Jose Quintana and Yeikol Chapa of Nixon High School have the prestigious honor of being named 2024 Terry Scholars by the Terry Foundation. The two Nixon seniors earned admission to two of the biggest universities in Texas and will be attending college on a full-ride scholarship for up to eight semesters from the Terry Foundation.
Quintana and Chapa are among 320 cohorts selected of the 600 seniors interviewed statewide from an extremely competitive pool at each nominating university. These promising students will enroll at 11 Texas public universities with a Terry Scholarship award that will cover up to the full cost of attendance for the 2024-2025 school year.
Quintana was in class studying for test when he received the congratulatory email from the Terry Foundation.
“I saw that I got the result and I couldn't believe it. It’s a full ride. My education is fully paid for,” said Quintana. “I've been working trying to save some money just in case I needed to pay something out of pocket. So, getting this scholarship and knowing that everything is paid off is a big relief off my shoulders.”
After receiving the good news, Jose immediately called his mother and father to tell them the exciting news.
“I called my mom first. She was very happy. She started crying and told me how proud she was of me. I can tell she was just as relieved as I was,” said Quintana. “My dad was even happier than me, he was screaming on the phone saying congratulations, “I knew you had this in you.”
As recipients of the Terry Scholarship Jose and Yeikol are one step closer to their dreams becoming reality as they were chosen for admission to Texas A&M at College Station and the University of Texas at Austin.
“I liked A&M just because of the traditions. When I visit Aggieland on Aggie Day, as soon as you entered the campus you see everyone greeting you so nicely. I saw how everybody was so friendly and nice to me,” said Quintana. “It’s a very diverse campus and everyone just seems so nice. It didn't matter how you looked or how you spoke, they just had that same persona of being nice to anybody that was on the campus.”
Jose is thrilled to be setting the example as he will be the first in his family to attend a major university.
“I want to set the example for my family especially because I’m the first one going to a major university,” said Quintana. “I have a lot of siblings and younger cousins that look up to me. It means a lot to me that I can actually succeed and find something that I like to do especially at a big university like Texas A&M.”
Jose expressed his gratitude to his teacher and parents who motivated him to reach his full potential during his years at Nixon High School.
“Before anything I thank God for this opportunity. It means the world to me. I didn't see myself going this far few years ago. So, I'm so glad I had somebody supporting me,” said Quintana. “My parents would probably the biggest motivator I have. My teachers, counselors, and my parents and family helped me reach my full potential and I know I have more in me. I want to strive to be better every year.”
Quintana also credits his high school counselors for helping him become the student he is today. “I know I would not have applied for this scholarship. I would not have actually tried for it because I really didn’t think I had a chance,” said Quintana. “My counselors actually motivated and pushed me.”
Quintana is ranked third for the Nixon High School Class of 2024. Jose is also a student at the Business, Industry, and Public Services (BIPS) Early College Academy and will be graduating with a GPA of 106.81.
During his four years at Nixon, Jose was involved in various organizations at school. He was a member of Student Council, UIL, and the football and track team.
Quintan has volunteered over 500 community service hours with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo, Habitat for Humanity, and Lamar Bruni Vergara Community Center.
In his spare time, Jose enjoys weightlifting, working out, and playing video games.
Quintana will be attending Texas A&M University on a four-year scholarship. He will be obtaing a biomedical degree followed by attending the Medical School Program at A&M to pursue anesthesiology. He hopes to become a fully license anesthesiology
Jose is the son of Hilda Escalante and Jose Quintana Sr. He attended Ryan Elementary School and Lamar Middle School.
Chapa is is the Valedictorian for the Nixon High School Class of 2024. Yeikol will graduate with an overall GPA of 107.45. She is also a student at the Business, Industry, and Public Services (BIPS) Early College Academy.
Chapa’s favorite part of the school day is when she gets to go to her criminal justice class because she gets to learn about the different things going on in the world.
Yeikol’s academic accolades include National Hispanic College Board Recognition, CTE Award, Border Patrol Youth of the Month, the M.B. Lamar Medal Recipient, and the prestigious Terry Foundation scholarship recipient.
She is also a standout athlete where she was Captain of the tennis team. She was selected La Estrella Del Deporte and received the Triple A Award.
Yeikol is involved in various organizations at school. She is the President of the National Honor Society, Vice-President of the Criminal Justice Club, a member of Spanish National Honor Society, UIL Academics, and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
Outside of school Chapa is busy being a private tutor with Clever Minds STEM Tutoring Center, working as a team member at Academy Sports and Outdoors, and volunteering with National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, 911 City of Laredo, Laredo Tennis Association, and Prime Sports Camps at the Laredo Country Club
During her free time, Yeikol enjoys playing video games, going to the gym, and reading,
This fall Chapa will be attending University of Texas at Austin on a four-year scholarship. She will be majoring in biomedical engineering with aspirations of going to medical school to become a surgeon or orthopedic surgeon.
Yeikol is the daughter of Damaris Rivera and Salvador Chapa. She attended Ryan Elementary School and Lamar Middle School.
The Terry Foundation has invested more than $356 million toward access to higher education since its inception and will award over $19.5 million in funding to approximately 856 enrolled Terry Scholars during the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more, visit terryfoundation.org