The 17 students that make up the newest class of Terry Scholars hail from all parts of Texas – from the small towns of Beeville and Merit to local areas of the Metroplex. The 12 women and five men represent the largest class of Terry Scholars to date and bring the number of students now in the University’s Terry Scholars Program to 53.

All 17 have demonstrated leadership skills both inside the classroom and out. This year’s class includes one valedictorian and one salutatorian. Half of the students graduated in the top 5 percent of their high school classes.

“It’s always a pleasure to welcome a new class of Terry Scholars.  The program continues to attract a diverse, accomplished group of individuals who are able to attend UT Dallas because of the tremendous generosity of the Terry Foundation,” said Blythe Torres, the program’s director.

“This year’s incoming class exhibited outstanding leadership, scholarship and volunteerism in high school and many received awards for their contributions. They will positively impact our university community for many years to come.”

The Terry Foundation, the largest provider of private scholarships in Texas, funds the scholarships. Established by Houston philanthropists Howard and Nancy Terry, the Foundation has assisted more than 2,800 Texas college students over the past 25 years.

Students are nominated in part for their leadership potential and academic ability.

The scholarships cover a broad range of student expenses over four years of study, including tuition and fees, housing, books and living expenses. Terry Scholars also have access to a broad range of academic, service, cultural, social and leadership opportunities intended to enhance their undergraduate experience.

The University of Texas at Dallas accepted its first 11 Terry Scholars in 2006.

The program supports students attending the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas State University-San Marcos, the University of North Texas and Texas Tech University.

The new class at UT Dallas is as follows:

2012 Terry Scholars

Crystal Buchanan
Rowlett High School, Rowlett

Crystal Buchanan is an AP Scholar and Garland Star Scholar.  She participated in the honors division of the Academic Decathlon and advanced to the state finals.  She was a member of National Honor Society and was selected to serve as a Senior Leader.  Buchanan plans to major in psychology.
 

Suna Burghul
Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler

Suna Burghul plans to major in biochemistry.  She was a member of Mu Alpha Theta and was vice president of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) and the National Honor Society.  She was a state qualifier in the HOSA competition in biomedical debate and pharmacology in 2010 and 2011, respectively.  She also ran on the cross country team.   Burghul has regularly volunteered at the East Texas Islamic Society and Mother Frances Hospital. She is currently teaching herself Arabic and hopes to participate in a triathlon during college.
 

Brittney Campbell
Dr. John D. Horn High School, Mesquite

Salutatorian Brittney Campbell is also an AP Scholar.  She was a member of the drama club, performing in eight productions and was inducted into the International Thespian Society.  She was a regional team member for the Academic Decathlon and served as a witness and researcher for Mock Trial.  She was a member of the speech and debate teams, and was awarded first place in poetry interpretation at an area invitational tournament.  She volunteered for the Sixth Floor Museum as part of Youth Advisory Committee as well as for National Honor Society, in which she was honored with a certificate of merit.   She also received the Lighthouse Award from the assistant principal of her high school for her diligence, honesty and perseverance.  Campbell will major in biology.
 

Matthew Deng
Liberty High School, Frisco

Matthew Deng is an AP Scholar with Distinction.  He was founder and president of the Key Club, which attracted 200 members in its first five months.  He was vice president of the North Texas Youth Honor Society and secretary of DECA, helping to raise more than $6,000 for breast cancer research.  As the program director of the Junior World Affairs Council, Deng started the “Current Controversies Convention,” which increased awareness of current events.  He has volunteered for Life Care Center of Plano, Meals on Wheels and the Plano Summer Meals Program.  Deng plans to major in biology.
 

Rachel Herd
Lewisville High School, Lewisville

AP Scholar Rachel Herd will major in biology.  She served as president of the Academic Decathlon Team and received an Award of Excellence from the mayor of Lewisville for her contributions to the city as Decathlon member and president.  As vice president of the Junior World Affairs Council, Herd was selected as her school’s representative to attend a speech given by Condoleezza Rice for the National World Affairs Council.   She was secretary for  Junior Statesmen of America and was a member of National Honor Society, Student Council and Asia Club.  Herd volunteered for Christian Community Action, Denton State School and regularly participated in programs that engaged fellow teenagers with disabilities.
 

Tyler Hurst
Health Careers High School, San Antonio

Tyler Hurst regularly volunteers at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and University Hospital in San Antonio.  He participated in National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and Computer Science UIL.  He also was a member of the varsity band ensemble.  Hurst presented a research paper at the Analytical Centrifuge Conference in 2012 titled, How does Molecular Size and Salt Concentration Affect the Anisotropy of DNA? Hurst will major in computer science.
 

David Jarquin
Heritage High School, Frisco

David Jarquin plans to major in biomedical engineering.  Jarquin played on the soccer team throughout high school and plans to try out for the UT Dallas team.  He was a member of HOSA and Future Scientists and Engineers (FUSE) in which he was a guest speaker at several elementary school science fairs. Jarquin regularly volunteers at the McKinney Animal Shelter and God’s Food Pantry.  He also served as a juror on the Collin County Teen Court. 
 

Tricia Mathew
Lewisville High School, Lewisville

Tricia Mathew is an AP Scholar and plans to major in biology.  Mathew was the vice president of the Asia Club and Academic Decathlon. As an honors member of Academic Decathlon, she received an Award of Excellence from the mayor of Lewisville for her contributions to the city.  She was a member of National Honor Society and Student Council.  Numerous service activities include working at the Lewisville ISD Math and Science Summer Camp, preparing food for the Solomon’s Porch Homeless Shelter and tutoring fellow students in math at her high school.  She has sung soprano in several competitive concert choirs.  
 

Alexandra “Alex” Noll
Homeschooled, Austin

Alex Noll was active in Moot Court, Model United Nations and Mock Trial, winning top attorney at the Austin district mock trial competition.  She was twice a semifinalist at the Washington College of Law High School Moot Court Tournament, placing in the top eight.  Noll has volunteered at the YMCA Teen Court and has been a CITE Academy camp counselor and Conserve School volunteer.  She also regularly volunteers at her church.  She is a student intern at the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.  Noll plans to major in political science.
 

Nidia Quezada
Bland High School, Merit

Valedictorian Nidia Quezada has volunteered since 2009 as an English interpreter for a speech and language pathologist.  She was vice president of her Student Council and secretary of the Spanish Club.  She served on the Junior Advisory Board and was a member of the National Beta Club and the yearbook committee.  Awards include earning first place at the North East Texas Organization of Language Educators Foreign Language Symposium for bilingual drama, memorized prose and sight poetry.  Quezada plans to major in finance.
 

Martin “Trey” Rich
A.C. Jones High School, Beeville

Trey Rich served as a member of his marching band starting his freshman year and was elected drill instructor his senior year.  As a graduate of the High School Aerospace Program, Rich worked with NASA staff to design a mock-up mission to Mars.  Rich was also selected to the National Student Leadership Congress, traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with district representatives to discuss the Federal TRIO Program, which provides outreach and student services programs for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.  He regularly volunteers at his church.  Rich plans to major in physics.
 

Kyle Russo
George Bush High School, Richmond

Kyle Russo was selected to the UT-PACT Program and will major in biology.  As a French horn player in his high school band, Russo held numerous leadership positions, including president, and was named Marcher of the Year for three straight years. Russo also played on his varsity baseball team for four years serving as captain his senior year.  He performed in his high school’s musical production of The Music Man.  He was selected for the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine.  He has volunteered for the UT – Harris County Psychiatric Center, Habitat for Humanity, the Arc of Fort Bend and the Park Manor Nursing Facility. 
 

Keri Schoenemann
Homeschooled, Houston

Keri Schoenemann held numerous leadership positions in the Eta Sigma Alpha National Honors Society, including treasurer and parliamentarian.  She participated on the varsity volleyball team and served as a volleyball coach at the YMCA.  As a member of National Honor Society, she was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award as a junior.  She was a youth group leader and member of a youth praise band.  Schoenemann volunteered at YMCA of Greater Houston, Houston Food Bank and Operation Independence collecting items to send to soldiers serving overseas.  She traveled to Valdosta, Ga., to help rebuild homes in impoverished areas.  Schoenemann plans to major in biomedical engineering.
 

Jessica Serna
William J. Brennan High School, San Antonio

Jessica Serna served as historian in the Thespian Honors Society.  She also played on the soccer varsity team and was a member of Student Council and National Honor Society.  Serna also performed part time at Sea World.  She plans to major in psychology.
 

Sabiha Sultana
Richardson High School, Richardson

AP Scholar Sabiha Sultana plans to major in neuroscience.  As president of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Sultana provided service, leadership and social activities for Richardson High School’s AVID members.  She was also selected by the administration to speak at the National AVID Conference.  Sultana participated in HOSA and was the founder and president of the Desi Student Association, which promoted diversity at her high school.  She volunteered over 200 hours with Senior Interact, Mu Alpha Theta and HOSA.  She was also inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
 

Emily Thomas
Colleyville Heritage High School, Colleyville

Emily Thomas was president of the Student Council; president of Panthers International, where she recruited volunteers for Adopt-a-Family; and president of the Multicultural Club.  Thomas was a member of the senior ads staff for the yearbook as well.  She completed 200 hours of community service and was awarded the Community Ambassador Award.  Thomas plans to major in public affairs.
 

Caitlyn Wenner
Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, Beaumont

Caitlyn Wenner plans to major in speech and language pathology.  She served in the Diocese of Beaumont as co-director of Catholic Retreats and the Diocesan Youth Leadership Board.  She was vice president of Student Council.  She won her high school’s Good Samaritan Award for completing 100 hours of community service and was selected to attend the National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.