OUTSTANDING RESIDENTS
Our outstanding residents are those who have shown extraordinary efforts in leading by example.
Ralph Montemayor
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Ralph Montemayor, a 16-year-old resident of La Posada, began playing football when he was in the 5th grade. Since then his passion for the sport has grown and he is now part of the varsity football team at Robert Vela High School. His perseverance inside and out of class has earned him the privilege of wearing the Sabercat Jersey #44.
When asked what inspired him to pursue football above all other sports he said, "My step-dad Robert, whenever I was smaller he would watch the Dallas Cowboys play and I would always sit down next to him and see how exciting the game would get and I just started liking it. "
Coming from a household of 3 older sisters, Janice Montemayor, Eliza Montemayor and Gwendaline Montemayor and a single mother, Jonie Gonzalez, Ralph looks up to the women in his life for guidance and encouragement when times might not be the best. Ralph believes everyone can achieve their dreams; whether they live in Public Housing or not and motivates everyone to "Strive for greatness, because they can do it."
In the near future, Ralph hopes to one day be as good as Michael Irvin and play for the Red Raiders of Texas Tech University and major in physical education.
Gladys Sanchez
Gladys Sanchez, a 17-year-old resident of El Jardin, was recently selected to participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s R2L NextGen program this summer. The R2L NextGen Program provides Latino high school students with the opportunity to spend a week exploring the city of Washington, D.C. and learning about its incredible role in our nation. This year the one-week program will be taking place July 26-31, 2015.
Sanchez, who is now a senior at the IDEA Quest College Preparatory, has been a resident of EHA since 2007. Among her community involvement and many extra-curricular activities, she is also an active member of the EHA Youth Leadership Association and was a tutor during our Tutoring Program.
Besides being accepted into the R2L NextGen program, this summer she has also participated in a three-week School of Medicine Scholars Program at the University of Saint Louis in Missouri. During the program, she had the opportunity to learn and interact with other students, professors and medical professionals.
Due to her incredible experiences this summer, Sanchez hopes to serve as a role model in her community and help motivate her peers to follow their dreams.
Chef Rafael Zuniga
Chef Rafael Zuniga is a resident of our ____ development. Thanks to his efforts and commitment to his community, our agency has been able to offer cooking classes for residents. Zuniga's classes have been held weekly during evenings at El Jardin Community Center. The classes are a part of Edinburg Housing Authority’s efforts to promote self-sufficiency, healthy lifestyles and education to residents.
Thanks to Chef Zuniga's tutelage, residents have learned to cook deliciously healthy gourmet meals on a shoestring diet and even put their skills into practice by volunteering to cook meals for resident council meetings.
Our agency is very proud to have residents like Chef Zuniga who are not only dedicated to persevere but also willing to give back and make a difference in their communities.