A&M International Dance Student Awarded Scholarship

Texas A&M International University dance student Samuel Montezco has been selected as the first recipient of the Blanche Flores Leyendecker Memorial Scholarship.

The announcement of Montezco's selection was made during A&M International's 1999 Spring Dance Concert, during which he performed in seven of the eight dances presented by the A&M International dance troupes.

Montezco is a 1998 graduate of Martin High School and the Vidal M. Trevino Magnet School of Communication and Fine Arts. He began studying dance three years ago under the direction of Cheryl Kirkpatrick and Alicia McKinnis, and is currently a full-time student at the University where he is studying with Bede Leyendecker, assistant professor of dance at A&M International. He is the son of Mercedes Montezco and Samuel Aguilar. Montezco, a devotee of Spanish dance and advocate of all dance forms, hopes to pursue degrees in dance education.

Bede Leyendecker, who directs the University's Dance Performance Troupe and Flamenco Troupe, said the memorial scholarship was established to help an outstanding dance student pursue the art of dance.

"The Blanche Flores Leyendecker Memorial Scholarship was established by her family as a loving tribute. It is their hope that this scholarship will assist a student of dance to continue their education and fulfill their optimal goals," she explained.

Blanche Flores Leyendecker was a pioneer dance teacher in Laredo. Her untimely death was felt by the many students and friends she touched with her art and kindness. The scholarship was established in her memory by her husband, Richard A. Leyendecker and sons, Richard, Gary, Paul and Mark.

For more information on the Blanche Flores Leyendecker Memorial Scholarship, please call Bede Leyendecker at 326-2640. University office hours are 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