Ingleside High School senior Cesar Rodriguez (center) stands with his parents after receiving a $48,000 scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin on March 24.
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Ingleside High School senior Cesar Rodriguez (center) stands with his parents after receiving a $48,000 scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin on March 24.
An Ingleside High School graduating senior recently received a large scholarship that will help him pursue his dream of being a business and entrepreneur as he enrolls in college this coming fall.
On March 24, representatives from the University of Texas at Austin and Ingleside ISD gathered to surprise graduating senior Cesar Rodriguez with the awarding of a $48,000 scholarship for UT-Austin that will go toward helping pay his tuition over the next four years.
Rodriguez earned the distinction, coined the Impact Scholarship, through years of athletics, leadership, academic performance, and more at Ingleside, and said he had no idea he would be receiving the award. A UT-Austin representative said Rodriguez was one of just two students in the Coastal Bend – and fewer than 20 students period – to receive the scholarship.
The Impact Scholarship is given each year to UT-Austin applicants who are making an impact in their local communities. Students are chosen to receive the award based on demonstrated leadership, proven academic success, perseverance, commitment to their schools and communities, and the information provided in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), according to the UT-Austin website.
“At first I was super nervous and also excited, and I was anxious as to what it would be (when I was called up to the front),” Rodriguez said. “Then when they told me I got the scholarship I got really excited. I’m super grateful for everything.”
Rodriguez has impacted Ingleside through everything from playing athletics to tutoring, coaching, and more. He is also one of the top academic students in his graduating class, and has plans to attend UT’s McCombs School of Business.
He said he wants to study finance and entrepreneurship, with a dream of one day owning his own business – an inspiration which began right at home.
“(The passion) started when I was growing up from watching my dad, he was always super passionate about business and making my own money,” Rodriguez said. “So he definitely inspired me to study that and go on that path.”
IHS counselor Patricia Frost has watched Rodriguez grow into the student and young man that he is today, and said she believes that his future holds the promise of great things. His makeup as both a student and a person, she said, is what she has noticed most about him over the last four years.
“I’m so excited and very proud of him. He’s such a hard worker, and he’s very well-deserving of this scholarship. I have no doubt he’s going to do great things in his future – it couldn’t have gone to a more worthy person,” Frost said. “He has such a kind heart – he looks to do good. He’s very humble, and is always looking to where he can help others.”
And though his time at Ingleside is nearing its end (for now), Rodriguez said he is thankful for the place and people who helped shape his journey, and is anticipating what is to come.
“I definitely feel sad knowing that (high school) is going to be over soon, but I also know that more excitement is to come and I’m excited about what’s already happened,” he said. “I’m just super excited about the next four years.”
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