Class of 2023

Leo Aimsila

Harmony School of Innovation, Garland

Leo Aimsila was a scholar of the National Hispanic Recognition Program, winner of an AP Scholar with Honor Award, and valedictorian of his high school. He was president of the National Honor Society, founder of his school’s Dungeons and Dragons club, a member of the Robotics Club and participated in the Mock Trial Club. He was awarded 3rd place in the University of Houston EXPLORE Entrepreneurship Institute Game Design and Marketing competition as well as Most Creative Game at the STEAM Achievers Purpose Hackathon. He frequently volunteered at elementary VEX IQ robotics competitions and is majoring in information technology systems.

Gabriel Alfaro

Sharpstown International School, Houston

Gabriel Alfaro is an Emerge scholar and an IB diploma recipient. He was a member of Student Council. Alfaro was president of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and an officer of the Big Brother Big Sister club. He graduated in the top 5% of his class. Alfaro is majoring in finance.

SinhSinh An

Nacogdoches High School, Houston

SinhSinh An was named a Nacogdoches County Noble Scholar, Charles and Lois Marie Bright Scholar finalist, National Honor Society Alumni Scholar, and Concerned Black Men of Nacogdoches Scholar. He was founder and president of a college prep program helping students shape their college profiles. He served as head student ambassador for the district’s Career and Technical Education program, marketing officer for the robotics club, and an officer for the Student Response Team. He played varsity football, track, and powerlifting, contributed over 250 hours of community service with Key Club, and was a member of Mu Alpha Theta. An is majoring in computer science.

Alexis Carranza

Frisco High School, Frisco

Alexis Carranza was captain of her high school volleyball team and a member of Student Council and Spanish Club. She played competitive club volleyball for five years, traveling throughout the nation. Carranza’s student athlete accolades include UIL 9-5A Second Team All-District, All-District Honorable Mention, and Academic All-District. Carranza was selected for the American Volleyball Coaches Association Best & Brightest First Team, one of only 539 volleyball athletes nationally. She volunteered with LovePacs Frisco, Best Buddies, and the Frisco Family Tutoring Program. Carranza is majoring in speech, language, and hearing sciences.

Marielle Consuelo

Hirschi High School, Wichita Falls

Marielle Consuelo was president of Key Club, secretary of the Class of 2023, president of Student Council, and a cadet First Sergeant in the JROTC program. She also graduated with an IB diploma. She volunteered weekly at the Kiwanis Park and helped the Texas Blood Institute with blood drives. She earned a Purple Heart from JROTC and was recognized by the Kiwanis Club for her many hours of volunteering. She also participated in Tech for Teens, helping kids learn to code. Consuelo is majoring in computer engineering.

Kusum Dhungana

Uplift North Hills Preparatory, Irving

Kusum Dhungana is an IB diploma recipient and an AP Scholar with Honors. She was vice-president of DECA, leading the finance chapter, a member of HOSA and National Spanish Honor Society. She was also a part of GenShe, promoting women to be the next generation of leaders with career and entrepreneurial skills. Dhungana managed the Bollywood Dance Team and has performed traditional dance for many years. She volunteered with Nepali Society of Texas School, at a local hospital, with Serving our Community, and as a tutor. She completed an internship with Ericsson and created a Microsoft PowerApp. Dhungana is majoring in neuroscience.

Barak Geary

Azle High School, Azle

Barak Geary was varsity cross-country captain, president and co-founder of the Azle Art Club, and vice-president of the Drama Club. He qualified for the UIL cross country region 1-5A meet all four years and the UIL state 5A meet two years. Geary served as assistant director and stage manager in the Azle drama department and was the recipient of the UIL One-Act All-Star technician award twice. He served with Our Father’s Children, helping organize summer camps and weekend retreats for children suffering abuse and neglect. Geary served as a teen-helper and as a camp counselor. He was also a member of Azle’s UIL Ready Writing team. Geary is majoring in interdisciplinary studies.

Nicky Gunter

EA Young Academy, Roanoke

Nicky Gunter was an AP Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, and received the AP Capstone Seminar and Research Award. He was vice president of the National Honor Society and the public relations manager of Aphelion, a nonprofit organization supporting women’s education in developing countries. Gunter worked as a mathematics tutor throughout high school, teaching levels through calculus. Additionally, He was his high school’s house prefect and co-director of the school’s rock band club. Gunter is majoring in neuroscience.

Sara Hayes

Plano Senior High School, Plano

Sara Hayes was the Student Congress community service chair, president of the Psychology Club, secretary of the Environmental Club, and an AP scholar with over 400 hours of community service. She graduated in the top 2% of her class and served as a peer mentor for the Just Say Yes program. Hayes served as a project manager for Court Appointed Special Advocates and built a database of services for the indigent and homeless. She also served as project manager for the Assistance Center of Collin County, where she designed and implemented programs benefiting vulnerable populations. She volunteered with Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, aiding victims of domestic abuse, and was a student leader of Texas Rising. Hayes is a double major in psychology and political science.

Makayla Johnson

Marine Creek Collegiate High School, Fort Worth

Makayla Johnson was a dual credit scholar and the historian for the National Honor Society. She served on the student government executive board for two years at Tarrant County College (TCC) Northwest Campus as senate chair. She was an active member in the African American Student Association, Sexuality and Gender Equality and Education, and PI Advanced Mathematics Club. Johnson was recognized as a 2021 College Board National African American Recognition Scholar, as well as a 2022 Dream Big Determined Scholar, and founded her school’s Freshman Mentoring Program. Johnson is majoring in biomedical engineering.

De’Ja Kelly

L V Hightower High School, Missouri City

De’Ja Kelly was president of her school’s Digital Media Academy, as well as a member of the Game Development Club, Anime and Animation Club, Art Club, and the National Art Honor Society. Kelly earned her certification in Photoshop and received a Silver Key in the Scholastics Art and Writing Awards. She received the highest score in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event her junior and senior years, achieving both regional and state entry awards. Kelly was named a Fort Bend ISD Fine Arts Scholar. She volunteered with her local church, a community resale shop, and community garden. Kelly is majoring in arts and technology, specializing in animation and games.

Gwendolyn Khou

Texas High School, Texarkana

Gwendolyn Khou was an AP Scholar and a member of Mu Alpha Theta. She was vice president of the French Honor Society and AP Ambassadors, and she volunteered at local elementary schools to foster an appreciation of French culture and language. Khou was also involved in her local Key Club and the Multicultural Club. As a leader of her school’s Art Club, she painted portraits for orphans in Cameroon. She is certified as an expert-level Microsoft Office specialist. Khou is majoring in software engineering.

Ashtyn Lansdell

Rockwall-Heath High School, Rockwall

Ashtyn Lansdell is a certified medical assistant and a certified EKG technician. She was an officer in the National Honor Society and active in HOSA, Debate, and Academic Decathlon She was a leader in her church’s ministry for children and traveled to El Salvador twice to work with children. Lansdell is majoring in child learning and development.

Stefanie Martinez

Caney Creek High School, Conroe

Stefanie Martinez was an AP Scholar with Distinction, president of the National Honor Society, and member of the National English Honor Society. She was also vice-president of her theatre troupe, competing in UIL One Act and earning individual awards for acting. Martinez was a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and received the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition and National Small-Town Recognition. She volunteered at a local hospital and at the county food bank. Martinez is majoring in neuroscience.

Yovia Mehretab

Sachse High School, Sachse

Yovia Mehretab was valedictorian of her high school class and an AP Scholar. She was a member of Beta Club and treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta, and she won several medals for the academic decathlon team. Mehretab is a board-certified EKG technician and medical assistant. She held a leadership role in HOSA and placed 1st in the Dallas HOSA competition for Medical Assisting. She volunteered at various elementary school robotics tournaments and also at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Mehretab is majoring in neuroscience.

Nicole Morales

Mount Vernon High School, Mount. Vernon

Nicole Morales served as vice president of the National Honor Society and secretary of the Interact Club for two years. As a member of Leaders of Tomorrow, she mentored sixth grade students. She also served as flute section leader in the marching band. Morales was vice president of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) chapter and the local Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America chapter. As a TAFE officer, she was a two-time state qualifier for the Texas Teach Tomorrow Summit, as well as a national qualifier for the 2022 Educators Rising National Conference. Morales graduated third in her class and is majoring in political science.

Thao (Claire) Phan

Trinity High School, Euless

Thao (Claire) Phan was the founder of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, president of Environmental Club and scholar of NASA Texas High School Aerospace. She also served as the treasurer for Diversity United, service chair for Key Club, and Trinity Dance Crew 1st Lieutenant. Phan shadowed at the Mayfair Animal Hospital, volunteered at Plum orphanage, as well as Hamilton Reading Partners, Heart for the Homeless, and Da Nang Hospital. Phan is majoring in biochemistry.

Sandra Shoukri

Ranchview High School, Irving

Sandra Shoukri was the founder of the book club at her high school and was a part of the top choir, a cappella. She also served as a student ambassador for her school district. Shoukri served as the social media chair for Diversify Our Narrative, which focused on expanding diverse curriculum within her high school. She was also publicity officer for Girl Talk, providing a safe space for women within the community. Shoukri is majoring in marketing.

Ethan Smith

Early College High School, Round Rock

Ethan Smith graduated from a dual enrollment program as a National Merit Commended Scholar. He received the Scholastic Leadership Award and the 2021-2022 English Award. He was president of the Creative Writing Club. He was a supplemental instructor in macroeconomics at Austin Community College and a volunteer tutor for economics and statistics. Smith volunteered with The Young Writer’s Initiative, the Round Rock Area Serving Center, Backpack Friends, Samaritan’s Purse, Project Linus, and Hope Austin. He also has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Smith is majoring in economics.

Katrina Tsing

James Martin High School, Arlington

Katrina Tsing was an AP Scholar and served as president and parliamentarian of the Arlington Mayor’s Youth Commission. She was a member of the STEM Academy, Psi Alpha, HOSA, and the varsity swim team. Tsing graduated in the top 2% of her class. She volunteered at Mission Arlington and participated in international mission trips with her church. She also volunteered as lead guitarist of her youth group. Tsing is majoring in speech, language, and hearing sciences.

Truong Ung

Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Worth

Truong Ung served as a math and writing tutor while working part-time. He was also an active volunteer at Tarrant Area Food Bank and interned as a graphic designer at Blitz Health his senior year. Ung returns frequently to his birthplace of Vietnam and has participated in several volunteer projects in Saigon. Ung is majoring in electrical engineering.

Hannah Van

Lake Ridge High School, Mansfield

Hannah Van was an AP Scholar with Distinction and president of the Computer Science Student Association. As president, they fostered an open and safe environment and competed in Business Professionals of America state competitions for Python. Helping found a Girls in STEM club, they worked to increase enrollment of women in STEM courses and facilitated mentorship opportunities with professionals in the workforce and college organizations. Van worked as an IT intern for Mansfield ISD and as a peer tutor. They were an active member of the Environmental Club, Asian Student Association and Ceramics Club. Van is majoring in computer science.

Queensley Valenzuela

Coronado High School, El Paso

Queensley Valenzuela was an AP scholar with distinction and a National Hispanic Scholar. Her team was a state finalist in the Start-Up Business Plan event for two years at DECA’s Texas State Career Development Conference. Valenzuela interned in the first Congressional Youth Advisory Council for Congresswoman Veronica Escobar. She also interned with the Libre Foundation, doing volunteer work to benefit the Hispanic community and was an active member in her church community. She was a member of the local art collective Juntos, bringing awareness to local art beyond the U.S.-Mexico border. Valenzuela is majoring in arts and technology and business administration.

Samuel Vrla

New Tech High at Coppell, Coppell

Samuel Vrla was an engineer for the First Tech Challenge robotics and a networking team captain. He achieved Eagle Scout in 2021 and served as librarian, chaplain’s aide, troop guide, and assistant scoutmaster. He was an active volunteer with his church community and within his high school. He reached third degree senior black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Vrla is majoring in computer engineering.

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).