A senior at Randall High School applied for a scholarship that will offer her a full ride to college, including housing and food. Senior Aurora Maestas competed against 22,000 students and ended up being one of the 300 people who earned this rare opportunity.

“Aurora is going to Texas A&M in College Station, and she applied for a scholarship, a STEM scholarship award,” Renee Sprinkle, one of Aurora’s teachers, said. 

The scholarship was a huge opportunity for Aurora. Sprinkle said it would look great on her resume for any jobs she applies to in the future. 

“I got an email through my financial aid portal that was like, ‘You can come interview’, and I think only six hundred people get to that stage,” Maestas said. “I interviewed a couple of weeks ago down in Houston. It was really, really nerve-wracking. It was six people interviewing me at once.”

The Terry Foundation Scholarship for Texas A&M is a scholarship that grants a full ride for her bachelor’s degree, given by founders Howard Terry and his wife.

“I got this scholarship because I am a low-income high-achieving student with leadership positions, especially in volunteer organizations,” Maestas said.

Maestas is in the top 10 of her graduating class. Her teachers, family, and friends say that she is a kind and outgoing individual who deserves this scholarship.

“If you don’t know her, you should get to know her,” Sprinkle said. “She’s kind, polite, sweet, really smart, and cares for other people.”