2022 Sames Scholars Cohort Introduced at Annual Orientation
The newest high school Sames Scholars cohort was recently introduced at a gathering at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).
The Sames Scholars Program is a college-bound mentorship program that pairs high school students with TAMIU faculty mentors throughout their high school experience. Upon high school graduation, it offers students a four-year scholarship to TAMIU including tuition, books and fees.
Founders Hank and Elizabeth Sames are celebrating the 20th year of their unique scholarship program providing funds, mentors and support for first-generation and high-risk college-bound high school students. The Sames Scholars program, founded in 2002, pairs United Independent School District high school students with TAMIU faculty.
Special guest speakers at the Annual Orientation included Dr. Barbara Hong, University College dean, who shared her personal experiences pursuing higher education and spoke about the importance of students having a support system.
Two alumni from previous TAMIU Sames Scholar Program cohorts, José Sánchez and Bibiana Calderón, spoke about how being Sames Scholars changed their lives and those of their families. They expressed gratitude to the Sames Family and spoke about the benefits of belonging to the Sames Scholars Program, which provided a $16,000 scholarship each allowing both to obtain a college degree.
Program mentors meet with the students on their high school campus monthly to help keep them on track for graduating, planning for college and encouraging the students to strive for excellence. The students are chosen in their freshman year in high school with two students from each of the four high schools selected for a total of 24 students. If they meet all criteria during high school, the students receive a TAMIU four-year scholarship totaling $16,000.
All college and high school Sames Scholars meet with Mrs. Sames, mentors and TAMIU staff three times a year at TAMIU for Orientation/Back to School, Fall Dinner and Spring Graduation Celebration. At these events, featured speakers help nurture the Sames Scholars community and create an environment of learning excellence.
2022 Sames Scholars were recently introduced at a gathering at TAMIU. Accompanying the students was Sames Scholars Program Founder Elizabeth Sames, pictured on second row, right.
The newly-introduced high school cohort and their respective high schools include: Cynthia Mata and Julia Paredes - United South High School; Amberly Herrera - United High School; Diego Hernández and Marco Antonio Rodríguez; Alexander High School - Jorge A. Jaime, Julieta Castañeda and Yadhira Téllez - Lyndon Baines Johnson High School.
The other high school students currently in the mentorship program include Mario Lanuza, Yajaira Gamez, Gabriela Torres, Jorge Villarreal, Tenoch Aguilar, Vicente Torres, Laila Lozano, Abigail Borrego, Darlene Sepúlveda, Dahiana Vásquez, Horacio Aguilar, Shannon Morales, Britney Hernández, Dana Rios, Mian Saucedo and Neila N. Solíz.
These students are being mentored by TAMIU faculty including Dr. Runchang Lin, Dr. Ariadne González, Dr. Hayley Kazen, Dr. Alfonso R. Vergaray, Dr. Nilda García, Dr. María Lourdes Viloria, Dr. Peter Haruna, Dr. Qiana O'Leary, Dr. Arthur Soto-Vásquez, Dr. Cindy L. Salazar-Collier, Dr. Virginia K. Berndt, and Dr. Kaitlyn M. Culliton.
Sames Scholars currently enrolled at TAMIU are: Jennifer Sánchez, Magda Ramos, Arturo Villarreal, Alexa González, Gustavo Luján, Oscar De León, Nanci García, Rebeca Montiel, Nabila Guerra, Alberto Sánchez, Jaime Chapa, Ana Landeros, Andres Espinoza, Anthony Vásquez, Karyme Rodríguez, Jorge Sáenz, Dannia Segundo, Gissel Trujillo, Jasmine Oviedo and Mia Piñeda.
To date, 80 students have graduated from college with a total of over $1.8M in program funds provided. The mentorship program has proven to have a great success rate for college graduation and currently has 44 students enrolled in high school and college.
Guests also included the TAMIU offices of Financial Aid, Recruitment and School Relations, Academic Success, Career Services, Disability and Counseling Services and TRiO who hosted informational booths and answered questions for students and parents.
In order to be eligible for the Program, high school freshmen must meet the State's economically- disadvantaged criteria, be the first-generation college-bound student in their family, meet monthly with their designated TAMIU mentor, maintain a 90% GPA as it is calculated by their high school, and maintain a 95% attendance while in high school.
For more information about the Sames Scholars Program, students may contact their high school counselors or the TAMIU Office of Institutional Advancement at 956-326-2167, email Azeneth.vazquez@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
