Carlos Vela is a sophomore at Martin High School and the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts. He is currently ranked 14th in his class. 

Carlos is enrolled in honors Chemistry, Algebra II and English II courses and also participates in UIL Science at Martin High School. At VMT, he is dual enrolled in a Theater Production class at Laredo College.

Carlos is also a proud member of the Martin High School Banda Del Animo where he plays the percussion

Carlos’s main goal is to be a role model and influence others to do great things. He hopes to attend TAMIU, University of Texas Austin, or Berkeley University to obtain a Master’s Degree in Math or Music. Vela plans to pursue a career as a teacher in Math or Music.  

In his spare time, Carlos enjoys playing the percussion, watching TV, playing board games, and reading. 

He is a true product of Laredo ISD having attended Dovalina Elementary and Christen Middle School. Carlos is the son of Gladis and Carlos Vela. 

Mia Rose Rodriguez is currently a sophomore at Nixon High School and is enrolled in the Business Industry Public Service (BIPS) Academy. She is dual enrolled at Laredo College where she has completed 9 hours towards her associates degree. 

Rodriguez is a true representative of the gold standard set at Nixon High School. Mia is an active member of Lady Mustangs Volleyball Team, Secretary for the Class of 2027, LISD’s Superintendent Student Advisory Council, Texas Department of Agriculture Health Ambassador for a Ready Texas, Principal’s Advisory Council. She is also aFour Year LISD Triple “A” Award Recipient.

Outside of school Rodriguez does community service with different organizations. She volunteers with the Annual Judge Danny Valdez’s Fishing Derby, NHS’s We’re Stronger Together Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. As part of  Breast Cancer Awareness, Mia volunteered her time collecting and donating 100 scarves and wigs for cancer patients at Doctors Hospital, a project she organized in support of her grandmother and other patients who are struggling with breast cancer. She also helps out with other projects around campus. 

Mia hopes to attend the University of Texas. She plans to get a degree in Architecture. 

Her hobbies include painting, walking, listening to music and binge watching Romcom movies. You can also find Mia working afterschool or the weekends at Black and White Coffee House as a Barista/Cook/Office.

She attended Milton Elementary School and Lamar Middle School. Mia is the daughter of Maribel Valdez and Rene Rodriguez.

Joaquin Alejandro Lara is a junior at Cigarroa High School and the Sabas Perez Early College Academy. He is ranked 5th in his class with a GPA of 102.2. He is also dual enrolled at Laredo College where he completed all his requirements for his associate’s degree. 

Lara is a proud member of the schools’ National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, and is the school’s mascot. 

Joaquin has high-functioning autism. This unique perspective has shaped his approach to problem-solving and learning, allowing him to think critically and creatively in ways that may differ from his peers. It has also instilled in him a deep empathy and understanding for others, driving his passion for advocacy and making a positive impact in inclusive educational environments.

Outside of school, Joaquin volunteers his time with the Land Stewardship Ambassador Foundation (East) and is a volunteer at the Toro Boutique.  

Lara’s future goal is to attend the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a bachelor degree in Biology with a double major in Zoology and Primatology. He would like to move to Canada and become a zoo keeper and conduct hands-on research in labs in a field setting. 

In his free time, Joaquin hobbies include reading, gaming, and art. 

Lara attended Kawas Elementary School and Cigarroa Middle School. Joaquin is the son of Caroline and Juan Manuel Lara.

Marely Ramos, a junior at Garcia Early College, is ranked 11th in her class with a GPA of 3.8. She is a proud member of the school’s National Honor Society and is dual enrolled at TAMIU with 20 college hours.

Marely is currently a member of the Robotics Vice-President, UIL Science and Calculators, Secretary for the Class of 2025, Yearbook, and a Martin High School Band volunteer and City of Laredo volunteer. She is also a member of Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE). Ramos is currently state bound and will represent Garcia Early College and LISD at the TAFE Conference in Galveston where she will present her STEM lesson plan. 

Her favorite part of the school day is when she goes to her Robotics Club and is able to share her knowledge with her peers and be hands-on with the robots. 

Marely not only is dedicated to her academics and extracurricular activities, but makes time to give back to her community. For instance, she volunteers her time at San Francisco Javier Catholic Church. 

Her hobbies include building robots, programming, volunteering, gardening, playing instruments, and drawing. Ramos, who has a love for cars, enjoys working on model cars and has a collection of over 300 Hot Wheels which she started collecting cars since elementary school.  

Marely plans on attending Texas A&M University College Station. Her main goal is to study Mechanical Engineering. Ramos is passionate about the chance to become a Mechanical Engineer. She hopes to start a mechanic shop for the less fortunate in our community. 

She attended Dovalina Elementary and Christen Middle Schools. Marely is the daughter of Ana and Ramiro Ramos.

Maria Camarillo is a Gifted and Talented 7th grade student at Christen Middle. She is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and the Robotics Club.

Maria is also a proud member of our Mariachi Tigrillos de Oro Team where she plays the violin. Her favorite part of the school day is when she attends her mariachi class where she can hone her violin skills to her favorite songs “Garilan” and “Hemoso Carino.” 

Maria also participates in UIL writing, math and number sense.  In her free time, she enjoys drawing and robotics.   

Maria is undecided about where she wants to go to college, but hopes to pursue a degree in engineering or business. Camarillo plans on having a career in finance.  

She attended Farias Elementary School and plans on attending Martin High School and the Cantu Health Science Early College High School. Maria’s proud parents are Noemi Navarro and Francisco Camarillo.

Angela Mendoza is an 8th grade student at Lamar Middle School. 

Outside of her classes, Angela is a member of the Mighty Lion Band where she plays the trombone. She is also a member of UIL number sense and calculators. Her favorite part of the school day is her math class where she learns about numbers and equations. 

On the weekends you can find Angela around town with her mother volunteering to clean up neighborhood parks.  She also enjoys playing volleyball and spending quality time with her family. 

Angela plans on attending Laredo College or TAMIU to pursue a Master’s degree in Law Enforcement. After completing her studies, Angela would like to have a successful career as a lawyer. 

She attended D.D. Hachar Elementary School and has applied to the BIPS Academy at Nixon High School. Ivana is the daughter of Marissa Mariano and Macedonio Mendoza. 

Ivana Martinez is an 8th grade honors student at Cigarroa Middle School. She is an exemplary scholar who is on the A honor roll. Ivana demonstrates a strong work ethic, always maintains a positive attitude, has great attendance, and overall is committed to excel in and out of the classroom.

She leads with heart when it comes to assisting her classmates. 

Additionally, Ivana is the assistant drum major and plays the flute for the Cigarroa Middle School Mighty Bulldog Band. Ivana’s interest in music began about three years ago when her brother introduced her to different musical instruments. Her favorite part of the school day is when she gets to attend her music class.

During her free time, she likes to draw and spend quality time with her friends and family. Ivana also enjoys going to mass and volunteering at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. 

Ivana’s main goal this year is to continue mastering straight A’s and getting accepted into the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts.

Ivana’s academic goal is to attend TAMIU to get a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and obtain her Masters to become a neurologist. 

She attended Daiches Elementary School and plans to attend Cigarroa High School. Ivana is the daughter of David and Alicia Martinez.

Joy Diaz is a 6th grade honor roll and gifted and talented student at Memorial Middle School. 

Joy is in the Advanced Mathematics class, and would like to take Algebra 1 in 8th grade.

She is also enrolled in honors reading, social studies, and science and thrives on doing her best in everything she does. 

Joy's favorite part of the school day is her math class where she gets to work on equations. She is also enrolled in Pre-athletics class because she wants to run track next school year.

Her favorite hobbies are drawing and writing songs. She also likes to play volleyball, run track, baking and spending time with her family. 

She plans on attending TAMIU and is undecided about what degree she will pursue. 

She attended Sanchez-Ochoa Elementary School and plans on attending Nixon High School. Joy is the daughter of Myra and Joel Diaz.