In an effort to enhance the public education of Laredoans, Dr Michael A. Hochman – the local retinal surgeon and ophthalmologist – endowed funds to fund the 20th annual Rochelle and Sidney Hochman Education Support Fellowship.
These grants are available to local public school teachers in the Laredo Independent School District and the United Independent School District.
The winners of the 2021-22 school year, made up of 65 teachers from LISD and UISD, are as follows:
UISD
Theresa Riojas, Laura Bruni Vergara Midfielder
Della Garcia, Centeno Elementary School
Selena Perez, Clark Elementary
Melissa Basurto, Clark Elementary
Rosalinda Canales-Aviles, Clark Middle
Yvonne Casso, Colonel Santos Elementary School
Sylvia Martinez, Colonel Santos Elementary School
Elda Pullin, Cuellar Elementary School
Eva Rossell-Rodriguez, Fasken Elementary
Anna Fuentes, Finley Elementary
Rebecca Adan, Finley Elementary
Diana Ramirez, Finley Elementary
Michelle Martinez, Finley Elementary
Gabriela Garza, Gonzalez Middle
Cindy Garza, Gutierrez primary
E. Villarreal, Kazen primary
Jennifer Rubio, Kazen Primary
Ana Luisa Solis, Kazen primary
Linda Aguilar, Killam Primary School
Selinda Martinez, LBJ High 9th
Paula Arias, LBJ High 9th
Sara Alicia Santos, LBJ High
Kavita Gidwani, LBJ High
Barbara Irene Benavides, Los Obispos Middle
Erica Ruiz Sicairos, Muller primary
Krystal Molina, Nye Elementary
Amanda Cruz Juarez, Lincoln Elementary
Adriana L. Chapa, Trautman Elementary School
Erika Hernandez, United Middle
Stephania Quintero, United High 9th
Chelsea Hinojosa, United South Middle
Nydia Quezada, George Washington Middle
Adriana Y. Chapa, Zaffirini Elementary School
Claudia Martinez, Zaffirini Primary
LISD
Alyssa M. Garcia, Cigarroa High
Elaine Ibarra, Cigarroa High
Maribel Valdez-Rodriguez, Nixon High
Kamel Shrek, Nixon High School
San Juana Jimenez, Daiches elementary school
Carla Lopez, Daiches Elementary School
Virginia Juarez, Hachar Primary
Gabriella H. Rodriguez, Leyendecker Primary
Pilar York / Ricardo Martinez, Leyendecker Elementary School
Leticia Olivarez, Leyendecker Elementary School
Karla Denisse Garcia, Dennis Cantu Early College High
Claudia Gomez, Primary Honoré Lagarde
Estela Rosales, Martin Elementary
Ernestina Quiroga, Ryan Elementary
Diana Wico, Ryan Elementary
Claudia Pena, Ryan Elementary
Lupita Lopez, Ryan Elementary
Maria Y. Yruegas, Lamar Middle
Ana Lozoya, Lamar Midfielder
Evelyn Garay, Lamar Middle
Tatiana Thalia Tenorio, Lamar Middle
Sarah Bustamante, Lamar Middle
Cheryl Carielo, Lamar Middle
Norma Delgado, Lamar Midfielder
Genelle Gutierrez, Lamar Middle
Martha Laura Garcia, Lamar Middle
Jenny Torres, Lamar Middle
Yanira Garcia, Lamar Midfielder
Karla Estrada, Lamar Middle
Samantha Ruiz, Lamar Middle
Abel Garcia, Lamar Midfielder
A total of $ 10,000 in scholarships was awarded to teachers in Laredo this school year. The endowment is designed to benefit the learning experience of students at Laredo by providing teachers with an additional resource for classroom needs critical to the learning process. $ 10,000 has been set aside for local teachers in both school districts for the current school year.
During the first 19 years of the charitable grant, approximately 850 teachers received grants ranging from $ 100 to $ 500, depending on the needs of each class. Competitive grants are awarded to support the classrooms of the public schools in Laredo in the form of additional supplies, equipment and other educational materials.
Hochman is the physician specializing in diabetic and retinal eye disease and cataract surgery in Laredo. He moved from Boston to Laredo 23 years ago. Education has been an essential part of Hochman’s life, and he relishes the opportunity to help others.
“I created the grant many years ago because I wanted to help local public schools,” Hochman said. “I myself was a product of public school, which of course played a vital role in my academic, professional and personal success. I know local funding is limited so I would like to do my part to help the students in Laredo get the best education possible. The children in our community represent our future and helping them receive the quality education they deserve creates a solid foundation for Laredo’s continued success. Since my mother was a teacher in a public school and my sister also teaches, the importance of helping children in our community receive a great public education is not lost on me.
