Memorial Endowment Scholarship for Adela Guerra Established at Texas A&M International University

Family members have announced that a perpetual endowment scholarship at Texas A&M International University has been established to cherish the memory of the late Adela Guerra, who died in 1995 after a tragic automobile accident.

Manuel Guerra, former American Consul at Nuevo Laredo, and his daughters, Lisa Stevens, Katherine McCraw and Christina Gutierrez, announced the endeavor.

"We envision that the endowment will be fully funded within three years and plan to provide an annual scholarship of $1000, beginning this year, to a deserving student who wishes to pursue a career in teaching," said Mr. Guerra.

"We would ask that friends who wish to remember and cherish her memory as we do support this initiative with their donations," Guerra added.

Born in New York City, Adela Lleverino spent her childhood years in Mexico City where she demonstrated an early gift for dance. While in Mexico, she was granted a scholarship to the School of Ballet at Mexico's prestigious Bellas Artes. She came to Laredo in her youth and attended Martin High School. While at Martin, her accomplished Spanish and Mexican dance performances garnered her numerous awards and honors for the school.

She later completed an undergraduate degree in elementary education at Our Lady of the Lake College and began her teaching career providing instruction to the children of NASA scientists and engineers in Greenbelt, Maryland.

In 1963 she married Manuel Guerra and the couple returned to Laredo where she taught fourth grade at Urbahn elementary. Upon Guerra's joining the Foreign Service, the couple spent the next 25 years in service posts in Spain, Liberia, Italy, Colombia and Ireland. In each post, Mrs. Guerra generously provided her time by becoming active in education or the arts, often teaching at local elementary schools.

The couple had an opportunity to re-establish ties with friends and family when Guerra served as American Consul at Nuevo Laredo in the 1980s. Mrs. Guerra served as honorary member of the Princess Pocahontas Council, Pan American Club, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Nuevo Laredo. She also taught fourth grade at Trautmann Elementary School.

When Guerra was assigned to the Inter-American Defense College (IADC) of Washington, D.C. in the 1990s, Mrs. Guerra accompanied her husband on many trips to US military establishments in Central and South America. There she helped to co-host programs for the spouses of military officers attending the IADC.

In 1993, the couple returned to Laredo after Guerra's retirement and Mrs. Guerra dedicated her time to her home on Lane Street and the historic family ranch, Las Albercas, south of Mirando City . She took great pride in her home and worked diligently to make both home and ranch pleasant and peaceful retreats for family and friends.

For additional information on the Adela Guerra Endowed Scholarship, please contact the Office for Advancement and External Affairs at Texas A&M International University, 210. 326. 2175.

Donations can be mailed to Texas A&M International University, Office for Advancement and External Affairs, 5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, Texas 78041-1990.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu