Posted: May 22, 2009

For more information
Tammy Beutnagel, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, [830] 379-5822 or email

SEGUIN - The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) Scholarship Program, which is part of the GBRA Employee Volunteer Program, awarded four $2,000 academic scholarships to area students from GBRA's 10-county district. GBRA General Manager W. E. "Bill" West, Jr., presented the scholarships at the Board of Directors regular meeting in Seguin on Wednesday, May 20.

The scholarship recipients are listed below by city and include the names of their respective parents and high schools:

(Pictured L-R) Devin VanBooven, Cynthia Gonzales, Corbin Hanzel, and Sydnee Nelson

CUERO
Cynthia Gonzales, daughter of Martha Garibay, graduates from Cuero High School in DeWitt County. She plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in accounting. In high school, she was a member of the Debating Team, marching and concert bands and the National Honor Society. She also participated in UIL Accounting, Current Events and Spanish. Her community service included church work, outreach programs, manning drug hotlines, hospital work and peer tutoring. Cynthia has continued to maintain her high ranking in the senior class even while working a part-time job to help support her family.

SAN MARCOS
Corbin Hanzel, son of David and Jennifer Hanzel, graduates from San Marcos High School in Hays County. He has been accepted to both Purdue University and Texas A&M University. He plans to major in physics/materials science and industrial engineering. In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society and the San Marcos High School Varsity Baseball Team. His community service included the Great American Smokeout, Blue Santa, Leadership San Marcos, Youth Spelling Bee, and he was an assistant to the coaches of the San Marcos Youth Baseball/Softball Association. His high school advisor says he is mature, poised and respectful to others. His willingness to go the extra mile whether in regard to academics or helping a teammate creates trust and respect.

SEGUIN
Sydnee Nelson, granddaughter of Carol Franklin, graduates from Seguin High School in Guadalupe County. She has been accepted to Texas State University at San Marcos, and plans to major in journalism or dance education. While in high school she was a member of the Varsity Dance Team, Women's Selected Choir, Interact Club, Deca Club and participated in the Academic Decathlon. Her community service includes Stuff the Buss, DARE Haunted House, church youth group, children's ministries, Wee Steppers Dance and miscellaneous fund raisers. Her English 4 teacher says of Sydnee, "In my 33 years of teaching young people Sydnee is one of those who absolutely stands out in that coveted best 2 percent range-not just in her class, but in a ranking of all students I have ever taught."

Devin VanBooven of Seguin is the daughter of GBRA employee Teresa VanBooven and husband David. She is a graduate of Lifegate Christian School and is a student at Texas Lutheran University. She is pursuing a degree in kinesiology and plans to be a dietician. Her goal is to use her education and life experiences to help others.

The GBRA Employee Volunteer Program was founded in December of 2000 and is led by a committee with a chairperson responsible for the overall program. The program's purpose is to improve the quality of life in area communities through the commitment of GBRA employees and the use of their time, energy, talents and skills. Employee volunteerism is strictly voluntary, unpaid work performed by employees for non-profit or government organizations engaged in civic, health, education, social services and other charitable pursuits.

The GBRA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1933 as a water conservation and reclamation district. GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its 10-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun and Refugio counties. The Mission of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority is to protect, conserve, reclaim and steward the resources of the 10-county district in order to ensure and promote quality of life for those served.

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