Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest Judges

Alejandra Aguilar

My name is Alejandra Aguilar and my education and passion to help others began as a bilingual student learning English in Galveston Public Schools. Thanks to God, my parents, four siblings, sons, mentors, students, and colleagues, I was able to accomplish all my educational goals and become a servant leader. 

Serving our school communities is a dream come true for both myself and my immigrant parents.I began my educational journey as an education major at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.  I graduated with a BA in Bilingual Elementary Education in December 2000.  The following month, January 2001, I had the opportunity to teach my first 5th grade bilingual class in Galveston Independent School District   After a rewarding experience working with bilingual students, I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling to become a certified school counselor. 

In 2004, I joined the Pasadena ISD schools as an elementary and high school counselor and parent liaison until 2010.  During my second year as a school counselor, I was awarded with the Pasadena ISD’s “Together We Can” award thanks to the extraordinary educators who voted for me.  I returned to my hometown of Galveston in 2010 and continue to have the privilege of working with outstanding leaders and students here on the island. During my time here at Galveston ISD, I was honored with the “Support Staff of the Year” award. 

Over the years, I also had the pleasure of being an adjunct professor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and teach school counselors in training.  Additionally, I have presented at several school counselor conferences on how to use storytelling as a counseling tool for unaccompanied undocumented youth. Alongside my professors at UHCL we published our article “Unaccompanied Refugee Minors from Central America” in the Professional Counselor Digest.

I am grateful for every experience and look forward to many more years in education.

Diana Flores

Born and raised on the island, Diana is a true B.O.I.! Born into a Salvadoran family, Diana is proud to be a Salvadoran American and is proud of her heritage and culture. Diana attended Alamo Elementary and Morgan Elementary her elementary school years. She then attended Stephen F. Austin for middle school and graduated in 2005 from Ball High school. She stayed in Galveston after High School and completed her basics at Galveston College while working full-time as a reading tutor at Morgan Elementary. She then transferred to the University of St. Thomas in Houston, T.X. where she received her Bachelor’s in Education in 2011. She then returned and completed her Master’s in Educational Leadership in 2015.

Diana taught at Stephen F. Austin on the island for 4 years before she made the move to work in Clear Creek I.S.D. She loved her time on the island teaching, and when the opportunity came when she could work with her older sister at the same school, she took it without hesitation! Diana taught 5th and 3rd grade in CCISD before she moved down to 2nd grade. She now teaches Math, Science, and Social Studies in a Dual-Language class.

Diana has a beautiful 6-year-old daughter who is her world! She recently went on a business venture with her older sister and launched SalviTeacher Biz, an online boutique catering to teachers and their families.

Jennifer Flores-Stephenson

Born in El Salvador, Jennifer is proud to be Salvadoran-American. She carries her culture everywhere she goes and loves to share it with everyone! Jennifer began her academic career on beautiful Galveston Island, where she holds fond memories of attending Rosenberg Elementary School, the first school she attended in the United States.

She graduated from Ball High School in 1997, attended Galveston College, and then transferred to the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Jennifer graduated with a bachelor's in Bilingual Education with a concentration in Mathematics in 2003 and returned to UST to obtain her master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2012. She began teaching in Galveston ISD in 2004 and taught on the Island for a decade.

In 2011, her life was blessed as she entered a new stage in her life, and married her husband, Michael. She has been married for 11 years and has two amazing children. In 2014, she made the move across the causeway and transferred to Clear Creek ISD, where she presently teaches elementary-aged students, in the Dual Language program. Her passion for working with students has always called her to help provide leadership opportunities for students, which is why she loves being a Student Council Advisor. Her 18 years of teaching have brought her many blessings; she has had the opportunity to meet many amazing students and families.

Jennifer owes her achievements to God and her family. They have always supported her and have believed in her. She has recently also become a small business owner, as she and her sister are the team behind SalviTeacher Biz, an online boutique catering to teachers and their families.

Yvonne Mascorro

My name is Yvonne Mascorro, and I am the Circulation and Audience Director for the Galveston County Daily News and the SNI Director of Circulation of Circulation & Audience Development. My background is in marketing, digital development, and social media marketing. 

I am a BOI, and at an early age spent several years growing up in Brownsville, TX, and then married and returned to the island. My husband and I have lived in Texas City for 22 years. 

I am a mother of three insanely amazing kids. Life's priorities are simple faith, family, and work. You'll find us riding our bikes when we aren't working or serving. Life's motto is #keepinglifesimple

Dr. Maria San Andrés

Dr. Maria San Andrés was born and raised in College Station, TX and her family is from Ecuador. She received her B.S. in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M University and her M.D. from Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in College Station, TX. She completed her Pediatric residency at UTMB. After residency, she began working at UTMB in the General Pediatrics Clinic and at the St. John's Hospital Newborn Nursery for a few years. She is now working in the General Pediatrics clinic in Galveston and enjoys having continuity with her patients, especially her Spanish Speaking patients. 

In her free time, she loves to bake, take pictures and play with her 3-year-old daughter.

Melissa Villalobos

A creative craftsman, entrepreneur and visionary. Meli is the founder of Ascend Art Market, the Co-Founder of Con Lagrimas, a Latinx owned and operated food business. Occasionally you can find them slanging coffee beverages for the community at MOD Coffeehouse.