Zapata County ISD

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the job landscape for young adults. There was once a time when going to a 4-year college guaranteed you a job. Those days are gone. We now need to pivot and determine what kind of jobs are compatible with the advances in AI. AI creates a massive demand for hands-on skills that machines cannot easily do. In life, you always need an edge to get you a better job or promotion. The edge starts with a job skill that makes you marketable.

Right now, trade school enrollment is surging with vocational program growing 11-20% in recent years—because young people see the smart math: less debt (often just 1-2 years of training instead of 4+), faster entry into the workforce, higher starting pay in many cases, and careers that AI enhances rather than threatens.

SO, THIS IS WHAT I ASK OF YOU: You will have many crossroads in your life. One of them may be right here. I want you to research this topic and determine whether this is the right path for you. If my message resonates with you—even a little—apply for a trade/tech school scholarship. My hope is if enough of you show an interest in this path, we can get the business community and
charitable foundations involved in contributing to this cause. Thank you—and let us build the future together.

Application 4 Pillars of Success Scholarship Trade

The Villarreal Family has produced generations of entrepreneurs in Zapata County. From San Ygnacio to Zapata, the family participated in the creation of dozens of businesses in this great community. Further, the family has been involved in numerous community service projects over the last century. On the family’s behalf, we offer this entrepreneurial and community
service contest.

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE CONTESTS: The Business Pitch Contest and the Community Service Contest. Your counselors will give you a link to apply.

Through the competitive business plan pitch, we will reward innovation and ambition. The goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders to turn ideas into actionable ventures that contribute positively to their communities.

While finding for-profit business ventures is exciting and necessary, it is equally important to understand the importance of giving back to the community. If you have an idea for a community service project, I want to know about it and how you propose to achieve your goal. We will pick a winner for the community service contest and hopefully be able to work on the project as a team for the
following school year. BOTH CONTESTS ARE OPEN TO ALL GRADES. Applications are due by March 31, 2026.

Application 4 Pillars of Success Scholarship Entrepreneur

The Villarreal Family has produced generations of entrepreneurs in Zapata County. From San Ygnacio to Zapata, the family participated in the creation of dozens of businesses in this great community. Further, the family has been involved in numerous community service projects over the last century. On the family’s behalf, we offer this entrepreneurial and community
service contest.

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE CONTESTS: The Business Pitch Contest and the Community Service Contest. Your counselors will give you a link to apply.

Through the competitive business plan pitch, we will reward innovation and ambition. The goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders to turn ideas into actionable ventures that contribute positively to their communities.

While finding for-profit business ventures is exciting and necessary, it is equally important to understand the importance of giving back to the community. If you have an idea for a community service project, I want to know about it and how you propose to achieve your goal. We will pick a winner for the community service contest and hopefully be able to work on the project as a team for the
following school year. BOTH CONTESTS ARE OPEN TO ALL GRADES. Applications are due by March 31, 2026.

Application 4 Pillars of Success Scholarship Community Service

The Investor Scholarship Program will be named after my mother Laura Villarreal Solis. She graduated in 1963 from Zapata High School. She is a Hawk just like you. She was a first-generation college graduate and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education. She taught elementary school for 25 years both in Laredo and San Antonio.

In the early 1980’s, my mother wanted to start a side business on the weekends selling jewelry. She opened her first jewelry store selling from a small tabletop showcase at a flea market on the west side of San Antonio in 1982.

Over the years, our business grew to new and different locations, and my mom started learning how to invest her money in the stock market. She opened her first investment account when she turned 50 years old…during the same years I was attending business school at UT-Austin. She is eighty-one now and still has a jewelry store…and is an active investor to this day. We jokingly refer to our family
as going from the flea market to the stock market.

My Mom is a LEGEND HAWK and the most important influence in my life. I dedicate this annual award in her honor.
The LAURA VILLARREAL SOLIS INVESTOR SCHOLARSHIP aims to empower graduating high school students by fostering financial literacy and long-term wealth-building habits. In 2026, we will award FIFTY (50) scholarships of $500 each to be deposited in the student’s own investment account.

APPLICANTS (18 OR OVER) WILL NEED TO OPEN THEIR OWN BROKERAGE ACCOUNT WITH CHARLES SCHWAB (FREE TO OPEN). A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IS REQUIRED TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT. YOU WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO WATCH TWO SHORT VIDEOS ABOUT THE BASICS OF INVESTING. Applications are due by March 31, 2026.

Application 4 Pillars of Success Scholarship Investor