Welcome to our 2021 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!
In 2021, over $234,500 in scholarship funds have been made available to the agency’s graduating high school seniors, and an additional $82,000 in scholarship funds have been 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 2021 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 2021 Scholarship Ceremony video and keynote address here:
SCHOLARSHIP PROMISEES
2021 GRADUATES & HONOREES
Amir K.
Graduate of Success High School
Plans to continue working.
Aura D.
Graduate of Akins High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College.
Carolina S.
Graduate of Travis High School
Plans to attend St. Mary’s University to major in Forensic Science.
Caroline R.
Graduate of Crockett High School
Considering attending Austin Community College to study Nursing.
Catherine D.
Graduate of Manor Senior High School
Plans to attend a public college such as Austin Community College to study Phlebotomy.
Charlissa L.
Graduate of Reagan High School
Plans to attend college to become a special education teacher.
Cinthia M.
Graduate of Akins High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College to study Radiology.
Davontae J. G.
Graduate of Austin KIPP Collegiate High School
Plans to join the Marines.
Diamon J.
Graduate of LBJ High School
Plans to attend school while working.
Esbeidi M.
Graduate of Austin High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College for 2 years, then transfer to another college.
Francisco M.
Graduate of Cedar Creek High School
Plans to attend Texas State Technical College to study HVAC.
Gracie R.
Graduate of Manor Excel Academy
Plans to become a Biologist.
Ian M.
Graduate of The Liberal Arts And Science Academy (LASA)
Plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin to major in Civil Engineering.
Joshua S.
Graduate of Austin High School
Plans to go to technical school.
Juan G.
Graduate of Northeast High School
Plans to attend college to major in Auto Mechanics.
Leilani K.
Graduate of John B. Connally High School
Plans to attend Texas State University to major in Business while also working.
Lilian M.
Graduate of IDEA Montopolis College Preparatory School
Plans to attend St. Edward’s University to major in Criminology.
L’Jayvien R.
Graduate of Pflugerville High School
Plans to attend Prairie View A&M University’s Business program to major in Marketing.
Mackenzie P.
Graduate of Pflugerville High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College to study Mechanical Engineering.
Marina C.
Graduate of San Juan Diego Catholic High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College.
Michelle H.
Graduate of Travis Early College High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College to pursue Culinary Arts.
Nicole C.
Graduate of LBJ Early College High School
Plans to attend Texas State University to major in Education with a minor in Animal Science while also working fulltime.
Rafael O.
Graduate of John B. Connally High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College.
Rain O.
Graduate of Lake Travis High School
Plans to attend college to study Finance.
Richard M.
Graduate of Wayside Sci-Tech Preparatory High School
Plans to attend Texas State University.
September H.
Graduate of San Marcos High School
Plans to attend Cosmetology school.
Serina S.
Graduate of Del Valle High School
Plans to work for a year or two and then go on to Austin Community College.
Stephanie F.
Graduate of Eastside Memorial Early College High School
Plans to attend Austin Community College, majoring in Music and Dance, and Business.
Tyrin W.
Graduate of Manor Senior High School
Plans to attend Prairie View A&M University to major in Education or Nursing with a minor in Communications.
Valeria D.
Graduate of KIPP Austin Brave High School
Plans to attend St. Edward’s University to major in Accounting with a minor in Economics.
2021 BIG FUTURES GRADUATES
Harper J.
Graduate of Austin College
Plans to take a gap year and then go to graduate school to study Political Science.
Hector M.
Graduate of Southern Career Institute
Hopes to secure work in the pipeline field. His trade is welding.
Jaylon V.
Graduate of Tuskegee University
Plans to pursue graduate studies in Animal Science at Morehouse College.
Jeremiah R.
Graduate of Texas State University
Planning to get a job with the City of San Marcos’ Wastewater Department.
Kirida M.
Graduate of Austin Community College
Plans to complete a degree in Electrical Engineering at Colorado Technical University.
Maria L.
Graduate of The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP)
Currently employed at a COVID-19 site. Plans to become a Medical Assistant.
Zachariah A.
Graduate of Abilene Christian University
Plans to attend a Physical Therapy school to pursue a degree in Kinesiology.
CONGRATULATIONS!
GET TO KNOW DR. LATOYA SMITH
Meet our 2021 keynote speaker, Dr. LaToya Smith
Dr. Smith is Vice President for the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) at the University of Texas at Austin. She is the first woman to hold this position. She is also a faculty member in the College of Education, where she teaches Higher Education Law and Student Affairs.
Dr. Smith began her career at UT in 2001. Prior to joining DDCE, she served as an executive leader and administrator for Student Emergency Services, Veterans Services, the Title IX Office and, most recently, Texas Athletics. In all of these roles, she has focused on developing programs and resources to help students succeed, and to increase equity and inclusion on campus. Her passion for helping young people is clear.
In addition to her important work at UT, Dr. Smith has been a Big Sister to a young woman in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ program for the past 6 years.
