Class of 2022

Damian Aguilar

Paris High School, Paris

Damian Aguilar is an AP scholar and member of the National Honor Society and a NASA high school aerospace scholar. He competed in UIL (computer science and science) and advanced to regionals and state for number sense. Aguilar competed in Skills USA robotics and went to state in Future Problem Solvers of America. He worked with Habitat for Humanity and a summer robotics camp. Aguilar is majoring in computer science.

Yousef Ali

Timberview High School, Arlington

Yousef Ali was salutatorian of his class and an AP Scholar with honors. He held leadership positions in National Honor Society, UIL Academics, and Key Club. He volunteers with his mosque, with Feed the Kids and Mission Arlington. Additionally, he is a licensed phlebotomy technician.  Ali is majoring in computer science.

Edward Baute

Byron Nelson High School, Trophy Club

Edward Baute was an AP scholar with distinction and member of the Biomedical Sciences Academy. He received the Top Ten Academic Award for four years and two Northwest Independent School District Trustee Awards of Excellence for his extracurricular accomplishments. He served as president of the Spanish National Honor Society as well as the Speech and Debate team, where he competed at state and earned the Top Speaker Award and was a regional qualifier for UIL. Baute is a certified emergency medical technician and volunteer at Mission Arlington, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and a peer tutor. Baute is majoring in biochemistry.

Paolo Cabrera

Harmony Science Academy, Dallas

Paolo Cabrera graduated as one of the top 10 students in his class. He served as president of the student body and of Health Occupation Students of America and Future Health Professionals. Cabrera was named a Hispanic Recognition Scholar as well as a Questbridge finalist. He was part of the National Honor Society, First Tech/Robotics Competition, Math Olympiad and Student Ambassadors. He earned certifications as a clinical medical assistant, EKG technician and in CPR/first aid. Cabrera is majoring in healthcare studies.

Jesus Garza

Sam Rayburn Early College High School, Pasadena

Jesus Garza graduated in the top 1% of his class and with an associate of arts degree and as an AP scholar. He served as president of the National Hispanic Honor Society and vice president of both the National Honor Society and Academic Decathlon. Garza was co-founder of his school’s mentorship program and offered tutorial services. He was a Thrive Scholar and volunteered at the Salvation Army and Houston Food Bank. Garza is majoring in computer science.

Nashita Hasan

Plano West Senior High School, Plano

Nashita Hasan graduated as an AP scholar with distinction. She was a member of the National Honors Society, Girls in Stem, and the marching band. Hasan volunteered with Helping Hand for Relief and Development, the North Texas Food Bank, and her local mosque. Hasan organized the group Wrapped Up Love, donating care packages to hospitals and homeless shelters. She also interned at Ericsson. Hasan won recognition at her high school in scholastic art and writing and is majoring in biomedical engineering.

Akram Hassen

Richardson High School, Richardson

Akram Hassen graduated in the top 3% of his class and served as the student council president and senior debate captain. He was involved with Peer Assistance Leadership at his high school and mentored elementary school students. Akram was a National African American Recognition Scholar. He shadowed and interned at several orthopedic and rehabilitation clinics during high school. Akram is majoring in healthcare studies.

Nicole Iwuala

Village Tech Schools, Duncanville

Nicole Iwuala graduated as valedictorian of her class, a National African American Recognition Scholar, and an AP scholar. She was director of public relations for GoYogi, prioritizing student mental health and wellbeing, and was a writer for the blog CollegeXpress. Iwuala also interned with the American Chemical Society and is a co-founder of the 3D-printed, low-cost KAFO Project, creating cost-effective knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) for children. She was part of the National Honors Society and volunteered as a test-prep tutor and teacher assistant. Iwuala is majoring in computer science.

Casandra Marquez

Frisco High School, Frisco

Casandra Marquez graduated in the top 2% of her class, was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and the National Art Honor Society, as well as an AP Scholar. She received the highest score in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event for four consecutive years and won first place at the Frisco Arts in the Square competition. Marquez was vice president of Girls in Tech, as well as secretary of Days for Girls, where she raised funds for sanitary products for a local shelter. Marquez was active in the Computer Science Club, competing in coding competitions, and was also a member of the yearbook staff. Marquez is majoring in computer science.

Charidan Matties

Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg

Charidan Matties was president of her senior class, as well as president of the theater production and National Honor Society. Matties was vice president of her DECA chapter for two consecutive years and district chapter for one year. She was part of Upward Bound, a yell leader manager, and a peer leader with Sources of Strength, advocating for the student body. She won awards for her UIL One Act Play competition and advanced to state and internationals in DECA. Matties volunteered with the group Run to Remember, raising awareness and funds for first responders. Matties is majoring in visual and performing arts.

Mandy Nguyen

Lawrence E. Elkins High School, Sugar Land

Mandy Nguyen was an AP Scholar with Honors and a member of Junior Achievement, student council, and National Honor Society. She was also vice president of Entrepreneurship Startup HIVE, served as secretary of the Science National Honor Society, and volunteered at the Houston Food Bank. Graduating in the top 1% of her class, she also played soccer throughout high school. Nguyen competed in multiple DECA competitions, achieving both district and state finalist awards. She served as the administrative assistant for Uniting Children Across Nations and helped collect 1,000+ books for Books for Development. Nguyen is majoring in marketing.

Jenny Ong

Plano East Senior High School, Plano

Jenny Ong is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a certified pharmacy technician. She served as president of the McMillen National Honor Society chapter and was a member of the National Art Honor Society, GirlUp, and UNICEF chapters at her school. She also co-founded a chapter of Next Generation Nations and served as co-president for two years. Ong interned with Ericsson and is a frequent volunteer at the Smith Public Library. Ong is majoring in biomedical engineering.

Elysa Torres

Impact Early College High School, Baytown

Elysa Torres volunteered over 300 hours in her community with Pride+ Club, No Place for Hate Coalition, National Honor Society, International Club, Spanish Club, their local church, and the Spartan Ambassadors. They were a leader in bringing awareness to the issues of sexual assault, gender identities, and bullying.  They served as a school ambassador and as president of the school’s Gay Straight Alliance and Pride+ Club, where they worked to make the school a safer and more inclusive place for all students. Torres is majoring in accounting.

Belicia Vasquez

Roy Miller Senior High, Corpus Christi

Belicia Vasquez graduated valedictorian of her high school class. She was a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate, National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, and AP Scholar with honors. She held leadership roles in her school’s chapters of Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society of Art and Dance Arts. She received recognitions in UIL academic events, and her artwork was recognized at the Visual Arts Scholastic Event and displayed in local exhibitions and museums. She also choreographed and performed as a group dancer and soloist. She volunteered with the Coastal Bend Food Bank. Vasquez is a double major in global business and international political economy.

Valeria Viveros

Clear Lake High School, Houston  

Valeria Viveros was an AP Scholar with honors and a Superintendent Scholar for four years. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and student council. She was the founder and president of the movie club and troop leader assistant for a local Girls Scouts chapter. Viveros frequently volunteered at her local church and helped at the Houston Food Bank and local library. She obtained certification as a nursing assistant. Viveros is majoring in healthcare management.

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).