HARLINGEN — Harlingen Family Dentistry hosted its 11th annual values-based Scholarship Competition Thursday afternoon.
Students were acknowledged and awarded for their community projects that incorporated The Way to Happiness precepts and JROTC Core Values.
Students were required to present a portfolio summation of results achieved in their implementing of “The Way to Happiness” precepts and the JROTC Core Values.
In addition, each student presents an oral and visual presentation to the judges with project documentation.
* The 2018 First Place Winner, $3,000 scholarship: Xitlalli Zavala, Harlingen High School, MSG Tony Gonzalez, Instructor. Her project was on Teen Dating Violence. The JROTC Core Values covered were duty and respect. The Way to Happiness precepts she implemented were love and help children.
* The Second Place Winner, $2,000 scholarship: Isaiah Mendoza, San Benito High School, Captain Nels Swanson, Instructor. Isaiah’s project applied the NJROTC Core Values of honor, courage, and commitment. The Way to Happiness Precepts applied was fulfill your obligations and set a good example. Isaiah and his team raised $1,800 for the Relay for Life event.
* Third Place Winner, $1,000 scholarship: Jose Bustos Harlingen High School, MSG Tony Gonzalez, Instructor. His project was Pennies for Paws and the JROTC Core Values applied were duty and respect. He raised awareness for the plight of animals, held fund raisers for the Humane Society, headed up JROTC students to volunteer at the Harlingen Humane Society by walking, bathing and feeding the animals.
Schools from across the Rio Grande Valley participated in the contest. The three winners will share $6,000 in scholarships when they register in an institution of higher learning of their choice.
The 2018 judges were CPT Micah Turner, Assistant Professor of Military Science, Univ. Texas Rio Grande Valley-Brownsville; John Hollingsworth businessman and Captain U.S. Air Force, Retired; Rose Gomez, Chief Probation Officer, Darrell Hester Juvenile Justice Center; Susan Francis, Attorney; Dr. Mary Brower, Retired Harlingen CISD Principal and Adjunct TSTC professor; SSG Ismael Torres, U.S. Army rec. and Francisco Castellanos, Chick-fil-A Operator.
The timekeeper was SSG Jesus A. Gaeta, U.S. Army Rec. Janie Solis of RGV Credit Union Manager was the tabulator. Portfolio Judge was Judy Emsley, retired Harlingen High School South facilitator and Rotarian. Competition Director was Gail Thomason and the sponsor for the event was Dr. Juan D. Villarreal, DDS.
Student participants
* Faith Austine Aquino, Los Fresnos High School – Major David Arjona, Instructor
* Denise Cabrales, Los Fresnos High School – Major David Arjona, Instructor
* Crystal Nicole Compas, Roma High School – 1st Sgt. Juan Cruz, Instructor
* Jose Angel Luera, Roma High School – 1st Sgt. Juan Cruz, Instructor
* Luis Estrada, Veteran’s Memorial High School, Brownsville – 1st Sgt. Christine Ramos, Instructor
* Jasmine Flowers, Veteran’s Memorial High School, Brownsville – 1st Sgt. Christine Ramos, Instructor
* Alexa Ortiz Lopez, Harlingen High School South – Major Pedro Gonzalez, Instructor,
* Jennifer Olique, Edinburg North High School – LTC James Troia, Instructor
* Xitlalli Zavala, Harlingen High School – MSG Tony Gonzalez, Instructor
* Isaiah Mendoza, San Benito High School, Captain Nels Swanson, Instructor
* Jose Bustos Harlingen High School, MSG Tony Gonzalez, Instructor
