State Representative Dwayne Bohac Proudly Announces Textbook Scholarship Winners

HOUSTON, TEXAS- Five local high school students have won the 8th Annual Dwayne Bohac Textbook Scholarship. The students receiving the scholarship have demonstrated educational excellence, outstanding character and a commitment to serving the public good.

“I remember how challenging college can be,” said Bohac. “Textbooks are expensive and in these tough economic times every dollar can help. The global economy has become more knowledge based, rather than service based, so college, junior college, and career and technical school are more important than ever.”

A committee of local leaders, former teachers and administrators carefully reviewed applications from area high schools. This year’s scholarship winners are: Victoria Sobol of Spring Woods High School, Ali Aljamili of Scarborough High School, Nicholas Arcos of Waltrip High School, Brandi Morgan of Lutheran High North, and Leslie Wu of Houston Christian High School.

Scholarship applicants competed based on SAT and ACT scores, grade point averages, class rankings and extracurricular activities. Additionally, the committee gave specific emphasis on those that cultivate character development and promote public service. Each applicant was require to write a 200 word essay completing the thought, “I feel the primary political challenge for my generation is...” Through their essays the scholarship winners addressed the need to find alternative sources of energy, the expansion of the federal government, our nation’s increased national debt, the increased partisan fighting in Congress and the low level of political engagement especially with our nation’s youth.

In addition to their impressive essays, this year’s scholarship winners boasted impressive credentials. Sobol’s volunteer work included devoting time to Habitat for Humanity, and Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) Animal Shelter. Additionally, she was active in the Spring Woods Choir, the district improvement team and student council. She plans on attending Texas A&M. Aljamili was an active member of the Scarborough JROTC program specifically serving as a staff sergeant and squad leader. He plans on attending Texas A&M. Arcos was the altar server captain at St. Rose of Lima Church. Additionally, he was a drum major of the Waltrip Ram Band, Vice President of the National Honor Society, a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and is an Eagle Scout project. He plans on attending Northwestern University. Morgan’s volunteer work included devoting time to Habitat for Humanity, blood drives and community garage sales. Additionally, she was active in the Glory Givers Choir and the Lutheran High North Concert Choir. Wu has devoted time to the Petsmart feline adoption center, as well as the Job Shadow program at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She plans on attending Texas A&M - Galveston.

For more information on the scholarship program, please contact your respective high school counselor.