2019 Myers-LeCroy Scholars —
(left to right, back row) Chalieta Audreylia, Jennifer Hernandez Benitez, Connie Bronner, William Onyedionu, Mimi Mbaakanyi;
(left to right, front row) Jaiyeola Johnson, Usra Qureshi, Lizet Velasquez, Zaray Enriquez, Salma Suarez.
Contact: Debra Dennis
214-378-1851;
ddennis@dcccd.edu
For immediate release — Sept. 11, 2019
(DALLAS) — Responsible, focused and motivated. Those are some of the traits that describe this year’s Myers-LeCroy Scholars. These eight students are leaders and role models for their peers, and they represent the best of Dallas County Community College District through personal achievement and community contributions.
These students not only fight injustice and serve those less fortunate; their scholastic goals exemplify their determination to remain engaged in their communities.
The Myers-LeCroy Scholarship, administered by the Dallas County Community College District Foundation, was established in 1988 by Dallas business leader Mike A. Myers to honor friend and former DCCCD Chancellor Jan LeCroy. After the passing of Dr. LeCroy, his wife, Nancy LeCroy, partnered with Mr. Myers to mentor recipients. They have championed dozens of students, propelling them to academic and personal success.
Students selected for the scholarship receive books and full tuition for up to six semesters.
The 2019-2020 scholarship recipients, the colleges they attend and their chosen fields of study are:
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Chalieta Audreylia, North Lake College, computer science;
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Jennifer Hernandez Benitez, Brookhaven College, accounting;
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Zaray Enriquez, Richland College, biology;
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Jaiyeola Johnson, El Centro College, nursing;
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Mimi Mbaakanyi, Richland College, liberal sciences;
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William Onyedionu, North Lake College, biology;
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Usra Qureshi, Richland College, accounting; and
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Salma Suarez, El Centro College, respiratory therapy.
Two returning LeCroy Scholars for the fall 2019 semester are Connie Bronner and Lizet Velasquez.
Biographical Sketches
Chalieta Audreylia
An honor student at North Lake College, Audreylia dreams of becoming a software engineer. She wants to be on the cutting edge of the next generation of robots that will be powered by artificial intelligence.
“I came from a small city, called Semarang, located in Indonesia, and English is not my first language. I speak Bahasa Indonesia, English, a little bit of Korean and a little bit of Chinese,” she said. But she studied hard and now tutors other students in English.
“This scholarship allows me to focus more on my studies rather than worrying about finances,” she said. “Moreover, I think this scholarship helps me hold myself to a high standard of academic achievements, campus involvements and community service.”
A member of Phi Theta Kappa honorary society, Audreylia was recently inducted into the Texas Region Hall of Honor as a distinguished chapter member. She is also a worship leader at Cross City International.
Jennifer E. Hernandez Benitez
Benitez saw the student government organization at Brookhaven College as her entry into immersing herself in college. Someday she wants to own her own company.
“I was excited to learn something new and have new experiences,” said Benitez, who became vice president of student government earlier this year. “My passion for serving and being the voice of the student grew. I am a dedicated student. I would love to own my own business.”
She plans to transfer to Southern Methodist University, where she is a “Mustang and Promise Scholar,” meaning she will be automatically admitted.
Zaray Enriquez
Enriquez is a Myers-LeCroy legacy. Her brother was awarded the scholarship some years ago, setting the standard that Enriquez is following. She hopes that her academic achievements, like those of her brother, will inspire others.
Enriquez is hoping to become a physician and specialize in sports medicine. An athlete herself, she excelled at cross country and varsity soccer during her years at South Garland High School. For three years, Enriquez was varsity captain of the school’s cross-country team and, for a while, was the only girl who arrived for “tiresome” early morning practices.
“I was there to work hard for my team. I encouraged new teammates to dedicate their mornings to practice,” Enriquez said. “I essentially worked out a way to instill my own drive and consistency onto my peers, and they thanked me after realizing where hard work takes you.”
The team won the district championship.
Jaiyeola Johnson
Johnson is embarking on a new career: nursing. She holds a degree in real estate — a pursuit pushed by her father — but she never felt passion for the profession. Now, six years after obtaining her degree, she is pursuing her long-held dream of becoming a pediatric nurse.
“From a very young age, I had an affinity for children, and I wanted a career that would allow me to take care of them,” Johnson said.
She is enrolled in El Centro College’s nursing program and is an honor student who enjoys helping others. Johnson is a part-time writing tutor in El Centro College’s Learning Center and volunteers with the North Texas Food Bank and Vogel Alcove — an organization that helps children overcome the harmful effects brought on by homelessness.
Mimi Mbaakanyi
Mbaakanyi wants to become a neurologist and find measures to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. She came to the United States after volunteering with “Stepping Stones,” an organization that assists students in rural area of Botswana with tuition. As a volunteer, Mbaakanyi taught children how to read.
At Richland, she became a member of the Honor Society — which requires a grade point average of 3.25 or above. She had some doubts about succeeding academically in her American history class but passed with flying colors.
“Having grown up in Botswana, I knew nothing about American history. I worked hard at understanding everything we discussed during the lectures. By the end of the semester, my professor was asking me to assist my peers in catching up.”
William Onyedionu
A biology major at North Lake College, Onyedionu dreams of becoming a physician’s assistant. He has been recognized for his academic achievement in both high school and college. A native Texan, he took dual credit classes and plans to transfer to a four-year college, preferably Texas Tech University or the University of North Texas.
“I want to be a Myers-LeCroy scholar because I appreciate the philosophy about varying and expanding approaches to education,” Onyedionu said. “I want to demonstrate the kind of leadership and passion for learning that Myers and LeCroy had.”
He is a member of the National Honor Society, a Catholic Youth Ministry leader and a Student Ambassador. “I am hardworking and disciplined,” he said.
Usra Qureshi
Qureshi is an honors student at Richland College. Her academic success is reflected in her extracurricular activities that include the Richland Honors Program and membership in the school’s Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society chapter. She also serves on DCCCD’s Street Team, for which she worked on a recruitment video at the LeCroy Center. Qureshi was an events coordinator for last year’s rollout of Dallas County Promise. A business major, she hopes to inspire other students.
“Nothing would make me happier than being a role model for others and inspiring them to aim higher,” Qureshi said. She wants to pursue a business degree and has already started her own company, Tess U.S. Holdings Inc., that provides administrative and management services.
Salma Suarez
Suarez has demonstrated leadership in several organizations including Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society, from which she received the 2019 Hall of Honor Award at the group’s regional convention in Houston.
Majoring in respiratory therapy at El Centro, Suarez is a member of the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa. She was the 2018 Texas Honors Institute recipient at Dallas Baptist University. Suarez not only volunteers at Our Children’s House Hospital but also trains other volunteers.
“I decided to volunteer at a hospital because I truly believe that doing what matters to us personally makes the greatest impact in our personal and professional life. I have learned how to become selfless and committed to serving children and families who come in and out of the hospital.”
For more information, contact Kathye Hammontree in the DCCCD Foundation Office at
khamontree@dcccd.edu or call her at 214-378-1536.
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