Saira Guillen

Saira Guillen—Reagan High School

Saira Guillen intends to study petroleum engineering at the University of Houston. She attended Stevenson Elementary and Hogg Middle schools and she has been active in a number of University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities. Guillen has served as secretary of the National Honor Society and president of the Eco Club. She has received scholarships from Project GRAD Houston and the University of Houston.

Guillen lists her favorite subjects as Advanced Placement biology and mathematics, and she enjoys reading, gardening, and listening to music. She has been named a National Hispanic Scholar, and she has advanced to the regional level of UIL competitions in computer science and science.

Dante Vela

Dante Vela—Reagan High School

Dante Vela, who enjoys solving complex mathematical problems both recreationally and competitively, is a graduate of Wainwright and Herrera Elementary schools and Burbank Middle School. He intends to pursue a degree in mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he will use the Project GRAD Houston and Jones Scholarships he received. Vela is active on his school’s Math Club, and he lists his favorite subject as real analysis.

Vela has been recognized for his outstanding performance in math by both the University Interscholastic League and the American Mathematics Competition, the latter of which included him on its Honor Roll of Distinction. He has also been named an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and a PSAT/NMSQT Commended Student.