An incoming Texas Woman’s University student has been awarded the inaugural $15,000 Merrilee Alexander Kick Scholarship, which supports alumni of Momentous Institute’s nationally acclaimed elementary laboratory school for children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. 

The student, Yesenia Avila, graduated this May from Dallas ISD’s Trinity Garza Early College High School and earned an associate’s degree through a dual enrollment program with Dallas College. Avila will enroll this fall at Texas Woman’s and major in nursing. 

Avila was drawn to nursing after experiences supporting her mother through significant health challenges. That early exposure sparked her interest in healthcare and inspired a desire to provide compassionate care for others.