CSD IDEA Rio Grande Valley 3 Program 2023

are so glad you are part of it.

College Signing Day (CSD) is a tradition unlike any other. It began more than two decades ago as IDEA’s promise to parents: “Your child will go to college.” Today, across the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and the Austin metro area, CSD is an opportunity for our seniors to announce a meaningful commitment and for our schools and communities to celebrate everything that led up to this joyful and pivotal moment.

So, if you want to feel inspired, you’re in the right place.

If you want to feel hopeful about the future of our community, our country, and our world, stick around.

If you came to cheer on your own student today, don’t be surprised if you’re screaming for one you have never met.

Across IDEA’s Texas campuses, the 1,966 members of the Class of 2023 have achieved over 9,000 acceptances to colleges and universities across the country. Today we learn where everyone is headed.

While this moment is a culmination of sorts, it also represents a new start for the students who have worked so hard to get here. So many opportunities, adventures, experiences, and challenges lie ahead.

For now, this is a day for celebration. For every senior who declares their college choice on this stage, let’s also celebrate and be grateful for the teachers, counselors, principals, parents, siblings, grandparents, mentors, employers, neighbors, friends, and everyone else who has supported these students.

Class of 2023: Congratulations! You’re going to college.

estamos muy contentos de que usted sea parte de ello.

College Signing Day (CSD) es una tradición como ninguna otra. Comenzó hace más de dos décadas como la promesa de IDEA a los padres: “Su hijo irá a la universidad”. Hoy, en todo el Valle del Río Grande, San Antonio y el área metropolitana de Austin, CSD es una oportunidad para que nuestros alumnos de último año anuncien una decisión significativa que han tomado y para que nuestras comunidades celebren todo lo que llevo a este momento alegre y crucial.

Así que, si quieres sentirte inspirado, estás en el lugar correcto.

Si quieres sentirte ilusionado sobre el futuro de nuestra comunidad, nuestro país y nuestro mundo, quédate aquí.

Si vinieron a animar a sus propios estudiantes el día de hoy, no te sorprendas si estás gritando por uno que jamás has conocido.

A través de todos los campus de IDEA en Texas, los 1,966 miembros de la Clase de 2023 han logrado más de 9,000 aceptaciones en colegios y universidades de todo el país. Hoy, conoceremos hacia dónde se dirigen todos.

Si bien este momento es una culminación de clases, también representa un nuevo comienzo para los estudiantes que han trabajado muy duro para llegar aquí. Quedan muchas oportunidades, aventuras, experiencias y, sí, desafíos, están por venir.

Por ahora, sin embargo, este es un día de celebración. Por cada estudiante de último año que declara su elección de universidad en este escenario, también celebremos y estemos agradecidos por los maestros, consejeros, directores, padres, hermanos, abuelos, mentores, empleados, vecinos, amigos y todos los demás que han apoyado a estos estudiantes.

Clase de 2023: ¡Felicitaciones! Vas a ir a la universidad.

JEFF COTTRILL, Ed.D. Superintendent IDEA Public Schools

COLLIN SEWELL

DR. JEFF COTTRILL ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SUPERINTENDENT

LEANNE HERNANDEZ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

LAYNE FISHER

JESSICA HESS

ALEJANDRA LOYA

CODY GRINDLE

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

CHIEF GOVERNANCE OFFICER & EXECUTIVE CHIEF OF STAFF CHIEF OF STAFF TO SUPERINTENDENT

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

DOLORES GONZALEZ

DR. ERNESTO CANTU

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER AREA SUPERINTENDENT

PHILLIP GARZA

ROLANDO POSADA

CHIEF COLLEGE OFFICER SPECIAL ADVISORY TO CEO

JILL DOMINGUEZ AREA SUPERINTENDENT

MARTIN WINCHESTER CHIEF HUMAN ASSETS OFFICER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Collin Sewell, Chair

Ed Rivera, Vice-Chair and Treasurer

Ryan Vaughan, Secretary

Reba Cardenas McNair

David Earl

Erich Holmsten

Michael Adams

Gary Lindgren

Theresa Barrera-Shaw

Nanette Cocero

REGIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Cerise R. de Garduno

Sarah Garza

Zulieda Lopez-Habbouche

Andrea Rodriguez

Alyssa L. Romero

Bobby Saenz

CJ Sanchez

Jesus (Jesse) Zepeda

AREA SUPERINTENDENT

CLASS OF

SENIORS, DID YOU KNOW?

The IDEA ALUMNI AFFAIRS TEAM is here to support you through your college journey!

IDEA PARENTS!

Stay informed with IDEA ALUMNI AFFAIRS TEAM:

• Alumni College Success 1:1 Coaching

• Upcoming College Campus Events

• Upcoming Financial Aid Deadlines

• Semester Registration Deadlines

• Scholarship Opportunities

• College to Career Exploration

AND MORE!

¡PADRES DE IDEA!

Manténgase informado sobre el EQUIPO ADMINISTRATIVO DE EXALUMNOS:

• Éxito de Ex Alumnos Universitario 1:1

• Entrenamiento Próximos Eventos del Campus Universitario

• Próximos Plazos de Ayuda Financiera

• Plazos de Inscripción Semestral

• Oportunidades de Becas

• Exploración de la Universidad a la Carrera

¡Y MAS!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Balloon

Abel Gonzalez Law Offices of Alejandro Dominguez

THANKS TO OUR COLLEGE PARTNERS

CONGRATULATIONS IDEA ALAMO!

To the IDEA Alamo founding class of 2023,

We are here to celebrate the accomplishment of choosing the university of your choice and cheering you on as you embark on your next step, college. You have been relentless in pursuing a high-quality high school education. You have allowed nothing to stand in your way of achieving this goal – and today, you see the fruits of your labor. We couldn’t be prouder!

Many of you will be 1st generation college students and set the bar high for future generations. You have not only set the bar to go to college, but 95% of you have been admitted to Tier 1/2 universities, over 28% of you are matriculating to one of those top universities like MIT, Notre Dame, Colgate, American, Bryn Mawr, and 4 of you are Questbridge scholarship recipients. Additionally, 38 of you have been founding IDEA Alamo students since kindergarten. You have seen the changes in the school, and Alamo has seen you grow and become driven young adults.

Class of 2023, you have broken academic records by having the highest ACT average that Alamo has seen. You have also broken athletic records; you are the first District and Bi-District U.I.L titles for our Varsity Lady Griffins Basketball Team, also the First ever District and Bi-District titles for our Varsity Lady Griffins Soccer team; in addition to these records, you are also compassionate young adults who have become resilient through the obstacles that you have endured during your high school career.

Being your principal has been an honor, and I look forward to hearing about your successes.

Today you announce the college of your choice, and we celebrate you for all the discipline and hard work it takes to get here. Please take a moment to thank the people who have supported you from early elementary years until now; it takes a village.

Founding class of 2023, you will always hold a special place at IDEA Alamo. Remember that self-belief and hard work will earn you success.

So Proud! GOOO GRIFFINS!

Maria Charles Principal, IDEA Alamo College Preparatory

CONGRATULATIONS IDEA BROWNSVILLE!

Dear IDEA College Prep Brownsville Bobcats!

Class of 2023, congratulations! This is an incredible accomplishment! We are here today to celebrate a very important milestone in your life. You will be closing one chapter in your educational career while opening another on your way to and through college. We are excited for you and all your future endeavors!

Bobcats, you are IDEA Brownsville’s fifth graduating class and our original founding class. When you got here in August of 2012, the thought of your College Signing Day probably seemed like an eternity away. And yet, here we are, participating and celebrating this very special event in honor of your accomplishments. As a founding class, we can’t deny how special you are to our campus. We have watched you grow and overcome so many challenges and obstacles that you will always have a special place in IDEA Brownsville’s history.

As you announce your college choice today, we also want to acknowledge and thank all the people that have been involved in your education from the beginning. Family, friends, faculty and staff, everyone that has played a role in your accomplishment today, we would like to say thank you. To the parents of our Bobcats, we will always be in your debt for staying committed to IDEA’s mission of sending everyone to and through college.

To the class of 2023, congratulations! We encourage you to pause and celebrate where you are today. Enjoy every minute of College Signing Day 2023, you have earned it! I am incredibly proud of every single one of you. We wish you the best of luck in your future.

Go Bobcats!

Marco C. Lopez Principal, IDEA College Prep Brownsville

CLASS OF 2023

David Aguilar

Alexus Rubie Aguilar

Sara Alvarado

Fernanda Naomi Andrade

Nicole Aranda

Samantha Sol Arguello

Paul Alexis Arguello-Cruz

Adrian Atkinson

Ryan Bak

Aldys Alyssa Banos

Brandon Anthony Behnke

Jessica Lorely Bolanos

Jorge Alejandro Camacho-Castillo

Mark Henry Cantu

Joel Carrizales

Santiago Antelmo Castillo

Chriselda Anahi Cespedes

Cristian Antonio Chapa Mejia

Itzel Chavez

Adrian Cosio

Matthew James Cruz

Gavin Lee Darst

Hugo Del Angel Amaya

Alexandra Delgado

Andrea Escalante

Shaheer Farhat

Jorge Alberto Flores

Mayra Galvan

Sebastian Garcia

Jesus Antonio Garcia

Delaney Arleen Garcia

Daniela Sofia Garcia-Lee

Eduardo Urbino Garza

Kamila Gomez

Laura Margarita Gonzales

Amparo Ruby Guzman

Dania Letizia Hernandez Salazar

Daniel Alejandro Herrera

Maya Leilani Hurtado

Diego Alberto Ipina

Maria Fernanda Jacobo

Alejandro Juarez

Victor Eduardo Juarez

Luis Orlando Lopez-Castillo

Michael Joshua Lozano

Stacy Esmeralda Lozano

Rebecca Lozano-Guerra

Nicolas Lucio

Dominick Jay Mancillas

Ramiro Mejia

Andrea Mendez

America Montes

Mariely Morales

Fatima Ochoa

Sofia Renata Palacios

Angel Perez

Isaias Perez

Seth Arnulfo Alejandro Perez

Nissi Nicole Plata

Maritza Natasha Ramirez

Estephany Ramos

Andrea Resendiz

Kathryn Suzannah Rhodes

Seth Ezekiel Rios

Daisy Rodriguez

Fernanda Rodriguez

Hugo Ernesto Rodriguez

Mariana Rodriguez

Sofia Rodriguez

Aiyanna Trinity Salinas

Damian Sampayo

David Anthony Soto

Wilma Wambui Thuku

Isaac Francisco Torres

Sydney Faith Torres

Stephanie Tovar

Pedro Javier Valdez

Enrique Paolo Velazquez Torres

Juan David Villanueva

Cristian Villarreal

Angeles Villarreal

Ximena Zamora

Julia Yessenia Zuniga

CONGRATULATIONS IDEA EDINBURG!

Class of 2023,

Today, you have made history! You have fulfilled our mission – College For All!

On this special day - College Signing Day, you will announce to your parents, peers, and the entire IDEA family your commitment to the college of your choice. Your hard work and dedication have led you to this very moment. Yes, it is finally here! You made it!

I am so happy to be back with you all, and I have enjoyed every day I have had the privilege to be with you. Wow! Oh, how you have changed from the day I met you seven years ago as 6th graders! You are now mature and responsible young men and women! You continue to impress me, and you continue to make your parents and our whole community proud! You Are The Pride of IDEA Edinburg College Prep!

I am so proud to announce that 100% of you have been accepted to a 4 year college/university, 92% of you have been accepted to a Tier I/II university, 40% of you are on track to attend a Tier I/II university, 6 of you are Dell Scholarship recipients, 1 of you is a Gates Scholarship recipient, 15 of you are National Hispanic Recognized Award recipients ,and 1 of you is a National Indigenous Award recipient. In addition, the total amount of financial aid received for the Class of 2023 is $3,462,799. Amazing!

This is only the beginning, and I am certain that there are many more achievements that the Class of 2023 is yet to accomplish. We are ALL very proud of you and we are thankful that we have been given the opportunity to work with the finest scholars that IDEA has to offer.

Class of 2023, you have set the bar even higher for all other grade levels to come, and the legacy you have left is the example to all future graduating classes at Edinburg College Prep. I am so proud of you, and I cannot wait to hear what the Class of 2023 is going to achieve next! Soar to New Heights!

Ramiro Gomez Jr, M.Ed. Principal, IDEA Edinburg College Preparatory

Ashley Aguilar

Adrian Alvarado

Joshua Aviles

Karla Barron

Brisa Bazan

Charles Bishop

Carolina Camacho

Diego Casas

Brittany Cavazos-Hernandez

Emely Cruz

Karla Cruz

Melany Cruz

Katelyn Davila

Joceline Duarte- Alvarez

Joseph Espinoza

Reeana Esquivel

Erick Garcia

Leonardo Garcia

Amaris Garza

Emmanuel-Ray Garza-Myers

Jacen Gonzalez

Nohemi Gonzalez

Tatiana Gonzalez

Diego Guzman

Derrick Ivory

Genesis Limon

Luis Lozano Cerdan

Marzieh Martinez

Nathan Martinez

Ramses Matamoros

Caleb Medina

Taive Menchaca

Analiz Meza

Ana Mireles

Oscar Olivares

Naomi Onofre

Hazael Ontiveros

Maria Ortuno Urban

Hannah Ovalle

Gael Pena

Yuliana Perez

Joel Quintanilla

Bryanna Lizette Ramirez

Daniel Mauricio Ramos

Josue Israel Resendez

Emmanuel Reyes

Mia Rose Rincones

Karyme Rios

Bryce Robinson

Sophia Madison Rios

Catherine Rodriguez

Estrella Rodriguez

Laura Sofia Salinas

Diego Isaac Sanchez-Cruz

Alvaro Emiliano Sanchez-Gallardo

Lynda Sandoval

Luis Alejandro Solis

Manuel Alexis Torres

John Anthony Trevino

Marianela Ihtzel Vallejo

Kelly Amber Vargas

Carlos Caleb Velasquez

Marcus Ray Villarreal

Jason Jaime Ybarra

Dan Zarate

Doraedith Zuniga

CONGRATULATIONS IDEA FRONTIER!

To the Class of 2023:

It is my honor to welcome you to College Signing Day.

Throughout your journey at Frontier College Prep, you have built relationships, advocated for change, and placed yourself in positions to be role models for others. Using your voice to bring change and awareness of a cause is significant and you should be proud to have gained such confidence. By advocating for a cause, as individuals you can spotlight your perspective and act as a catalyst for change. Without advocacy, many voices would remain silenced, and we would miss out on critical opportunities in life. As you move towards your journey in college and adulthood, I encourage you to keep the following three principles of advocacy in mind; 1. Be Polite, as politeness will improve your relationships with others and help build a mutual respect…2. Be Prepared, as it will help eliminate confusion and provide clarity for a solution in all your endeavors…and 3. Be Persistent, as with persistence, you will gain experience and learn that with each failure comes another opportunity to learn, become resilient, and ultimately meet your goals.

Have courage to speak up and speak for others so that your voices may be heard, be ready to accept that not all change is possible but that with these principles your voices will transcend. This year, you have continued the tradition of academic achievement in UIL Academics, being named one of the BEST High Schools in the Nation, excelling in athletics and pursuing opportunities to help your community —and I am exceptionally proud of each of you. As you walk the stage to reveal your college choice, note where your peers will be attending college, and the many places you can positively impact. Thank your parents for always being your biggest supporter, as this is a proud moment!

As you lead the charge and become college students in a few short months, continue to be courageous, advocate for others and make the best choices as you lead the next generation of scholars. When you are challenged or when it becomes difficult, make the right choice, and remember that you can do anything you set your mind to. I am proud of each one of you and wish you the best of luck on your college journey. And no matter what, never forget: once a Charger always a Charger!

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

Yadhira Flores Principal, IDEA Frontier College Preparatory

CLASS OF 2023

Jesus Aguilar

Lilian Lee Aguilar

Julia Jean Alvear

Camila Andrio

Daisy Jannett Aran

Sebastian Balderas-Leija

Melanie Antonia Baltierra Ayala

Jose Guadalupe Blanco Sanchez

Aaron Briones

Mathew Lee Brown

Benny Candanoza

Ximena Carreon

Angel David Cedillo

Ismael Francisco Cervantes

Luciano Cespedes

Angela Covarrubias

Anahi Cruz

Emily Diaz-Olivo

Sofia Gabriela Escobedo

Edel Espino

Israel Fernandez

Grecia Nicole Flores

Marcos Franco

Anallely Garcia

Bethsaidy Garcia

Amanda Michell Garza

Diego Alberto Garza

Victoria Marie Garza

Laura Rebecca Gomez

Jorge Gonzales

Honorio Fernando Gonzalez

Juan Emilio Gonzalez

Luna Guerra

Abraham Alejandro Guerrero

Cassandra Guevara

Alondra Monserrat Gutierrez

Joel Saul Hernandez

Perla Hernandez

Christian Eduardo Herrera

Ana Consuelo Lucio

Kevin Orlando Maldonado Rivera

Alexa Renata Mancha

Alvaro Mancha

Amber Zarahi Martinez

Andy Martinez

Nicole Martinez

Diana Michelle Mascorro Tovar

Alyza Nichole Medellin

Cristina Mendez

Leila Arely Mendoza

Erik Gael Montoya

Gerardo Antonio Muniz

Triana Maria Ollervides

Ashley Marie Olvera

Suzette Ornelas

Jose Antonio Ortiz

Oscar Roberto Paz

Javier Esteban Perez

Fabian Pulido

Jazmine Marie Ramirez

Gianna Mari Rhodes

Brittany Katerine Rico Escamilla

Alicia Rivera

Airim Rodriguez

Cecilia Anahi Rodriguez

Eduardo Rodriguez

Jasmin Rodriguez

Jamal Rosales

Brianna Giselle Salazar

Sheccid Ariadne Salazar

Angel Nazario Saldana

Emma Daniela Sanchez Galvan

David Sanchez

Pamela Sandoval

Devin Anthony Serna

Andrick Axel Serrano Ramirez

Bryan Sustaita

Jose Maximiliano Vasquez

Abril Alexandra Ventura

Natasha Janerit Villafranca

Carlos Zavala

Gerardo Ivan Zuniga

Hazael Zuniga

CONGRATULATIONS IDEA McALLEN!

Dear IDEA McAllen College Prep Senior Class,

Congratulations! You have made it to college signing day and soon you will have made it to graduation. You should all be so proud of this and all the accomplishments you have achieved on your way to this moment.

Your class will forever be remembered for its independence and strength of spirit. No matter the challenge, you found a way through it because each one of you is a creative and adventurous soul who never lets a problem hold them back. You have lived through change and hardship which has made you stronger and well equipped to face college, the workforce, and life. I encourage all of you to continue being free thinkers, trend setters, and seekers of the truth. You deserve the world, so go out there and take it.

Although I have asked so much from you already during your time as IDEA McAllen Tigers, I have one final request. Finish the mission. Start college and then finish it. Never give up on the goal. Use your independence to move through barriers. Use your strength of spirit to motivate yourself to keep going. Whether it takes 2 years or 6 years, I want you to reach the finish line. Let the class of 2023 continue to make history.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey. It has been an honor to serve as your principal and work with your families, teachers, counselors, and administrators as we supported you through your high school years. We are all immensely proud of you and are excited to see you write the next chapter of your story. As you reveal your chosen college, enjoy the moment. Celebrate this amazing milestone in your life because you worked hard to get here.

Congratulations again, Tigers! Go out there and make your presence ROAR!

Roberto Garza Principal, IDEA McAllen College Preparatory