Gadsden student reels in prestigious scholarship

Damian Trevino, a Gadsden High School student from Berino, is one of  106 students from across the country to receivea $25,000 college scholarship from the  Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.

According to a HAADA press release, the scholarship program recognizes students who have remained committed to continuing their education and giving back to their communities while overcoming great personal adversities and navigating the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Trevino said the scholarship changes the landscape of his future.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the Horatio Alger scholarship, because it will help me continue my education after high school, which is something not many people get the chance to do,” he said.

HAADA said awarded scholars come from households with an average income of $18,871 per year yet maintain an average GPA of 3.88. In addition to the $25,000 scholarship, when it is safe to do so, they will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet their fellow scholars and the HAADA members who fund the scholarship programs – prominent civic, corporate and cultural leaders including Rob Lowe, Reba McEntire, Jewel Kilcher and others.  

 Out of thousands of applications submitted, Trevino said he thinks he knows what set his apart.

“What I think set my application apart from so many others was my story showing the motivation I had toward becoming successful in my education,” he said. “I once was a student who didn't care about school because, I had nothing to prove. Beginning in high school, I was doing nothing for myself and disappointing my family. I realized I wasn't going to let my past define me, and I used it as my motivation. I went from barely passing my classes with Ds to getting straight As in all advanced classes.”

Armed with the scholarship, Trevino said he has his sights set high.

“I plan on using the funds for all necessary expenses required for school. Every single bit of it will be helpful, as it will be needed in my journey of receiving my master's degree in mechanical engineering,” he said, adding he plans to attend NMSU. 

He has plans for what to do with his education after it’s complete.

“My career goals are to find a job with Tesla and work with their engineering team,” he said. “I want to help them come up with creative ideas and work with the technology hands-on. It's a job I know I will be happy with, because it's something I am very passionate about. All my hard work is so I can be able to get paid doing what I love, and that's what will happen.”

He said his newfound motivation has a lot to do with a challenging family life.

“My life at home is kind of tough, living with my dad, brother and sister. My parents are divorced, which is why it's just the four of us,” Trevino said. “My father tries his hardest to take care of us, spend time with us and provide for us, but it's hard for him to do all of this when he's working full time every day just to be able to keep the house. It's hard for us as his kids not having the ideal childhood and unfair for my dad not being able to help it. I'm trying to get a little weight off his back by trying to be the best son I can be, and one day, I hope to be able to return the favor to him.”