Frida Beltran, a senior at Jimmy Carter Early College High School, signed her intent to attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as a Luminary Scholarship recipient beginning in fall 2022.
UTRGV awarded Frida the prestigious UTRGV Luminary Scholarship, which offers the brightest incoming first-year college students from all disciplines a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in an unparalleled learning environment. The scholarship is valued at $137,000, defraying the Bachelor’s degree tuition, room and board, and Medical School.
Frida thanks her parents but specifically her mother, for encouraging her to live to her fullest potential. She also thanks all of her teachers from Jimmy Carter ECHS to Camarena Elementary for helping her become the student and individual she is today.
The Luminary Scholars program received over 500 applications for the Luminary Scholarship, and Frida was one of the twenty-five students awarded.
Having completed her UTRGV application and enrolling with the UTRGV scholarship portal, Frida remembers receiving repeated emails asking her to apply for the Luminary Scholarship—she realized she met the requirements and submitted her.
“It takes a student committed to themselves and their education to make a mark on their community, and when I think of Friday, I see that. She has demonstrated that attention, commitment, and academic integrity make a difference in how students succeed. She exemplifies what being part of the RedWolves family and La Joya ISD is truly all about,” Professional Communication instructor Ivan Silva said.
Finalists were invited to a reception at UTRGV, during which they participated in a face-to-face interview as a part of the final stage of the scholarship selection process. Although nervous, Frida was steadfast and navigated the moment with the respect, integrity, and excellence she learned from being a RedWolves student.
In April, Frida shared in during her dual enrollment Biology class that she received the Luminary scholarship. The moment was met with celebration from both her classmates and teachers. Carter administration stopped in to congratulate her and mark the momentous occasion as another moment of PRIDE for our campus’ legacy.
Frida is an exemplary Carter student; she graduated with her Associate in Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from South Texas College on May 6 and 60 college hours. Frida also received the prestigious College Board recognition of National Hispanic Merit Scholar under the National Hispanic Recognition Program; she scored a composite of 30 on her ACT.
Frida believes that her accomplishments in high school helped in her being selected as a recipient of the Luminary scholarship.