MARFA — The seats of Marfa ISD’s Gregg Auditorium filled with friends, family, Marfa ISD faculty and community members this week who gathered for a scholarship awards ceremony for the Shorthorn Class of 2025. This year’s Marfa High School graduating class consists of 18 seniors.
Those pursuing post-secondary education were awarded a total of $250,000 in scholarships, a significant amount considering the past two years awards totaled $76,000 in 2023 and $81,000 in 2024. Four students were awarded full rides to Sul Ross State University.
Each year, MHS seniors compete for scholarships on the local, state and national levels. Scholarship committees consider student GPAs, scholastic honors, community engagement, personal character and more when reviewing student applications and essays for scholarships.
MISD Athletic Director Linda Ojeda, who emceed the ceremony, congratulated the graduating class on making it to graduation, and wished them the best in their future endeavors, whatever they may be. “Some [graduating students] will attend college, technical schools, and others will join the military or enter the workforce. Whatever their chosen path is, Marfa ISD is extremely proud of your work, and we are thankful for all of you,” Ojeda said. “You’ve done great things, and we expect greater things once you leave here.”
This year’s academically highest-ranking seniors, Valedictorian Francisco Rosas and Salutatorian Diego Jurado, were honored first. Loretta Rivera and Jurado were also honored as Miss and Mr. MHS — a special designation for students who have shown academic as well as leadership skills, voted on by staff members.
Students receiving the Sul Ross State University Presidential Plus Scholarship will receive a full ride including tuition, fees, housing and meals. The scholarship is provided to area high school students due to a grant from the Permian Basin Area Foundation. The following scholarship list was provided by Marfa ISD. For additions or corrections, please email editor@bigbendsentinel.com.
Antonio Borunda
$1,000 CMC Business Scholarship, $500 Judd Foundation Scholarship
Derick Campos
$1,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship
Jessica Diaz
$1,000 Perdiz Outfitters Scholarship
Mia Dominguez
$300 Marfa Shorthorn Athletic Boosters Scholarship, Full Ride Sul Ross State University Presidential Plus Scholarship
Kassandra Garcia
Full Ride Sul Ross State University Presidential Plus Scholarship
Marisa Hernandez
$2,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship, $1,000 Perdiz Outfitters Scholarship, $2,000 WestTex Community Credit Union Scholarship
Tenessa Hinojos
$500 Marfa ISD PTO Scholarship
Diego Jurado
$500 Cynthia Hibbitts Memorial Scholarship, $1,500 Ernest Chavez Memorial Golf Scholarship, $7,500 Tom Edens Scholarship, $2,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship, $600 Marfa National Bank Scholarship, $1,000 USBP Big Bend Sector Morale, Welfare and Recreation Association Scholarship, $1,200 Marfa Shorthorn Athletic Boosters Scholarship, $50,000 Vicki Pfeifer Scholarship, partial Sul Ross State University Presidential Plus Scholarship
Maryfer Martinez
$1,500 Ernest Chavez Memorial Golf Scholarship, $2,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship
Loretta Rivera
$1,500 Ernest Chavez Memorial Golf Scholarship, $500 Judd Foundation Scholarship, $2,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship, $600 Marfa Shorthorn Athletic Boosters Scholarship, Full Ride Sul Ross State University Presidential Plus Scholarship
Francisco Rosas
$1,000 Marfa Live Arts Crown Scholarship, $500 Judd Foundation Scholarship, $12,500 Tom Edens Scholarship, $3,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship, $750 Marfa National Bank Scholarship
Annaka Salcido
$1,000 Preventative Care Health Services Scholarship, $1,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship
Andres Solis
$500 Judd Foundation Scholarship, $1,000 Marfa Rotary Club Scholarship, $1,000 Perdiz Outfitters Scholarship
Kayla Vasquez
$1,500 per semester Angelo State University Distinguished Scholar, $1,000 Preventative Care Health Services Scholarship
Janayah Villa
Full Ride Sul Ross State University Presidential Plus Scholarship