Ismael Naveja Macias, the Mexican Consul in Eagle Pass, spoke to the recipients of the scholarships that are funded by the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a ceremony held on the Eagle Pass Rio Grande College campus. He reflected on the importance of higher education and explained that the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs places high importance on Mexican nationals and students with close ties to Mexico studying in other countries. He added that this is the first year Eagle Pass students had an opportunity to apply for the scholarship and said, "There's enough room in your heart for both countries-equally."

This year's recipients include Brittany Aguirre, Maria J. Gleason, Damian Gutierrez, Yaquelin Rodriguez, and Iliana Wong.

A full-time criminal justice student,  Aguirre was born in San Antonio, grew up in Sabinas, and then moved to Cleburne. With a minor in psychology, she plans to graduate next spring and hopes to start her career in the Border Patrol and eventually work for the FBI.

Maria Gleason was born in Monterey, Mexico and moved to the San Antonio/Austin area when she was 17. She currently works for the Eagle Pass Independent School District. After earning her degree in psychology with a Spanish minor, she hopes to move into an administrative position. She is married and has one daughter, Ivanna.

Damian Gutierrez took a different route in his education. Between attending school in Mexico and attending in the U.S., he ended up "too old" to attend high school, so he chose to earn a GED diploma. He plans to graduate in December with a degree in psychology and then plans to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). He hopes to attend medical school in San Antonio and eventually enter psychiatry.

Yaquelin Rodriguez moved from Piedras Negras when she was 4, and lived in Rochester, Minn. until her sophomore year in high school. She is working for a degree in education and plans to earn certification to teach math for grades four through eight. She graduates in December and hopes to continue her education so she can eventually teach college-level classes.

Iliana Wong is also working on an education degree and plans to teach Spanish. The Piedras Negras native has lived in Eagle Pass since she was 21. She is married with three children and is currently working as a supervisor in the Ross Store.

IME-Becas funds help support Mexican national students living in the Eagle Pass area and who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at RGC. For more information or to apply, contact Chelsea Ramirez, Student Support Specialist in Eagle Pass campus at 830.758.5021.