ELEVEN 'FULL-RIDE' SCHOLARS TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY

(KINGSVILLE, July 25, 1996)-Eleven academically-gifted students will attend Texas A&M University-Kingsville as freshmen for the Fall 1996 semester on full-ride scholarships, bringing the total number of full-ride scholars at A&M University-Kingsville to 24. The scholarships, about $5,000 per year, will cover tuition, fees, room and board, with a stipend for books and supplies.

"I am happy we are attracting this number of honor students," said Texas A&M-Kingsville President Dr. Manuel Ibáñez. "These 11 scholarship recipients exemplify the quality of students we are now attracting. Having a large cadre of honor students will enable us to continue to attract other students of the same caliber."

Scholars include nine Presidential Honors recipients, one Alumni Honors recipient and one Kleberg Bank recipient. Student applications were evaluated based on overall academic record and test scores with a minimum score of 29 on the ACT or 1280 on the SAT, letters of recommendation and class rank in high school.

The eleven recipients include Jessica Behr, Jeffrey Durrwachter, Devin Odvody and Leo Sanfilippo of Corpus Christi, Shelly Chambers of Brownsboro, Shawn Cox of George West, Amber Hampton of Round Rock, Heidi McIntyre of Big Spring, Regina Senior of Kingsville, Stephen Solis of Refugio and Corie Stekelenburg of Weatherford.

Behr, a Minnie Stevens Piper semifinalist and National Merit semifinalist, graduated from Tuloso-Midway High School. To date, Behr has been acknowledged by Who's Who Among American High School Students, the National English Merit Awards, All American Scholar and the Xerox Award. She will pursue an English major at A&M University-Kingsville in the fall.

Jeffrey Durrwachter, also a graduate of Tuloso-Midway High, was a member of the National Honor Society. He has been acknowledged by Who's Who Among American High School Students, United States National Leadership Awards, All American Scholar and Texas Scholar programs, and is also an Eagle Scout. He will major in range and wildlife management.

Devin Odvody, an All American Scholar and National English Merit Award recipient, graduated from Tuloso-Midway High School and plans to major in history. He also has been recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students. Odvody's sister, Tracy, is currently attending A&M-Kingsville on a full-ride scholarship.

Leo Sanfilippo, a Tuloso-Midway High School graduate, is a National Merit Scholar, member of the National Honor Society and was the recipient of the School Health Class Award. He plans to major in biology.

Shelly Chambers, a three-year recipient of the Brownsboro High School academic achievement award and member of the National Honor Society, graduated from Brownsboro High School and attended Trinity Valley Community College. She plans to major in plant and soil science.

Shawn Cox graduated from George West High School where he was a member of All-District Football and the All South Texas Academic Football team. He was also a regional qualifier in track. Cox plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Amber Hampton, a member of the National Honor Society who was also named to Who's Who Among American High School Students, graduated from Round Rock High School. She will major in animal science.

Heidi McIntyre graduated from Big Spring High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and was named to Who's Who in Sports and Who's Who in Art. She was a National Merit Commended Student and an A&M Honors Invitation Participant. McIntyre plans to major in animal science.

Regina Senior, a member of the National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America and the Texas Association of Future Educators, is a graduate of H.M. King High School in Kingsville and will major in general business.

Sephen Solis, a graduate of Refugio High School, was a member of the National Honor Society, attended Boys' State, and received biology, chemistry, English I and advanced math Academic Achievement Awards as well as Academic Excellence Awards. He plans to pursue a major in range and wildlife science.

Corie Stekelenburg, a graduate of Weatherford High School, was a member of the National Honor Society and a feature writer for her school newspaper. She will major in biology.

-TAMUK-
-Mary McAdam