The GFWAR Educational Foundation awarded scholarships to three Fort Worth-area high school seniors. Karin Ayad, Gisela Martinez, and Juan Vega each received $2,500 in funds to go toward their educational pursuits.
“This year, it was especially difficult to select our scholarship recipients, due to the nearly 100 outstanding applicants we received,” said Thaddius Watson, Educational Foundation Board President. “The Board sees great potential in Karin, Gisela, and Juan, and it’s our honor to support their goals with our annual scholarship.”
The 2023 GFWAR Educational Foundation scholarship recipients come from Fort Worth and Keller ISDs and are inspiring and hardworking members of their schools and communities.
Karin Ayad graduated from Central High School, where she received awards for physics and pre-calculus and was in the top 10 percent of her class. Before graduation, she had completed 10 courses through a dual enrollment program at Tarrant County College while also working a part-time job and volunteering at her church. Ayad, who emigrated to the United States from Egypt when she was in the 3rd grade, plans to attend Texas Woman’s University to study radiology with a pediatric focus.
Gisela Martinez is the valedictorian of her class at Trimble Tech High School. The recipient of the Ann Brannon Award, she has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball team for four years and was a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and DECA. In addition, she used her voice to create awareness for areas of need in the community, including animal welfare and suicide prevention, through her involvement with United Voices for Change and the Hope Squad. Martinez plans to study environmental engineering while attending Northwestern University.
Juan Vega graduated from Diamond-Hill Jarvis High School in the top 10 percent of his class. Since freshman year, he has been a part of the Varsity Soccer team, which won district three years in a row and played for the state championship. Vega emigrated to the United States at age 7 and was driven to learn English and succeed, taking honors and AP courses while working part time. Vega will attend Tarrant County College where he will study in their Diesel Technician program and plans to one day run his own business.
The GFWAR Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that was founded in 2018 to assist worthwhile student applicants in the greater Fort Worth area. Since they began awarding scholarships in 2020, they have helped 16 students with their educational pursuits. The scholarship program is supported by GFWAR members who make donations at events throughout the year.
Applications for the 2024 Educational Foundation Scholarship will open later this year. For more information, please visit the Educational Foundation website.
