Five Irving ISD seniors are among the 7,288 scholars nationwide to be selected as QuestBridge National College Match Finalists.
Students who advance will “match” with one of 50 QuestBridge college partners and earn full four-year scholarships valued at more than $325,000. The generous financial aid package covers the full cost of attendance including tuition, housing and food, books, supplies and travel expenses.
The scholarship winners will be announced on Monday, December 2.
Read about each of Irving ISD’s QuestBridge Finalists, listed in alphabetical order by last name below. Best of luck, students!
Jada Arredondo, Irving High School
Irving High School senior Jada Arredondo is filled with gratitude after recently being named a QuestBridge Finalist, making her one step closer to being matched with her top ranked school – Vanderbilt University. The exciting news arrived while Arredondo was in tennis practice.
“I was fresh out of running a mile, and I checked my phone as we were walking back to the courts to get my mind off the pain in my legs, and there it was,” says Arredondo. “As soon as I saw my update, I immediately started jumping up and down the courts, washing away my fatigue. I started yelling to my coach that I was a Finalist, and the entire team celebrated with me on our water break.”
While her plans have changed slightly since we last interviewed Arredondo, she still plans to major in economics or finance in college. However, she’s now considering going to law school or starting a family real estate or consulting business. When reflecting on her journey, Arredondo credits her success to her faith in Jesus Christ, believing that her achievements are a reflection of His guidance and purpose in her life. She also has a special message for her fellow soon-to-be graduates.
“Don’t limit yourself to your grades. In the end, it’s just a number,” she adds. “College isn’t made for everyone, but regardless, we were all made with a greater purpose. Be thankful that you’ve made it this far and know that life is full of wonders. Just wait and you’ll see for yourself.”
Gabriel Esqueda, Singley Academy
For Gabriel Esqueda, a senior at Singley Academy, visiting the Space Center Houston as a child was so impactful, it inspired him to work at either NASA or SpaceX one day.
Now that he’s been named a QuestBridge Finalist, he is one step closer to achieving his dream of becoming an aerospace engineer.
“I am extremely excited to be named a QuestBridge Finalist,” he shares enthusiastically. “I’ve been working hard since freshman year, and being involved in as many clubs as possible has been amazing. I’ve met so many people I don’t think I would’ve ever met before and have had mentors who taught me so much!”
Esqueda is heavily involved on campus, from being part of the Robotic Manufacturing pathway, to his involvement in Spanish Club, Robotics Club, Science Club, SkillsUSA, the Technology Student Association (TSA), theater, Destination Imagination, Science Olympiad, VEX and Video Game Club.
He hopes to be matched with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which has been his dream college since middle school.
“Seeing the MIT graduates being recognized as the most innovative of the innovators – I know I belong there,” Esqueda adds. “I’m very hopeful, because without QuestBridge, I wouldn’t have this opportunity.”
For Esqueda, his family has been his biggest support system, but his gratitude doesn’t stop there. He also credits his friends and fellow club members for being a huge support throughout his academic journey.
“I’ve had a tougher life than most, but I’ve always been a self-starter,” he says. “Now, I stand here being considered for a full ride to colleges known for shaping some of the greatest minds in America. I thank everyone who helped me get this far, but I also want to thank myself for not giving into stereotypes of children of teen moms.”
Justin Herrera, Irving High School
Justin Herrera is a dedicated student and aspiring electrical engineer who was recently named a QuestBridge Finalist – a milestone he describes as a dream come true.
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. It’s a recognition of the hard work, dedication and resilience that has shaped my journey,” says Herrera. “This honor not only brings me closer to achieving my educational goals but also connects me with a network of inspiring peers and mentors. I am thankful for QuestBridge’s commitment to helping students from all backgrounds access higher education, and I am eager to make the most of this opportunity.”
On the day he received the news, Herrera was in his AP Physics 2 class at Irving High School, eagerly awaiting communication from QuestBridge. His teacher Dr. Bertha Allen was reviewing a lesson on electric and magnetic fields, but Herrera’s mind was focused on learning his fate. The moment he saw the congratulatory message, he erupted in a loud scream and announced to the class that he was named a Finalist.
“Dr. Allen, who was a huge support during my application process, gave me a big hug, and the whole class paused to celebrate with me. Soon after, the counseling team came in with cowbells and horns, cheering in the hallway and joining in the excitement,” he recalls. “I am so grateful to Dr. Allen, my entire AP Physics 2 class and the amazing counseling team for their warmth and support on that unforgettable day. Thank you, all, for making it so special!”
Herrera’s academic interests are strongly rooted in physics – he is currently enrolled in multiple advanced physics courses, including AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C. His ultimate goal is to study electrical engineering and pursue a Ph.D. in quantum and nuclear physics. He aspires to work with clean energy companies, such as NextEra Energy, and dreams of one day starting his own corporation dedicated to promoting sustainable energy sources across America.
Beyond academics, Herrera is actively involved in extracurricular activities on campus, including theater, playing the cello in the orchestra and serving as president of the National Honor Society.
He expresses deep gratitude to his family, teachers and mentors for their unwavering support throughout his educational journey, particularly during the pressures of the QuestBridge application process. Herrera’s top choice is Stanford, but he is open to matching with any institution that can help him achieve his dreams.
Hugo Lopez, Singley Academy
For Hugo Lopez, his high school experience at Singley Academy has been an enriching and fulfilling one. From his freshman to junior year, he was involved in the MacArthur High School marching and concert bands, where he played the trumpet and held a leadership position during his sophomore year as the band librarian and section leader. He also made the Irving All-City Band twice.
Lopez is currently in the Programming Digital Tech pathway at Singley, and he’s very excited about being named a QuestBridge Finalist. This recognition gives him something to be proud of as a result of his hard work over the years.
“Simply being named a Finalist lets me know that I have put enough determination into my education to be able to accomplish things I used to think were impossible,” shares Lopez. “This also allows me to be confident in applying to other scholarships, colleges and programs alike, in case I don’t get matched.”
Regarding which schools he hopes to be matched with, Lopez says elatedly, “I hope I’m matched with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Columbia University or Cornell University. They are all renowned institutions with great academic opportunities.”
He currently plans to major in electrical and computer engineering with aspirations to enter the workforce as a systems or hardware engineer.
“I would love to work for one of my dream companies – Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman,” he adds.
Grateful for the nomination and the opportunities that might come as a result of it, Lopez gives one person 100% credit for helping him get to this point – his mom.
“She has been the most prominent person in my life that has encouraged me to keep pushing forward and overcome any obstacles that may come my way. I would not be where I am today without the various sacrifices she’s made in her life to give me opportunities she wasn’t given back in El Salvador,” he says.
Lopez also doesn’t want to leave out people who were instrumental in his education – Ana Hinojosa Santi and Marcus Cardenas, his former band directors, and his 3D modeling and animation teacher, Min Lee.
“All three of these teachers have not only taught me for a majority of my high school career, but they also have been amazing motivators and role models.”
Mahriz Zain, MacArthur High School
MacArthur High School senior Mahriz Zain experienced a mix of emotions when learning he was named a QuestBridge Finalist. He wasn’t expecting the honor, so when he opened his email to discover the news, he was both shocked and excited.
“I applied for many different scholarships, and I didn’t think I’d get chosen as a Finalist for QuestBridge,” says Zain. “But it’s good to see that all of my hard work has paid off, and I’m happy for myself and my family.”
The moment was special and meaningful for Zain, as he shared it with one of his biggest supporters – his former English teacher Danielle Phalon.
“When I first saw the email, I didn’t want to open it. I waited until the end of the day to open it with Ms. Phalon. Not only is she my former English teacher, but she helped me tremendously throughout this process. I used to go to her class just to work on my QuestBridge application, so I credit a lot to her,” he says. “When we saw the congratulatory email, we both got teary eyed. We were so ecstatic.”
Looking ahead, Zain hopes to be matched with any of the Top 20 colleges in the United States, particularly Ivy League institutions. With a focus on finance and data science, he has career aspirations that include financial advising, venture capitalism and philanthropy – what he describes as his long-term end goal. For Zain, through philanthropy, he wants to pay it forward and provide others with opportunities for success – just as QuestBridge has done for him.
When thinking about others who have served as inspirations throughout his journey, two influential people come to mind for Zain – his brother and uncle.
“My brother was the poster child for success, and I always looked up to him. He always succeeded in school, which made me want to do the same to be like him,” adds Zain. “And my uncle is one of the most influential people in my life. He’s my only father figure here in America, and he’s helped me so much, especially academically. He’s a great role model.
