The last of Western Hills High School’s Class of 2026 seniors are heading off to college, and a few fellow Cougars have helped make those next steps a little easier.
Last week, Kendyl Northrop and Nevaeh Salazar moved into Texas Wesleyan University with some help from fellow 2026 graduate Joshua Oliver, who is also attending Texas Wesleyan and joining the football program as a redshirt freshman.
This week, Vianet Garcia is making a much longer move. She is headed to Columbia with two checked bags, a carry-on filled with prized possessions and, as Cougar Pride Alliance’s Patty Pressley put it, plenty of emotions and courage.
Garcia is also taking some meaningful support with her. Pressley said a Western Hills Class of 1983 alumnus and his wife provided Garcia with a $30,000 scholarship to help cover her college expenses.
“She had a big dream and they helped make it happen,” Pressley said.
For Pressley, it is also a reminder of what can happen when generations of Cougars invest in one another. The Cougar Pride Alliance can help connect community members and alumni interested in supporting Western Hills students with opportunities to make a difference.
For these four Cougars, high school is officially behind them. Now, the next chapter begins.
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