Spirit of the Jaguar Award winners, Eliseo Olvera, left, Taylor Henderson, Alba Sanchez and Laura Caldwell, receive an award during the University of Houston-Victoria Convocation ceremony.

 

University of Houston-Victoria student Eliseo Olvera learned a lifelong lesson from volunteering weekly at Patti Welder Middle School last school year.

�It taught me the value of putting others before myself,� he said. �It was a wonderful experience and one I�m planning on doing again this year. It�s a good feeling helping out people.�

Olvera was one of four UHV sophomores who recently received the second annual Spirit of the Jaguar Award. The winners received a plaque and a $500 scholarship. They were honored during UHV�s Convocation.

The awards went to:

• Laura Caldwell, New Braunfels, School of Education & Human Development
• Taylor Henderson, San Antonio, School of Arts & Sciences
• Eliseo Olvera, Houston, School of Education & Human Development
• Alba Sanchez, Equatorial Guinea, School of Arts & Sciences

The Spirit of the Jaguar Award recognizes students for their integrity, respect and citizenship.

Lindsey Koch, director of UHV Student Life and Services, said it�s important for the university to recognize success and reward students who go above and beyond.

�In evaluating the students for this award, we wanted to see more than academic success,� Koch said. �We wanted to see that they had an impact in their community and how were they trying to grow as a person.�

Students with a 3.25 or higher grade-point average were eligible to apply for the award. Applicants were asked to write a letter about their level of commitment to the university, community and self improvement in learning as well as their appreciation of diversity. A panel of university officials sorted through the applicants and selected the winners.

The four winners understood what it meant to make the university better, Koch said.

�They made it clear they knew what it meant to be committed, and they told us some specifics on how they had grown,� she said.

Olvera said it meant a lot to him to be recognized.

�If you have the right mindset and are willing to help others, you can achieve so much,� he said. �Students should realize they have an opportunity to do good for UHV and Victoria. People pay attention when college students are making a difference.�