2022-23 Los Fresnos High School Top 10 Students

	*Paulina Lopez, Valedictorian* Paulina Lopez is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2023. She is the daughter of Hilda Lopez Morales and Alejandro Lopez Tapia. Paulina is a College Board AP Scholar, College Board National Hispanic Scholar, College Board National Rural and Small Town Scholar, Texas High School Aerospace Scholar, and Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence Distinction recipient. She is graduating with twenty-two Dual Enrollment hours. She has received $114, 900 in scholarship money. Paulina says the key to academic success is to focus on what you are passionate about, including classes or extracurricular activities. Paulina dedicated her time to the Friends of the Library, a non-profit organization that sells donated books to raise funds for various initiatives and programs. She also started her own business, LimaBeadz, selling jewelry and accessories at the Brownsville Farmers Market on Saturdays. Paulina is thrilled to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she says she looks forward to immersing herself in a new community. Paulina, a Questbridge National College Match Finalist, will major in Chemical Engineering, and plans to pursue a career in that respective field. Paulina is a product of Los Fresnos C.I.S.D. schools, attending Villareal Elementary School, Resaca Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Karla Zambrano, Salutatorian* Karla Zambrano is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2023. She is the daughter of Maria Zambrano. A portable planetarium experience in elementary school jumpstarted Karla’s interest in space. During her time at Los Fresnos High School, she was a three-year member of the Engineering Club. She also completed the Texas High School Aeropsace Scholar Program and followed it up with the NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science Internship through the University of Texas at Austin. Karla will return to UT Austin in the fall, where she will major in Aerospace Engineering at the Cockrell School of Engineering. Karla is a College Board AP Scholar with Honor, College Board National Hispanic Scholar, College Board National Rural and Small Town Scholar, Questbridge College Prep Scholar, Questbridge National College Match Finalist, and holds an Autodesk Inventor Certification. She competed in UIL Literary Criticism for 3 years. Karla Zambrano attended Rancho Verde Elementary School, Resaca Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Rafael Perales, Third Ranked Student* Rafael Perales is the third ranked student of the Class of 2023. He is the son of Rafael and Esperanza Perales. Rafael attributes his academic success to focusing on things he enjoys. His fondest memory was competing in the Area G finals alongside his friends in the Mighty Falcon Band. He was also in the Robotics, Engineering, and Key clubs during his time at LFHS. Rafael is a Texas High School Aerospace Scholar and will also graduate with a certification in Autodesk User Inventor, as well as 45 dual enrollment credits. He will follow his passion for technology and music to The University of Texas at Austin, where he will major in Computer and Electrical Engineering. Rafael is also a two-time Collegeboard National Hispanic Recognition Scholar and a Collegeboard Rural and Small Town Scholar. Rafael Perales attended Los Fresnos Elementary School, Liberty Memorial Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Allan Peralez, Fourth Ranked Student* Allan Peralez is the fourth ranked student of the Class of 2023. He is the son of Daniel and Carol Peralez. Allan is the recipient of the prestigious Gates Scholarship and has earned over $600,000 in scholarship money. He is graduating with six AP courses, 41 dual credit hours, and is a USC Bovard Scholar, College Board National Hispanic Reconigition Scholar, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Scholar, and a Los Fresnos CISD Distinguished Academic Scholar. Allan was very involved in extracurricular activities, serving as Captain of UIL Academic Spelling and Vocabulary, Vice-President of National Honor Society, Key Club, and Science Olympiad, Secretary of HOSA, and Ambassador for RGV Lead. He was a member of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, National Techical Honor Society, and performed 200 hours of community service during his time in high school, assisting with various local athletic and district events. Allan will attend Johns Hopkins University where he plans to major in Molecular and Cellular Biology or Neuroscience, then attend medical school. He looks forward to doing undergraduate research, focusing on autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. He hopes to return to the Rio Grande Valley.
	*Abril Esquivel, Fifth Ranked Student* Abril Esquivel is the fifth ranked student of the Class of 2023. She is the daughter of Ezequiel and Monica Esquivel. Abril was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society. She volunteered with the Key Club, served as an ambassador for RGV lead for four years, and participated in South Texas Cotillion. Abril says that she enjoyed building life-long friendships with her Mariachi Nuevo Halcon group mates. She played violin in the award-winning group and was section leader during her senior year. Abril is graduating from Los Fresnos High School as a Distinguished Academic Scholar, with 54 Dual Enrollment hours, and certifications in Microsoft Office Specialist Word and Entrepreneurship and Small Business. She will attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where she will major in Civil Engineering. She plans to become an architectural engineer and incorporate problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to help her succeed. Abril Esquivel attended Rancho Verde Elementary, Resaca Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Mia Escalanate Rivera, Sixth Ranked Student* Mia Escalante Rivera is the sixth ranked student of the Class of 2023. She is the daughter of Edgar Efrain Escalante Pineda and Maria Esther Rivera Martinez. Mia says interacting with people who motivate you and have similar goals is the key to academic achievement. She stayed active as a member of the RGV Lead Rotary Interact club, DECA, Peer Helpers Key Club, and did community service with the Animal Defense League. She is graduating with an Associate Degree from Texas Southmost College and 54 Dual Enrollment hours. She is an AP Scholar, Top 5% Distinguished Academic Scholar, a College Board National Hispanic Recognition and with a certification in Microsoft Office Specialist. Mia plans to take-off on a career path to become an Airline Transport Pilot at the PAN AM Aviation Academy. She says she looks forward to learning how to fly a plane. Mia Escalante Rivera attended Instituto Anglo Mexicano, Resaca Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Angelique Dewailly, Seventh Ranked Student* Angelique Dewailly is the eighth ranked student of the Class of 2023. She is the daughter of Guy and Juliette Dewailly. Angelique is graduating as an AP Scholar with twelve AP classes completed. She is the recipient of the College Board Recognition Award Rural and African American and has a certification in Cybersecurity. Angelique is an avid artist who was part of a group that painted a mural for art class at Resaca Middle School. She was a member of Art Club, Drama Club, Debate Key Club, and Cyberpatriot Sterllar X-plorers. Angelique is currently undecided on where she will attend college but looks forward to the challenging course work and new perspectives she will gain. She plans to pursue a career in computer science or computational biology. Angelique Dewailly attended Los Fresnos Elementary, Resaca Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Jaqueline Fernandez, Eighth Ranked Student* Jaqueline Fernandez is the eighth ranked student of the Class of 2023. She is the daughter of Luis and Edna Fernandez. Jaqueline dedicated herself to her studies, music, and giving back to the community. She was a member of Conjunto for four years and performed at the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio. She was actively involved in Spanish National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, HOSA, and Key Club. Through those organizations, she accumulated 60 hours of community service assisting with events that include the Los Fresnos CISD Biliteracy Night, Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library’s Dia de los Ninos event, and the Special Olympics. Jaqueline will graduate with forty-one dual credit hours. She is a Distinguished Scholar and received the Collegeboard Rural and Small Town Scholar. Jaqueline is excited to stay close to her family for college. Her niece and nephew inspired her to pursue a to Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Pediatrics from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Jacqueline attended Los Fresnos Elementary School, Liberty Memorial Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Emmy Martinez, Ninth Ranked Student* Emmy Martinez is the ninth ranked student of the Class of 2023. She is the daughter of Javier Martinez and Dr. Shelly Slovak. Emmy’s most memorable moments in high school came on the tennis court and with her UIL team. She was a leader in both, serving as co-captain of the varsity Tennis team and captain of the UIL Current Issues and Events team. She participated in UIL Science, is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, HOSA, and was Treasurer of Keynotes Brownsville. Emmy looks forward attending Dartmouth University, where she is excited to join clubs that will help her connect with other students and experience what the school has to offer. She plans to major in Architecture and minor in Sustainability and Urban Studies, then apply to law school. She wants to pursue a career in real estate law. She is graduating with three CTE certifications, including: Phlebotomy Technician, Patient Care Technician, and CPR. She also completed 10 AP courses, 7 dual courses, and as a National Recognition Scholar and AP Scholar. Emmy Martinez attended Episcopal Day School, Rising Scholars Academy, and Los Fresnos High School.
	*Nicolas Naranjo, Tenth Ranked Student* Nicolas Naranjo is the tenth ranked student of the Class of 2023. He is the son of Bernardino and Jennifer Naranjo. Nicolas is graduating with 45 dual credit hours, a certification in Autodesk Inventor, and as a Distinguished Academic Scholar, and a College Board National Hispanic Recognition. He has accumulated $159,000 in scholarship money. Nicolas teed off his high school years as a varsity golf team member, served as captain for three years, and competed in junior golf tournaments across the state. He was part of the Rotary Interact serving as president this year and was a member of National Honor Society for two years. Nicolas was part of the High School Aerospace Scholars and NASA Moonshot program third cohort. He says a highlight in his time at LFHS was speaking to his peers, teachers, and media about his experience in the program during a ceremony. Nicolas will attend the University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering. He looks forward to exploring Austin, the study abroad and internship opportunities. He hopes to become an engineer for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Nicolas attended Dora Elementary School, Liberty Memorial Middle School, and Los Fresnos High School.