Former SCHOLARS

Jaclyn Munoz (2013)

As the daughter of two working-class parents and a first-generation American, I faced significant challenges in financing my education. However, with the support of the Judge Andy Mireles scholarship, I was able to attend one of the top-ranked universities in Texas. This financial assistance not only alleviated the burden of tuition and living expenses but also allowed me to focus on my studies without the stress of financial uncertainty.
After graduating from the number one accounting program in the nation, I began my career as an entry-level accountant and quickly advanced to my current role as a Senior Grants Accountant. I am passionate about my work and grateful for the opportunities the scholarship provided, which were once just a dream. I continue to believe in the power of education and am committed to giving back to my community to help others achieve their goals. With the help of this scholarship, my life was changed and I am proud to support a foundation that provides once in a lifetime opportunities to students pursuing higher education.

 Isaac Ortega (2018)

​Isaai Ortega was an Andy Mireles Foundation Scholarship recipient, a part of the Fox Tech High School class of 2018. The support given by the foundation allowed for Isaai to attend St. Mary’s University where he completed his degree in Political Science in the fall of 2021. While at St. Mary’s Isaai completed internships through the City of San Antonio’s Ambassador program. Isaai with a strong desire to pursue a career in public service attended UTSA where he completed his Master’s Degree in Public Administration in the fall of 2023. While in his master’s program Isaai worked with the City of San Antonio as a Library Assistant. Additionally, Isaai served as the District 2 representative for the City of San Antonio’s Higher Education Student Advisory Board. Currently Isaai is working as a NNSA Graduate Fellow in Washington D.C. The National Nuclear Security Administration Fellowship program identifies and develops the next generation of exceptional national security leaders to achieve the NNSA mission.

Alexis M. Lightbourn (2016)

​In 2016, the Judge Andy Mireles Scholarship helped me to more seamlessly transition from high school to my undergraduate career. Since then I was able to excel in my undergraduate studies and graduate from Rice University in 2020 with a degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. I was then able to return to my alma mater, Fox Tech High School, in 2021 to teach for 2 years following the COVID-19 lockdown. I was then able to apply to medical school and recently began my second year at Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science where I am pursuing my MD. I aspire to return to San Antonio to practice emergency medicine upon finishing my medical degree, but it all started at Fox Tech High School. 

Kajal Bhakta (2017)

​After graduating from Fox Tech High School in 2017, I pursued a degree in chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. The rigorous environment at UT Austin was both challenging and rewarding, and I owe a great deal of my success to the support of the Judge Andy Mireles Foundation, which allowed me to focus on my studies and secure valuable internships.
I graduated in May 2022 and began my career at Ascend Performance Materials as a FUEL Rotational Engineer. Over the last three years, I explored various facets of the business, including a rotation as a Product Development Engineer in Pensacola, Florida. I am now back in Houston, where I am a Technical Service Engineer.
A big heartfelt thank you to the Judge Andy Mireles Foundation for your invaluable support!

RACHEL ROBISON

Rachel A Robison  attended St. Olaf College.  She was an  English major, with concentrations in Media Studies and Women's & Gender Studies.  Her goal is to utilize her critical thinking skills, her passion for art and media, and her desire to create positive change in a creative environment that supports women and their interests.   Whether this will involve curating artwork, working in arts administration, or something entirely different, she is unsure.   She has also considered going on to graduate school in a few years to continue her education.   Rachel writes,  "Thanks to the scholarship I received from the Andy Mireles Charitable Foundation,   I was able to pursue my education at St. Olaf wholeheartedly.  I felt free to focus on expanding my learning and discovering my interests with a lessened financial burden. Thank you!"  Rachel is currently living and working in Minneapolis, MN.  She has started work as an HR Coordinator with a family-owned construction company (whose owners happen to be avid art collectors, making her office extremely well-decorated!).  In addition, she is continuing to work with a local artist, Mark D. Roberts, aiding him in the creation, curation, and marketing of his artwork.   He  plans to help Rachel begin the curation of her own show sometime in the near future.  

Stephanie Harlien (2016) (2017)

Stephanie Rose Harlien is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas.  Stephanie recently completed a full-time and unpaid legal internship with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) helping victims of domestic violence who cannot afford legal services in custody, divorce, and protective order cases.    On her own, she was able to do a divorce hearing and saw it as an invaluable learning experience.  Working with TRLA  is her passion and hopes to continue this type of work after graduation.    She is currently in her last year of law school.  Stephanie is also currently working on an Equal Justice Fellowship project proposal.  If she is selected, she will be working with victims of domestic violence at Family Violence Prevention Services at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter.    She will be taking direct referrals from the Bexar County Specialty Courts, such as the Early Intervention Program Court, Family Drug Court, and Children’s Court.  She is also working as a teaching assistant at the St. Mary’s legal clinic on family law cases.   Stephanie is the student assistant coordinator for St. Mary’s Pro Bono Program.   In 2017, Stephanie founded a new student organization, The Public Interest Law Foundation.  She is the President of the organization.  Their goal is to recruit new student members and seeking alumni involvement. She loves all the  work she is currently doing .  Stephanie enrolled in St. Mary’s School of Law because she is motivated to help others and to make a difference in her community.   Stephanie was the secretary of the Hispanic Law Student Association and coordinator of St. Mary’s ID Recovery Program.   Her goal is to specialize in family law with an aspiration of becoming a Board Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist. She is a candidate for the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, 2018.     

Daisy Venegas

Daisy Venegas is a freshman at Texas A&M College Station with a major in Forensic Science.  Her goal is to attend law school to become a US foreign service officer. She has a passion for traveling and sees a career in foreign affairs. Her determination of using diplomacy to solve foreign problems between nations stems from her first hand experience of attending Memorial High School located in an impoverished and high crime area of San Antonio. She hopes to some day help people in similar communities at home and throughout the world.

Victoria Ogden (2016)

 Victoria Ogden is a graduate of Texas State University (2016) with a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Media and Mass Communication, Political Science.  She is currently the Director of Community Relations at Providence Catholic School.

"I am responsible for all community and business relations, alumnae relations, fundraising, and grant writing. I also coach middle school volleyball and high school basketball. Returning home to my Alma Mater and serving young women in this capacity, has been the greatest honor of my life. For years, Providence has been one of the top leaders in college scholarships received by graduating classes. For a school that predominantly serves young women whose families fall below the median income line,  college scholarships are pivotal and godsends. My role contributes to their financial assistance while at Providence, so that they may continue to learn here and work to earn college acceptances and scholarships, as well as build strong relationships and network within our community.
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​As a Providence student, I was one of the first AMCF scholars. Like the young women I serve today, my family was, too, in dire need of financial assistance. As a first generation college student, I, along with my parents, had no idea as to what to expect as I applied for colleges, nor how we would be able to afford it. Because the Andy Mireles Charitable Foundation believed in me, I was able to cover my college start-up costs and transition into the new chapter of my life, without having to stress about finances. It was truly a blessing. To this day, being connected with AMCF continues to inspire me, motivate me, and helps me to grow as a professional. The opportunity you have as an AMCF scholar to connect and network with a diverse group of professionals and leaders within our community, is a unique and unmatched experience. I am forever grateful and indebted to this wonderful foundation, not only for believing in me, but for how they continue to honor the legacy of Judge Andy Mireles. All Rise!"

Sarah Hakimuddin

Sarah Hakimuddin’s interest in the medical field first began with a “mere suggestion by my uncle. Not having thought about a career at such a young age, the thought of becoming a doctor stuck with me.” She enrolled in several science classes in high school including anatomy. Her favorite class was psychology which influenced her choice as a major and career choice in psychiatry. Motivated by a prior experience, her goal is to become a physician.​

“I have experienced a friend losing consciousness in front of me and not having a clue as to what to do. I could only watch as higher authorities called for help and the paramedics rolled her away. When my parents have a cold or more serious illnesses, not knowing how to ease their pain truly frightens me. Being unable to diagnose them and provide specific remedies spark my drive in becoming more educated in the field of medicine. I need to be knowledgable enough to act quick and appropriately when medical attention is required, so that I won't be just another spectator. Moving forward, I hope to attend medical school, attain my license for psychiatry, and open my own practice."

Janett Munoz (2018)

Janett Muñoz graduated from Trinity University in May 2018 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree. She now works as a Senior Quality Data Analyst at University Hospital. 

"The Andy Mireles Scholarship meant so much more to me than a financial contribution. Before I even attended Trinity University, the Andy Mireles Charitable Scholarship believed in me. Everything began with you all investing in my future. My family and I thank you all for your generosity. As a first-generation, Mexican immigrant, the opportunity to attend and graduate college was an experience for everyone. Not only did I earn a degree on May 12th, but so did my entire family. Generations before me wanted an opportunity like this one and I am blessed to have been given the support to attain higher education. There is no doubt in my mind that I will also donate money for college scholarships, because I understand its profound impact."

Laura Cid (2016)

Laura Cid is a 2016 Fox Tech High School Suma Cum Laude graduate. She found her passion of helping people and families of their pain and worries through her participation of extracurricular activities and involvement in the medical magnet school. Her goal is to become a registered nurse and nurse practitioner. She hopes to educate people in the role nutrition plays in the prevention of diseases and disorders and to be part of the change of our nation's eating habits. Laura adds, “I am thankful for organizations like the Andy Mireles Charitable Foundation and many other individuals who help students like myself continue to be one step closer to being a college graduate.” She is currently a student at The University of Texas at Austin and is majoring in nutrition. 

MICHAEL ALMAGUER (2015) (2017)

Michael Almaguer is a first generation, San Antonio native.  He graduated from Memorial High School and is currently attending the University of Texas at San Antonio.   Michael is double majoring in accounting and finance and is participating in a five year program to graduate with three degrees including his MS in accounting.   He was a member of Trinity University’s Upward Bound program where he learned to make long term goals for his future.   One goal is to work for  the TRIO department in the US Department of Education in Washington, D.C. .  Here he would like to help students have  opportunities  to visit colleges  and universtities. His main  goal is to one day retire and work as an Upward Bound director.   Michael is thankful and says,  "The AMCF helped me by seeing the character I have and just the motivation to get through school. They invested in me and one day my dreams will become true, but it all starts at the beginning at every path and AMCF was there to help me with one of the first steps for school."