Yvette Avila
Yvette Avila is the daughter of Maria Ortiz and Juan Avila. Yvette has worked many jobs throughout high school: as a cleaner in local Air BnBs, as a waitress at Far West Texas Cattle Company, and she is currently employed as a waitress at the Water Stop. Yvette was treasurer her junior year for her class, and she has participated in yearbook, and UIL one-act play. The one-act troupe were regional qualifiers her junior year, and advanced to bi-district her senior year. This year, she worked with the Alamito Foundation to participate in the College Community Career program, and was an active Young Life member. Yvette plans on attending Sul Ross State University in the spring of 2024 and is still deciding on a major. To her family she would like to say, “Me gustaría agradecer a mis padres y hermanos por apoyarme en cada paso del camino, especialmente cuando las cosas se pusieron difíciles. De todo corazón gracias.”
Andru Bentley
Andru is the son of Brenda and Joel Bentley. He would like to thank them for all of their love and support. Andru has participated in football and golf and was a member of the 4-H archery club. He has participated in the welding program since his 8th-grade year. He would also like to thank Mr. Juan Martinez for his leadership and mentoring the last five years. Because of him, welding has become Andru’s passion. Andru has been employed by Marfa Meats, Lowes Market, the City of Marfa, and the Texas Department of Transportation where he plans to work again this summer after graduation. Shortly after high school, Andru will marry the love of his life, Lexi Bridges. They will both attend Odessa College where Andru will earn his associates degree in advanced welding technology.
Esdras Flores
Esdras is the son of Yaneli and Javier Flores. He participated in golf his junior and senior years, and qualified for the Regional Golf Tournament in 2023. He also participated in the MISD welding program during his four years in high school. For the last two-and-a-half years, he has been employed with his father’s company at Kora construction. Upon graduating, Esdras will enroll at Lone Star Community College in Houston before transferring to a four-year university to study finance.
Ana Gallegos
Ana Gallegos is the daughter of Ana Venegas and Luis Martinez. She has participated in football, basketball, track, softball and powerlifting, and made it to regionals in powerlifting her sophomore year. She also participated in UIL one-act play and made it to regionals her junior and senior years. Ana has worked at Dairy Queen and Saint George and is currently working at Jett’s Grill. After high school Ana plans on attending San Angelo State University to study criminal justice. Ana would like to thank her Grandma and Grandpa for pushing her to be the best version of herself: she loves them so much! Ana would also like to thank Mrs. Porter; although her career in Marfa was short, she made a huge impact in Ana’s life and Ana would like to thank her for always listening and giving her the best advice! Without Mrs. Porter pushing her junior year, she might not be here today. Last, but not least, Ana would like to thank Mrs. Gomez for being there since junior high. Mrs. Gomez has put up with so much, and Ana would like to say, “Thank you for everything! Thank you for listening to me rant about my problems, for showing and telling me what’s right and wrong, for crying with me in the office, you will forever have a special place in my heart. I love you.”
Olivia Van Der Giessen
Olivia Van Der Giessen is the daughter of Arie and Marianne Van Der Giessen. She has six siblings.
Olivia enjoys reading books, going for walks, and being outdoors. After graduation she looks forward to leisurely mornings, spending time with friends and family, and would like to travel to new places. She is ready for new experiences and adventures.
Taylynn Licon
Taylynn is the son of Denise Valerio and Chito Licon. Throughout his high school career he participated in track. He worked at Para Llevar last summer. After high school, he plans to attend a tech school for auto mechanics and welding. His hobbies are playing video games and listening to music as well as playing guitar.
Ximena Longoria
Ximena Longoria is daughter of Jesus Longoria and Jesus De La Concepcion Morales. She participated in softball her junior year and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been employed at the Marfa Dairy Queen for the last year. After her high school career, she plans on attending South Texas College to pursue a teaching degree with the goal of one day teaching elementary students. Her hobbies are listening to music, passing time with her cousins, sleeping, watching TV and using her favorite app Duolingo. She would like to thank her parents for supporting her through her high school career. She would also like to thank her uncle and aunt, Raul Salgado and Norma Martinez, for taking her in and supporting her through her junior and senior years in Marfa.
Jack Marquez
Jack is the son of Roxye Lara and Eduardo Marquez Jr. and stepson of Jessica Marquez. Throughout high school he has participated in golf, volleyball, powerlifting, football, softball, track and field, VASE, science fair, and UIL mathematics and number sense. He placed second at state in powerlifting his senior year, with an overall total of 950 lbs. He is a frequent A-Honor Roll student, he has been an active member of the National Honor Society since his junior year, and he is valedictorian of his class. After high school, Jack will attend college at the University of Texas in Austin. He currently has an undeclared major, but plans to pursue the medical field or engineering. He would like to say to his friends and family, “Thank you to every coach and teacher that has pushed me to go further than I would’ve thought possible. I would not be the person I am today without you. I would also like to thank my mom and grandma for being at every game and meet you could. I appreciate your continued support.”
Eric Martinez
Eric Martinez Jr. is the son of Eric Martinez Sr. and Sandra Martinez. Throughout his high school career, he played basketball and golf. He has been employed for four years at E&C construction. After high school he plans to attend Saint Philips College in San Antonio to become an electrician.
Samantha Martinez
Samantha Martinez Ramirez is the daughter of Jose De La Rosa and Fabiola Ramirez. She participated in golf her freshman year, where she advanced to regionals. Additionally, during her freshman and sophomore years, she was part of the varsity cheer squad. As a junior, she made it to regionals for the science fair and was a state qualifier. Samantha was inducted into the National Honor Society during her junior year. As a senior, she became the NHS president as well as senior class president. Also, her senior year she was voted prom queen. Samantha has been a reporter for the Shorthorn Newsletter for the last two years and has been published in The Big Bend Sentinel and received the Shorthorn Reporting Award two years in a row. She has also participated in art, one-act, welding, Young Life, and yearbook throughout high school. Last summer, she started as an intern at Ballroom Marfa, where she continues to work as an administrative gallery assistant. As she begins her journey in higher education, Samantha will attend Texas Tech in Lubbock, where she will major in public relations and minor in communications.
Dustin Martinez
Dustin Martinez is the grandson of Jeanie Lujan. He has participated in cross-country, basketball, and track all throughout high school, and football for three years of high school. He advanced to regionals his entire high school career for cross-country. As a junior, he made it to his first regional track meet in San Angelo. As a senior, he has accomplished more goals: with his team, the Shorthorns became district and bi-district basketball champs this year, and he was first team all district for basketball. Also in his senior year, Dustin again qualified for regionals for cross-country, and he advanced to area for track. After high school, he plans to attend college at Sul Ross to major in kinesiology to become a coach.
Joel Martinez
Joel is the son of Juan and Mariela Martinez. His junior year, Joel was part of Marfa High School’s esports program and the welding program. His senior year, he participated in the JAAGA program as a finance team lead. Also his senior year, he advanced in academic UIL in accounting to regionals in San Angelo.
Joel has worked several jobs over the course of his time in high school. In 2022, he began working for local business RC Concepts, and was employed at Marfa Meats. He worked as a certified lifeguard in the summer of 2023. His junior year, he was employed by RC Concepts as a head pool technician as well as a worker on house and yard maintenance. For the last year, Joel has been employed by 4J Transport as an executive assistant. After high school, Joel plans to dispatch commercial trucks for 4J Transport as well as have his own trucks running for him.
Oscar Meraz
Oscar Meraz is the son of Arlene Acosta and Oscar Meraz. He has participated in art for three years. He was also on the golf and basketball teams. Throughout high school, he worked at the Hotel St. George, and is now employed at the Get Go. After high school, Oscar plans to attend Sul Ross to major in political science and pre-law and then to go on to law school. He wants to thank his mother, Pinky, for always being there for him and his siblings.
Isaac Nuñez
Isaac Nuñez is the son of Sammy Nuñez and Lori Wilmarth. He participated in golf his senior year of high school. He is a member of NHS and has been in welding for three years. He has worked at Aster’s Marfa and plans to work at the Texas Department of Transportation this summer. After high school, Isaac plans to attend Midland College for three semesters before transferring to Texas A&M to become a petroleum engineer.
Jaden Nuñez
Jaden Nuñez is the son of Luis Nuñez and Julie Campos. He played football for all four years of high school, and was awarded second team tight end, and second team nose guard his senior year. He also played basketball and participated in track his junior year. After high school, Jaden plans to attend Odessa College and go into a career in auto engineering.
Vinnie Quintana
Vinnie Quintana is the nephew of Harvey and Brenda Quintana and the grandson of Mateo Quintana. He is currently employed at Jett’s Grill. After high school, he will be attending a trade school with a focus on auto mechanics. He would like to thank his family and friends, especially his aunt and uncle, for helping him graduate from high school.
Fernanda Rivera
Fernanda Rivera is the daughter of Mayra Lujan and Fernando Rivera. Fernanda has participated in basketball, softball, track, and cross-country. She was a regional qualifier in softball and track, and bi- district champion in basketball. Fernanda also participated in one-act play as a junior, where they advanced from district level and were alternates for advancing to area. Her senior year she also was awarded an all star in crew. Fernanda is currently employed at The Get Go. She plans on attending AnnGee’s Barber Academy this coming June after graduation. In her free time, she likes hanging out with her friends, family, and catching up on her beauty rest!!! She would like to tell her parents: “Gracias por aguantarme y gracias por darme lo mejor de la vida, y raíces para ser fuerte y alas para volar.” To her little sister: “I’m glad that we were able to play sports together & travel together, you made everything worth it. I will never forget the memories I made with you & all the adventures we had together. I hope you have fun cleaning by yourself now that you are going to be an only child. David & I will for sure be laughing now. Enjoy it, Lore. Always together, never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart.”
Marco Ruiz
Marco Ruiz is the son of Liz Ruiz and Olga Rubio. He has participated in cross-country, basketball, football, track and golf throughout his high school career. His senior year, he was awarded second team all cornerback for football, as well as first team all receiver. In 2024, he was also awarded all-district MVP defense for basketball and was on the team that saw the Shorthorns win district and bi-disctrict champions for the first time in 12 years. Marco is currently employed at Cochineal. After high school, he will be attending Sul Ross State University where he plans to major in real estate and hopes to be a walk-on on their basketball team.
Tony Saenz
Tony Saenz is the son of Luis Saenz and Anna Saenz. Throughout his high school career, he participated in cross-country, powerlifting and track. After high school, he will enroll at Western Tech in El Paso where he hopes to become a mechanic or learn HVAC. He would like to thank his sister, Kendra Saenz, for always pushing him to achieve his goals and believing in him.
Liani Salcido
Liani Salcido is the daughter of Cristina Gutierrez and granddaughter of Rosa Maria and Arturo Gutierrez. Throughout her high school years she has participated in cross-country, volleyball, basketball, track, softball and golf. Liani was a regional qualifier for cross-country her freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior years. Junior year, she qualified for state in cross-country. Liani has worked at the courthouse, Porter’s and is now working at Aster’s. Some of her hobbies include working out, babysitting, hanging out with friends and family, and running. After high school Liani plans on going to the University of Texas at El Paso to pursue her social worker career. One thing she’d like to tell everyone who’s been a part of her life through good and bad is, “Thank you, I am who I am because of you all. Mamá, Abuelo, Abuela haré todo lo posible en hacer los orgullosos, los haré feliz y los ayudaré a salir adelante como les a prometido les agradezco de todo corazón por todo el amor y apoyo que me enseñan cada dia. Gracias por hacer todo lo posible por sacar me adelante, no les fallare. Familia? Lo Hice!” To Coach Ramirez and Mrs. Hartnett, “Thank you for always being there for me and pushing me to be a better person everyday. Thank you for showing me and believing in me even when no one else did. Kily, thank you for being my best friend and for always telling me I’m in the right even when I’m not. Derrick, thank you for showing me all the countless love and support throughout my senior year, thank you for being my built-in best friend! To my classmates, we’ve all had our moments, but I am so proud of each and every one of you and I know you all will do great things!”
Luis Solis
Luis Solis is the son of Shawn and Mayra Williams. Luis has participated in football, basketball (as part of this year’s team that was area qualifier), track and golf. He also worked as volleyball manager and softball manager his junior and senior years. He has participated in one-act play for four years, and academic UIL. His one-act cast achieved district championship and advanced to area. Luis is currently an active member of the student council. His senior year, he was voted homecoming king and prom king. After high school, he will attend Sul Ross and major in nursing, as he was awarded the Big Bend Regional Medical Center Nursing Pipeline Scholarship. Luis would like to say a special thanks to all his coaches and teachers for always pushing him. He would also like to give a big thank you to his family for always being there for him, and he will be forever grateful for everything they have done for him.
Jaidan Villa
Jaidan Villa is the son of Angela Mediano. Throughout his high school career he participated in golf and powerlifting, and during his senior year, advanced to regionals for both sports. He is also a member of the National Honors Society. After high school, he plans to attend Sul Ross state University, where he will study nursing. He plans to become a traveling nurse. He would like to thank both his grandmas for being so supportive and loving his entire life.
Zach Wilson
Zach Wilson is the son of Sylinthia Wilson. Throughout his high school career he participated in cross-country, basketball, football, track and golf. His sophomore, junior, and senior years, he was awarded first team all-district for basketball. Zach was the shooting guard on the team that saw the Shorthorns win district and bi-disctrict champions for the first time in 12 years. He currently works at Jett’s grill. After high school, he will be attending UTPB to major in kinesiology and hopes to become a high school basketball coach. He would like to thank his mom for always being there for him.