SHINE BRIGHT: UTRGV celebrates new Luminary Scholars at signing ceremony

By Amanda Alaniz

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MAY 7, 2026 – Twenty‑four incoming UTRGV freshmen recently took their first step as Luminary Scholars after officially pledging their commitment to the prestigious university program.

The UTRGV Luminary Scholars is a merit-based scholarship that allows selected students to complete their education debt-free. It removes financial barriers to higher education by covering education-related expenses associated with undergraduate, graduate or professional degrees, including the UTRGV School of Medicine and the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine.

The newly selected scholars were recognized at a ceremony held Friday, May 1, on the Edinburg campus. During the event, each student signed a Luminary Scholar Vow and received a ceremonial check for their award. In addition, the scholars were recognized during a UTRGV baseball game that evening.

Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa, UTRGV executive vice president for Strategic Initiatives and Student Affairs & deputy to the president, addressed the scholars and their families. She highlighted how meaningful the program is for students and their future endeavors.

“It really is an honor to be chosen to be a Luminary Scholar. I hope you see how significant this scholarship can be to your futures. There really isn’t another one like it in the country,” she said.

The scholarship program is made possible through the support of philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, H-E-B, the Serafy Foundation and the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation. 

Selected Luminary Scholars are required to live on campus for the first two academic years, and second-year scholars will serve as mentors to first-year recipients.

The newly selected scholars were recognized at a ceremony held Friday, May 1, on the Edinburg campus. During the event, each student signed a Luminary Scholar Vow and received a ceremonial check for their award. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

MEET THE FIFTH COHORT OF LUMINARY SCHOLARS

• Abhishek Rana, McAllen, biomedical sciences.
• Abigail Alvarado, Edinburg, biology.
• Alexandra Saavedra, Brownsville, biology.
• Allyson Gutierrez, McAllen, biomedical sciences.
• Alyssa Lejia, McAllen, biomedical sciences.
• Ashley Amaro, Brownsville, biomedical sciences.
• Camila Garcia, Harlingen, mathematics.
• Celeste Mora, San Juan, environmental sciences.
• Dalidaid Garcia Chapa, Rio Grande City, biology.
• Daniel Salinas Espino, Mission, physics.
• Fernanda Mendoza, Corpus Christi, biomedical sciences.
• Gimena Trevino, Mercedes, integrated health sciences.
• Jaqueline Saenz, Roma, music.
• Jesus Miranda, Brownsville, physics.
• Joanna Meza, Harlingen, civil engineering.
• John Slemko, Harlingen, biomedical sciences.
• Julius Moreno, Santa Rosa, accountancy.
• Kemberly Borrego, Los Fresnos, biomedical sciences.
• Laura Torres Sierra, Brownsville, kinesiology.
• Mia Martinez, Rio Grande City, accountancy.
• Moises Gaona, Penitas, psychology.
• Samantha Saavedra, Brownsville, biology.
• Sophia Jaramillo, Brownsville, biomedical sciences.
• Sreeja Mullapudi, Edinburg, biology.

The cohort was chosen from a pool of more than 700 applicants, said Vanessa Maldonado, director of Student Service Centers and Scholarships, during the ceremony. Maldonado said that being a Luminary Scholar places these students in the UTRGV elite – embodying qualities of leadership, service and scholarship. 

“Scholars, we have full confidence that each of you will achieve remarkable things as you pursue your chosen degree,” she said. 

The scholars were recognized during a UTRGV baseball game on Friday, May 1. (UTRGV Photo)

END OF ONE CHAPTER

Belinda Meza, from Harlingen, watched in the audience as her daughter, Joanna, signed the Luminary Scholar Vow. She made her way from the back of the crowd to the front to snap a few photos, proud to see her only daughter begin a new stage of life.

“She’s my only daughter, so it’s hard, but it’s also exciting for her,” Meza said. “She wants to be a civil engineer, and I know she can do it.”

Joanna thanked her mother for all the encouragement as she closed one chapter of her education to begin another. She said she sees the opportunity as a path to even greater things ahead.

“Being a Luminary Scholar means so much to me. It meant my accomplishments finally paid off, and my hard work was going toward something even better for my life,” said the future civil engineering student. 

GIVING BACK TO THOSE WHO SHAPED ME

Fellow scholar Dalidaid Garcia Chapa shared similar sentiments, recognizing how meaningful it is to be one of only 24 students selected for the program. She described the scholarship as life changing.

“It’s such a great scholarship and I’m honored to be involved, so I can give back to my community. I mean, it raised me and it made me such a great individual,” said the future biology student. “It’s very exciting.”

Dalidaid’s mother, Dinorah Chapa, was in attendance and said she is very proud of her daughter and everything she has accomplished. Dalidaid hugged her mother and thanked her for all the support.

She said her goal is to graduate and pursue a career in the medical field as a specialist.

Families and friends were in attendance of the celebration of their scholar. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

SHINE WHEREVER SHE IS

Ashley Amaro, from Brownsville, said she was surprised and grateful when she learned she had been chosen as a Luminary Scholar.

“I wasn’t sure how well I did during the interview process,” she recalled. “But when I received the news of being named a scholar, I was very happy and appreciative of the opportunity because it meant it would cover my medical school. I’m going to make the best of this.”

Ashley will begin her college career majoring in biomedical sciences, with plans to attend medical school and work toward becoming a physician. Her parents, Juan Manuel Amaro and Yolando Castillo, were also at the celebration. They said they felt immense pride in their daughter’s hard work and in her ability to accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

“Que le agradezco a ella principalmente por sus esfuerzos, el empeño que le ponen al studio. Y, pues, como siempre le he dicho, a ella va a brillar donde quiera que ella esté, (I would like to thank her, especially for her efforts, for the commitment she puts into her studies. And I've always told her, she's going to shine wherever she is),” her father said.

Ashley also thanked her parents for their never-ending support and for every little thing they have done to help her reach this moment.

“Espero hacerlos orgullosos (I hope to make you proud),” she said.

WHAT’S NEXT

UTRGV’s Luminary Scholars will move into their dorm rooms later this fall and will begin their first semester on Aug. 26.

To learn more about the program, visit www.utrgv.edu/scholarships/freshman-scholarships/utrgv-luminary-scholars.