Congratulations to the
2010 CARE Scholarship Recipients!

Daniel Edwards

Daniel was chairman of Red Ribbon Week at the high school this past year.  His committee created a list of 25 students per grade level who are alcohol/drug free. This group of students each received red bracelets with a message, “Congratulations!  You have been nominated as someone displaying what Red Ribbon Week is all about.  If there are other students you wish to nominate for the same award, please report their names to our committee”.  The number of students grew dramatically throughout the week!  This year, Daniel and his committee also decided to post facts about the effects of alcohol on over 3000 reserved seats in Highlander Stadium for one of the home games.  Daniel will be attending Princeton in the fall.

Zachary Grant

Zach had a variety of interests in high school which included Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Principal’s Advisory Committee, Highland Park football team and participating in numerous performances as a Classical Guitar Soloist.  On the subject of substance abuse, Zach feels that establishing a group of like-minded teammates who stand strong together should begin as early as possible, so that the foundation is firmly in place by the time they become leaders.  The summer before his senior year in high school, Zack volunteered at a guest ranch in Colorado.  The sense of fulfillment that he felt from serving others without any thought or motivation for self was a life changing experience.  Zach plans to shadow a physician this summer and attend Baylor University in the fall where he will major in Biology.

Neesha Nama

Neesha, a four year tutor and president of Mentors in the Community, was working with at-risk students who needed assistance with TAKS preparation at DISD’s Cary Middle School.  After a week of tutoring an eighth grader who was addicted to cheese (a mixture of black tar heroin and crushed Tylenol PM tablets), Neesha realized that she wasn’t making any progress with this student and others who were using drugs.  She developed a three fold program tailored to teach the basics of drugs and utilizing a specific TAKS concept with each lesson. The third part of the awareness program involved the students making individual goals with a big overall dream in mind.  Neesha will be attending Brown University and plans to go to medical school.

Paul Rodriguez

Paul plans to attend Notre Dame and major in Engineering.  Paul made the decision to not drink or use drugs long before entering high school.  He felt that he got more from his high school experience than he ever thought possible.  It was very important to Paul to bring honor to his family by making the most of education.  He said that one can form real bonds in friendships when sober.  Paul is an Eagle Scout and received the Aloysius Gonzaga Award for being well-rounded and involved in community service.  He was president of the Community Service Leadership Corps his senior year.  He still managed to have time to play Quarterback/kicker during his four years at Jesuit.

Alexandra Nowlin

Alex chose SADD (students against destructive decisions) as her most meaningful activity to be involved in during high school.  During Alex’s junior year, she was assigned a research paper that led her to investigate dance/movement therapy in relation to addiction recovery therapy.  As she grew more knowledgeable about alcohol/drugs and substance abuse, Alex became committed to starting a SADD group with a team of friends.  She was the Hockaday SADD chapter founder and president.  The group’s mission remains to promote making wise choices, setting moral boundaries and values and living with a spirit that does not involve chemical alteration.  Alex will be attending SMU and major in Dance/Engineering.

Lindsey West

Lindsey commented that, “You don’t have to sacrifice anything when you choose not to drink.  It won’t make high school any less fun”.   As a senior and captain of the cross country and track teams, she was in a great position to warn the younger girls of the dangers of drinking.  Lindsey knew first hand the positive effect that the seniors during her freshman year had on her and others.   Working at UT Southwestern Medical Center for eight weeks last summer, confirmed Lindsey’s desire to continue her education in the field of medicine.  She will be attending Duke University to prepare for a career in medicine, possibly neuroscience.