Two in BISD awarded Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship
July 01, 2022 | by Shelbe Rodriguez
Two graduates –– Mexli Flores and Blake Wilson –– have been awarded the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship, endowed in honor of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s First Lady Emeritus Nancy Evans, was established in fall 2017 in partnership with BISD and is awarded to two first-time-in-college students entering Â鶹ÊÓƵ as freshmen in the fall semester. When combined with grants, the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship allows for recipients to have a full-ride scholarship to attend Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
Flores, who will be entering Â鶹ÊÓƵ this fall as a junior majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-med, said the scholarship will allow her to fully focus her attention on her education without stressing over financial woes.
“I was thrilled and overwhelmed with joy to learn of my selection for the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship,” Flores said. “I am honored to have received such a wonderful opportunity and am excited to be able to learn and become a great student with financial support.”
Students are eligible to retain the scholarship for four years or eight long semesters if they maintain a minimum a 2.8 cumulative GPA and complete 12 hours per semester. Nancy Evans Scholars also are expected to exemplify qualities of the scholarship’s namesake and commit to service leadership through ongoing civic engagement and involvement, which is something Flores knows all too well.
“In the summer of 2021, I volunteered and shadowed at St. Elizabeth hospital and, on occasion, I write to residents and essential workers at nursing homes and make baked treats for them to enjoy,” she said. “I have attended many STEM camps at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and participated in a day retreat at the on campus.”
While admittedly having a career in medicine was not always a dream of hers, Flores said her passion for the field has certainly grown over time.
“I always knew that I liked to be of aide to others and knew that I wanted to work in a field that allowed me to alleviate others pain and suffering whether it was physically, emotionally or spiritually,” she said. “Medicine is a vocation that best fits my personality and allows me the opportunity to integrate my interests in a profession. My passion for medicine has definitely been influenced by my family. With so many family members that have experienced and still do experience so many different disorders/ illnesses I grew fond of medicine.”
To date, 10 students have been awarded the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship and Flores said through the award, she’s received a feeling of relief not just for herself, but for her family as well. “Knowing that I would be given financial help to fund my education, I could not wait to tell my family. I am looking forward to learning and growing in a more open environment where I can become more mature and responsible as an individual along with advancing my education.”
Learn more about the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarshp
The scholarship, endowed in honor of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s First Lady Emeritus Nancy Evans, was established in fall 2017 in partnership with BISD and is awarded to two first-time-in-college students entering Â鶹ÊÓƵ as freshmen in the fall semester. When combined with grants, the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship allows for recipients to have a full-ride scholarship to attend Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
Flores, who will be entering Â鶹ÊÓƵ this fall as a junior majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-med, said the scholarship will allow her to fully focus her attention on her education without stressing over financial woes.
“I was thrilled and overwhelmed with joy to learn of my selection for the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship,” Flores said. “I am honored to have received such a wonderful opportunity and am excited to be able to learn and become a great student with financial support.”
Students are eligible to retain the scholarship for four years or eight long semesters if they maintain a minimum a 2.8 cumulative GPA and complete 12 hours per semester. Nancy Evans Scholars also are expected to exemplify qualities of the scholarship’s namesake and commit to service leadership through ongoing civic engagement and involvement, which is something Flores knows all too well.
“In the summer of 2021, I volunteered and shadowed at St. Elizabeth hospital and, on occasion, I write to residents and essential workers at nursing homes and make baked treats for them to enjoy,” she said. “I have attended many STEM camps at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and participated in a day retreat at the on campus.”
While admittedly having a career in medicine was not always a dream of hers, Flores said her passion for the field has certainly grown over time.
“I always knew that I liked to be of aide to others and knew that I wanted to work in a field that allowed me to alleviate others pain and suffering whether it was physically, emotionally or spiritually,” she said. “Medicine is a vocation that best fits my personality and allows me the opportunity to integrate my interests in a profession. My passion for medicine has definitely been influenced by my family. With so many family members that have experienced and still do experience so many different disorders/ illnesses I grew fond of medicine.”
To date, 10 students have been awarded the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarship and Flores said through the award, she’s received a feeling of relief not just for herself, but for her family as well. “Knowing that I would be given financial help to fund my education, I could not wait to tell my family. I am looking forward to learning and growing in a more open environment where I can become more mature and responsible as an individual along with advancing my education.”
Learn more about the Nancy Evans Memorial Scholarshp