Lesson No. 1:

As classrooms reopen and routines return, it’s time for a back-to-school refresher on safety — at the bus stop and on the road 

Prepare for the first bus ride 

Riding the bus is a big step, especially for young students. To help your child feel prepared, walk or drive the school route together. Go over the family’s morning routines. Review these important reminders with your child: 

• Plan to arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. 
• Wait in a safe spot, at least 10 feet away from the road. 
• If your child can’t board the bus directly at its stop, they should enter and exit the bus by walking in front of it — never behind. 
• Wait for the driver’s signal and always look both ways before crossing the road. 

Drivers, slow down!  

It’s easy to get distracted behind the wheel, but during the school year, it’s especially important to stay alert and aware. Here are some tips on driving smart: 

• Slow down in school zones and neighborhoods; look for speed limit signs as you approach the school. 
• Watch for school buses. If a bus has red lights flashing and the stop-sign arm is out, you must stop. 
• Avoid distractions, cell phone use, and obey crossing guards and traffic signs.  
• Don’t speed during your commute. Those few seconds you save aren’t worth the risk. 

See this story as it appears in the August 2025 issue of Texas Co-op Power magazine

Bluebonnet awards $400,000 in scholarships to 160 area graduating high school seniors

Story by Connie Juarez

Consider it an investment in the future. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative has awarded 160 scholarships to graduating high school seniors from across the cooperative’s 14-county service area this year. The $2,500 Scholarships of Excellence, totaling $400,000, will help the students achieve their goals of earning college degrees or trade-and-technical school certificates. 

“Congratulations to the students who earned a Bluebonnet scholarship this year, and thanks to all the outstanding, hardworking students who participated in the application process,” General Manager Matt Bentke said. “One of Bluebonnet’s values is supporting and investing in the communities in which we live and serve. Awarding these scholarships supports these students who will continue to give back to their communities.” 

The scholarships are funded by proceeds from Bluebonnet's Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament as well as former members’ unclaimed capital credit payments that were returned by the state of Texas. Funds for the scholarships do not come from Bluebonnet members’ bill payments and do not affect electric rates.

 Sherry Murphy, a Bluebonnet community and development representative, has been organizing the scholarship program for three years.

“It’s one of the highlights of our year,” Murphy said. “We have an opportunity to meet these students and celebrate their hard work. It’s an honor to be part of that.”

After the scholarship presentation at Smithville High School, Lindsey Saunders, the Smithville ISD communications officer, said, “We’re so proud of our students who received this scholarship. It really shows all the hard work they’ve put in.”

Koy Macik, a graduate of Caldwell High School who plans to study animal science 
at Texas A&M University, is one of this year’s recipients. “We started a cattle operation when my family moved to Caldwell, and I’ve been around animals my whole life,” Macik said. “I feel like it’s something I want to pursue. I want to become a veterinarian. I’m not sure where yet, but I’ll see where the path takes me.”

Others, like Karina Maldonado, are pursuing careers in the medical field. Maldonado, a Brenham High School graduate, will attend Tyler Junior College to study prediagnostic medical sonography. “Visiting with my teachers and taking Certified Medical Assistant courses through Blinn College inspired me to pursue a career in sonography,” Maldonado said. "Eventually, I’d like to focus on oncologic imaging and maybe even do travel sonography, going where I’m needed — especially since there’s a shortage of sonographers in some areas.” 

FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS PURSUE HIGH ASPIRATIONS

Among this year’s recipients, several dozen students said they were first-generation college students — the first in their families to pursue higher education.

Adalinda Ricardez, a 2025 graduate of McDade High School, is one of 32 recipients who received a trade-and-technical scholarship and will be the first in her family to attend college.  

When Adalinda starts classes at Austin Community College’s Highland Campus this fall, she’ll already have some credits under her belt. “I took dual credit courses in high school, and I think taking those helped me prepare for college,” she said.

At ACC, she plans to complete prerequisite courses, then move into the dental hygiene program and earn an associate degree. From there, she wants to earn a degree from Texas A&M University or The University of Texas at San Antonio, then go to dental school.

Adalinda’s high school years were filled with achievement, both inside and outside the classroom. The clarinetist played in the marching and concert bands all four years and earned MVP honors in concert band. She served as secretary of the student council during her junior and senior years and participated in Pathfinders and Master Guides, programs focused on leadership, service and personal growth. She also volunteered with the Teen Leadership Training program in her junior and senior years.

On top of her academic commitments, Adalinda worked on her school campus as part of McDade ISD’s summer staff, assisted at a local food bank and volunteered time with nursing home residents.
“My family has taught me to persevere and always do my best,” she said. “And now, my younger siblings are watching. Being the first to go to college sets the bar higher for all of us.”

BUILDING STRONG FUTURES

For Bastrop High School graduate Payton Moore, the future looks a lot like the past with new purpose. Payton grew up around construction projects, and she plans to keep it that way. This fall, she will attend Tarleton State University to study construction management, with a goal of continuing the legacy of Moore Construction, a homebuilding business founded in 1900 by her great-great-grandfather.

“The business was passed down through the men in my family — first my great-grandfather, Robert Moore, then my grandfather, David Moore,” Payton said. “My father, David Moore II, wasn’t able to take over the business, and I’d like to make that happen for him.”

Payton’s father died in 2022 at 48 after a two-year illness. “I loved helping out alongside my dad with construction jobs for family members for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I got my first tool set when I was 6.” 

Payton’s high school extracurricular work shows her dedication to service, leadership and learning. She was a two-year member of Peer Assistance and Leadership, mentoring younger students and volunteering in the community. She helped organize one of Bastrop’s largest events as part of the Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo Committee and was a varsity student trainer for the school’s sports medicine team.
She hopes to honor her father and family by learning the ins and outs of the construction business.

“I want to combine my passion for building with interior design and eventually provide people with homes that truly reflect who they are,” Payton said.

Like Payton, Kevin Nava is laying the foundation for a future in construction. Kevin will attend Sam Houston State University this fall to major in construction management. The Lexington High School graduate wants to become a senior project manager.

The degree requires studying building materials, engineering graphics and civil design. Kevin’s leadership qualities were evident throughout his high school years. He was a member of the National Honor Society and a standout athlete. He served as a cross country team captain, earning four-time MVP Runner of the Year honors. Kevin also competed in football and was active in Future Farmers of America. 

In recognition of his achievements in academics and sports, Kevin received the Mirabeau B. Lamar Award, presented through local Masonic lodges to honor students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, citizenship, community service and athletics.

Outside the classroom, Kevin volunteered at church events and gained job experience installing window frames for a local glass and mirror company.

“I want to do what I love while leading teams and managing projects,” Kevin said.

COMMITTED TO CARE

Adriana Parra Jaramillo, a graduate of Luling High School, has always had an interest in health care. She plans to attend Texas State University this fall to pursue a nursing degree.

“I was always interested in the medical field and all aspects of it,” Adriana said. “I love what it means to be a nurse and help people.”

In high school, Adriana was co-captain of the dance team, where she earned the Crowd Pleasers Highest GPA Award two years in a row. She participated in the Health Science Yearlong Academy through Dell Medical School and holds certifications in first aid, CPR and bleeding control.

Adriana was also active in Health Occupations Students of America, photography club, book club, and various safety and leadership programs. 

In addition to schoolwork, Adriana gained work experience as: junior manager at McDonald’s, sales associate at Best Buy and Boot Barn, and crew member at Whataburger, often working 30 to 40 hours a week.

Adriana is fluent in English and Spanish and hopes to use those skills as a traveling nurse, providing care in locations with limited resources. “I want to learn from different environments and give back wherever I can,” she said.

Skarleth Lagos, a graduate of IDEA Bluff Springs College Preparatory in Austin, is also planning a career in health care, but her focus is on the brain. This fall, she will attend Austin College in Sherman, where she plans to major in neuroscience.

Her interest was sparked during a ninth-grade experience through the Dell Medical Health Sciences program at The University of Texas at Austin. “They let us hold real human brains,” Skarleth said. “It made me realize how powerful the brain is. One organ controls everything. That amazed me.”

Skarleth challenged herself academically with multiple advanced placement courses, including chemistry, biology and statistics.

While in high school, Skarleth was a member of UT’s Yearlong Health Sciences Academy, earning certificates in CPR and bleeding control. 

Skarleth hopes to eventually attend Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. Her goal is to become a doctor and return to the Dale area, where she grew up, bringing specialty medical care to regions that lack it.

Her parents are her biggest inspirations, she said. “They’ve always supported me in the best way they could,” Skarleth said.

FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER

The impact of Bluebonnet’s investment in students may be best illustrated by those who have gone before this year’s recipients over the scholarship’s 27-year history. 

Philip Meuth, a 2009 graduate of Bastrop High School, was a first-generation college student who received a Bluebonnet scholarship to attend Texas State Technical College in Waco. He studied plumbing and pipe fitting, building a foundation for a lasting career.

“I knew I wanted to go into a trade,” Philip said. “Plumbing stood out because it’s a solid, good-paying career.”

Today, he lives in Cedar Creek and works for Brewster Services, a commercial plumbing contractor in San Antonio.

“The Bluebonnet scholarship was money I didn’t have to pay back,” Philip said. “It gave me a leg up. I was humbled to get it.”

“These scholarships are about more than just financial support,” said Bluebonnet’s Sherry Murphy. “They’re about believing in our local students, and seeing many of them come back to work, live and lead in the communities where they started. That’s something we’re deeply proud of.”

Applications for Scholarships of Excellence for 2026 high school graduates will be available in November at 
bluebonnet.coop/scholarships.

— Sara Abrego and Kirsten Tyler contributed to this story

BY THE NUMBERS

• $400,000 in scholarships awarded this spring
• 32 trade & technical scholarships awarded
• 128 academic scholarships awarded
• 29 high schools represented by recipients
• 27 years Bluebonnet has awarded scholarships
• 160 scholarship recipients in 2025
• 304 leadership positions held in student organizations
• 142 recipients with work experience
• 1,934 organizations applicants were involved in through volunteer and school activities

TOP 10 SCHOOLS RECIPIENTS PLAN TO ATTEND

• Texas A&M University
• Blinn College
• The University of Texas at Austin
• Texas State University
• Austin Community College
• Texas State Technical College
• Tarleton State University
• Sam Houston State University
• Angelo State University
• Universal Technical Institute

TOP 5 ACADEMIC AREAS OF STUDY RECIPIENTS PLAN TO PURSUE

1. Health sciences/pre-med
2. Agriculture and agribusiness
3. Engineering
4. Business, finance and accounting
5. Animal and veterinary sciences

TOP 5 TRADES RECIPENTS PLAN TO PURSUE

1. Nursing
2. Welding
3. HVAC and electrical
4. Diagnostics and imaging
5. Real estate

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 SCHOLARSHIP OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS  

BASTROP HIGH SCHOOL 

Claire Adams 
Joseline Albiter 
Ella Davis 
Kayla Frank 
Anthony Gonzalez 
Emma Griesenbeck 
Yesliann Matos Cirino 
Mark McCarus 
Lindsey McFarland 
Payton Moore 
Zoe Moreno 
Adrian Paniagua 
Sarah Salazar Hernandez 
Jaxon Williams 

BELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 

Fallon Chovanec 
Lydia Huebner 
Tegan Peschel 
Chase Richardson 
Jaylen Tesch 

BRENHAM HIGH SCHOOL 

Zora Austin 
Blaine Bartlett 
Leyton Blankenburg 
Brett Campbell 
Denise Carrillo 
Samuel Clepper 
Garrison Covin 
Landon Flisowski 
Cullen Halfmann 
Brody Hemann 
Corbin Janner 
Barrett Kohring 
Alex Lawhorn 
Samantha Mahlmann 
Karina Maldonado 
Logan Mason 
Austin Maurer 
Avery Maurer 
Hayden Mika 
Kord Mikolajchak 
Haylie Niemeyer 
Luis Ramos 
Brandon Schultz 
Addison Smith 
Bailey Stegint 

BURTON HIGH SCHOOL 

Bailey Glaesmann 
Isabelle Means 
Reagan Roemer 
Peyton Sigsbee 

CALDWELL HIGH SCHOOL 

Landon Barnes 
Hays Beavers 
Dylan Chapman 
Cooper Ellis 
Brook Fry 
Alison Krueger 
Brenden Lee 
Koy Macik 
Dulce Carolina Medina 
Kyler Roskey 
Madilyn Schneider 
Kate Smith 
Brycen Suehs 
Mia Witherwax 

CEDAR CREEK HIGH SCHOOL 

Mia Benavides 
Margaux Bonneu 
Anabel Bordelon 
Caleb Farr 
Kaylee Fitzhugh 
Faith Frank 
Jazlene Gomez 
Daeylin Gonzalez 
Devon James 
Nicole Kadura 
Brooklyn McCool 
Shayla Mendez-Ramirez 
Tyler Morgan 
Serenity Rivera 
Peyton Smith 

COLORADO RIVER COLLEGIATE ACADEMY 

Jayton Nelson 

DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL 

Ginny Benitez-Perez 
Nazariah Cedillo 
Azucena Esqueda Rodriguez 

DIME BOX HIGH SCHOOL 

Leslie Guajardo 
Adley Markert 

ELGIN HIGH SCHOOL 

Monserrat Espinoza-Guzman 
Isadora Estrada 
Jocelyn Howard 
Cayli Johns 
Alexander Rico Cuellar 
Garrison Vragel 

FAYETTEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 

Lawson Fritsch 
Rylee Fritsch 

GIDDINGS HIGH SCHOOL 

Carlos Amaro 
Kelby Cowen 
Kyler Giles 
Samantha Matthijetz 
Ruby Meachen 
Bayley Pitts 
Daylin Pitts 
Paige Schreckengost 
Shay Siegmund 
Abigail Snyder 
Reese Weiser 
Jazmin Zachary 

GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL 

Avila Colanter 

HOMESCHOOL 

Ellen Carroll 
Paloma Dineen 
Ryan Holmes 
Mateo Martinez 
Brady Masur 
Emma Roth 
Trey Schumpert 

IDEA BLUFF SPRINGS COLLEGE PREPARATORY 

Skarleth Lagos 

IDEA RUNDBURG COLLEGE PREPARATORY 

Melanie Ramirez Mendoza 

KIPP AUSTIN COLLEGIATE 

Samantha Hoyos 
Nancy Perez 

LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL 

Ellie Brockenbush 
Kaylin Cotton 
Kinley Cotton 
Owen Harris 
Monserrat Hernandez Pena 
Caleb Huddleston 
Addyson Koester 
Sydney Kubicek 
Preslie Milburn 
Kevin Nava 
Braden Rodgers 

LOCKHART HIGH SCHOOL 

Roman Moreno 
Ricardo Rios 

LULING HIGH SCHOOL 

Kase Conley 
Jaelynn Moses 
Adriana Parra 
Joselyn Reyna 
Joshua Samuelson 

MANOR EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL 

Jordan Brown-Johnson 
Makenzie Clark 
Isabella Crawford 
Mia Esqueda 

MANOR NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL 

Kayla Frederick 
Chidinma Nwankwo 

MANOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 

Jordan Clark 

McCALLUM HIGH SCHOOL 

Nahomy Rivera 

McDADE HIGH SCHOOL 

Joshua Dube 
Kelsey Dube 
Sheila Lugo Lopez Lisethe 
Adalinda Ricardez 
Areli Velazquez 

PRAIRIE LEA HIGH SCHOOL

Gabriel Garcia 

ROUND ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 

Peyton Turner 

SMITHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 

Carina Berryann 
Daucie Davis 
Kaydence Kimball 
Jacob Moore 
Darcy Mullen 
Kaycee Nutt 
Samuel Praditbatuga 
Addison Waneck 
Ashlyn Wilhelm 
Devin Young 

SNOOK HIGH SCHOOL 

Savannah Davidson 

SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 

Savannah Eschete

Applications for Scholarships of Excellence for 2026 graduates will be available in November here

Check out the story as it appears in the August 2025 issue of Texas Co-op Power magazine here.