At recent Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) Board meeting, an extraordinary gesture of alumni giving took center stage as members of the Homer Hanna High School Class of 1979 announced a special gift in support of their alma mater. Representing the class, Mrs. Blanca Lambarri and Mr. Joe Medrano shared heartfelt remarks, detailing the significance and intentions behind their contribution.
A Legacy of Support for Hanna Eagles
Mrs. Blanca Lambarri, addressing the Board and attendees, introduced a group of distinguished alumni from the Class of 1979, who are preparing to celebrate their 45th high school reunion next week. “This gift is a testament to the enduring spirit and camaraderie of the Hanna Eagles,” she stated. “It is meant to provide expanded and creative educational opportunities for Hanna students, helping them achieve success.”
She then passed the podium to Joe Medrano, a founding donor and committee member, to elaborate on the journey that led to this meaningful initiative.
The Vision Behind the Gift
Joe Medrano began by acknowledging his fellow committee members—Laura Lucio, Mario Fasci, Norman Esquivel, and their former principal, Ms. Sylvia Perez—whose dedication helped bring this project to fruition. He also highlighted the instrumental role of Dr. Diane Garza, Executive Director of the RGV Philanthropic Foundation, in guiding the class through the creation of a designated fund to manage their gift.
“This initiative began in 2020,” Medrano explained. “At that time, several of us were already involved in funding local non-profit organizations in Brownsville, such as Big Give Brownsville and the Youth in Philanthropy initiative.” During these efforts, the idea emerged to direct their philanthropic focus toward their alma mater, especially following Hanna High School’s back-to-back National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) awards.
A Classmate’s Determined Leadership
Medrano recounted the inspiring commitment of Jorge Ruiz de Velasco, a fellow classmate and Deputy Director at Stanford University’s Gardner Center. Ruiz de Velasco flew from San Francisco to San Diego to congratulate Hanna High School at the NCUST Awards Ceremony, further cementing the group’s resolve to support the school. His leadership was instrumental in facilitating the first donation that would form the foundation of the gift announced at the meeting.
A Lasting Impact
The gift will provide funding for initiatives determined by the Hanna High School leadership team, ensuring that students have access to innovative opportunities that foster academic and personal growth. The Class of 1979 also pledged to seek additional support for the fund in the years leading up to their 50th reunion in 2029.
“We are grateful that we can help in this capacity,” Medrano stated in closing. “Perhaps we are not the first or only group of alumni to give back, but we hope our unique approach—guided by the RGV Philanthropic Foundation—serves as inspiration for others.”
The BISD Board thanked the Class of 1979 for their generosity and vision. This remarkable act of giving serves as a shining example of the powerful impact alumni can have on their schools and communities.
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