2025 Exchange Club scholarship recipients
The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands presented college scholarships to 70 graduating seniors from Lake Highlands High School Friday morning as proud parents looked on. The record $145,000 in proceeds came from generous donors and from the club’s signature Oktoberfest Dallas event and their annual concert and auction.
“These are truly exceptional young people,” said ECLH Scholarship Director Garrett Golding. “Each student that we honor has excelled academically and has still found time for substantial extracurricular activities, community service or even work — and many have done so while overcoming major challenges in their lives.”
ECLH President John Torres praised the seniors for their accomplishments and sent them on their way with “a bit of unsolicited, but free, advice.”
“For many of you, this will be your first time out from underneath the parent stops, free to explore the world, having fun and making mistakes along the way. All of that is great, but remember why you’re there. Continue all the practices that put you in position for today’s awards as you navigate your college careers. Make your community proud of the adults you will become.”
The Jeff Kane Memorial Scholarship went to Nathan Macy (Rhodes College). The Bob Potts Family Working Student Scholarships went to Elaina Hammond (Austin College), Michael Henderson (Texas State), Octavia Johnson (Stephen F. Austin State University), Shayna Ring (Texas State) and Kaitlyn Worthy (Texas State). Bob Potts Memorial Scholarships went to Janelle Aguirre (Baylor), Abby Bravo (University of North Texas), Xavier “X” Hernandez (Oklahoma State), Carlos Romero (SMU) and Smret Zaid (Sam Houston State).
James Brandon Burris Memorial Scholarships went to Lila Brackin (Trinity) and Juan Rodriguez Ferrer (Dallas College). The Jason Oglesby Memorial Scholarship was given to Caroline Honeycutt (SFASU). Reid Davis (Mary Hardin Baylor) and Elias Dement (Trinity) were named Smitty’s Scholars by the Wade Smith Foundation.
Luck Family Foundation Scholarships went to Mahfuz Adetunji (UTD), Addison “Ada” Baker (UT), Shane Chadwell (UNT), Xochitl Galindez (Texas Tech), Pearl Menye (TWU) and Julia Tedla (UTD). Austin Silva Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Lauren Anderson (UT), Amelia “Millie” Darwin (TAMU), Lydia Fieker (TAMU), Will Liggit (Baylor), Bo Richardson (Samford), Juan Rodriguez Ferrer (Dallas College) and Katie Threadgill (UT).
Exchange Club of Lake Highlands Scholarships went to Jalen Abdi (UTD), Katie Basden (Baylor), Terion Brady, Josh Brown (Baylor or Auburn), Kennedy Calabrese (Boston College), Madison Carballo (OU), William De Carvalho (SMU), Natalia Delgadillo (TCU), Avery Dusek (TAMU), Camilla Enderli (Arkansas), Layla Faraj (UTD), Angel Felipe Chino (UTD), Ella Gonzalez (UT), Rylan Haas (TAMU), Leah Kappler (Texas State), Campbell Lewis (Arkansas), Charlotte McMillian (Georgia), Parker Mosley (TAMU), Mohammed Najih (Dallas College), Huda Najih (TWU), Lily Niemann (UT), Jennifer Nguyen (UTD), Cherie Obi (UTD), Michael Odelami (Trinity), Hudson Oglesby (UT), Elton Periera Garcia (UNT), Finley Ragsdale (University of Richmond), Quinn Ray (UT), Connor Reed (SMU), Melanni Reyes (UT), Angel Rivera-Marquez (Tarleton State), Ruth Schmiel (TAMU), Emerson Starr (Arkansas), Jonah Stus (UT), William Tabor (UT), Cheza Taylor (UT) and Jackson Watkins (UNT).
Lake Highlands Elementary PTA Scholarships went to Isabella Burger (Southwestern) and Raelee Irving (UNT). The Herb and Frances Walne Memorial Scholarship was given to Chidera Nwitor (Houston). The Exchange Club Board of Directors Scholarship was awarded to Adara McBeth (Texas State).
Congratulations, all.
