Meet the Current Legacy Leaders
2020 Cohort
Amit Ohayon
Major: Psychology
Anna Kajs
Major: Child Development Pre-OT
Hometown: Round Rock, TX
Career Goal: Occupational Therapist
By being in the Legacy Leaders Program, I have learned to be more confident in my leadership abilities.
Astra Elliott
Major: English/Education
Andy Hackett
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Autumn Sanders
Major: Psychology
Blake Christen
Major: Nursing
Brenna Merillat
Major: Occupational Therapy
Hometown: Royse City, TX
Career Goal: Occupational Therapist
I love that the Legacy Leaders program is flexible. Throughout our group, we have a diverse selection of individuals with a broad range of majors and future goals. However, we all are benefiting from the same program.
Chloe Allen
Major: Psychology
Constance Williams
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Little Elm, TX
Career Goal: Child and Adolescents Psychologist
Legacy Leaders gives me the opportunity to pursue school while motivating me to become an active leader.
Danielle Morin
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Irving, TX
Career Goal: I want to be an independent makeup artist and provide other beauty services.
I am grateful to be a Legacy Leaders Scholarship recipient not only because it is helping me pay for school but also because it develops us professionally into leaders.
In the first year, recipients attend Leadership Symposiums with government officials and nonprofit leaders to learn about what leadership looks like in the real world. In the second year, there are many options such as shadowing someone in our chosen career field or serving as a mentor to a first year Legacy Leader.
Diane Mendoza
Major: Pre-Med
Greyson King
Major: Kinesiology
Isabelle Kenneke
Major: Nursing/Neuroscience
Jaycee Brown
Major: Dental Hygiene
Hometown: Celeste, TX
Career Goal: Dental Hygienist
Legacy Leaders has not only taught me many life lessons but has also helped my family and I so much in terms of paying for school! I am honored to have received this scholarship.
My favorite part of the program is the friends that have come from it! I am so grateful to be surrounded by people who have the same goals and ambitions as myself!
Jeremi Ann Sampelo
Major: Nursing
Juliana Liano
Major: Kinesiology
Lesly Alvarado
Major: Speech-Language Pathology
Hometown: Hurst, TX
Career Goal: Become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Legacy Leaders has given me the opportunity to attend a four-year university as a first-generation student. I strive to be a role model to young girls who are also first-generation students.
Lori Abalos
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Ferris, TX
Career Goal: Surgeon
Without Legacy Leaders, things would look a lot different for me. This program has given me a way to make my dreams a reality, offering me the opportunity to an education that I will forever be grateful for.
By being in the Legacy Leaders Program, I have learned that I can actually make a difference, no matter how small.
Melisa Martinez Morales
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Mesquite, TX
Career Goal: Nurse Practitioner specializing in Women’s Health
By being in the Legacy Leaders Program, I have learned to professionally communicate with supervisors, to be an authentic leader in my community, and the importance of the mutual cooperation between the government and non-profits.
Reesha Goes
Major: Nursing
Sarah Mathew
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Mesquite, TX
Career Goal: Earn my BSN & work as a critical care nurse
Legacy Leaders has allowed me to pursue my academic endeavors without the stress of financial burdens.
What I’ve enjoyed the most about being in the Legacy Leaders program is attending symposiums where we meet key community gatekeepers/stakeholders and people of influence who create change.
Serena Fernandez
Major: Chemistry
Silu Joseph
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Carrollton, TX
Career Goal: Physician Assistant
Legacy Leaders allows me to pursue a higher education without worrying about financial burdens and has taught me that making a difference in the world starts right where you are.
I love all the people in the program. Everyone is so different yet so similar, my fellow legacy leaders inspire me to serve my community by going above and beyond.
Xaria Williams
Major: Psychology
Hometown: DeSoto, TX
Career Goal: Motivational Speaker
Legacy Leaders allowed me to pay for my first and second years of college, granted me access to opportunities specific to Legacy Leaders, allowed me to meet self-motivated and hard-working individuals in the other legacy leaders, and provided me with a consistent source of support from staff members who've encouraged me to keep developing my best self.
I've learned one voice can inspire a tidal wave of support, and that ocean of people dedicated to a goal can create a mighty impact. The influence of a leader is not by their title, but by their character and their ability to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their team.
2021 Cohort
Anahi Becerra Sandocal
Major: Social Work
Adriana Davila
Major: Marketing
Jaya Dhadda
Major: Biology
Hometown: Corinth, TX
Career Goal: Go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist
The [students] within my cohort all share a common goal. We want to become better leaders to better our futures as well as our community’s future.
Fabiola Gomez
Major: Social Work
Hometown: Garland, TX
Career Goal: To obtain a position in a reputable organization that will allow me to expand my knowledge and skills.
I plan to leave a legacy by taking advantage of all the opportunities given to me, to become the best version of myself, and later pass on my experiences to people that find themselves in my position.
I hope to represent the Latinx community and inspire others to do the same.
Alexa Hoekstra
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Hurst, TX
Career Goal: To one day be involved in the drafting and passing of public policy by holding office.
I am grateful not only for the amazing opportunity to develop as a leader through Legacy Leader workshops, seminars and training but for beginning to have the skills to impact my community on a deeper level.
In the future, I hope to help my community through local government.
Rachel Irizarry
Major: Nursing
Bailye Moon
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Pearland, TX
Career Goal: Work for the National Football League or NCAA aiding the mental health of athletes as a Sports Psychologist.
Legacy Leaders has allowed me to attend Texas Woman’s University, where the opportunities feel endless and to be sculpting myself into a future pillar of our community. I love the close knit community it provides first-year students. Being a part of an LLC is more than just living together, it’s walking in a room seeing a familiar face and being able to lead the room you walked into together.
Asna Abdulali
Major: Health Studies
Kambry Farris
Major: History
Hometown: Salado, TX
Career Goal: Museum Archivist
Legacy Leaders has given me the opportunities to branch out of my comfort zone when it comes to leadership and is giving me the skills on how to be successful in my career. It has also provided funds for when I was unsure if I could afford college.
I love being surrounded by other students who have the same motivation as me. I also love listening/learning in my classes and symposiums.
Victoria Marinova
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Corinth, TX
Career Goal: Obtain a career in the medical field. In addition to creating or co-creating a nonprofit organization that provides medical care to areas with limited access to healthcare.
Prior to this program, I had leadership qualities, however, it is through this program that I have been able to sharpen my skills, meet other leader-like individuals, and navigate how to effectively make an impact on others around me.
The connections and experiences that I have obtained has been the most enjoyable part of the program. For instance, during our symposiums, I am able to listen to leaders in our community about what they believe an effective leader is, how they got there, and tips for how I can follow in their footsteps.
Leslie Patino
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Career Goal: To become a registered nurse and be able to make a difference in the world as a leader.
Leadership is the ability to motivate a group of people to work together to fulfill a common goal despite its downfalls. It is not about having the authority over a certain amount of people but being an influence to connect with them as a team. While always having that sense of confidence and trustworthiness in order for others to feel like they can trust your decisions as a leader.
Shea'Leigh Rooks
Major: Dance and Political Science
Hometown: Garland, TX
Career Goal: Drill Team Director, Dance Teacher or a Campaign Consultant
Legacy Leaders has given me a chance to meet new people, learn more about certain career goals and get me more involved in the Denton community. The financial reward has also helped me pay my tuition sooner than expected!
I have learned that leadership can take different forms in different people and that there is more than one way to lead.
Madison Sly
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Justin, TX
Career Goal: Entrepreneur
In the program I have learned to be aware of my leading style, to network within my community, to make every person feel important, to be my authentic self, and to strive for my goals fearlessly.
Zahra Taimari
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Ft. Worth, TX
Career Goal: Surgeon
The program has taught me that it’s fine being nervous at first because Legacy Leaders is meant for us to improve and become confident speakers.
Sophia Varughese
Major: Nursing
Kayla Woodard
Major: Nursing
Stephen Barefield
Hometown: Whitesboro, TX
Career Goal: Language, Race and Identity Consultant for Campaigns
I am grateful the close relationships I am able to build with fellow students as well as faculty and staff has improved not only my time here at TWU but has already expanded my academic and social growth.
2022 Cohort
Ann Pulido
Major: Biology
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Career Goal: Be a doctor of nurse practitioner
Britaney ZacariasHernandez
Major: Psychology
Career Goal: become a Forensic Psychologist who works in the Justice System
Catalina Coronado
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Irving, Texas
Career Goal: I want to be able to work at a hospital (specifically the Carrell Clinic in Dallas), ranging from teenage to elders, and be able to help them gain their strength and motion back.
Elizabeth Wickstrom
Major: History
Hometown: Laredo, TX
Career Goal: Attorney
I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to participate in the Legacy Leaders Program to develop and enhance my leadership skills. This program will impact my career and future.
Erin Hall
Major: Major - Kinesiology Pre-PT
Hometown - Springtown, TX
Career Goal - Pediatric Physical Therapist
I hope while in Legacy Leaders I can grow in my leadership abilities. I know this organization will help me network and grow in skills that will help me in my future occupation.
Jianna Garcia
Major: Nutrition Sciences with an emphasis on Dietetics
Hometown: Aubrey, Texas
Career Goal: I am studying to become a pediatric registered dietitian. I hope to gain skills that will help me communicate and work efficiently with others.
One thing I love about Legacy Leaders is how inclusive and friendly we all are. We have our own little family and it made the transition to college so nice having a group of friends built in with this scholarship.
Makenna Kirkwood
Major: Music Therapy
Hometown: Royse City, Texas
Career Goal: Open my own practice.
I am honored to be a part of Legacy Leaders and hope to learn great responsibility from this program
Marlee Shearer
Major: Psychology
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Career Goal: Be a therapist for first responders
Marlene Schaffer
Major: History
Hometown: College Station, TX
Career Goal: I hope to become a museum curator!
Legacy Leaders has given me the amazing opportunity to further not only my education, but also my leadership and interpersonal skills. It is a program that has forever changed my life, and for that I am extremely thankful.
Patricia Martinez
Major: Social Work
Hometown: Mesquite, TX
Career Goal: Become a social worker
Legacy Leaders has enabled me to grow in my personal career goals, and has taught me the importance of leadership and giving back to the community.
Page last updated 1:56 PM, December 8, 2022