Back to School: Texas AFL-CIO Announces $37.5K Awarded for College & Career-Building Scholarships in 2026

TEXAS – Today, the Texas AFL-CIO released the recipients of the 2026 scholarships awarded to affiliated union members and families. In total, the organization awarded $37,500 in both college and career-building scholarships.

“Texas labor unions are investing in the next generation’s education because it’s going to take all of us to build a state that works for working people,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar. “Congratulations to all of these scholarship winners — you have an entire movement rooting for you!”

To support the Texas AFL-CIO scholarship fund, please make a donation here.

High School Scholarship Winners:

Criteria for high school seniors include academic performance, extracurricular activities, a labor test, interview, and financial need. Local unions must be affiliated with both the Texas AFL-CIO and the central labor body.

Evan Aponte

Hometown: Round Rock
Attending: University of Texas at Dallas 

Child of Alberto Aponte, member of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 181
 

Chloe Azocar

Hometown: San Antonio
Attending: Northwest Vista College

Child of Melina Espiritu-Azocar, president of Northside American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3216
 

Jenesie Borque

Hometown: Fort Worth
Attending: Baylor University

Child of Omar Borque, member of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 132
 

Ashlee Brown

Hometown: League City
Attending: Howard University

Child of Reginald Brown, member of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-1
 

Jay Forbes

Hometown: Austin
Attending: University of Texas at San Antonio

Child of Lee Forbes, member of Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277
 

Ty Forbes

Hometown: Austin
Attending: University of Texas at San Antonio

Child of Lee Forbes, member of Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277
 

Montana Franke

Hometown: Marion
Attending: Texas A&M University

Child of Aaron Franke, member of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 2916
 

Callie Garcia

Hometown: Angleton
Attending: Stephen F. Austin State University 

Child of Dane Garcia, member of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 564
 

Jake Gomez

Hometown: San Antonio
Attending: University of the Incarnate Word

Child of Michael Gomez, member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60
 

Julyett Hromanik

Hometown: Rhome
Attending: Evangel University

Child of Joseph Hromanik, member of Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 567
 

Loki Laskoskie

Hometown: New Caney
Attending: University of Texas at San Antonio

Child of Justin Laskoskie, member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66
 

Peyton Murphy

Hometown: Vidor
Attending: Louisiana State University

Child of Malcolm Wilburn, member of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) Lodge 587
 

Sophia Puleo

Hometown: Fort Worth
Attending: Texas Tech University

Child of Glennon Puleo, member of Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 567
 

Jaden Ramirez

Hometown: El Paso
Attending: University of Texas at Austin

Child of Daniel Hernandez, member of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 51
 

Aubrey Riggle

Hometown: Sanford
Attending: Milan Institute 

Child of Jeremy Riggle, member of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 351
 

Amanda Soria-Cueto

Hometown: Pharr
Attending: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Child of Maria Fabiola Cueto de Soria, member of McAllen American Federation of Teachers (McAllen AFT) Local 6329
 

Ethan Stanley

Hometown: Franklin
Attending: Texas A&M University

Child of Jonathan Stanley, member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66
 

Larkin Taylor

Hometown: Arlington
Attending: University of Colorado Boulder

Child of Craig Taylor, member of Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 513
 

Luke Thomas

Hometown: Humble
Attending: University of St. Thomas

Child of Barry Thomas, member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 51
 

Alyssa Venable

Hometown: Pearland
Attending: Prairie View A&M University

Child of William Venable II, financial secretary-treasurer of United Association (UA) Plumbers Local 68

Continuing Education Scholarship Winners: 

Criteria for continuing education candidates includes volunteer work and activism as students continue their education. Local unions must be affiliated with both the Texas AFL-CIO and the central labor body.

Alice Moody

Hometown: Austin
Attending: West Texas A&M University

Child of William Moody, president of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 181
 

Abigail Walker

Hometown: Port Arthur
Attending: Lamar University

Child of Jeremy Walker, member of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-423
 

Mackenzie Wilkey

Hometown: Kingwood
Attending: University of Texas at Austin

Child of Timothy Wilkey, member of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 341

Career-Building Scholarship Winners: 

Criteria for members receiving the Career-Building Scholarship includes the applicants’ plans to build a better livelihood and further their careers. Local unions must be affiliated with both the Texas AFL-CIO and the central labor body.

Jen Ramos

Hometown: Austin
Attending: Undecided

Member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624
 

Megan Vasquez

Hometown: Austin
Attending: University of Texas at Austin

Member of Education Austin (AFT) Local 2048

Scholarship Committee members this year included (pictured below L-R): Calvin Mackie (ILA Local 24), Chair Renda Hobbs-Marsh (TWU Local 556), Co-Chair Jamie Barton (USW Local 13-423), Lee Medley (USW Local 13-1 Retiree), and Katie Gamez (IAM Local 2916).

Donations this year were made in memory of Jeff Benavidez, Isaiah Avery Bender, George Wendell Burchfield, Armando Caceres, Traci Thompson Cage, Thomas F. Carlin, Dean Corgey, Gary DeFelippo, Henry Faulk, Janice Fleming, Maria Jimenez, Jeremy Don Mayo, Frank Mendez, John Nash, Charles Orun Peavler, and Bradley Templeton. Donations were also made in honor of Marcy Kiger’s retirement, Rick Levy’s retirement, and Becky Moeller. 

Donors who funded at least one full scholarship include: Ed Sills and Enedelia Obregón, Austin Central Labor Council, Benefit Resources, Inc., Conner & Winters, Insulators & Allied Workers Local 22, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60, International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Local 24, The Union Labor Life Insurance Company, United Association (UA) Plumbers Local 68, United Association (UA) Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 286, United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 8 Community Action Fund, and United Steelworkers (USW) District 13.

To support the Texas AFL-CIO scholarship fund, please make a donation here. Recurring contributions are appreciated.

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The Texas AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is the state labor federation consisting of more than 250,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org