Welcome to this year’s online Promising Futures Scholarship Celebration!
We’re pleased to have this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the educational achievements and aspirations of BBBS’ graduates and Promisees!
This year, over $250,000 in scholarship funds have been made available to the agency’s graduating high school seniors, and an additional $390,000 in scholarship funds will be promised to newly eligible Littles (‘Promisees’) for use after graduating high school or earning a GED.
We’re so proud of the hard work and commitment demonstrated by these young people, and are confident that they will continue to move forward and accomplish great things in the future.
Our 2020 high school graduates and Big Futures mentees have plans to purse a variety of educational, employment and enlistment opportunities in the coming year. Keep reading to learn more about their ‘promising futures’!
See our 2020 Scholarship Ceremony video and keynote address here:
SCHOLARSHIP PROMISEES
![2020-scholarship-promisees2_web](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-scholarship-promisees2_web-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C469&ssl=1)
2020 GRADUATES & HONOREES
![untitled-design10 untitled-design10](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/untitled-design10.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Abraham E.
Graduate of Akins High School
Plans to attend University of Texas at San Antonio; majoring in Business Management
![untitled-design53 untitled-design53](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/untitled-design53.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Adonis G.
Graduate of Crockett High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College, then transfer to 4-year college to major in Criminal Justice and Social Work
![untitled-design64 untitled-design64](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/untitled-design64.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Alejandra C.
Graduate of Pflugerville High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College – Sonography Program
![alesia-ervin1 alesia-ervin1](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/alesia-ervin1-250x250.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Alesia E.
Graduate of Manor Early College High School
Plans to attend University of Texas at San Antonio to major in Biology Pre-Medicine and minor in Linguistics
![alexis-deloach alexis-deloach](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/alexis-deloach.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Alexis D.
Graduate of Crockett High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College – BSN Nursing Program, then transfer to University of Texas at San Antonio or Texas State University to major in Nursing
![alexis-pulido alexis-pulido](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/alexis-pulido.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Anastasia P.
Graduate of KIPP Austin Collegiate
Plans to attend Texas State University to major in Biology
![andrea-t. andrea-t.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/andrea-t..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Andrea T.
Graduate of Bastrop High School
Plans to work for a year, then attend Texas State Technical College – Culinary Arts Program
![Arius Gadison Arius Gadison](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/untitled-design70.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Arius G.
Graduate of Akins Early College High School
Plans to attend Texas State University, majoring in Animal Science – Pre-Veterinarian Program
![ashley-betancourt ashley-betancourt](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ashley-betancourt.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Ashley B.
Graduate of Manor New Technology High School
Plans to attend University of Houston at Victoria
![bladimir-s.2 bladimir-s.2](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/bladimir-s.2.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Bladimir S.
Graduate of Northeast Early College High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College, then transfer to the University of Texas at Austin to major in Business
![darius-johnson darius-johnson](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/darius-johnson.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Darius J.
Graduate of Northeast Early College High School.
Plans to attend Prairie View A&M University to major in Sports Management
![david-rivera1 david-rivera1](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/david-rivera1.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
David R.
Graduate of Northeast Early College High School
Plans to attend Texas Southern University majoring in Criminal Justice, playing football as a walk-on player
![deandrea-b. deandrea-b.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/deandrea-b..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Deandrea B.
Graduate of East Austin College Prep.
Plans to attend Austin Community College while continuing to work
![Desirae Pesina Desirae Pesina](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/untitled-design71.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Desirae P.
Graduate of Akins Early College High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College, then transfer to 4-year university to major in Law or Forensic Science
![destiny-rios destiny-rios](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/destiny-rios.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Destiny R.
Graduate of Manor Excel Academy
Plans to attend Austin Community College – Culinary Arts Program while continuing to work
![eddie-v. eddie-v.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/eddie-v..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Eddie V.
Graduate of Manor Senior High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College while continuing to work
![eliza-willingham eliza-willingham](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/eliza-willingham.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Eliza W.
Graduate of Travis High School
Plans to attend University of Houston to major in Social Work
![untitled-design75 untitled-design75](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/untitled-design75.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Esmeralda M.
Graduate of Navarro Early College High School
Plans to obtain Cosmetology License, then attend Austin Community College – Nursing Program
![hector-madrid hector-madrid](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/hector-madrid.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Hector M.
Graduate of Bowie High School
Plans to obtain EMT certification with future plans to attend the Austin Fire Department Training Academy
![isaiah-t. isaiah-t.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/isaiah-t..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Isaiah T.
Graduate of American YouthWorks
Plans to attend college majoring in Information Technology
![jamond-darby jamond-darby](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/jamond-darby.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Jamond D.
Plans to continue working
![jayden-s. jayden-s.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/jayden-s..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Jayden S.
Graduate of Manor New Technology High School.
Plans to attend San Angelo State University
![jenaya-p-v2hr jenaya-p-v2hr](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/jenaya-p-v2hr-scaled.jpg?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Jenaya P.
Graduate of Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Plans to attend Prairie View A&M University to major in Pre-Nursing
![jessica-l. jessica-l.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/jessica-l..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Jessica L.
Graduate of Akins High School
Moving to Colorado to work, with future plans to join the U.S. Armed Forces
![joshua-c. joshua-c.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/joshua-c..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Joshua C.
Graduate of Hays High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College Business Program
![kelaya-m.1 kelaya-m.1](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/kelaya-m.1.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Kelaya M.
Graduate of Manor Senior High School.
Plans to attend Prairie View A&M University to major in Psychology
![kenotray-b.21 kenotray-b.21](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/kenotray-b.21.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Keontray B.
Graduate of Lehman High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College for a year, then transfer to University of Texas at San Antonio to major in Computer Engineering
![lia-j. lia-j.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/lia-j..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Lia J.
Graduate of McCallum High School
Plans to attend University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience
![untitled-design88 untitled-design88](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/untitled-design88.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Mitiyaah C.
Graduate of Leander High School
Plans to attend Texas State University to major in Criminal Justice
![montserrat-p. montserrat-p.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/montserrat-p..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Montserrat P.
Graduate of IDEA Montopolis College Prep
Plans to attend Kalamazoo College (Michigan) to major in Biology
![morgan-r. morgan-r.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/morgan-r..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Morgan R.
Graduate of Austin High School
Plans to attend University of North Texas to major in Business Administration and minor in Human Resources
![natalia-t.- natalia-t.-](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/natalia-t.-.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Natalia T.
Graduate of Crockett High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College Health Sciences Program
![nayeli-v.1 nayeli-v.1](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/nayeli-v.1.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Nayeli V.
Graduate of Harmony School of Excellence
Plans to attend Texas State University to major in Science and Engineering
![rebecca-m.1 rebecca-m.1](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/rebecca-m.1.png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Rebecca M.
Graduate of Wayside Sci-Tech
Plans to attend Austin Community College
![samuel-m. samuel-m.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/samuel-m..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Samuel M.
Graduate of Del Valle Opportunity Center
Plans to attend Austin Community College – Criminal Justice Program
![skylar-ladden-v2hr skylar-ladden-v2hr](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/skylar-ladden-v2hr-scaled.jpg?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Skylar L.
Graduate of Bowie High School
Plans to attend Universal Technical Institute to work on modifying sports cars; future goal of competing in Mixed Martial Arts
![symphanie-w. symphanie-w.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/symphanie-w..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Symphanie W.
Graduate of Manor Early College High School
Plans to attend Prairie View A&M University
![terique-b. terique-b.](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/terique-b..png?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Terique B.
Graduate of Bastrop High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College Engineering Program
![tyree-kirksey tyree-kirksey](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/tyree-kirksey.jpg?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
Tyree K.
Plans to attend Austin Community College with intent to transfer to University of Texas to major in Business
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
![schol-testimonials-copy](https://i0.wp.com/www.bigmentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/schol-testimonials-copy.jpg?resize=1140%2C706&ssl=1)
GET TO KNOW LANCE GUNN
A Houston native, Lance Gunn served as a Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Executive Board Member from 2006 – 2009. While a student at the University of Texas from 1988 – 1993, he was a three-time All-Southwest Conference and All-American football player and was inducted into the University of Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor. Following college, Gunn continued playing football professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints and NFL Europe.
He currently resides in Central Texas with his wife of 23 years and their two children, and is the area’s regional Sales Director at FritoLay.