TMI Merit Scholarships Awarded

Online, February 17, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Two eighth-grade students have been chosen as Margaret M. and Albert B. Alkek Scholars at TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas. Robert Guerra of San Antonio Academy and Susannah Wright of St. Luke's Episcopal School are recipients of the program's two full-tuition, four-year merit scholarships. The awards recognize students with excellent academic records and one or more outstanding extracurricular achievements.

At San Antonio Academy, Guerra is on the Dean's List and honor roll and serves as a company commander in the school's military program. He earned a gold medal for his score on the 2009 National Spanish Examination and is a member of the Academy's mathematics team and Concert Choir. A four-sport athlete, Guerra has earned varsity letters as a member of the cross-country, football, lacrosse and soccer teams and currently runs track. He also serves as a junior docent at the Institute of Texan Cultures and has been recognized by the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP), which identifies academically talented students through above-level test performance.

At St. Luke's, Wright is on the A Honor Roll and earned national and state recognition for her SAT scores through Duke TIP. Recipient of the school's Chris Jones Leadership Award, she is secretary of the National Junior Honor Society and a Student Council representative. Wright has received first grand prize in the Alamo Regional Science Fair, first place at area Latin conventions, perfect scores on the National Latin and Mythology exams and multiple first-place awards in Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) contests. Her poems have been published in the San Antonio Public Library's Young Pegasus magazine, and she has served as editor-in-chief of St. Luke's literary publication. Wright is co-captain of the girls basketball A team and a member of the track team.

"With all that Robert and Susannah have accomplished, I am sure they will excel in all phases of their TMI experience," says TMI Upper School Division Head Bob Ridewood. "Most important, however, is that they will serve as role models for the rest of the student community and will contribute to making TMI an even better place than it is."

Other finalists in the Alkek Scholarship competition also were recognized with merit awards for the 2010-2011 school year. Jake Fox, an eighth-grader at St. Luke's, is the recipient of the 2010 Tom C. Frost Merit Award, for a student with an impressive academic and extracurricular record who embodies the mission of TMI.

At St. Luke's, Fox is president of the Student Council, a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Junior Latin Honor Society. He is on the A Honor Roll and is the recipient of the 2010 Hodge Foreign Language Scholarship, a merit award for academic excellence, Latin linguistic proficiency and leadership skills. Recognized by Duke TIP, he also has received SAT state recognition for achievement in writing and has won a gold medal in the National Mythology Examination. A Boy Scout currently at Star rank, Fox has won several school leadership awards, as well as first-place awards in science fair and PSIA competitions. He has organized school fundraisers for the USO and Haitian relief efforts and is an active volunteer outside of school as well. He plays basketball and was co-captain of the soccer team.

Other finalists selected to receive merit awards are: Ethan Ausburn, San Antonio Academy; Taylor Devlin, St. George Episcopal School; Jessica Overmeyer, Luna Middle School; and Steele Sessions, St. Luke's Episcopal School.

"This year, we received a record number of applicants from public and independent schools," says Brenda Klaftenegger, TMI Director of Admission. "Selecting the finalists was a challenge, due to the high quality of applicants."