Navarro Independent School District

Geronimo, TX – March 14, 2025 – Navarro High School senior Sofia Castillo received a life-changing surprise on Friday, March 7th, when she was awarded an $80,000 Impact Scholar Scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin during the Hook 'Em House event, hosted by UT Austin and SXSW.

Sofia, Navarro High School’s valedictorian and a first-generation American, was selected from a pool of all admitted UT Austin students, alongside two other exceptional young women to receive this prestigious scholarship. The award, presented by Vice Provost of Admissions Miguel Wasielewski, recognizes Sofia's outstanding academic achievements and her remarkable potential to make a significant impact on the UT Austin community.

Sofia has shown remarkable excellence through her high school achievements, and we are confident she will strengthen the educational experience at The University of Texas at Austin," said Dr. Miguel Wasielewski, Vice Provost of Admissions. "We are excited to see how she will utilize her time at UT to change the world!"

“This is an incredibly proud moment for Sofia and all of Navarro ISD,” added Superintendent Mandy Epley. "Her dedication, resilience and leadership are truly inspiring, and it’s been such a pleasure to get to know her. She embodies the profile of a Navarro graduate and is the absolute best of our district’s values and goals for all students. In addition to excelling at academics, being a recognized musician and drum major, and qualifying for State in Debate, she is always willing to offer to assist and teach others how she balances advanced classes, service, extracurriculars, and family to live a fulfilled and balanced life. She has a very bright future ahead and I look forward to seeing her achieve her dreams.” 

Sofia's personal story is one of overcoming obstacles and defying expectations. "I was never supposed to be here," Sofia shared. "By every statistical measure, a child of immigrant parents from the small, impoverished village of Lagunillas, San Luis Potosí, Mexico was not supposed to succeed.”  Her unwavering dedication to her education stems from her deep gratitude for her parents' sacrifices. "My parents came to this country with nothing but a dream — a hope that their sacrifices would not be in vain. Education, to me, is not just a stepping stone; it is my way of proving that their struggles meant something," she explained. "This scholarship is an award for both me and my family, for I would never have been in this position without their bravery and ultimate sacrifice. It is an honor to be at the forefront of establishing a new path of education for generations of my family to come!" Sofia expressed.

Navarro ISD and Navarro High School extend their heartfelt congratulations to Sofia Castillo on this remarkable achievement and wish her continued success as she embarks on her academic journey at The University of Texas at Austin.