Nineteen students from the Dallas Independent School District and their families took part in a ceremony at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, modeled after the style and significance of high-profile signing days from the world of professional and collegiate sports.

The Jindal Young Scholars Program Signing Day event was held May 24 in the Davidson Auditorium and atrium. Students signed letters stating their intent to enroll at The University of Texas at Dallas and major in an undergraduate degree program offered by the Jindal School.

“I consider this program to be a gift from God,” said Martinez, who plans to major in accounting. “My parents would never be able to afford college. This will allow me to work toward and achieve my dreams.”

Twelve students in the 2023 cohort of young scholars are from the Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center: Dunia De La Rosa, Miranda Flores, Noel Garcia, Alexa Gonzalez, Emily Gonzalez, Miguel Martinez, Stephanie Moran, Layla Munoz, Liliana Puga, Denyce Tostado, Stephanie Velazquez Rivera and Daniela Wachsmuth. Emily’s older brother, Jacob, BS’22, MS’23, was in the second JYSP cohort and is currently an auditing associate at KPMG.

“I’m very grateful to be able to attend college,” she said.

Guadalupe Medellin, Valerie Molina and Arlette Perez come from Moisés E. Molina High School. Vanessa Bocanegra and Christian De Santiago come from H. Grady Spruce High School. Rounding out the 2023 cohort are Donna Diaz Hernandez from W.T. White High School and Deise Equihua from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School.

Denyce Tostado, who also plans to major in accounting, echoed Martinez’ comments.