Great expectations — San Benito High School senior Laura Isela Calva was named the 2025 San Benito News Scholarship winner. Calva is set to study Education at Texas A&M – San Antonio and hopes to one day inspire the next generation of young students in the classroom. (San Benito News/Ray Quiroga)
By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewsper.com
Year in and out, without fail, a hardy stack of scholarship applications arrive at the San Benito News office for the staff to undertake the task of choosing a recipient of its annual scholastic award.
Year in and out, without fail, the task proves emotionally daunting for rare is an applicant not deserving. Rare is a student not an overachiever or not in need. Indeed, virtually every applicant is a standout, a hard worker, and more than deserving.
Alas, a choice has to be made and the typical recipient stands out among a field of standouts by way of their own words via their essay or a unique factor among their lists of activities and achievements.
Graduating San Benito High School senior Laura Isela Calva had both factors working for her, thus she was named the 2025 San Benito News Scholarship awardee.
Calva is beyond a doubt, a hard worker, not just in the classroom, but out in the workforce, as was apparent when attempting to coordinate this interview with the NEWS, one she squeezed in on Memorial Day morning, a day of remembrance and rest for many. On this early Monday morning, however, Calva had come off of wrapping a 20-hour work weekend at San Benito’s Xtreme Jump, where she’s been employed as a party host since September of 2024.
Having attended San Benito CISD schools the entirety of her educational career, she graduated from Angela G. Leal Elementary and Miller Jordan Middle School prior to attending San Benito High School where she’s ranked among the Top 10% of graduating seniors and where she also earned an Early Childhood Education Certification. During her time as a Greyhound, she also was an Area 1 Officer, as well as a TAFE State Qualifier in Ethical Dilemma, Portfolio and Interview Skills.
Along with being a TAFE participant, she was in the National Technical Honor Society, the Rho Kappa Honor Society, la Sociedad Hispánica Honoraria, SBHS Student Council, Decathlon and the Leo Club where she served as a member of the Board of Directors. Civically, she’s a member of St. Ignatius of Loyola where she serves as an alter server.
Calva is the daughter of Miguel and Francisca Calva and is one of seven in her family, three of which are attending college.
Already having observed the classroom at her alma mater (AGL Elementary) and having earned an Early Childhood Education Certificate, Calva will pursue her degree in Education at Texas A&M University – San Antonio this fall and hopes to one day teach at the elementary level.
“As a first generation student, I understand the importance of hard work and dedication. My parents have taught me the importance of education, and I plan to show my siblings the importance as well. As far back as I can remember, my parents have taught me that I can achieve any goal as long as I dedicate myself 100%. It is because of my parents that I have reached the success that I have as a student and future educator,” Calva wrote in her scholarship application.
“As a first generation student, I am proud of the progress I have made so far in my life. I am excited and am looking forward to what my college journey will bring me. Getting this scholarship not only helps me with my financial issues, but also helps me get a step closer to my dream of becoming a teacher,” she concluded.
Recent Comments