TAMIU STUDENTS TAMIU STAGGS ACADEMY STUDENT FIRST SEMIFINALIST FOR NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP Ishmael Mohammed’s senior year at TAMIU’s Julieta and Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies has been especially memorable. He’s the first Staggs Academy student to be named a Semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship. As a Semifinalist, he has an opportunity to continue in the competition for one of 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million to be offered next Spring. Dr. Mayra Peña director of the Academy and superintendent of TAMIU Independent School District said Mohammed is an exemplary student who sets a new standard for Staggs Academy students. “We are thrilled to celebrate Ishmael Mohammed, whose exceptional academic aptitude and dedication have earned him the semi-finalist status in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Ishmael exemplifies the qualities of diligence, excellence, and perseverance that we hope to see in all our students,” Dr. Peña said. The son of Raquel and Abdul Mohammed, Ishmael is excited by the National Merit opportunity that he hopes will bring him closer to the future he envisions. “I plan to attend medical school and to become an ophthalmologist to serve my local community,” he explained. He shared his thoughts on how he has achieved this success. “I credit my success to always trying to be better than I was the previous day. When I learn, I try to have fun with it rather than think of it as work,” he said. ESPORTS TEAMS SCORE VICTORIES IN OVERWATCH, VALORANT TAMIU’s Esports team won the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Starleague East 4 Division for Overwatch, a multiplayer, first-person, hero-based shooter game. On Overwatch, the five-person team was named Varsity Plus Champions after defeating Rochester Institute of Technology in a close 3 – 2 finish. Team members included Rogelio Mendoza, Jay Patricio Murillo, Javier Sanchez, Diego Sifuentes and Ruben Vallejo. TAMIU Esports was also recognized for winning Varsity Plus Champions in the NACE Starleague East 3 Division for Valorant, a 5v5 hero-based tactical shooter game after beating Keiser University Flagship 2 – 0. Team members included Ruben Atilano, Jorge Cervantes, Angel De Hoyos, Isaac Muñiz and Christian Saldívar. Organized through TAMIU's Recreational Sports, Esports teams currently compete under popular gaming titles like Call of Duty, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., and more. For Sifuentes, a senior Business administration major, the victory resulted from synergy crafted as players, students and friends. "Winning this title was so meaningful because of what it took to get there. I would say it shows our passion as students and as players because we are able to maintain our studies while practicing at a high level of play," said Sifuentes. Ruben Atilano, Jorge Cervantes, Angel De Hoyos, Isaac Muñiz and Christian Saldívar. Ishmael Mohammed 23
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