(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Feb. 7, 2024) — An Andress High School senior has been selected as the regional and Texas finalist for the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (NAFEPA) scholarship.
Gerardo Lopez, a captain for the Golden Eagles’ boys’ soccer team, will compete for the NAFEPA national scholarship worth $5,000 throughout two years. The NAFEPA scholarship will be awarded only to four applicants across the nation.
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, representatives from ESC Region 19, students, and family members surprised Lopez with the news of his selection at Andress. ESC Region 19 officials helped facilitate Lopez’s application for the scholarship as part of a partnership with El Paso ISD in service of migratory families and students.
With some tears in his eyes, Lopez shared his excitement with the crowd gathered for the announcement where his friends and family offered hugs and well-wishes.
“I feel relieved because I know I put in so much hard work and, to see the people around me, makes me really happy,” Lopez said. “I want to thank everyone who pushes me every day and thank God for everything.”
Lopez is a student-athlete who competes on the Andress soccer team. He has also found success academically and has plans to go to college to become an architect.
“We’ve had a chance to take him on a couple of site visits at El Paso Community College because they have a partnership with Texas Tech University for architecture, so he’ll possibly do that or go to the University of Texas at El Paso for engineering,” said Manuel Aldaco, ESC Region 19 assistant director.
The NAFEPA scholarship is awarded based on several metrics including transcripts, letters of recommendation, grade point average, extracurricular activities, and an essay.
Lopez will find out in mid-March if he is one of the four students selected for the national scholarship award.
