(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – August 9, 2024) — El Paso ISD proudly celebrates Athenas Delgado, a remarkable young woman who has risen from the challenges of dropping out to becoming one the highest scholarship recipients from the entire El Paso region. Her journey of perseverance and determination has led her to the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), where she will begin her freshman year this fall.
Athenas, an 18-year-old recent graduate of the College Career Technology Academy (CCTA), is preparing to study business at UT Austin with plans to pursue a law degree. Her academic achievements, along with the scholarships she earned, including one from the El Paso ISD Education Foundation, have opened doors to this new chapter in her life.
Reflecting on her transformative experience at CCTA, Athenas said, "I appreciated the chance to reenter school because after dropping out of high school, I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma. CCTA gave me that second chance, and I’m very grateful.”
Athenas’ journey was not without its challenges. She spent two years out of a traditional classroom after dropping out during the pandemic, having completed only her freshman year online. The idea of returning to in-person classes was daunting, but Athenas was determined to graduate with her class. Enrolling at CCTA during the summer, she dedicated herself to her studies, often working late nights, weekends, and even holidays to achieve her goal.
Her commitment to earning a high school diploma was unwavering. "I considered getting my G.E.D. and going to a local university, but then I thought, ‘What if I want to go to college elsewhere?’ So, I decided to pursue my diploma because if others could do it, then I could too,” she explained.
Athenas’ initiative and advocacy extended beyond her own success. When she discovered that the scholarship she earned was not initially available at CCTA, she took it upon herself to reach out to the District, ensuring that the opportunity was made accessible to all CCTA students. Her efforts have paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
El Paso ISD Superintendent Diana Sayavedra praised Athenas for her outstanding accomplishments, stating, “Athenas Delgado exemplifies the resilience and determination that we strive to instill in all our students. Her journey is truly inspiring to not only her El Paso ISD student peers but students across the region. We are incredibly proud of her and all that she has accomplished.”
In addition to the EPISD Education Foundation Scholarship, she has scholarships from several universities throughout the country, totaling over $1.6 million dollars, a testament to her unwavering determination.
The scholarship funds Athenas received will support her studies, covering her tuition, rent, transportation, food, and textbooks.
