Legacy Scholars Close Out the Year with Celebration of Service and a $14,700 Gift to Casa de AmigosApril 22, 2025

Midland College recently hosted its annual End-of-Year Celebration honoring students in the Legacy Scholars Program — a meaningful evening that recognized academic success, personal growth, and the incredible community partnerships that make the program possible.

The Legacy Scholars Program provides students with more than just financial assistance — it offers mentorship, service opportunities, and a strong support system to help them stay on track, complete their degrees, and prepare for successful futures.

This vital program would not be possible without the generous support of the Abell-Hanger Foundation, Scharbauer Foundation, Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, and Chaparral Foundation. Their commitment to education and student success allows hundreds of Midland College students each year to access life-changing opportunities.

Legacy Scholars also make a powerful impact in the community. Each student commits to 40 hours of volunteer service during the application process and another 40 hours during their freshman year. Students active in the Legacy Scholars Program during the 2024-2025 academic year have volunteered an impressive 8,080 volunteer hours — with 3,680 hours completed by 46 sophomores and 4,400 hours by 110 freshmen.

“The success of the Legacy Scholars Program speaks to the power of partnership and purpose,” said Sara Saleem, Director of the Legacy Scholars Program. “These students aren’t just earning a scholarship — they’re building a future. They’re connecting with mentors, giving back to the community, and growing into leaders. It’s an incredible journey, and it’s made possible by the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our Midland College family.”

To better understand the value of philanthropy, Legacy Scholars also take part in raising funds for local nonprofit organizations. This year, sophomores sold t-shirt sponsorships to support three distinct initiatives at Casa de Amigos: Leslie’s Place, a medical clinic for uninsured adults; after-school program supplies and technology; and a commercial refrigerator and hygiene supplies for the food pantry. Students spent the school year learning about and working with Casa de Amigos, including volunteering multiple times with the organization. In total, the Legacy Scholars Program, with a generous matching donation by the Abell-Hanger Foundation, donated $14,700 to Casa de Amigos.

Students reviewed 36 grant applications from nonprofit organizations in Midland that submitted grant proposals, gaining first-hand insight into the needs of their community. After careful consideration, the Legacy Scholars selected Casa De Amigos to receive this year’s grant, providing direct support to a local organization making a difference.

To reflect on their service and community engagement, students were invited to submit essays describing their experiences. During the celebration, five students were awarded a $1,000 stipend each for their outstanding essays:

Essay Contest Winners:

• Denae Dominguez
• Valeria Gillen
• Katelyn Herren
• Romero Lopez
• Christopher Underdown

The evening concluded with the announcement of the 2025 Herbert L. Cartwright Education Continuance Scholarship recipients. Funded by the Abell-Hanger Foundation, these prestigious scholarships — $12,500 per year for two years — support Legacy Scholars to complete their bachelor’s degrees at Texas public colleges or universities.

Herbert L. Cartwright Education Continuance Scholarship Recipients:

• Isaiah Conde
• Ycidro Galindo
• Ariana Hernandez
• Katelyn Herren
• Eriana Alejandra Loya
• Haily Marcial Ramirez
• Maddison Leighann Marquez
• Nathan Rodriguez
• Ruth Sanders
• Jaylynn Silva