SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ­— Pictured from left are Dr. Sue Bradley, PDK Chapter 1121 President, and scholarship winners, Leah Olivarez, and Merika Perez. The local chapter of Phi Delta Kappa has awarded two deserving students $500 scholarships.

Merika Perez is a Texas A&M University-Kingsville junior who is a Health and Kinesiology major with a minor in Biology. As a member of the Health & Kinesiology Club, she has participated in a variety of community service events. She has served as a college mentor for junior high students. She called it “a job that has allowed me to work with diverse students.” Her professor praised her for being a “hard worker and a good role model for our other students.” Merika, an honor student, has been on the Dean’s List and included in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Leah Olivarez is a Texas A&M University-Kingsville junior with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. Leah looks forward to a career as an elementary school teacher because she feels she has “enough love and patience to give the children an opportunity to shine and succeed.” Her active involvement with “Future Teachers of America” helped to develop “good team skills,” according to her professor. Leah has served as a mathematics tutor for an elementary student. Most importantly, Leah is described by her supervisor as “always looking to volunteer and devote her time to worthy causes and devote her time to reach out to those in need.”