 Scholars’ Community member
Zaira Itzel Richarte is the sole UH recipient of a Spring 2000 Success Scholarship
Center Award. As an award recipient, Richarte will receive $1,000 each semester until
she graduates. Known as "Building Bridges for Academic Achievement," the Success
Scholarship Center (SSC) supports the education of academically qualified, but
economically disadvantaged, Hispanic students by providing mentoring and scholarships to
those enrolled at any Texas university."This scholarship isn’t just a hand
out," said Richarte, a Kinesiology major with a 3.91 GPA. "The recipients have
to contribute, as well. The SSC requires its winners to meet once a month, either at its
University of St. Thomas or its Sharpstown location, to volunteer and provide
administrative support at their offices while still maintaining a good academic
standing."
Once a week for three hours, Richarte volunteers at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. Here at
UH, Richarte belongs to the Allied Health Professions Society and is the PT coordinator.
After she graduates, Richarte plans to study Physical Therapy at the University of Texas
Medical School branch in Galveston.
Despite all of Richarte’s activities her main focus is still on her college
education. "After graduating from high school I knew that college would be a very
different story. I knew I would have to focus all my attention on getting good grades. But
it’s also healthy to take a break from all that stress. So in my free time I enjoy
hanging out with my friends or jogging."
Richarte attributed much of her academic success to her involvement in Scholars’
Community. Having joined in her freshman year, Richarte said that the program was crucial
to her survival. "As the year began, I was so lost. Scholars’ Community helped
me choose classes and was there for me every step of the way. I love the Scholars’
program and will continue to support it."
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