A couple of aspiring federal law enforcement agents are a few steps closer to realizing their career dreams after receiving a full-ride scholarship to the University of Texas at El Paso.
Northwest Early College High School seniors Arlyn Carrillo and Daniel Balandran will be making the transition from Griffins to Miners when they cross the graduation stage this spring. They will become part of an elite legacy of students known as the Terry Scholars when they start their college journey this fall.
After a rigorous selection process, the pair were selected as recipients of the prestigious Terry Scholarship that awards outstanding Texas high school graduates who show promise for being future leaders in the state with an all expense paid scholarship to one of 13 public Texas universities.
At UTEP, Carrillo and Balandran will be part of an incoming cohort of the top incoming freshmen from throughout the region to join the 47 current UTEP Terry scholars.
“I am very happy for Arlyn and Daniel and equally proud,” said NWECHS Principal Frank Clark. “The Terry Scholarship is highly competitive and they have what it takes to be part of this group of motivated and dedicated students who have committed themselves to leadership, service and academics. Without the worry most college bound students face of paying for college, there is no stopping these two on the road to success.”
For Carrillo, this scholarship is a blessing for her and her family. With the burden of affording college lifted, she can focus working towards her goal of earning an accounting degree to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a special agent to help solve monetary or corporate crimes involving fraud, theft or embezzlement.
The first generation college student is grateful that her education at NWECHS has led her to this point and poised her for college. Having already earned her associate’s degree, she plans to use the remainder of her college career at UTEP either going for a double major or studying abroad thanks to the Terry Scholarship.
“I’m super excited. Being here at Northwest has prepared me for college life and I look forward to meeting new people and making connections as part of this group of Terry Scholars.”
Balandran has become a pro at juggling work and school while maintaining a high grade point average and serving the community. As a Terry Scholar, he is ready to lessen his load and focus on his studies. He plans on pursuing a degree in criminal justice and upon graduating college, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force before becoming an agent with the FBI or Drug Enforcement Agency.
“This is a great opportunity I have been given. This scholarship is a great help to me and my family,” Balandran said. “Rather than worry about how I am going to pay for college I can focus on school. I am ready to start the next chapter of my life.”
The Terry Foundation, a nonprofit organization, was established in 1986 by Houston businessman Howard Terry and his wife, Nancy. The Terrys believed that earning an undergraduate degree was fundamental to an individual’s future success.
The foundation’s mission is to improve and develop the State of Texas by assisting Texas students in attending the state's finest public universities. The foundation hopes that through education, these students will go on to make significant contributions, not only in Texas but in the nation.