Northbrook High School (NHS) is excited to spotlight 2024 graduate Elvis Fuentes as he embarks on his journey to Stephen F. Austin State University. SBISD Communications is proud to share the school's celebration of Elvis’s achievements with our community, showcasing the accomplishments of our graduates and the work of our journalism students. Special thanks to NHS journalism teacher Pablo Victor.
The NHS community proudly recognizes Elvis Fuentes for exemplifying the Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate.
Last spring, NHS senior Elvis Fuentes received the Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) Stephen F. Austin Ragusa and Rose Scholarship, the Epsilon Mu Chapter of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc. Academic Scholarship, the YMCA of Greater Houston Scholarship, and other university scholarships for academic excellence.
Academically Prepared
Elvis was one of 172 students who received a scholarship from SBEF, which awarded $333,000 to students at the Bright Stars event on May 10. The event honored SBISD scholarship winners and teachers of the year from all campuses. Elvis received a total scholarship award of $40,000, divided into $5,000 each semester.
“Winning felt absolutely incredible,” Fuentes said. “It was a dream come true, validating all the hard work and dedication I put into my studies. The scholarship opened up so many opportunities for my academic and personal growth. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, knowing I had financial support.”
In addition to essential core classes at Stephen F. Austin State University, Elvis will be taking 15 credit hours this semester, including Principles of Financial Accounting, the first course in his Accounting major.
He mentioned that earning the scholarships has empowered him to hopefully make a positive impact on society through business and giving back to his community.
Persistent and Adaptable
Elvis's academic journey in the United States began at Orange Preparatory Academy in Orange, New Jersey. He recalls the excitement and challenges of adapting to a new environment.
A year later, his family moved to Houston, Texas, and he found the prospect of starting over thrilling yet daunting.
“When I arrived in Houston and started my four years of high school, it felt like stepping into a whole new world,” Fuentes said. “Northbrook became my new home, and being a Raider marked the beginning of an exciting chapter in my life. The school was larger, and the culture was different, but I quickly adapted.”
At NHS, Elvis fully embraced school activities and events, attracting many classmates with his positive attitude and dedication to his studies.
“I met some incredible friends who made the transition much easier. We shared countless memories, from late-night study sessions to cheering at football games,” Fuentes said.
Ethical and Service-Minded
Elvis's family is from Honduras, where he learned many of the country’s languages and customs. His ability to speak both Spanish and English has allowed him to help others who struggle with the language while navigating high school requirements. Despite the challenges of being a first-generation student, he is committed to his T-2-4 aspirations.
“I’ll seek out resources and support systems on campus to help me navigate any obstacles that come my way,” Fuentes said. “I’m proud of my background, and I know it will only make me stronger.”
Communicator and Collaborator
One of Elvis's best memories was collaborating with three friends to dress as inflatable dinosaurs for spirit week. Despite the Houston heat, they kept their costumes on all night, taking pictures and cheering for the Raider football team. That night also featured Future Raider Night, where middle school students took pictures with the four dinosaurs roaming Tully Stadium.
“The years at Northbrook were filled with growth and learning, both academically and personally. The teachers who helped me are still present in my memories. Thanks to their support and the friendships I formed, the experiences I had helped shape who I am today,” Fuentes said.
Resourceful Problem Solver
The cost of attendance at Stephen F. Austin State University for the 2024-2025 academic year is currently $28,876. With help from his post-secondary counselor, teachers, and grade-level counselor, Elvis researched scholarships specifically for students in the Houston area.
One of the scholarships he received was the Epsilon Mu Chapter’s 2023-2024 Academic Scholarship from Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc. Established in 2022, the sorority is dedicated to helping young men and women achieve academic success through encouragement, financial assistance, and information dissemination.
With his ability to think critically and creatively, he secured several other scholarships, enabling him to cover his first year in college without taking out student loans.
Empathetic and Self-Aware
His teachers, counselors, and support team at NHS recognize that he appreciates his community and is proud of the recognition he has received.
“The recognition boosted my confidence and motivated me to aim even higher in my future endeavors. I couldn’t wait to see where the scholarship would take me and how it would shape my career,” Fuentes said. “Overall, it was a mix of excitement, gratitude, and determination to excel even further.”
The end of Elvis’s semester is December 13. We will interview him again to catch up on his grades, residence hall life, extracurricular activities, and lessons learned during his first semester in college.