Alumni Spotlight

Download the June 2008 alumni newsletter here.

Raquel Escatel, Pepe-Dawson Engineers, Inc.

Raquel graduated from Harlandale High School in 2001.  She attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelors of Science in Business in 2005.  She then went on to earn her Masters in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

Raquel’s decision to become an engineer was established in the summer of her 8th grade year when she attended the Pre-Freshmen Engineering Program (PREP) at Palo Alto College.  Her instructors had all grown up in San Antonio, graduated from college and had become professionals who would dedicate two months of their summers to teaching.  Needless to say, this program made Raquel aware of how so many people were truly concerned with the education of San Antonio’s youth.  Her second summer of PREP was at Incarnate Word and the third was at St. Mary’s University, all of which helped her advance in math, writing, and physics.  After graduating from PREP, Raquel enrolled in the Trinity Upward Bound Program which helped prepare for the SATs, provided guidance through the college application process, and allowed her to begin her college education at Trinity University. 

Raquel has been working for Pepe-Dawson Engineers, Inc. since September 2006.  She worked in Land Development assisting in the planning and design of commercial projects.  Just recently,  she began working in the Hydrology and Hydraulics department establishing floodplains for Bexar County and the surrounding area.  She contributes back the community by providing help and guidance to students.  Raquel can be contacted at raquel.escatel@gmail.com

Lorraine Pulido-Ramirez,  President and CEO of LPR Strategic Marketing and Public Relations
Trinity University Upward Bound 1988 Graduate

Lorraine Pulido-Ramirez is a proud Harlandale High School and Trinity Upward Bound graduate. She earned a bachelor’s from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s from Columbia University. Currently, she is the President and CEO of LPR Strategic Marketing and Public Relations.  
 
Her current clients include San Antonio National Bank, The St. Anthony – Wyndham Hotel, Pernox, JSL Development Corporation, the National Alliance of Craftsmen Associations, Community News Publisher, La Prensa Bilingual Newspapers, Mexican-American/Hispanic Physicians Association (MAHPA), ¡Adelante! U.S. Education Leadership Fund, Hugo’s Aveda Salon and Spa, Murillo Design, Transition Management Solutions, Making Connections – San Antonio, and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

She is a member of the S.A. Association of Hispanic Journalists; the American Marketing Association; and the March of Dimes Communications Committee. She served on the Board of the SAY Si Youth Arts Group; the S. A. Women’s Chamber At-Large Board of Directors and the S.A. Hispanic Chamber Leadership Selection Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership San Antonio Class of 2005. She has served as SAAHJ Scholarship Gala Chair; Ford Salute to Education Scholarship Judge; McDonalds HACER Scholarship Committee Judge; and Trinity Upward Bound Alumni Committee Member.

She received two PRSA Merit Awards and two PRSA El Bronce Awards, and was selected the 2006 Public Relations Professional of the Year by the PRSA San Antonio Chapter.  In addition, her logo won a 2008 Gold Addy from the San Antonio Advertising Federation.

Lorraine credits the support of her friends, family, and Harlandale and Upward Bound teachers with helping her to overcome challenges as she pursued her college education. Her husband Victor is a coach at Zamora Middle School in the South San Antonio Independent School District. He is a former recreation coordinator and residential assistant for Trinity Upward Bound. Her daughter Amanda will be graduating from Trinity University next May. She is a former Trinity Upward Bound tutor. Lorraine can be reached at Lorraine@LPRmarketing.com.

Denise Trevino,  HENAAC-Chrysler Scholar 
Trinity University Upward Bound 2004 Graduate

Denise Trevino is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin which is ranked among the top four programs in the nation. Upon completion of her degree, Denise plans on working for a prestigious structural design firm helping design skyscrapers and bridges.

Denise is very active in campus activities. She is currently serving as the Vice President-Internal for Pi Sigma Pi Academic Minority Engineering Society, is a member of the both the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers, an INROADS Intern and a Mentor for the Latino Leadership Institute. In addition, she has also participated as a College Captain for the HENAAC Viva Technology Program.

Denise grew up in a rough neighborhood where there were few programs available to motivate students about the importance of higher education. It was her parents’ encouragement to attend college that led her to succeed academically and pursue an engineering degree. For this reason Denise is very passionate about helping children in the Hispanic community develop an interest in higher education especially in the STEM areas. As a professional she wants to give back to her community in the west side of San Antonio, Texas. She hopes to implement a program focused in the STEM fields for elementary, middle and high school students.

Denise has a goal to become a “successful Hispanic female civil engineer and a positive role model in the Hispanic community." She is a 2007 HENAAC-Chrysler Scholar.

Nancy Gonzalez, TV News Anchor, KSAT-12

Trinity University Upward Bound Graduate 1989

KSAT's co-anchor of “Good Morning San Antonio ,” Nancy Gonzalez, is proud to be working in her hometown. Even as early as her days at Palo Alto Elementary, Nancy already knew she wanted to be a television news anchor in San Antonio . Nancy was raised on the city's Southside, and graduated from McCollum High School in 1989.

She was accepted to the University of Missouri in Columbia , and received her degree from the university's prestigious school of broadcast journalism. Nancy also minored in Spanish and spent a semester abroad in Guadalajara , Jalisco , Mexico . Nancy got her start in television, anchoring and reporting for KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley . She returned home and joined the KSAT team in 1996 as a news reporter. Four years later she was promoted to co-anchor of "Good Morning San Antonio."

You can watch Nancy Gonzalez Monday through Friday on Good Morning San Antonio on KSAT TV 12 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

You can E-mail Nancy at ngonzalez@ksat.com.   (Source: KSAT12.com)