she's eager to pursue this passion throughout college. She plans to major in Radio-Television-Film and would love to double-major in advertising and minor in Mandarin Chinese. She is the daughter of Julie and Don Judson. Karys Karlow from Plano, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Reba and Ralph Ferrell; as well as the Chevron Enrichment Award. While attending Trinity Christian Academy, Karlow founded Buckner Rising Stars—a volleyball camp for underprivileged girls, worked in the civil engineering department at University of Texas at Arlington as a paid research intern, and served as the varsity volleyball two-year captain and MVP. Her awards and recognitions include being a National Merit Scholar, WFAA Scholar Athlete of the Week, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Scholastic Art & Writing Award - Regional Gold Key Award Winner. She also won two of the female weightlifting categories at her school. Karlow plans to major in Honors Civil Engineering and Plan II Honors with a possible minor in physics and/or entrepreneurship. She is the daughter of Kelli and Marvin Karlow. Hayden Kramer from Bellaire, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Bret and Michelle Bellard Family. While attending the St. John’s School, Kramer spent last summer as a Wright Scholar (summer internship) with the Air Force Research Laboratory on the Wright Patterson Air Force Base researching aircraft systems fault failures. He is an Eagle Scout and his Eagle project was building a chimney swift tower for migrating birds in a local park in his community. He is also a competitive indoor skydiver and recently won first place in two-way dynamic intermediate at the U.S. National indoor skydiving championships last November. His awards and recognitions include AP Scholar with Distinction, The President’s Volunteer Service Award, and a National Merit Commended Scholar. Kramer also is a certified outdoor skydiver, loves to design and build R/C aircrafts, is a certified scuba diver, and has been to all seven continents. He plans to major in Aerospace Engineering. He is the son of Jennifer and Adam Kramer. London Lee from McKinney, Texas, is the recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending McKinney Boyd High School, Lee was a member of the PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership Services) organization for two years where she provided mentorship and support to children with special needs at partner elementary and middle schools. Lee specialized in working with autistic individuals and others who were largely nonverbal. She was the junior coach of the Lucky Stars cheer team, where she trained and supported special needs athletes in cheerleading routines, promoting confidence, and teamwork. Lee has been working as a behavioral coach for two years delivering personalized behavioral coaching to individuals with special needs. Her awards and recognitions include receiving the National Hispanic Recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievement, the Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a minimum of 3.5 weighted grade point average, and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She has also been a competitive cheerleader for the last four years. She plans to major in Special Education with interests in Educational Policy and Social Work. She is the daughter of Nicole Lee and Chad Fragle. Gabriel Melo from Georgetown, Texas, is the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Rouse High School, Melo was president of Rouse DECA and preseident and founder of Rouse Young Investors Society, and a Bank of America Student Leader. His awards and recognitions include DECA 7th Place Internationally and three-time international finalist in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Event, Top 100 Finalist for the Global Stock Pitch Competition, and a National Merit Finalist. He is fluent in Portuguese and has taught Portuguese fluency to over 100 amazing kids. As President of his DECA chapter, he ran a $50k fundraiser in partnership with the Double Good Kids Foundation to provide opportunities for neurodivergent children and their families. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors with a potential double major in Business Analytics as well as a minor in Marketing. He is the son of Alessandra and Gilson Melo. Jawaad Merali from Pflugerville, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Audrey and Thomas Pesek. While attending Hendrickson High School, Merali was treasurer of the National Honor Society and engineering captain of Science Olympiad. His awards and recognitions include IBM Thomas J. Watson Memorial Award, National Merit Commended Scholar, and AP Scholar with Distinction. Merali was valedictorian of his class. He plans to major in Computer Science with interest in also pursuing a Certificate in Cybersecurity and a Certificate in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence. He is the son of Salika Merali and Taha Merali. Paari Palani from Allen, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Henry and Tanya Nahmad. While attending Lovejoy High School, Palani was Captain of the Debate team, Member of school district's bond planning committee, and President of Investment Club. His awards and recognitions include Top speaker at Stanford in the TOC Policy Division, CX UIL State Champion, and NSDA Degree of Premier Distinction. He also worked at Subway for 4 years, loves playing board games, is always listening to music, and wants to travel to each country in Europe. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors while also pursuing a second major in Finance. He is the son of Priya Kannan and Ananth Palani. Justin Pollack from Irvine, California, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Lana Jones O'Hara and Will O'Hara. While attending University High School, Pollack was a lab and research assistant at the UC Irvine Subsurface Processes Lab, served as a paid organizer for California Democrats over two election cycles where he managed volunteers and organized outreach events in re-election campaigns, and was a member of University High School's Hope Squad chapter as partof an international peer-to-peer suicide prevention organization. His awards and recognitions include a Science Fair project titled "Forming Flash Floods: Applying the Horton Infiltration Model Through an Arroyo’s Stream Course," which won 4th Place at the California State Science & Engineering Fair, 2nd Place at the Orange County Science & Engineering Fair, 1st Place at the Irvine Unified School District science fair, and two recognition awards from the Orange County Water District and Irvine Ranch Water District. He was the 2024 Easton Ethics Award Recipient, for outstanding contributions and active engagement as a teaching assistant and co-author of publications at the UC Irvine Interdisciplinary Center for Ethics & Morality. In his free time, he loves hiking, skiing, off-roading and being outdoors. Pollack plans to major in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology and is interested in the Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP) and the Sustainable Energy or Hydrology minors. He is interested in developing his understanding of engineering and technology to build solutions and effectively manage water and energy resources. He is the son of Susanne Stark and Jaime Pollack. Trey Rolston from Midland, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Vicki and Jim Rado. While attending Legacy High School, Rolston was the Texas Boys State district chairman, president of the choir program, and he cofounded and edited the Rebel Reporter newspaper. His awards and recognitions include being named a National Merit Scholar, a Troupe 5968 National Honor Thespian, and he received Division 1 for both solo and ensemble at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble contest, as well as being his class valedictorian. Rolston also likes to emcee and he was his school's go-to emcee for pep rallies and football games. He plans to major in Music Performance while possibly pursuing certificates in Ethics and Leadership in Law, Politics, and Government, or minor in Law, Justice, and Society. He is the son of Erika Rolston and Jay Rolston. Annika Sawant from Carrollton, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Jon Brelig. While attending Hebron High School, she was president of IntelliChoice, president of the school orchestra, and the STEM club president. Her awards and recognitions include being a two-time National Young Arts Winner in Popular Voice, Salutatorian, and DECA + HOSA state winner, and international competitor. She likes New York Times games, baking, and Gossip Girl. She plans to major in Business Honors and hopes to add a major in Computer Science, Math, or Neuroscience, and possibly minor in Entrepreneurship & Finance! She is the daughter of Rashmi Pawar and Abhay Sawant. Nolan Yee from Katy, Texas, is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending James E. Taylor High School, Yee was vice president of EchoWellness, a fundraising organization that raised over $30,000 across two years for a local special needs school and American veteran support, founder of Katy Soaring Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to making education accessible to underprivileged students, and student body vice president. His awards and recognitions include 4x American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) qualifier, a Gold Medal in the International Psychology Olympiad, and National Champion of the TSA TEAMS engineering competition. He is also a a published singer-songwriter, he has a passion for the ethical integration of AI and the arts, and he has conducted independent research on emotional biases against AI music. He is the son of Yuling Qian and Chee Kong Yee.

Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2029 Announced

 The Texas Exes is pleased to announce the Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2029. This program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Earlier this spring, 64 impressive finalists joined our staff and current Scholars on the UT campus for a full weekend showcasing life on the Forty Acres. The weekend included visits to their admitted colleges, a mock class with a UT professor, a field tour of the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, networking dinners, informative panels, and more—all concluding with individual interviews.Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to our 20 new and exceptional Forty Acres Scholars. Among the incoming class are founders of community service programs, school clubs, and businesses. Also in the mix are four high school valedictorians and six AP Scholars with Distinction. Many more are decorated varsity athletes, team captains, club presidents, musicians, and entrepreneurs.These Scholars will receive full funding for their tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and opportunities for enrichment activities including a global experience, professional and personal development, volunteer and service opportunities, and the chance to help further their education. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, the Forty Acres Scholars Program helps Scholars develop a unique connection with their alma mater—and with each other. Over their four years on campus, Scholar cohorts form a tight bond with each other and serve as a powerful network and resource to each other during their time on campus and beyond.  Meet the Class of 2029:   Isabelle Grace Ballard from New York, New York, is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Avenues the World School in New York, Ballard was the editor of the school newspaper, a part of Humanities Fellowship, and the editor of the school fashion magazine. Her awards and recognitions include the Youth Journalism International 2024 Excellence in Journalism First Place Award, Feature Writing by an Individual and Youth Journalism International 2024 Excellence in Journalism Finalist, and the Frank Keegan Award for News Reporting. She also is very good at learning every lyric to every song! Ballard plans to major in journalism while also exploring art history, philosophy, political science, and theology. She is the daughter of Lisa Ballard and Andrew Ballard. Sienna Dierkes from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Susie and John L. Adams Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Frisco High School, Dierkes was the founder & lead organizer of TEDxFrisco HS Youth, the social media manager for Global Renewal, a global anti-trafficking organization, where she volunteered more than 700 hours, and founder of Aero Design Lab, a marketing agency, where she worked with more than a dozen clients. Her awards and recognitions include being a Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurship Competition Global Finalist, graduating summa cum laude, and Spanish National Honor Society. Dierkes plans to major in Canfield Business Honors while also exploring Finance. She is the daughter of Vikki DiPerna and Jim Dierkes. Ella Dillinger from Boerne, Texas, is the recipient of the Lowell Lebermann Scholarship. While attending the Geneva School of Boerne, Dillinger served as executive editor of design and concept for the Geneva Quarterly, the school magazine, volunteer coordinator for Rebecca’s Wish, a local nonprofit, and was the girls varsity tennis team captain. Her awards and recognitions include the Geneva Quarterly winning a silver crown and two gold crowns from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association while on staff and in leadership, played violin in the 1st in state school orchestra, and was a PSAT National Rural and Small Town Recognized Scholar. She was also born in Germany! Dillinger plans to major in Civics Honors and Plan II Honors. She is the daughter of Mandy and Michael Dillinger. Betty Falvo from San Antonio, Texas, is the recipient of the Catherine G. and Sam L. Susser Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Alamo Heights High School, Falvo was the school mascot all four years, attending sporting events, pep rallies, and fundraisers. She was co-founder and president of Rho Kappa History Honor Society. Falvo also served on the high school's strategic planning committee for three years, where she met with administrators, counselors, department heads, and parents to discuss school policy, curriculum, construction plans, and school-wide events. Her awards and recognitions include earning the President's Volunteer Service Award all four years for serving 100+ hours each year. The majority of these volunteer hours were spent serving families at a local homeless shelter. She served as secretary of the French Club and Latin Club and was a member of National Honor Society, Science NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Sociedad honoraria Hispanica, and Latin Honor Society. Falvo is a classically trained pianist, loves going to concerts, and can't wait to take on Austin's live music scene. She was also the valedictorian of her class. Falvo plans to major in Canfield Business Honors and Plan II Honors. She is the daughter of Annamarie and Mark Falvo. Sean Gelman from Marlboro, New Jersey, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Carl and Keely Carter Family Fund. While attending Marlboro High School, Gelman was the president of Marlboro High School’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter, president of Marlboro High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, and student CEO of the Business Administration Magnet Program at Marlboro High School. His awards and recognitions include first place in the United States in Accounting II at the FBLA National Leadership Conference (2024), captain of Marlboro’s first place team in the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs High School Consumer Bowl (2024), and National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction (2024). He was also a member of Marlboro High School’s varsity cross country and track teams for all four years of high school and created “Project Fight Senior Fraud” - an initiative where he organized workshops at senior citizen communities, educating members about strategies to avoid scams and providing tools for members to conduct due diligence on their financial advisors. Gelman is the valedictorian of his class. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors Program (CBHP) with interests in Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship. He is the son of Meryl and Seth Gelman. Caden George from Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, in honor of Alan W. Hamm. While attending the Trinity Valley School, George was elected to key student government positions, including student body president. He served on two summer Global Brigade trips to Honduras, where he set up medical clinics, built eco-stoves for local farmers to improve air quality, and supported reforestation efforts. He was also in an after-school architecture, construction, and engineering mentorship program, and he led the computational design of a penguin exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo and an art deco museum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. His awards and recognitions include a $10,000 scholarship from the ACE Mentorship Program for outstanding involvement, leadership, and commitment to the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields, AP Scholar with Distinction, and Cum Laude Society. He loves to play the cello and was the first chair cellist in his school's orchestra. Among his many interests, George enjoyed serving a captain of his varsity tennis team, writing about his travel in his local community magazine, and co-founded Valley Lawn Service. He plans to major in Mechanical Engineering with an interest in the Industrial Engineering & Management track with a minor in Business. He is the son of Anjum and Dr. Josh George. Mitul Gouni from Allen, Texas, is the recipient of the Diana and S. Todd Maclin Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Allen High School, Gouni was the executive director of Lightbulb Tutoring, president of Allen HS Junior World Affairs Council, and the committee lead of the Allen Gun Safety Committee. His awards and recognitions include the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the PVSA Gold Medal, and a Cameron Scholarship Finalist. Gouni was valedictorian of his graduating class. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors with an interest in exploring Humanities. Gouni is the son of Swapna Konda and Praveen Gouni. Abby Haydon from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Susan M. Cooley. While attending Centennial High School, Haydon was on student council, where she fostered school spirit through community-wide events, school dances, and initiatives that celebrated athletic, academic, and fine art success. She served as Junior Frisco League president and a co-founding officer of Best Buddies. Her awards and recognitions include AP Scholar with Distinction, “Titan Heart” Volleyball Award and the Collin College Health Professions Student of Excellence Award. Haydon also completed the Ascension Seton Austin Half Marathon and the BMW Dallas Half Marathon. She spent two summers volunteering at Texas Health and Children’s Health, where she was inspired to pursue a career in nursing. She plans to major in Nursing as part of the Nursing Honors Program. She is the daughter of Kim and Blake Haydon. Shivani Jayaraj from Frisco, Texas, is the recipient of the Chris Cartwright Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Independence High School, Jayaraj founded the Lead The Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational equity by providing essential infrastructure, like school buses, restrooms, and learning resources, to underserved rural schools around the world. She was the lead organizer of a citywide march in Frisco mobilizing 250 people to advocate for school safety and raise funds for victims of the Uvalde school shooting. She managed logistics with city officials and brought in congressional candidates to amplify the cause. She was also the founder of Youth for Youth, an initiative promoting civic engagement among young voters. Her awards and recognitions include a $1,000 Voter Impact Collective (VIC) award for advancing youth voter engagement in Collin and Dallas Counties, Texas, she qualified twice for the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) and was honored with U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Gold and Silver Awards. Jayaraj plans to major in Canfield Business Honors Program while also pursuing a Scientific Computation and Data Sciences Certificate, and the Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP). She is the daughter of Maheswari Jayaraj and Jayaraj Velayutham. Annabelle Judson from Austin, Texas, is the recipient of the Carol and Gary Kelly Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending St. Michael’s Preparatory School, Judson was the creator, director, and producer of Aiding Austin, an inspiring short series that shines a spotlight on Austin-area nonprofits. As one of the youngest producers at the Austin Film Society, she completed 13 certification classes, mastering professional filmmaking techniques. Additionally, she served as co-founder and co-president of the Mandarin Cultural Club at St. Michael’s, passionately promoting Chinese language and traditions within the community. Her awards and recognitions include being an award-winning filmmaker, recognized at film festivals nationwide for her creative storytelling. Her accolades include Best Student Screenwriter at the Austin Revolution Film Festival and a finalist placement at the Student Los Angeles Film Awards. Beyond filmmaking, her commitment to service has earned the Presidential Bronze and Presidential Gold Awards from AmeriCorps, honoring over 100 hours of community service for two consecutive years. Additionally, she received the Senior Recognition Award from the National Charity League for completing the most volunteer hours in her chapter. Judson proudly serves as the Social Officer for St. Michael’s dance team. Dance is a cornerstone of her life, and she's eager to pursue this passion throughout college. She plans to major in Radio-Television-Film and would love to double-major in advertising and minor in Mandarin Chinese. She is the daughter of Julie and Don Judson. Karys Karlow from Plano, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Reba and Ralph Ferrell; as well as the Chevron Enrichment Award. While attending Trinity Christian Academy, Karlow founded Buckner Rising Stars—a volleyball camp for underprivileged girls, worked in the civil engineering department at University of Texas at Arlington as a paid research intern, and served as the varsity volleyball two-year captain and MVP. Her awards and recognitions include being a National Merit Scholar, WFAA Scholar Athlete of the Week, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Scholastic Art & Writing Award - Regional Gold Key Award Winner. She also won two of the female weightlifting categories at her school. Karlow plans to major in Honors Civil Engineering and Plan II Honors with a possible minor in physics and/or entrepreneurship. She is the daughter of Kelli and Marvin Karlow. Hayden Kramer from Bellaire, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Bret and Michelle Bellard Family. While attending the St. John’s School, Kramer spent last summer as a Wright Scholar (summer internship) with the Air Force Research Laboratory on the Wright Patterson Air Force Base researching aircraft systems fault failures. He is an Eagle Scout and his Eagle project was building a chimney swift tower for migrating birds in a local park in his community. He is also a competitive indoor skydiver and recently won first place in two-way dynamic intermediate at the U.S. National indoor skydiving championships last November. His awards and recognitions include AP Scholar with Distinction, The President’s Volunteer Service Award, and a National Merit Commended Scholar. Kramer also is a certified outdoor skydiver, loves to design and build R/C aircrafts, is a certified scuba diver, and has been to all seven continents. He plans to major in Aerospace Engineering. He is the son of Jennifer and Adam Kramer. London Lee from McKinney, Texas, is the recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending McKinney Boyd High School, Lee was a member of the PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership Services) organization for two years where she provided mentorship and support to children with special needs at partner elementary and middle schools. Lee specialized in working with autistic individuals and others who were largely nonverbal. She was the junior coach of the Lucky Stars cheer team, where she trained and supported special needs athletes in cheerleading routines, promoting confidence, and teamwork. Lee has been working as a behavioral coach for two years delivering personalized behavioral coaching to individuals with special needs. Her awards and recognitions include receiving the National Hispanic Recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievement, the Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a minimum of 3.5 weighted grade point average, and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She has also been a competitive cheerleader for the last four years. She plans to major in Special Education with interests in Educational Policy and Social Work. She is the daughter of Nicole Lee and Chad Fragle. Gabriel Melo from Georgetown, Texas, is the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending Rouse High School, Melo was president of Rouse DECA and preseident and founder of Rouse Young Investors Society, and a Bank of America Student Leader. His awards and recognitions include DECA 7th Place Internationally and three-time international finalist in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Event, Top 100 Finalist for the Global Stock Pitch Competition, and a National Merit Finalist. He is fluent in Portuguese and has taught Portuguese fluency to over 100 amazing kids. As President of his DECA chapter, he ran a $50k fundraiser in partnership with the Double Good Kids Foundation to provide opportunities for neurodivergent children and their families. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors with a potential double major in Business Analytics as well as a minor in Marketing. He is the son of Alessandra and Gilson Melo. Jawaad Merali from Pflugerville, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Audrey and Thomas Pesek. While attending Hendrickson High School, Merali was treasurer of the National Honor Society and engineering captain of Science Olympiad. His awards and recognitions include IBM Thomas J. Watson Memorial Award, National Merit Commended Scholar, and AP Scholar with Distinction. Merali was valedictorian of his class. He plans to major in Computer Science with interest in also pursuing a Certificate in Cybersecurity and a Certificate in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence. He is the son of Salika Merali and Taha Merali. Paari Palani from Allen, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Henry and Tanya Nahmad. While attending Lovejoy High School, Palani was Captain of the Debate team, Member of school district's bond planning committee, and President of Investment Club. His awards and recognitions include Top speaker at Stanford in the TOC Policy Division, CX UIL State Champion, and NSDA Degree of Premier Distinction. He also worked at Subway for 4 years, loves playing board games, is always listening to music, and wants to travel to each country in Europe. He plans to major in Canfield Business Honors while also pursuing a second major in Finance. He is the son of Priya Kannan and Ananth Palani. Justin Pollack from Irvine, California, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Lana Jones O'Hara and Will O'Hara. While attending University High School, Pollack was a lab and research assistant at the UC Irvine Subsurface Processes Lab, served as a paid organizer for California Democrats over two election cycles where he managed volunteers and organized outreach events in re-election campaigns, and was a member of University High School's Hope Squad chapter as partof an international peer-to-peer suicide prevention organization. His awards and recognitions include a Science Fair project titled "Forming Flash Floods: Applying the Horton Infiltration Model Through an Arroyo’s Stream Course," which won 4th Place at the California State Science & Engineering Fair, 2nd Place at the Orange County Science & Engineering Fair, 1st Place at the Irvine Unified School District science fair, and two recognition awards from the Orange County Water District and Irvine Ranch Water District. He was the 2024 Easton Ethics Award Recipient, for outstanding contributions and active engagement as a teaching assistant and co-author of publications at the UC Irvine Interdisciplinary Center for Ethics & Morality. In his free time, he loves hiking, skiing, off-roading and being outdoors. Pollack plans to major in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology and is interested in the Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP) and the Sustainable Energy or Hydrology minors. He is interested in developing his understanding of engineering and technology to build solutions and effectively manage water and energy resources. He is the son of Susanne Stark and Jaime Pollack. Trey Rolston from Midland, Texas, is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Vicki and Jim Rado. While attending Legacy High School, Rolston was the Texas Boys State district chairman, president of the choir program, and he cofounded and edited the Rebel Reporter newspaper. His awards and recognitions include being named a National Merit Scholar, a Troupe 5968 National Honor Thespian, and he received Division 1 for both solo and ensemble at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble contest, as well as being his class valedictorian. Rolston also likes to emcee and he was his school's go-to emcee for pep rallies and football games. He plans to major in Music Performance while possibly pursuing certificates in Ethics and Leadership in Law, Politics, and Government, or minor in Law, Justice, and Society. He is the son of Erika Rolston and Jay Rolston. Annika Sawant from Carrollton, Texas is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Jon Brelig. While attending Hebron High School, she was president of IntelliChoice, president of the school orchestra, and the STEM club president. Her awards and recognitions include being a two-time National Young Arts Winner in Popular Voice, Salutatorian, and DECA + HOSA state winner, and international competitor. She likes New York Times games, baking, and Gossip Girl. She plans to major in Business Honors and hopes to add a major in Computer Science, Math, or Neuroscience, and possibly minor in Entrepreneurship & Finance! She is the daughter of Rashmi Pawar and Abhay Sawant. Nolan Yee from Katy, Texas, is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. While attending James E. Taylor High School, Yee was vice president of EchoWellness, a fundraising organization that raised over $30,000 across two years for a local special needs school and American veteran support, founder of Katy Soaring Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to making education accessible to underprivileged students, and student body vice president. His awards and recognitions include 4x American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) qualifier, a Gold Medal in the International Psychology Olympiad, and National Champion of the TSA TEAMS engineering competition. He is also a a published singer-songwriter, he has a passion for the ethical integration of AI and the arts, and he has conducted independent research on emotional biases against AI music. He is the son of Yuling Qian and Chee Kong Yee.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025

 Brydn AbrahamBrydn is from Frisco, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II and Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in Canfield Business Honors Program & Management. He will be an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan through the JET Program for the upcoming year while he applies to law school.Throughout college, Brydn prioritized friendships, using his time outside of class to foster meaningful relationships. “Playing board games with friends, finding new music with friends or catching up on TV shows together. Looking back at my college experiences, they often aren't marked by necessarily momentous events—large travels, big competitions, or big events. It's all the moments in-between. Spent with the people who made each of those moments feel so special.”Brydn had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Bath, where he was the only exchange student out of 75 from the U.S. His favorite part was “truly enjoying the immersive experience of learning about cultures from all over the world.”His favorite memory from UT was at Kinsolving his freshman year. “Perhaps this is silly and trivial, but my favorite memory is actually a collection of memories I have all at Kinsolving Dining Hall: My entire freshman year plays in one giant flashback of all the lunches and dinners I had in the dining hall, always sitting with a new group of friends that I grew close with during the beginning of my college career. It sort of felt like a "third home" for all of us to gather each night.”“Forty Acres has touched almost every aspect of my college experience, all in positive ways. From the enriching experience of spending over half a year abroad, both studying and backpacking in Europe, to the wonderful community I met in my fellow scholars, to the connections I made at our alumni events has completely changed my life and improved every aspect of my experience at UT. I still think back to all the times we've met esteemed professors, awarded Texas Exes (most recently the founder of P Terry's!), and how much each of these experience have added so much to my college experience.”Brydn is the recipient of the Catherine G. and Sam L. Susser Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.    Frances Cates Frances is from Memphis, Tennessee and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors. After graduation she will be attending the University of Cambridge in the UK to pursue an MPhil in Medical Science in Obstetrics & Gynecology!During her time in Austin, Frances took full advantage of the beautiful trails around town. “My favorite college pastime is running—I know so many people hate it but there are amazing trails in Austin, and I love running Town Lake. I've run the Austin Half Marathon twice!” Frances also attended many UT football games, saying the 49-0 win against OU her sophomore year was her favorite.Her greatest takeaway from college is “Take opportunities and invest in your relationships. Often, the two are intertwined. I have met some of my closest friends by taking the leap into projects, classes, or travels.”“FASP has impacted not just my college experience but my life! I could go on forever about the fascinating, kind, compassionate, and driven people I have met in this program who I get to call my best friends. My friends in FASP have pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I am constantly learning and growing when I am with them.”Frances is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Jeremiah DoJeremiah is from Garland, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSASE) and a minor in Materials Science. After graduation, Jeremiah is excited to pursue his dreams of aerospace administration by joining Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as a Project Engineer for the F-35 Program in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, he will be pursuing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering this fall—location to be decided soon!Jeremiah said choosing his favorite memory was very difficult because there are so many, but he decided on his time in Ignite Texas, where he started as a camper and ended up serving as Assistant Director. “Each year, I get to connect freshman with loving and supportive groups that often shape the way they experience college. Being a part of that process has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my time here.”Jeremiah also said one of his favorite memories was coming to the office and hanging out with the FASP staff. “The program wouldn’t be nearly as meaningful without their constant support, both emotionally and academically. Their office truly feels like a second home, with a door that’s always open and a staff that leads with empathy and care."I’ll never forget the day Whitney looked at me and asked, “Do you feel like you have too much on your plate?” It might sound like a small question, but in that moment, it meant everything. It was the first time someone had asked me that so directly, and it came from such a place of genuine love and concern. That simple question helped me take a step back and reflect on my own well-being in a way I hadn’t before."College comes with so many highs and lows, but having people like the FASP team, people who truly see you and care enough to ask the hard questions, makes all the difference. Their presence has helped me grow, not just as a student, but as a person.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has had a profound impact on my college experience by providing essential support and resources," Jeremiah said. "As the first in my family to attend college, I initially struggled with networking and self-doubt, but the program’s community helped me realize I wasn’t alone. The emotional support from my cohort has been invaluable. I’ve always known I had a trustworthy backbone of friends to lean on, which made the challenges of college more manageable. This network has been crucial in helping me build and grow my startup, offering mentorship and guidance that has allowed me to achieve my goals. Additionally, the ability to graduate debt-free has provided me the financial freedom to focus on my growth, both academically and professionally.”Jeremiah is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Lana Jones O'Hara and Will O'Hara. You can read more about him here.   Faith FulbrightFaith is from Odessa, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Canfield Business Honors and finance. After graduation, she plans to work with Nomura Holdings, Inc., as an investment banking analyst in New York City!Faith’s favorite memory was from her sophomore year spring break: “Nick, Diego, Joseph, and I road-tripped from Austin all the way to the Zion National Park, hitting Odessa (my hometown), Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, and more on our way. I had never camped or done any big hikes before, so this was a crazy change of pace for me! I’m so glad I got to have that experience, and happy that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.” Pushing herself also contributed to what she learned in college. “I’ve been able to accomplish so much more than I ever thought possible, all because of friends, family, and mentors who told me to do the things that scared me," she says. "The anticipation is always worse than the act!”Outside of hanging out with other Scholars, Faith likes to play video games on her brand-new, custom-built PC, and happy hour–hopping all the best eats and drinks in Austin on her off-class-days.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has been truly transformational," she adds. "Not only has it provided me with a lifelong group of friends, it enabled me to travel the world, gain self-confidence, and opened me to opportunities I never could have imagined. FASP is the great connector, and the great beginning to so many fantastic careers, friendships, and more!”Faith is the recipient of the Fred A. Gottesman Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Leila Garza Leila is from Houston, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “Since I was young, becoming a nurse has always been my dream. After graduation, my goal is to begin a career in Houston, working in a neonatal ICU. It’s a path I’ve been passionate about for years, and I’m excited to finally take the next step toward making that dream a reality.”Laila said some of her favorite UT memories happened at DKR. “There's truly nothing like being surrounded by a sea of burnt orange, singing school chants with fellow Longhorns, and feeling the energy of a home game. I'll definitely miss the excitement of every touchdown and, of course, the five free Pluckers wings after each win. Looking back, it's amazing how my pride and love for this university have only grown stronger - and I know that no matter where life takes me, I'll always be a Longhorn at heart.”Another one of her favorite memories was her opportunity to study abroad. “I never imagined I'd have the chance to travel across the world during college, but FASP made that possible. Through the program, I spent six weeks in Spain learning Spanish while fully immersing myself in the daily life of my host family. One of my favorite memories from that time was celebrating my 21st birthday in London with Chardelene Reyes. Being able to mark such a meaningful milestone away from home - with a familiar face by my side - was something I’ll always cherish. I’m incredibly grateful to FASP for giving me the opportunity to explore new places, connect with people from around the world, and experience unforgettable moments that will stay with me for a lifetime.”“There's no doubt that FASP has played a huge role in shaping my college experience. I'm thankful that this program saw potential in a first-generation Latina from Houston, Texas, and chose to invest in my journey. Through FASP, I've gained more than just financial support—I've found lifelong friends, built an incredible network, and grown into someone who's proud to soon be a Texas Ex. The doors this scholarship has opened for me are endless, and I’ll carry that gratitude with me wherever I go.”Leila is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Nina HamuyNina is from Highland Beach, Florida majoring in Canfield Business Honors and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration on the Honors Track. After graduation, she will be doing Consulting as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Co in their New York office.While using her enrichment stipend, Nina was able to travel to 13 countries. During this time, she was able to see some other Scholars who were abroad! “Spending a weekend in London during my study abroad semester with Diego, Joseph, and Leah was not only my favorite weekend trip, but also my favorite memory FASP has brought me! We had the famous chocolate strawberries from Borough Market, saw the changing of the guards, and explored every inch of the city together while cherishing a little piece of home.” Some of Nina’s other favorite memories include hanging out on her porch with Scholars and traveling to support UT football at some away games this past season.“The people in this program have shaped my experiences both as a student and beyond graduation. Older Scholars guided me to my industry while alumni held my hand through the recruiting process, resulting in my full-time offer of employment at McKinsey. The relationships I fostered with younger Scholars brought light and joy into my life and gave me a sense of purpose within this program. The Scholars before me who served as a guiding light were a major resource, and I hope to return the favor with those in younger cohorts.”Nina is the recipient of the Karen and Charles Matthews, Jr. Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Holly Gayle HullHolly Gayle is from Shiner, Texas majoring in Applied Movement Science with a UTeach Certificate and a Minor in Italian Language. After graduation she will be teaching at Ball High School in Galveston in the Life Sciences department!She says the most memorable party of studying abroad was her host family! ”The country itself is beautiful in unimaginable ways, but my host parents, Emmanuela and Carlo showed me the traditional culture. Living several miles from the center of Rome gave me the most immersive experience and I will be forever grateful.”While on campus, Holly Gayle’s favorite past times were going on walks and trying local coffee shops. Her greatest takeaway is: “Life always seems to work itself out. No matter how stressful life gets or how many exams get packed into a week, there is a plan for me and I am where I am meant to be!”“FASP has impacted me in ways I cannot efficiently put into words. As a future educator, graduating debt-free is a blessing. Besides the obvious monetary benefits, the people I have been surrounded with these last four years have changed me for the better. I am so thankful for my peers and especially Riley, Whitney, Ashley, and Megan. These wonderful ladies have been the guidance I needed while navigating my life here at UT.”Holly Gayle is the recipient of the Friends of Darrell K Royal Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Eleanor HutchesonEleanor is from Houston and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. After graduation, she will be working at LP Analyst in Dallas, Texas, starting this August. She is excited to begin this next chapter in Dallas and apply what she has learned at UT to support institutional investors in making informed decisions about their private asset portfolios.During her study abroad program, Eleanor’s favorite memory was a reflective one. “One of my favorite memories from studying abroad was the day I walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence and watched the sun set over the city and the Duomo with a pizza in hand. I remember just sitting there thinking about how grateful I was for this opportunity—I still couldn’t believe I was actually there, even three weeks in. It was one of those moments that just didn’t feel real. I know I never would’ve done something like that if it weren’t for the Forty Acres Program, and I’m so thankful for it.”Senior year holds many special moments but her favorite was during the Senior Dinner Series. “We read the letters we had written to ourselves at the start of college. It was so eye-opening to see how much I’ve changed over these past four years and how close I’ve grown with the people around me. It really affirmed what I’ve been realizing these past few months—that change is something to embrace, and if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that my future will never turn out how I expect it to. I’m already looking forward to reading the next letter I wrote to myself in five years and keeping this tradition going.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program completely shaped my college experience. I wouldn’t have met any of these amazing people—including our program coordinators—who have each impacted my time at UT in their own unique way. It’s given me access to such a diverse group of students from different majors and cities that I may have never crossed paths with otherwise, and I’m so grateful for that. On top of that, the alumni network is incredible, and I know it’s something I’ll continue to lean on even after graduation.”Eleanor is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Leslie and John David Moritz. You can read more about her here.   Esther JinEsther is from League City, Texas and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering Honors with a minor in Studio Art. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation she will be working as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Tesla in Austin.During her time at UT, a lot of Esther’s time went to the Solar Car team and other activities in the Engineering School like hanging out in the break room at her on-campus job at the engineering makerspace and Texas Inventionworks. “At Longhorn Racing, I spent several sleepless nights working on the car alongside my teammates. One summer night at the national competition in Kansas, I was working so intently that I didn't even notice when the clock had struck midnight, and that I officially turned 19. Suddenly, my teammates surprised me by singing happy birthday, and fellow scholar Walter was holding a cake lit with candles. Everyone was covered in sweat and exhausted to their limit, myself included, but in that moment all my stress washed away and I was left with pure gratitude and appreciation for my friends.”Outside of the engineering school, her favorite memory was the most recent Finalist Weekend. “Participating in different tours and panels and answering questions about my own experience while hearing about finalists' goals and dreams left me feeling inspired about the future of the program. It was a great chance to reminisce on my experience as a Forty Acres Scholar and an amazing way to close out the past four years.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program provided me with incredible mentorship from fellow scholars, such as Jackson Bellard, Walter Stark, and Olivia Pierce who influenced a great deal of my academic, professional, and study abroad opportunities. Knowing that there was someone in the program that I could reach out to for any opportunity, from registering for classes to joining clubs, made UT feel much more like home.”Esther is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Cockrell School of Engineering. You can read more about her here.   Leah KegerreisLeah is from Dallas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science – Geology. In the fall Leah will be part of the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida. In the meantime, she hopes to work on her portfolio to apply for art school!Like many others, Leah’s favorite memory from her time in the program was the Senior Trip to Costa Rica. This group knows how to keep themselves entertained on a long bus ride. Outside of the program, her favorite memories usually involved her love for Geology. “I loved going on geology field trips with the Jackson School! Whether we were taking boats out of Port Aransas or hiking through Hill Country, we had a blast learning more about the natural world.” She also loved meeting up with other Scholars during her study abroad in Florence.Leah said in college she learned “the most important thing isn't your resume, but loving your people well! Don't take assignments too seriously, but pour your time into the things that bring you joy.”“I absolutely loved growing close to my cohort over the past four years. Coming into college, I already had a group of friends and supporters with whom to explore my new home. Additionally, FASP gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, which has inspired me to attend art school and realize my dream of becoming an independent artist in the future!”Leah is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Nancy and Mark Reichek. You can read more about her here.   Niels Levy-ThiebautNiels is from Houston, Texas and will be receiving a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biochemistry Honors, a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors, a Certificate in Pre-Health Professions, and a Certificate in Evidence and Inquiry. He will be attending medical school next fall, most likely in Houston at McGovern Medical School (here’s to four more years of rooting for the Longhorns and wearing burnt orange!).During his 4 years, Niels was a member of Longhorn Powerlifting. “Competing for UT and the US at the 2022 IPF World University Powerlifting Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, was an amazing experience and honor. After medaling bronze for my weight class, I got to visit Istanbul and experience the cuisine, culture, and visit the magnificent Hagia Sofia.” He also got to see even more new places while studying abroad. “I loved visiting Japan through my study abroad program and after. I got to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Okinawa, and Hokkaido through programming, solo travel, and group weekend trips. Getting to stay in a traditional home and visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto remains a highlight.”Like some of our other seniors, Niels found himself fully immersed in Texas sporting events. “Watching Texas sports (especially football) has been a great pastime. Coming from France and attending a small school for high school, the community formed around sports was new to me. I loved watching the Longhorns and feeling connected to others and my school through sports.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has made my college experience amazing, unique, and one I will cherish forever. Being financially free has meant more time and latitude for joining organizations I love, like the Tejas Club and Silver Spurs, while focusing on my academics. FASP has allowed me to explore the world through study abroad and travel in a way I would not have been able to do otherwise. FASP has connected me with opportunities, people, and support. Most importantly, FASP has given me a family and some of my best friends from these past four years. My experience in college would not have been nearly as fulfilling and wonderful without FASP.”Niels is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Carolyn Holmes. You can read more about him here.   Joseph NewcomerJoseph is from Dallas, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Math and a Bachelor of Science Physics. Following graduation, he will be working as a Forensic Data Scientist at Integra FEC!Jospeh’s favorite memory from the program was his cohort’s Freshman Retreat. “This was the summer of 2021, and many Covid-19 protocols were still in place. Because of this, we were unable to attend Camp Texas together as a cohort since it got cancelled. However, since we already had the time carved out, instead all of us rented an Airbnb in Austin for a few days and got to experience a lot of what there is to do in this city together. This experience made us all bond so quickly, and after those few days, it became very apparent that these were going to be my best friends throughout all of college.”His biggest takeaway from college is that good people are everything. “The biggest impact FASP has had on my college experience has been the people. My best friends and college roommates are fellow scholars, and I’ve formed great friendships with many others in the program. Being surrounded by such a supportive, inspiring community has made college feel like home, and I genuinely hope to stay connected with everyone long after graduation.”Jospeh is the recipient of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.   Chardelene ReyesChardelene is from Cypress, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduation she is returning to Houston,  to pursue a career as an RN in the Neonatal ICU.Chardelene’s favorite memory from her time in the program was the Senior Trip to Costa Rica. “We went whitewater rafting, saw tons of wildlife like sloths and toucans, ziplined in the rain, and danced with locals. It was a great bonding experience and a bittersweet last hurrah with my cohort.”She used her enrichment stipend to study abroad in Santander, Spain! “I was so nervous to meet my host family, but once I finally did, they were so kind and welcoming. They helped me improve my Spanish and my most precious memories with them are the meals we shared together. I still keep in touch with my host mom to this day and we keep each other updated! During this time, I was also able to watch Spain win the 2024 Euro Cup in Madrid! I traveled with Leila, another member of my cohort and we watched the game and celebrated together!”“I remember having so many dreams as a high school senior. The Forty Acres Scholars Program has made it possible for me to pursue those dreams alongside the wonderful people in my cohort. I have met the kindest, funniest, weirdest, most intelligent people through this cohort, and it's all thanks to FASP. I have been able to gallivant around different countries, meet the most interesting people, and check off item after item on my bucket list. I would not have been able to attend UT if not for the Forty Acres Scholars Program, and I will be forever grateful for what this program has blessed me with.”Chardelene is the recipient of the Mike A. Myers Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Diego RobbinsDiego is from San Antonio, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analytics. After graduation, he will be staying in Austin as an Associate at the Boston Consulting Group's Austin Office.Diego had a list of his top takeaways from college:Participating in class and going to your professors' office hours are such easy ways to find lifelong mentors.Say yes to things early and often in your freshman year.It's all too easy to get caught up in the stresses of planning for post-grad life. Make sure to be intentional in doing fun college things, whatever that means to you.Diego truly made the most out of his enrichment stipend in Prague. “I was fortunate enough to take trips to 15 different countries during my semester abroad, but trips that stand out the most are the ones that I took with fellow Scholars. I spent three days in London with Nina Hamuy, Leah Kegerreis, and Joseph Newcomer; five days in Istanbul with Leah and Joseph; three days visiting Leah in Florence, a chance 45-minute french fry reunion with Nina and Joseph in Amsterdam, and 11 days traveling Northern Europe with Joseph on a trip which I consider to be the crown jewel of my enrichment experience. I could spend pages talking about any one of those trips.”“Community. From day one, I found a cohort of brilliant, unique, and supportive peers who have stood by me through every milestone. My closest friends—two of whom I’ve lived with for the past three years—are Scholars, and knowing I always have that tight‑knit group made a huge campus feel like home."Connection. Beyond classmates, the program plugged me into a network of faculty, alumni, and older Scholars who’ve mentored me academically and professionally. Whether it was grabbing coffee with a favorite professor, getting resume feedback from an alum in my field, or leaning on upper‑class Scholars to navigate internships, those relationships opened doors I wouldn’t have found on my own."Discovery. Thanks to the enrichment stipend, I spent a semester in the Czech Republic and visited 15 countries alongside fellow Scholars—stretching my worldview and confidence. Closer to home, leadership roles in student organizations and research projects pushed me to explore new passions and develop skills I still carry with me."Most of all, being a Forty Acres Scholar gave me the confidence to succeed at The University of Texas. Knowing the University believed in me allowed me to believe in myself—transforming every challenge into an opportunity to grow.”Diego is the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.   Mia Li RodriguezMia Li is from Brownsville, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors. After graduation she plans to work for a nonprofit in Dallas to serve Spanish-speaking communities.When asked what her favorite college memory was, she said: “While I have too many favorite memories to just choose one, attending a Briston Maroney concert at Emo's with my friends was pretty special. I think I was also writing an essay on my phone during the break between acts.”Aside from concerts, Mia Li also likes to spend time at Lady Bird Lake, participate in book clubs, late night dessert runs with friends, and of course, football gamedays!She was able to study aboard multiple times with amazing memories from that as well. “I had the opportunity to study abroad twice in Singapore and Rome. My favorite memory from Singapore was attending an evening concert at the Supertree Grove. The theme was Star Wars and the light show matched the music perfectly. In Rome, I had the opportunity to attend a Papal Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. I appreciated participating in such a significant cultural and religious event.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program brought me to UT. It's hard to describe how much support and opportunities the program provides. The support comes from an incredible community of staff, donors, volunteers, and fellow scholars who care about each student directly. Thanks to my enrichment, I got to spend two summers abroad in incredible countries.”Mia Li is the recipient of the Stan L. McLelland Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. You can read more about her here.   Nick Van LenteNick is a Plan II major from Austin and will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. After graduation, he will be in the Detroit area, hopefully working in non-profit arts. He’s curious about museum spaces, libraries, archives, and university settings. Nick will be returning to grad school in a few years, so he’s hoping to gain some entry-level experience that will inform my postgrad journey.Nick loves listening to music in his free time. “We will either sit on the balcony or drive around and talk about songs.” If he’s not doing that with his friends, he also likes to swim at Barton Springs or St. Eds.This cohort liked to dress up in themes for all of the FASP programming events. “I have learned to cherish all of the weeknight dinners with my cohort. One that sticks out was Halloween our freshman year. We all arrived in costume and had an amazing time. Five of us dressed as Mystery Incorporated—I was Shaggy and Diego was Scooby. If you ever meet Nick, you should ask him about saving the sloth on the senior trip to Costa Rica!"When asked what his biggest takeaway from college is, Nick said, “Knowing yourself requires exiting your comfort zone and really deciding what matters to you, what you value. I think that sometimes we don't ask ourselves the important questions.”“FASP has completely changed my life, beyond my "college experience." First and foremost, FASP has formed the base of my community on campus; I arrived to class on the first day already knowing some of what would become my best friends. FASP also allowed me to travel the world. I've made it to almost 30 countries and without FASP, I would never have made those memories.”Nick is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.  

Congratulations to the Class of 2025

 Brydn AbrahamBrydn is from Frisco, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II and Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in Canfield Business Honors Program & Management. He will be an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan through the JET Program for the upcoming year while he applies to law school.Throughout college, Brydn prioritized friendships, using his time outside of class to foster meaningful relationships. “Playing board games with friends, finding new music with friends or catching up on TV shows together. Looking back at my college experiences, they often aren't marked by necessarily momentous events—large travels, big competitions, or big events. It's all the moments in-between. Spent with the people who made each of those moments feel so special.”Brydn had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Bath, where he was the only exchange student out of 75 from the U.S. His favorite part was “truly enjoying the immersive experience of learning about cultures from all over the world.”His favorite memory from UT was at Kinsolving his freshman year. “Perhaps this is silly and trivial, but my favorite memory is actually a collection of memories I have all at Kinsolving Dining Hall: My entire freshman year plays in one giant flashback of all the lunches and dinners I had in the dining hall, always sitting with a new group of friends that I grew close with during the beginning of my college career. It sort of felt like a "third home" for all of us to gather each night.”“Forty Acres has touched almost every aspect of my college experience, all in positive ways. From the enriching experience of spending over half a year abroad, both studying and backpacking in Europe, to the wonderful community I met in my fellow scholars, to the connections I made at our alumni events has completely changed my life and improved every aspect of my experience at UT. I still think back to all the times we've met esteemed professors, awarded Texas Exes (most recently the founder of P Terry's!), and how much each of these experience have added so much to my college experience.”Brydn is the recipient of the Catherine G. and Sam L. Susser Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.    Frances Cates Frances is from Memphis, Tennessee and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors. After graduation she will be attending the University of Cambridge in the UK to pursue an MPhil in Medical Science in Obstetrics & Gynecology!During her time in Austin, Frances took full advantage of the beautiful trails around town. “My favorite college pastime is running—I know so many people hate it but there are amazing trails in Austin, and I love running Town Lake. I've run the Austin Half Marathon twice!” Frances also attended many UT football games, saying the 49-0 win against OU her sophomore year was her favorite.Her greatest takeaway from college is “Take opportunities and invest in your relationships. Often, the two are intertwined. I have met some of my closest friends by taking the leap into projects, classes, or travels.”“FASP has impacted not just my college experience but my life! I could go on forever about the fascinating, kind, compassionate, and driven people I have met in this program who I get to call my best friends. My friends in FASP have pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I am constantly learning and growing when I am with them.”Frances is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Jeremiah DoJeremiah is from Garland, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSASE) and a minor in Materials Science. After graduation, Jeremiah is excited to pursue his dreams of aerospace administration by joining Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as a Project Engineer for the F-35 Program in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, he will be pursuing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering this fall—location to be decided soon!Jeremiah said choosing his favorite memory was very difficult because there are so many, but he decided on his time in Ignite Texas, where he started as a camper and ended up serving as Assistant Director. “Each year, I get to connect freshman with loving and supportive groups that often shape the way they experience college. Being a part of that process has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my time here.”Jeremiah also said one of his favorite memories was coming to the office and hanging out with the FASP staff. “The program wouldn’t be nearly as meaningful without their constant support, both emotionally and academically. Their office truly feels like a second home, with a door that’s always open and a staff that leads with empathy and care."I’ll never forget the day Whitney looked at me and asked, “Do you feel like you have too much on your plate?” It might sound like a small question, but in that moment, it meant everything. It was the first time someone had asked me that so directly, and it came from such a place of genuine love and concern. That simple question helped me take a step back and reflect on my own well-being in a way I hadn’t before."College comes with so many highs and lows, but having people like the FASP team, people who truly see you and care enough to ask the hard questions, makes all the difference. Their presence has helped me grow, not just as a student, but as a person.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has had a profound impact on my college experience by providing essential support and resources," Jeremiah said. "As the first in my family to attend college, I initially struggled with networking and self-doubt, but the program’s community helped me realize I wasn’t alone. The emotional support from my cohort has been invaluable. I’ve always known I had a trustworthy backbone of friends to lean on, which made the challenges of college more manageable. This network has been crucial in helping me build and grow my startup, offering mentorship and guidance that has allowed me to achieve my goals. Additionally, the ability to graduate debt-free has provided me the financial freedom to focus on my growth, both academically and professionally.”Jeremiah is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Lana Jones O'Hara and Will O'Hara. You can read more about him here.   Faith FulbrightFaith is from Odessa, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Canfield Business Honors and finance. After graduation, she plans to work with Nomura Holdings, Inc., as an investment banking analyst in New York City!Faith’s favorite memory was from her sophomore year spring break: “Nick, Diego, Joseph, and I road-tripped from Austin all the way to the Zion National Park, hitting Odessa (my hometown), Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, and more on our way. I had never camped or done any big hikes before, so this was a crazy change of pace for me! I’m so glad I got to have that experience, and happy that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.” Pushing herself also contributed to what she learned in college. “I’ve been able to accomplish so much more than I ever thought possible, all because of friends, family, and mentors who told me to do the things that scared me," she says. "The anticipation is always worse than the act!”Outside of hanging out with other Scholars, Faith likes to play video games on her brand-new, custom-built PC, and happy hour–hopping all the best eats and drinks in Austin on her off-class-days.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has been truly transformational," she adds. "Not only has it provided me with a lifelong group of friends, it enabled me to travel the world, gain self-confidence, and opened me to opportunities I never could have imagined. FASP is the great connector, and the great beginning to so many fantastic careers, friendships, and more!”Faith is the recipient of the Fred A. Gottesman Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Leila Garza Leila is from Houston, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “Since I was young, becoming a nurse has always been my dream. After graduation, my goal is to begin a career in Houston, working in a neonatal ICU. It’s a path I’ve been passionate about for years, and I’m excited to finally take the next step toward making that dream a reality.”Laila said some of her favorite UT memories happened at DKR. “There's truly nothing like being surrounded by a sea of burnt orange, singing school chants with fellow Longhorns, and feeling the energy of a home game. I'll definitely miss the excitement of every touchdown and, of course, the five free Pluckers wings after each win. Looking back, it's amazing how my pride and love for this university have only grown stronger - and I know that no matter where life takes me, I'll always be a Longhorn at heart.”Another one of her favorite memories was her opportunity to study abroad. “I never imagined I'd have the chance to travel across the world during college, but FASP made that possible. Through the program, I spent six weeks in Spain learning Spanish while fully immersing myself in the daily life of my host family. One of my favorite memories from that time was celebrating my 21st birthday in London with Chardelene Reyes. Being able to mark such a meaningful milestone away from home - with a familiar face by my side - was something I’ll always cherish. I’m incredibly grateful to FASP for giving me the opportunity to explore new places, connect with people from around the world, and experience unforgettable moments that will stay with me for a lifetime.”“There's no doubt that FASP has played a huge role in shaping my college experience. I'm thankful that this program saw potential in a first-generation Latina from Houston, Texas, and chose to invest in my journey. Through FASP, I've gained more than just financial support—I've found lifelong friends, built an incredible network, and grown into someone who's proud to soon be a Texas Ex. The doors this scholarship has opened for me are endless, and I’ll carry that gratitude with me wherever I go.”Leila is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Nina HamuyNina is from Highland Beach, Florida majoring in Canfield Business Honors and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration on the Honors Track. After graduation, she will be doing Consulting as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Co in their New York office.While using her enrichment stipend, Nina was able to travel to 13 countries. During this time, she was able to see some other Scholars who were abroad! “Spending a weekend in London during my study abroad semester with Diego, Joseph, and Leah was not only my favorite weekend trip, but also my favorite memory FASP has brought me! We had the famous chocolate strawberries from Borough Market, saw the changing of the guards, and explored every inch of the city together while cherishing a little piece of home.” Some of Nina’s other favorite memories include hanging out on her porch with Scholars and traveling to support UT football at some away games this past season.“The people in this program have shaped my experiences both as a student and beyond graduation. Older Scholars guided me to my industry while alumni held my hand through the recruiting process, resulting in my full-time offer of employment at McKinsey. The relationships I fostered with younger Scholars brought light and joy into my life and gave me a sense of purpose within this program. The Scholars before me who served as a guiding light were a major resource, and I hope to return the favor with those in younger cohorts.”Nina is the recipient of the Karen and Charles Matthews, Jr. Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Holly Gayle HullHolly Gayle is from Shiner, Texas majoring in Applied Movement Science with a UTeach Certificate and a Minor in Italian Language. After graduation she will be teaching at Ball High School in Galveston in the Life Sciences department!She says the most memorable party of studying abroad was her host family! ”The country itself is beautiful in unimaginable ways, but my host parents, Emmanuela and Carlo showed me the traditional culture. Living several miles from the center of Rome gave me the most immersive experience and I will be forever grateful.”While on campus, Holly Gayle’s favorite past times were going on walks and trying local coffee shops. Her greatest takeaway is: “Life always seems to work itself out. No matter how stressful life gets or how many exams get packed into a week, there is a plan for me and I am where I am meant to be!”“FASP has impacted me in ways I cannot efficiently put into words. As a future educator, graduating debt-free is a blessing. Besides the obvious monetary benefits, the people I have been surrounded with these last four years have changed me for the better. I am so thankful for my peers and especially Riley, Whitney, Ashley, and Megan. These wonderful ladies have been the guidance I needed while navigating my life here at UT.”Holly Gayle is the recipient of the Friends of Darrell K Royal Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Eleanor HutchesonEleanor is from Houston and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. After graduation, she will be working at LP Analyst in Dallas, Texas, starting this August. She is excited to begin this next chapter in Dallas and apply what she has learned at UT to support institutional investors in making informed decisions about their private asset portfolios.During her study abroad program, Eleanor’s favorite memory was a reflective one. “One of my favorite memories from studying abroad was the day I walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence and watched the sun set over the city and the Duomo with a pizza in hand. I remember just sitting there thinking about how grateful I was for this opportunity—I still couldn’t believe I was actually there, even three weeks in. It was one of those moments that just didn’t feel real. I know I never would’ve done something like that if it weren’t for the Forty Acres Program, and I’m so thankful for it.”Senior year holds many special moments but her favorite was during the Senior Dinner Series. “We read the letters we had written to ourselves at the start of college. It was so eye-opening to see how much I’ve changed over these past four years and how close I’ve grown with the people around me. It really affirmed what I’ve been realizing these past few months—that change is something to embrace, and if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that my future will never turn out how I expect it to. I’m already looking forward to reading the next letter I wrote to myself in five years and keeping this tradition going.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program completely shaped my college experience. I wouldn’t have met any of these amazing people—including our program coordinators—who have each impacted my time at UT in their own unique way. It’s given me access to such a diverse group of students from different majors and cities that I may have never crossed paths with otherwise, and I’m so grateful for that. On top of that, the alumni network is incredible, and I know it’s something I’ll continue to lean on even after graduation.”Eleanor is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Leslie and John David Moritz. You can read more about her here.   Esther JinEsther is from League City, Texas and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering Honors with a minor in Studio Art. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation she will be working as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Tesla in Austin.During her time at UT, a lot of Esther’s time went to the Solar Car team and other activities in the Engineering School like hanging out in the break room at her on-campus job at the engineering makerspace and Texas Inventionworks. “At Longhorn Racing, I spent several sleepless nights working on the car alongside my teammates. One summer night at the national competition in Kansas, I was working so intently that I didn't even notice when the clock had struck midnight, and that I officially turned 19. Suddenly, my teammates surprised me by singing happy birthday, and fellow scholar Walter was holding a cake lit with candles. Everyone was covered in sweat and exhausted to their limit, myself included, but in that moment all my stress washed away and I was left with pure gratitude and appreciation for my friends.”Outside of the engineering school, her favorite memory was the most recent Finalist Weekend. “Participating in different tours and panels and answering questions about my own experience while hearing about finalists' goals and dreams left me feeling inspired about the future of the program. It was a great chance to reminisce on my experience as a Forty Acres Scholar and an amazing way to close out the past four years.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program provided me with incredible mentorship from fellow scholars, such as Jackson Bellard, Walter Stark, and Olivia Pierce who influenced a great deal of my academic, professional, and study abroad opportunities. Knowing that there was someone in the program that I could reach out to for any opportunity, from registering for classes to joining clubs, made UT feel much more like home.”Esther is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Cockrell School of Engineering. You can read more about her here.   Leah KegerreisLeah is from Dallas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science – Geology. In the fall Leah will be part of the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida. In the meantime, she hopes to work on her portfolio to apply for art school!Like many others, Leah’s favorite memory from her time in the program was the Senior Trip to Costa Rica. This group knows how to keep themselves entertained on a long bus ride. Outside of the program, her favorite memories usually involved her love for Geology. “I loved going on geology field trips with the Jackson School! Whether we were taking boats out of Port Aransas or hiking through Hill Country, we had a blast learning more about the natural world.” She also loved meeting up with other Scholars during her study abroad in Florence.Leah said in college she learned “the most important thing isn't your resume, but loving your people well! Don't take assignments too seriously, but pour your time into the things that bring you joy.”“I absolutely loved growing close to my cohort over the past four years. Coming into college, I already had a group of friends and supporters with whom to explore my new home. Additionally, FASP gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, which has inspired me to attend art school and realize my dream of becoming an independent artist in the future!”Leah is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Nancy and Mark Reichek. You can read more about her here.   Niels Levy-ThiebautNiels is from Houston, Texas and will be receiving a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biochemistry Honors, a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors, a Certificate in Pre-Health Professions, and a Certificate in Evidence and Inquiry. He will be attending medical school next fall, most likely in Houston at McGovern Medical School (here’s to four more years of rooting for the Longhorns and wearing burnt orange!).During his 4 years, Niels was a member of Longhorn Powerlifting. “Competing for UT and the US at the 2022 IPF World University Powerlifting Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, was an amazing experience and honor. After medaling bronze for my weight class, I got to visit Istanbul and experience the cuisine, culture, and visit the magnificent Hagia Sofia.” He also got to see even more new places while studying abroad. “I loved visiting Japan through my study abroad program and after. I got to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Okinawa, and Hokkaido through programming, solo travel, and group weekend trips. Getting to stay in a traditional home and visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto remains a highlight.”Like some of our other seniors, Niels found himself fully immersed in Texas sporting events. “Watching Texas sports (especially football) has been a great pastime. Coming from France and attending a small school for high school, the community formed around sports was new to me. I loved watching the Longhorns and feeling connected to others and my school through sports.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has made my college experience amazing, unique, and one I will cherish forever. Being financially free has meant more time and latitude for joining organizations I love, like the Tejas Club and Silver Spurs, while focusing on my academics. FASP has allowed me to explore the world through study abroad and travel in a way I would not have been able to do otherwise. FASP has connected me with opportunities, people, and support. Most importantly, FASP has given me a family and some of my best friends from these past four years. My experience in college would not have been nearly as fulfilling and wonderful without FASP.”Niels is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Carolyn Holmes. You can read more about him here.   Joseph NewcomerJoseph is from Dallas, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Math and a Bachelor of Science Physics. Following graduation, he will be working as a Forensic Data Scientist at Integra FEC!Jospeh’s favorite memory from the program was his cohort’s Freshman Retreat. “This was the summer of 2021, and many Covid-19 protocols were still in place. Because of this, we were unable to attend Camp Texas together as a cohort since it got cancelled. However, since we already had the time carved out, instead all of us rented an Airbnb in Austin for a few days and got to experience a lot of what there is to do in this city together. This experience made us all bond so quickly, and after those few days, it became very apparent that these were going to be my best friends throughout all of college.”His biggest takeaway from college is that good people are everything. “The biggest impact FASP has had on my college experience has been the people. My best friends and college roommates are fellow scholars, and I’ve formed great friendships with many others in the program. Being surrounded by such a supportive, inspiring community has made college feel like home, and I genuinely hope to stay connected with everyone long after graduation.”Jospeh is the recipient of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.   Chardelene ReyesChardelene is from Cypress, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduation she is returning to Houston,  to pursue a career as an RN in the Neonatal ICU.Chardelene’s favorite memory from her time in the program was the Senior Trip to Costa Rica. “We went whitewater rafting, saw tons of wildlife like sloths and toucans, ziplined in the rain, and danced with locals. It was a great bonding experience and a bittersweet last hurrah with my cohort.”She used her enrichment stipend to study abroad in Santander, Spain! “I was so nervous to meet my host family, but once I finally did, they were so kind and welcoming. They helped me improve my Spanish and my most precious memories with them are the meals we shared together. I still keep in touch with my host mom to this day and we keep each other updated! During this time, I was also able to watch Spain win the 2024 Euro Cup in Madrid! I traveled with Leila, another member of my cohort and we watched the game and celebrated together!”“I remember having so many dreams as a high school senior. The Forty Acres Scholars Program has made it possible for me to pursue those dreams alongside the wonderful people in my cohort. I have met the kindest, funniest, weirdest, most intelligent people through this cohort, and it's all thanks to FASP. I have been able to gallivant around different countries, meet the most interesting people, and check off item after item on my bucket list. I would not have been able to attend UT if not for the Forty Acres Scholars Program, and I will be forever grateful for what this program has blessed me with.”Chardelene is the recipient of the Mike A. Myers Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Diego RobbinsDiego is from San Antonio, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analytics. After graduation, he will be staying in Austin as an Associate at the Boston Consulting Group's Austin Office.Diego had a list of his top takeaways from college:Participating in class and going to your professors' office hours are such easy ways to find lifelong mentors.Say yes to things early and often in your freshman year.It's all too easy to get caught up in the stresses of planning for post-grad life. Make sure to be intentional in doing fun college things, whatever that means to you.Diego truly made the most out of his enrichment stipend in Prague. “I was fortunate enough to take trips to 15 different countries during my semester abroad, but trips that stand out the most are the ones that I took with fellow Scholars. I spent three days in London with Nina Hamuy, Leah Kegerreis, and Joseph Newcomer; five days in Istanbul with Leah and Joseph; three days visiting Leah in Florence, a chance 45-minute french fry reunion with Nina and Joseph in Amsterdam, and 11 days traveling Northern Europe with Joseph on a trip which I consider to be the crown jewel of my enrichment experience. I could spend pages talking about any one of those trips.”“Community. From day one, I found a cohort of brilliant, unique, and supportive peers who have stood by me through every milestone. My closest friends—two of whom I’ve lived with for the past three years—are Scholars, and knowing I always have that tight‑knit group made a huge campus feel like home."Connection. Beyond classmates, the program plugged me into a network of faculty, alumni, and older Scholars who’ve mentored me academically and professionally. Whether it was grabbing coffee with a favorite professor, getting resume feedback from an alum in my field, or leaning on upper‑class Scholars to navigate internships, those relationships opened doors I wouldn’t have found on my own."Discovery. Thanks to the enrichment stipend, I spent a semester in the Czech Republic and visited 15 countries alongside fellow Scholars—stretching my worldview and confidence. Closer to home, leadership roles in student organizations and research projects pushed me to explore new passions and develop skills I still carry with me."Most of all, being a Forty Acres Scholar gave me the confidence to succeed at The University of Texas. Knowing the University believed in me allowed me to believe in myself—transforming every challenge into an opportunity to grow.”Diego is the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.   Mia Li RodriguezMia Li is from Brownsville, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors. After graduation she plans to work for a nonprofit in Dallas to serve Spanish-speaking communities.When asked what her favorite college memory was, she said: “While I have too many favorite memories to just choose one, attending a Briston Maroney concert at Emo's with my friends was pretty special. I think I was also writing an essay on my phone during the break between acts.”Aside from concerts, Mia Li also likes to spend time at Lady Bird Lake, participate in book clubs, late night dessert runs with friends, and of course, football gamedays!She was able to study aboard multiple times with amazing memories from that as well. “I had the opportunity to study abroad twice in Singapore and Rome. My favorite memory from Singapore was attending an evening concert at the Supertree Grove. The theme was Star Wars and the light show matched the music perfectly. In Rome, I had the opportunity to attend a Papal Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. I appreciated participating in such a significant cultural and religious event.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program brought me to UT. It's hard to describe how much support and opportunities the program provides. The support comes from an incredible community of staff, donors, volunteers, and fellow scholars who care about each student directly. Thanks to my enrichment, I got to spend two summers abroad in incredible countries.”Mia Li is the recipient of the Stan L. McLelland Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. You can read more about her here.   Nick Van LenteNick is a Plan II major from Austin and will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. After graduation, he will be in the Detroit area, hopefully working in non-profit arts. He’s curious about museum spaces, libraries, archives, and university settings. Nick will be returning to grad school in a few years, so he’s hoping to gain some entry-level experience that will inform my postgrad journey.Nick loves listening to music in his free time. “We will either sit on the balcony or drive around and talk about songs.” If he’s not doing that with his friends, he also likes to swim at Barton Springs or St. Eds.This cohort liked to dress up in themes for all of the FASP programming events. “I have learned to cherish all of the weeknight dinners with my cohort. One that sticks out was Halloween our freshman year. We all arrived in costume and had an amazing time. Five of us dressed as Mystery Incorporated—I was Shaggy and Diego was Scooby. If you ever meet Nick, you should ask him about saving the sloth on the senior trip to Costa Rica!"When asked what his biggest takeaway from college is, Nick said, “Knowing yourself requires exiting your comfort zone and really deciding what matters to you, what you value. I think that sometimes we don't ask ourselves the important questions.”“FASP has completely changed my life, beyond my "college experience." First and foremost, FASP has formed the base of my community on campus; I arrived to class on the first day already knowing some of what would become my best friends. FASP also allowed me to travel the world. I've made it to almost 30 countries and without FASP, I would never have made those memories.”Nick is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.  

Congratulations to the Class of 2025

 Brydn AbrahamBrydn is from Frisco, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II and Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in Canfield Business Honors Program & Management. He will be an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan through the JET Program for the upcoming year while he applies to law school.Throughout college, Brydn prioritized friendships, using his time outside of class to foster meaningful relationships. “Playing board games with friends, finding new music with friends or catching up on TV shows together. Looking back at my college experiences, they often aren't marked by necessarily momentous events—large travels, big competitions, or big events. It's all the moments in-between. Spent with the people who made each of those moments feel so special.”Brydn had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Bath, where he was the only exchange student out of 75 from the U.S. His favorite part was “truly enjoying the immersive experience of learning about cultures from all over the world.”His favorite memory from UT was at Kinsolving his freshman year. “Perhaps this is silly and trivial, but my favorite memory is actually a collection of memories I have all at Kinsolving Dining Hall: My entire freshman year plays in one giant flashback of all the lunches and dinners I had in the dining hall, always sitting with a new group of friends that I grew close with during the beginning of my college career. It sort of felt like a "third home" for all of us to gather each night.”“Forty Acres has touched almost every aspect of my college experience, all in positive ways. From the enriching experience of spending over half a year abroad, both studying and backpacking in Europe, to the wonderful community I met in my fellow scholars, to the connections I made at our alumni events has completely changed my life and improved every aspect of my experience at UT. I still think back to all the times we've met esteemed professors, awarded Texas Exes (most recently the founder of P Terry's!), and how much each of these experience have added so much to my college experience.”Brydn is the recipient of the Catherine G. and Sam L. Susser Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.    Frances Cates Frances is from Memphis, Tennessee and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors. After graduation she will be attending the University of Cambridge in the UK to pursue an MPhil in Medical Science in Obstetrics & Gynecology!During her time in Austin, Frances took full advantage of the beautiful trails around town. “My favorite college pastime is running—I know so many people hate it but there are amazing trails in Austin, and I love running Town Lake. I've run the Austin Half Marathon twice!” Frances also attended many UT football games, saying the 49-0 win against OU her sophomore year was her favorite.Her greatest takeaway from college is “Take opportunities and invest in your relationships. Often, the two are intertwined. I have met some of my closest friends by taking the leap into projects, classes, or travels.”“FASP has impacted not just my college experience but my life! I could go on forever about the fascinating, kind, compassionate, and driven people I have met in this program who I get to call my best friends. My friends in FASP have pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I am constantly learning and growing when I am with them.”Frances is the recipient of the Eugene McDermott Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Jeremiah DoJeremiah is from Garland, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSASE) and a minor in Materials Science. After graduation, Jeremiah is excited to pursue his dreams of aerospace administration by joining Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as a Project Engineer for the F-35 Program in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, he will be pursuing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering this fall—location to be decided soon!Jeremiah said choosing his favorite memory was very difficult because there are so many, but he decided on his time in Ignite Texas, where he started as a camper and ended up serving as Assistant Director. “Each year, I get to connect freshman with loving and supportive groups that often shape the way they experience college. Being a part of that process has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my time here.”Jeremiah also said one of his favorite memories was coming to the office and hanging out with the FASP staff. “The program wouldn’t be nearly as meaningful without their constant support, both emotionally and academically. Their office truly feels like a second home, with a door that’s always open and a staff that leads with empathy and care."I’ll never forget the day Whitney looked at me and asked, “Do you feel like you have too much on your plate?” It might sound like a small question, but in that moment, it meant everything. It was the first time someone had asked me that so directly, and it came from such a place of genuine love and concern. That simple question helped me take a step back and reflect on my own well-being in a way I hadn’t before."College comes with so many highs and lows, but having people like the FASP team, people who truly see you and care enough to ask the hard questions, makes all the difference. Their presence has helped me grow, not just as a student, but as a person.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has had a profound impact on my college experience by providing essential support and resources," Jeremiah said. "As the first in my family to attend college, I initially struggled with networking and self-doubt, but the program’s community helped me realize I wasn’t alone. The emotional support from my cohort has been invaluable. I’ve always known I had a trustworthy backbone of friends to lean on, which made the challenges of college more manageable. This network has been crucial in helping me build and grow my startup, offering mentorship and guidance that has allowed me to achieve my goals. Additionally, the ability to graduate debt-free has provided me the financial freedom to focus on my growth, both academically and professionally.”Jeremiah is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Lana Jones O'Hara and Will O'Hara. You can read more about him here.   Faith FulbrightFaith is from Odessa, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Canfield Business Honors and finance. After graduation, she plans to work with Nomura Holdings, Inc., as an investment banking analyst in New York City!Faith’s favorite memory was from her sophomore year spring break: “Nick, Diego, Joseph, and I road-tripped from Austin all the way to the Zion National Park, hitting Odessa (my hometown), Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, and more on our way. I had never camped or done any big hikes before, so this was a crazy change of pace for me! I’m so glad I got to have that experience, and happy that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.” Pushing herself also contributed to what she learned in college. “I’ve been able to accomplish so much more than I ever thought possible, all because of friends, family, and mentors who told me to do the things that scared me," she says. "The anticipation is always worse than the act!”Outside of hanging out with other Scholars, Faith likes to play video games on her brand-new, custom-built PC, and happy hour–hopping all the best eats and drinks in Austin on her off-class-days.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has been truly transformational," she adds. "Not only has it provided me with a lifelong group of friends, it enabled me to travel the world, gain self-confidence, and opened me to opportunities I never could have imagined. FASP is the great connector, and the great beginning to so many fantastic careers, friendships, and more!”Faith is the recipient of the Fred A. Gottesman Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Leila Garza Leila is from Houston, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “Since I was young, becoming a nurse has always been my dream. After graduation, my goal is to begin a career in Houston, working in a neonatal ICU. It’s a path I’ve been passionate about for years, and I’m excited to finally take the next step toward making that dream a reality.”Laila said some of her favorite UT memories happened at DKR. “There's truly nothing like being surrounded by a sea of burnt orange, singing school chants with fellow Longhorns, and feeling the energy of a home game. I'll definitely miss the excitement of every touchdown and, of course, the five free Pluckers wings after each win. Looking back, it's amazing how my pride and love for this university have only grown stronger - and I know that no matter where life takes me, I'll always be a Longhorn at heart.”Another one of her favorite memories was her opportunity to study abroad. “I never imagined I'd have the chance to travel across the world during college, but FASP made that possible. Through the program, I spent six weeks in Spain learning Spanish while fully immersing myself in the daily life of my host family. One of my favorite memories from that time was celebrating my 21st birthday in London with Chardelene Reyes. Being able to mark such a meaningful milestone away from home - with a familiar face by my side - was something I’ll always cherish. I’m incredibly grateful to FASP for giving me the opportunity to explore new places, connect with people from around the world, and experience unforgettable moments that will stay with me for a lifetime.”“There's no doubt that FASP has played a huge role in shaping my college experience. I'm thankful that this program saw potential in a first-generation Latina from Houston, Texas, and chose to invest in my journey. Through FASP, I've gained more than just financial support—I've found lifelong friends, built an incredible network, and grown into someone who's proud to soon be a Texas Ex. The doors this scholarship has opened for me are endless, and I’ll carry that gratitude with me wherever I go.”Leila is the recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Nina HamuyNina is from Highland Beach, Florida majoring in Canfield Business Honors and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration on the Honors Track. After graduation, she will be doing Consulting as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Co in their New York office.While using her enrichment stipend, Nina was able to travel to 13 countries. During this time, she was able to see some other Scholars who were abroad! “Spending a weekend in London during my study abroad semester with Diego, Joseph, and Leah was not only my favorite weekend trip, but also my favorite memory FASP has brought me! We had the famous chocolate strawberries from Borough Market, saw the changing of the guards, and explored every inch of the city together while cherishing a little piece of home.” Some of Nina’s other favorite memories include hanging out on her porch with Scholars and traveling to support UT football at some away games this past season.“The people in this program have shaped my experiences both as a student and beyond graduation. Older Scholars guided me to my industry while alumni held my hand through the recruiting process, resulting in my full-time offer of employment at McKinsey. The relationships I fostered with younger Scholars brought light and joy into my life and gave me a sense of purpose within this program. The Scholars before me who served as a guiding light were a major resource, and I hope to return the favor with those in younger cohorts.”Nina is the recipient of the Karen and Charles Matthews, Jr. Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Holly Gayle HullHolly Gayle is from Shiner, Texas majoring in Applied Movement Science with a UTeach Certificate and a Minor in Italian Language. After graduation she will be teaching at Ball High School in Galveston in the Life Sciences department!She says the most memorable party of studying abroad was her host family! ”The country itself is beautiful in unimaginable ways, but my host parents, Emmanuela and Carlo showed me the traditional culture. Living several miles from the center of Rome gave me the most immersive experience and I will be forever grateful.”While on campus, Holly Gayle’s favorite past times were going on walks and trying local coffee shops. Her greatest takeaway is: “Life always seems to work itself out. No matter how stressful life gets or how many exams get packed into a week, there is a plan for me and I am where I am meant to be!”“FASP has impacted me in ways I cannot efficiently put into words. As a future educator, graduating debt-free is a blessing. Besides the obvious monetary benefits, the people I have been surrounded with these last four years have changed me for the better. I am so thankful for my peers and especially Riley, Whitney, Ashley, and Megan. These wonderful ladies have been the guidance I needed while navigating my life here at UT.”Holly Gayle is the recipient of the Friends of Darrell K Royal Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Eleanor HutchesonEleanor is from Houston and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. After graduation, she will be working at LP Analyst in Dallas, Texas, starting this August. She is excited to begin this next chapter in Dallas and apply what she has learned at UT to support institutional investors in making informed decisions about their private asset portfolios.During her study abroad program, Eleanor’s favorite memory was a reflective one. “One of my favorite memories from studying abroad was the day I walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence and watched the sun set over the city and the Duomo with a pizza in hand. I remember just sitting there thinking about how grateful I was for this opportunity—I still couldn’t believe I was actually there, even three weeks in. It was one of those moments that just didn’t feel real. I know I never would’ve done something like that if it weren’t for the Forty Acres Program, and I’m so thankful for it.”Senior year holds many special moments but her favorite was during the Senior Dinner Series. “We read the letters we had written to ourselves at the start of college. It was so eye-opening to see how much I’ve changed over these past four years and how close I’ve grown with the people around me. It really affirmed what I’ve been realizing these past few months—that change is something to embrace, and if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that my future will never turn out how I expect it to. I’m already looking forward to reading the next letter I wrote to myself in five years and keeping this tradition going.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program completely shaped my college experience. I wouldn’t have met any of these amazing people—including our program coordinators—who have each impacted my time at UT in their own unique way. It’s given me access to such a diverse group of students from different majors and cities that I may have never crossed paths with otherwise, and I’m so grateful for that. On top of that, the alumni network is incredible, and I know it’s something I’ll continue to lean on even after graduation.”Eleanor is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Leslie and John David Moritz. You can read more about her here.   Esther JinEsther is from League City, Texas and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering Honors with a minor in Studio Art. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation she will be working as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Tesla in Austin.During her time at UT, a lot of Esther’s time went to the Solar Car team and other activities in the Engineering School like hanging out in the break room at her on-campus job at the engineering makerspace and Texas Inventionworks. “At Longhorn Racing, I spent several sleepless nights working on the car alongside my teammates. One summer night at the national competition in Kansas, I was working so intently that I didn't even notice when the clock had struck midnight, and that I officially turned 19. Suddenly, my teammates surprised me by singing happy birthday, and fellow scholar Walter was holding a cake lit with candles. Everyone was covered in sweat and exhausted to their limit, myself included, but in that moment all my stress washed away and I was left with pure gratitude and appreciation for my friends.”Outside of the engineering school, her favorite memory was the most recent Finalist Weekend. “Participating in different tours and panels and answering questions about my own experience while hearing about finalists' goals and dreams left me feeling inspired about the future of the program. It was a great chance to reminisce on my experience as a Forty Acres Scholar and an amazing way to close out the past four years.“The Forty Acres Scholars Program provided me with incredible mentorship from fellow scholars, such as Jackson Bellard, Walter Stark, and Olivia Pierce who influenced a great deal of my academic, professional, and study abroad opportunities. Knowing that there was someone in the program that I could reach out to for any opportunity, from registering for classes to joining clubs, made UT feel much more like home.”Esther is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by the Cockrell School of Engineering. You can read more about her here.   Leah KegerreisLeah is from Dallas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science – Geology. In the fall Leah will be part of the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida. In the meantime, she hopes to work on her portfolio to apply for art school!Like many others, Leah’s favorite memory from her time in the program was the Senior Trip to Costa Rica. This group knows how to keep themselves entertained on a long bus ride. Outside of the program, her favorite memories usually involved her love for Geology. “I loved going on geology field trips with the Jackson School! Whether we were taking boats out of Port Aransas or hiking through Hill Country, we had a blast learning more about the natural world.” She also loved meeting up with other Scholars during her study abroad in Florence.Leah said in college she learned “the most important thing isn't your resume, but loving your people well! Don't take assignments too seriously, but pour your time into the things that bring you joy.”“I absolutely loved growing close to my cohort over the past four years. Coming into college, I already had a group of friends and supporters with whom to explore my new home. Additionally, FASP gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, which has inspired me to attend art school and realize my dream of becoming an independent artist in the future!”Leah is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Nancy and Mark Reichek. You can read more about her here.   Niels Levy-ThiebautNiels is from Houston, Texas and will be receiving a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biochemistry Honors, a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors, a Certificate in Pre-Health Professions, and a Certificate in Evidence and Inquiry. He will be attending medical school next fall, most likely in Houston at McGovern Medical School (here’s to four more years of rooting for the Longhorns and wearing burnt orange!).During his 4 years, Niels was a member of Longhorn Powerlifting. “Competing for UT and the US at the 2022 IPF World University Powerlifting Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, was an amazing experience and honor. After medaling bronze for my weight class, I got to visit Istanbul and experience the cuisine, culture, and visit the magnificent Hagia Sofia.” He also got to see even more new places while studying abroad. “I loved visiting Japan through my study abroad program and after. I got to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Okinawa, and Hokkaido through programming, solo travel, and group weekend trips. Getting to stay in a traditional home and visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto remains a highlight.”Like some of our other seniors, Niels found himself fully immersed in Texas sporting events. “Watching Texas sports (especially football) has been a great pastime. Coming from France and attending a small school for high school, the community formed around sports was new to me. I loved watching the Longhorns and feeling connected to others and my school through sports.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program has made my college experience amazing, unique, and one I will cherish forever. Being financially free has meant more time and latitude for joining organizations I love, like the Tejas Club and Silver Spurs, while focusing on my academics. FASP has allowed me to explore the world through study abroad and travel in a way I would not have been able to do otherwise. FASP has connected me with opportunities, people, and support. Most importantly, FASP has given me a family and some of my best friends from these past four years. My experience in college would not have been nearly as fulfilling and wonderful without FASP.”Niels is the recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Carolyn Holmes. You can read more about him here.   Joseph NewcomerJoseph is from Dallas, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Math and a Bachelor of Science Physics. Following graduation, he will be working as a Forensic Data Scientist at Integra FEC!Jospeh’s favorite memory from the program was his cohort’s Freshman Retreat. “This was the summer of 2021, and many Covid-19 protocols were still in place. Because of this, we were unable to attend Camp Texas together as a cohort since it got cancelled. However, since we already had the time carved out, instead all of us rented an Airbnb in Austin for a few days and got to experience a lot of what there is to do in this city together. This experience made us all bond so quickly, and after those few days, it became very apparent that these were going to be my best friends throughout all of college.”His biggest takeaway from college is that good people are everything. “The biggest impact FASP has had on my college experience has been the people. My best friends and college roommates are fellow scholars, and I’ve formed great friendships with many others in the program. Being surrounded by such a supportive, inspiring community has made college feel like home, and I genuinely hope to stay connected with everyone long after graduation.”Jospeh is the recipient of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.   Chardelene ReyesChardelene is from Cypress, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduation she is returning to Houston,  to pursue a career as an RN in the Neonatal ICU.Chardelene’s favorite memory from her time in the program was the Senior Trip to Costa Rica. “We went whitewater rafting, saw tons of wildlife like sloths and toucans, ziplined in the rain, and danced with locals. It was a great bonding experience and a bittersweet last hurrah with my cohort.”She used her enrichment stipend to study abroad in Santander, Spain! “I was so nervous to meet my host family, but once I finally did, they were so kind and welcoming. They helped me improve my Spanish and my most precious memories with them are the meals we shared together. I still keep in touch with my host mom to this day and we keep each other updated! During this time, I was also able to watch Spain win the 2024 Euro Cup in Madrid! I traveled with Leila, another member of my cohort and we watched the game and celebrated together!”“I remember having so many dreams as a high school senior. The Forty Acres Scholars Program has made it possible for me to pursue those dreams alongside the wonderful people in my cohort. I have met the kindest, funniest, weirdest, most intelligent people through this cohort, and it's all thanks to FASP. I have been able to gallivant around different countries, meet the most interesting people, and check off item after item on my bucket list. I would not have been able to attend UT if not for the Forty Acres Scholars Program, and I will be forever grateful for what this program has blessed me with.”Chardelene is the recipient of the Mike A. Myers Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about her here.   Diego RobbinsDiego is from San Antonio, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analytics. After graduation, he will be staying in Austin as an Associate at the Boston Consulting Group's Austin Office.Diego had a list of his top takeaways from college:Participating in class and going to your professors' office hours are such easy ways to find lifelong mentors.Say yes to things early and often in your freshman year.It's all too easy to get caught up in the stresses of planning for post-grad life. Make sure to be intentional in doing fun college things, whatever that means to you.Diego truly made the most out of his enrichment stipend in Prague. “I was fortunate enough to take trips to 15 different countries during my semester abroad, but trips that stand out the most are the ones that I took with fellow Scholars. I spent three days in London with Nina Hamuy, Leah Kegerreis, and Joseph Newcomer; five days in Istanbul with Leah and Joseph; three days visiting Leah in Florence, a chance 45-minute french fry reunion with Nina and Joseph in Amsterdam, and 11 days traveling Northern Europe with Joseph on a trip which I consider to be the crown jewel of my enrichment experience. I could spend pages talking about any one of those trips.”“Community. From day one, I found a cohort of brilliant, unique, and supportive peers who have stood by me through every milestone. My closest friends—two of whom I’ve lived with for the past three years—are Scholars, and knowing I always have that tight‑knit group made a huge campus feel like home."Connection. Beyond classmates, the program plugged me into a network of faculty, alumni, and older Scholars who’ve mentored me academically and professionally. Whether it was grabbing coffee with a favorite professor, getting resume feedback from an alum in my field, or leaning on upper‑class Scholars to navigate internships, those relationships opened doors I wouldn’t have found on my own."Discovery. Thanks to the enrichment stipend, I spent a semester in the Czech Republic and visited 15 countries alongside fellow Scholars—stretching my worldview and confidence. Closer to home, leadership roles in student organizations and research projects pushed me to explore new passions and develop skills I still carry with me."Most of all, being a Forty Acres Scholar gave me the confidence to succeed at The University of Texas. Knowing the University believed in me allowed me to believe in myself—transforming every challenge into an opportunity to grow.”Diego is the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.   Mia Li RodriguezMia Li is from Brownsville, Texas and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors. After graduation she plans to work for a nonprofit in Dallas to serve Spanish-speaking communities.When asked what her favorite college memory was, she said: “While I have too many favorite memories to just choose one, attending a Briston Maroney concert at Emo's with my friends was pretty special. I think I was also writing an essay on my phone during the break between acts.”Aside from concerts, Mia Li also likes to spend time at Lady Bird Lake, participate in book clubs, late night dessert runs with friends, and of course, football gamedays!She was able to study aboard multiple times with amazing memories from that as well. “I had the opportunity to study abroad twice in Singapore and Rome. My favorite memory from Singapore was attending an evening concert at the Supertree Grove. The theme was Star Wars and the light show matched the music perfectly. In Rome, I had the opportunity to attend a Papal Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. I appreciated participating in such a significant cultural and religious event.”“The Forty Acres Scholars Program brought me to UT. It's hard to describe how much support and opportunities the program provides. The support comes from an incredible community of staff, donors, volunteers, and fellow scholars who care about each student directly. Thanks to my enrichment, I got to spend two summers abroad in incredible countries.”Mia Li is the recipient of the Stan L. McLelland Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award. You can read more about her here.   Nick Van LenteNick is a Plan II major from Austin and will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. After graduation, he will be in the Detroit area, hopefully working in non-profit arts. He’s curious about museum spaces, libraries, archives, and university settings. Nick will be returning to grad school in a few years, so he’s hoping to gain some entry-level experience that will inform my postgrad journey.Nick loves listening to music in his free time. “We will either sit on the balcony or drive around and talk about songs.” If he’s not doing that with his friends, he also likes to swim at Barton Springs or St. Eds.This cohort liked to dress up in themes for all of the FASP programming events. “I have learned to cherish all of the weeknight dinners with my cohort. One that sticks out was Halloween our freshman year. We all arrived in costume and had an amazing time. Five of us dressed as Mystery Incorporated—I was Shaggy and Diego was Scooby. If you ever meet Nick, you should ask him about saving the sloth on the senior trip to Costa Rica!"When asked what his biggest takeaway from college is, Nick said, “Knowing yourself requires exiting your comfort zone and really deciding what matters to you, what you value. I think that sometimes we don't ask ourselves the important questions.”“FASP has completely changed my life, beyond my "college experience." First and foremost, FASP has formed the base of my community on campus; I arrived to class on the first day already knowing some of what would become my best friends. FASP also allowed me to travel the world. I've made it to almost 30 countries and without FASP, I would never have made those memories.”Nick is the recipient of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Forty Acres Scholarship. You can read more about him here.  

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