Class of 2016
2016 Traditional Terry Scholars
Nolan Brill
Providence Classical High School, Spring
Nolan Brill was president of the National Honor Society, treasurer of Student Council and a member of the National Science Honor Society. Brill was team captain and lead prosecution attorney for mock trial. He received his high school’s Exceptional Achievement Award in algebra II, humanities and physics, as well as Distinguished Scholar awards and the Intellectual Curiosity School-Wide Award. Brill also built houses with The Road Missions and volunteered at a health fair for Bridging for Tomorrow. He is majoring in political science.
Caleb Brown
Homeschool, Carrollton
Caleb Brown was president of Eta Sigma Alpha (National Home School Honor Society). He was a member of the Genesis of Robotics BEST Robotics team and headed the marketing and exhibit team, which won awards at both the local and regional levels. Brown also was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Mu Eta Sigma (National Math Honor Society) and Phi Theta Kappa. He received the Citation Award from AWANA, a global nonprofit ministry, for completing 10 books of The Bible curriculum. Brown also volunteered at Coppell Bible Fellowship, Make-A-Wish, HopeKids North Texas, Shoes for Orphans, and Christian Community Action. He is majoring in speech-language pathology and audiology.
Ryan Clanton
Harvest Christian Academy, Fort Worth
Ryan Clanton graduated summa cum laude and received the Distinguished Christian High School Student Award for academics. He was co-founder and lead engineer of the Harvest Robotics Club, where he participated in local competitions. Clanton was also a member of the Harvest HAM Radio Club. A pitcher on the varsity baseball team, he won several all-district and all-state awards. Clanton also volunteered at Haven for Hope Rehabilitation Center and San Antonio Food Bank, and repaired damaged church buildings in New York for the Center for Short Term Missions. He is majoring in mathematical sciences.
Frances Dagohoy
Sachse High School, Sachse
AP Scholar Frances Dagohoy graduated summa cum laude. She was president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Mu Alpha Theta, a math tutor, a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, and a member of Health Occupations Students of America, where she volunteered at a nursing home. Dagohoy also was a member of the BETA Club service organization. She was a poetry contest winner, Spanish Student of the Year, and Accounting Student of the Year. Her high school teachers awarded her their Triple Crown Award for academic achievement. Dagohoy was also a 21st Century Scholar for distinguished achievement within her district. She is majoring in accounting.
Rida Fatima
MacArthur High School, Irving
Rida Fatima, an AP Scholar with distinction, graduated summa cum laude from her high school’s distinguished honors program. She was a member of the National Honor Society and co-founder and vice president of her high school’s UIL debate team. She was founder and captain of her high schools’ Mock Trial Team and participated in the Texas High School Mock Trial Competition hosted by the Dallas Bar Association. She was also co-founder and vice president of MacArthur’s UIL Debate Club. She was Most Valuable Player at UIL’s Lincoln-Douglas Debate and the Texas Mock Trial. Fatima volunteered at the Islamic Center of Irving and the Baylor Surgical Hospital of Las Colinas. She is majoring in healthcare management.
Chris Fogel
Captain John L. Chapin High School, El Paso
AP Scholar Chris Fogel graduated summa cum laude. He was president of the National Honor Society and section leader of his high school’s percussion band, earning a one rating at the Texas State Solo-Ensemble competition and lettering four years. Fogel also was a stage manager for Kids-n-Company, a nonprofit community theatre. He was co-captain of the pole vault team and team captain of the Technology Student Association. Fogel received Academic All-Star awards and was a state qualifier for the Technology Student Association. He is majoring in historical studies and visual and performing arts.
Lirit Fuksman
Allen High School, Allen
AP and National Merit Commended Scholar Lirit Fuksman was the founder of her high school’s chess club and was a research intern at the Shoulders of Giants lab, where she worked on a microfluidics project. Fuksman was a participant in the Summer Biomedical Experience Program at UT Dallas. She also was a Russian translator for a TED talk and volunteered with Allen Community Outreach. Fuksman was a participant at the Ermitage Art Academy, and was a two-time bronze medal winner in Le Grand Concours, the National French Contest. Fuksman is majoring in biochemistry and computer science.
Sandra Girgis
Plano East Senior High School, Plano
Sandra Girgis graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program and is an AP Scholar and a member of National Honor Society. She was the volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity and an outreach tutor at the Family Gateway Shelter. Girgis also volunteered at the North Texas Food Bank, Shoes for Orphan Souls, and a special needs convention with Archangel Raphael Ministry. She was active in her high school’s PAL (Peer Assistance and Leadership) Program, where she mentored elementary and middle school students. Girgis was the class representative in the orchestra at her high school. She is majoring in neuroscience.
Marco Henderson
North Crowley High School, Crowley
Marco Henderson was the activities coordinator of the Drama Club and tenor section leader of Varsity Choir. He was also varsity debate captain, specializing in politics. Henderson received the National Forensics League Distinction Award, the Texas Scholar Award and the Thespian of the Year Award. He volunteered at Worth Baptist Church, where he taught math and English to orphans in Africa and Guatemala. He also reconstructed houses in Oklahoma for Operation Blessing. Henderson is majoring in visual and performing arts.
Broderick Johnson
Mineral Wells High School, Mineral Wells
Broderick Johnson graduated summa cum laude and is an AP Statistics awardee. He was team captain of the varsity basketball team and received the District Newcomer of the Year Award. Johnson received Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards for tennis and basketball and was the Chicken Express All-Star Classic MVP. He was first chair of the alto saxophone section and youth president at Bethel Baptist Church. As a member of the National Honor Society, Johnson volunteered at Lamar Elementary’s Fun Fest and the Palo Pinto Fall Festival. He received the Academic History Award for highest GPA and Wendy’s High School Heisman Award for excellence in academics, athletics and community involvement. Johnson will play for the UTD basketball team. He is majoring in mathematics.
Chrisi Mantchev
James W. Martin High School, Arlington
AP Scholar Chrisi Mantchev graduated summa cum laude. She volunteered at Cook Children’s Hospital, where she was the Junior Child Life Coordinator and received an award for 100 hours of service. Mantchev played violin and also was the historian and section leader in her high school’s orchestra program; the program played at Carnegie Hall in New York City. As historian of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), she helped establish a strong partnership with Open Arms Free Health Clinic and also volunteered with Carepath Home Health & Hospice Services. Mantchev placed second at HOSA’s State of Texas conference for Creative Problem Solving, and received the Karri Hickman Barnett Leadership and Service Award. Mantchev is majoring in speech-language pathology and audiology.
Amber Nguyen
Rockwall High School, Rockwall
AP Scholar Amber Nguyen graduated summa cum laude and was vice president of the National Honor Society. As co-captain of the Academic Decathlon, Nguyen received awards in science and math, and their team took third place at state. She tutored students as a member of Mu Alpha Theta. Nguyen was president of the Health Occupations Students of America and vice president of Chain Reaction, a service organization that raises awareness about bullying and suicide. She won the 2016 Rockwall Trustee Award, The President’s Volunteer Service Award, and the Cis and Robert Hawk Citizenship Award. Nguyen also volunteered at Ennis Public Library, Lake Pointe Medical Center, and Vietnamese Faith Baptist Church. She plays the viola. Nguyen is majoring in molecular biology.
Angel Roberson
Floresville High School, Floresville
Angel Roberson is a member of National Honor Society. She was very active in JROTC and was selected to be the Cadet Corps Commander, the highest position of leadership and responsibility. Roberson received the AFJROTC American Legion Scholastic Award and the Community Service with Excellence Award. She also served as the Commander of Maroon Crew (spirit team flag runners), Cadet Chorale (which earned her over 155 community service hours), the Kitty Hawk Air Society, and the Drill Team. Roberson received the Air Force Association Award her junior year. She received the Academic All-State Girls Cross Country award, and was an assistant football and soccer trainer. Roberson is majoring in biology.
Hulon Sherard
Hallsville High School, Hallsville
Salutatorian Hulon Sherard is a National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar. He participated in UIL Academics and was a regional competitor on the mathematics team and calculator team. Sherard received first place on the Number Sense mathematics team at the TMSCA State Championship. He also received Outstanding Student Awards in Foreign Language, Fine Arts and Math. Sherard was awarded the Marshall Elks Lodge Student of the Year. He volunteered with First Baptist Church Hallsville, the Boys & Girls Club, and several events at Hallsville High School. Sherard is majoring in cognitive science and mathematics.
Emma Tharp
Smithson Valley High School, Spring Branch
Emma Tharp graduated summa cum laude. Tharp was captain of her high school’s debate team where she went undefeated, winning 22 tournaments. She also placed third in the UIL Texas Debate her junior year. At Girls State, a political camp for young women, Tharp was selected to present and debate an original bill in the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Austin. Tharp is a member of National Honor Society, and was founder and vice president of Humans of Smithson Valley, an environmental and humanitarian club. Tharp volunteered at Hill Country Day School, San Antonio Food Bank, Bulverde Park, Guadalupe State Park and a local hospital. She is majoring in neuroscience.
Matthew Vazquez
Science and Engineering Magnet High School, Dallas
AP Scholar Matthew Vazquez is a member of the National Honor Society. He was president of the Environmental Science Club and Guitar Club. Through Big Thought’s La Rondalla program, Vazquez played guitar at the Dallas Museum of Art, The House of Blues, and The Meadows Museum. He also volunteered at the North Texas Food Bank and White Rock Lake. In his spare time, Vazquez has developed a passion for bodybuilding and power lifting. He is majoring in actuarial science and mathematical sciences.
Cori Weaver
Saginaw High School, Saginaw
Salutatorian Cori Weaver was an AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. She participated in UIL academic competitions in math, science and writing. Weaver was the fundamental instructor for her high school band. She also was president of the Key Club, where she raised money for UNICEF. Weaver volunteered at Community Link Food Bank, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Open Arms Women’s Shelter, Girl Scouts and the Central Texas Conference of Youth in Missions. She is majoring in molecular biology.
Contact Us
Sheila Kelly
Director
972-883-6309
sheila.kelly@utdallas.edu
Cassie Cure
Assistant Director
972-883-4284
terryscholars@utdallas.edu
Terry Scholars at UT Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas
800 W. Campbell Road, PHY 10
Richardson, TX 75080 – 3021
The office is located in the Physics Building (PHY).