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Edith Carolina Benavides

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Edith Benavides said the Foundation provided her with the most significant opportunity of her young life: “Being a Young Scholar allowed me to see what the world has to offer and to become familiar with the endless diversity present outside the Rio Grande Valley.” Science and community service projects at Smith College, Brown University and the University of Michigan all top her list of best experiences.

Profile: Edith grew up just a few miles north of the Rio Grande River in Mission, Texas and is proud to say she will be the first member of her family to attend college. As her senior year comes to an end she owns a perfect 4.0 GPA and has been honored locally and state-wide for the many extracurricular and service oriented projects she’s been involved in. Although born north of the US-Mexico border, her heart holds dual citizenship with the nation to the south. When she talks of Mexico, the homeland of her family, there is both pain and hope in her voice as she relates the myriad problems that country faces – poverty, crime, and especially the dangerous misuse of environmental resources. As she embarks on her college career, Edith is confident she will return someday to the border region and help solve many of the ecological problems in Mexico.

Inspiration: Edith said many educators have contributed to her success, but one who stands out is José Juan Guajardo, her AP United States History instructor. “He gave me the opportunity to explore the past and optimize my future. I am eternally grateful for his selflessness, undying perseverance, and his unparalleled influence in my educational career.”

Aspiration: To someday make a difference in the lives of Mexican citizens by improving their living conditions.

Making a Difference: Edith founded VAMOS!, a Mexican non-profit community service organization designed to give impoverished, inner-city children a thirst for knowledge and a desire to overcome personal obstacles. Through VAMOS! she instructs children in English, Spanish, Music Theory, and Computer Applications. Edith’s efforts in creating VAMOS! have been recognized by the Government of Mexico who named her a ‘Beyond Borders’ Youth Leader of the Year.

Accolades: Space limitations prevent listing all of the awards Edith has accumulated, but here are just a few: Texas All-State Scholar Award, Science Regional Champion, Language and Composition Regional Champion, Social Studies Regional Champion, Texas All-State Musician Award, and the University of Texas Pan American Book Award and the International Outreach Award from the same university.

Interesting fact: Along with all her AP classes and extracurricular activities at Mission High, Edith still managed to take undergraduate classes at both South Texas College and the University of Texas Pan American.
 

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