LaredoBuzz.Com

(Laredo, Texas)-John B. Alexander High School has coined the phrase “Building Champions” and rightfully so. They’re not just making their mark academically, they’re setting a foundation of learning students will benefit from well beyond their years at the school. This is evident by the fact that four students from John B. Alexander High School were awarded scholarships from a nationwide competition.

Andres Aranda, Karina Nino, Illiana Perez, and Jillian Rodriguez were announced as the recipients of the 2018 H&R Budget Challenge Scholarship. The four dedicated students each received a $20,000 scholarship from H&R Block for not only participating in, but also scoring high enough marks to earn them a spot to receive the scholarship. Of the five scholarships H&R Block awards nationwide, four were awarded to Alexander High School students. The recipients of this scholarship are automatically in contention to win the $100,000 scholarship the company will award in May 2018.

H&R Block Budget Challenge is a program the company created to promote financial literacy in our youth. The assimilation type program allows students to learn personal finance skills through a series of real world scenarios. Throughout the course of the program students learned the basics about financial responsibility as well as key concepts such as saving, investing, and planning for the future.

“As students we’re caught in between not being old enough to be considered adults, but being old enough to not be consider kids,” said Jillian Rodriguez, recipient of the 2018 H&R Budget Challenge Scholarship. “This program taught us how to balance a check book, to save for those unexpected events life throws our way, and even about good and bad credit,” she added.

Career and Technical teacher, Anna Martinez, who teaches Business Management, incorporated the program into curriculum for the course. “I am thrilled that my students are the beneficiaries of this program, not only with this scholarship, but in being prepared for the real world,” said Martinez. Martinez’s four Business Management classes are ranked in the top ten in the nation based on reports and scores earned through the program.

“We are incredibly proud of the work each of these students put in to the program,” stated Roberto J. Santos, United ISD Superintendent. “What an incredible accomplishment to not only understand the basics of financial literacy, but with $20,000 to continue their academic careers beyond high school,” added Mr. Santos.