Meet the Current Legacy Leaders

2020 Cohort

Amit Ohayon

Amit Ohayon
Major: Psychology

Anna Kajs

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.

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Astra Elliott
Major: English/Education

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Autumn Sanders
Major: Psychology

Blake Christen

Blake Christen
Major: Nursing

Brenna Merillat

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.

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Chloe Allen
Major: Psychology

Constance Williams

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.

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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.

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Diane Mendoza
Major: Pre-Med

Greyson King

Greyson King
Major: Kinesiology

Isabelle Kenneke

Isabelle Kenneke
Major: Nursing/Neuroscience

Jaycee Brown

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 Sampelo

Jeremi Ann Sampelo
Major: Nursing

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Juliana Liano
Major: Kinesiology

Lesly Alvarado

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

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

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

Reesha Goes
Major: Nursing

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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

Serena Fernandez
Major: Chemistry

Silu Joseph

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

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

Anahi Becerra Sandocal
Major: Social Work

Adriana Davila

Adriana Davila
Major: Marketing

Jaya Dhadda

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.

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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

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

Rachel Irizarry
Major: Nursing

Bailye Moon

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.

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Asna Abdulali
Major: Health Studies

Kambry Farris

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

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

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

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

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 Taimuri

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

Sophia Varughese
Major: Nursing

Kayla Woodard

Kayla Woodard
Major: Nursing

Stephen Barefield

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

Abigail Lorenz

Abigail Lorenz

Major: Art
Hometown: Carrollton, TX

Ann Pulido

Ann Pulido

Major: Biology
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Career Goal: Be a doctor of nurse practitioner

Blake Bailey

Blake Bailey

Major: Nursing
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Career Goal: to be a nurse

Britaney ZacariasHernandez

Britaney ZacariasHernandez

Major: Psychology
Career Goal: become a Forensic Psychologist who works in the Justice System

Catalina Coronado

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

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

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. 

Gillian Hayes

Gillian Hayes

Major: Political Science
Hometown: Cedar Hill, TX
Career Goal: Run a non-profit

Jianna Garcia

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

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

Marlee Shearer

Major: Psychology
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Career Goal: Be a therapist for first responders

Marlene Schaffer

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.

Nahla Jemal

Nahla Jemal

Major: Nursing 
Hometown:  Rowlett, TX
Career Goal: Nurse

Patricia Martinez

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.

Raegan Standifer

Raegan Standifer

Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Flower Mound, TX
Career Goal:

Toya Eronwu

Toya Eronwu

Major: Nursing
Hometown: Cedar Hill, TX
Career Goal: Psych Nurse

Page last updated 1:56 PM, December 8, 2022