Uvalde parents honor son with scholarship for nursing students

New SWTJC Registered Nursing students Christian Acuña of Eagle Pass, Chriselda Harrington of La Pryor and Tiffany Gonzales of Del Rio received the Jesse T. Moreno Jr., Memorial Scholarship from Jesse and Andrea Moreno in honor of their son.

In early 2014 Jesse and Andrea of Uvalde lost their son, Jesse Moreno Jr., at the age of 56 after a courageous 16-year battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Moreno Jr. graduated from Uvalde High School in 1976 and went on to attend Southwest Texas Junior College, where he graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1978.

After SWTJC, Moreno Jr. went on to the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing in San Antonio and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1981.

During the scholarship presentation, Moreno Sr. and his wife met with the recipients of the scholarships. He wished them good luck and spoke briefly about their son.

“My son was an accomplished nurse, and it is on his behalf that we are doing this,” Moreno Sr. said. “We wish you good luck in your endeavor, and we want to help you be successful.”

Others on hand for the presentation of the scholarship awards were Moreno Jr.’s brother and SWTJC Board Member Tony Moreno, Dr. Hector Gonzales SWTJC President, and Rolando Lira Nursing Program Director.

Scholarship recipients will receive $250 for the fall and spring semester during the first year of the RN program for a total annual award of $500.

This scholarship is awarded to a registered nursing student in the first year of the program. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA on prerequisite courses and submit a 200-word essay on personal background, reasons for wanting to become a nurse, and obstacles encountered along the way.