MacArthur Senior Joselyn Rodriguez Surprised With KPRC 2 Scholarship

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In front, from left: Vanessa Blacknall with American Furniture Warehouse, Joselyn Rodriguez, her mother, and KPRC 2 anchor Cathy Hernandez. Behind them are Rodriguez’s family members.

MacArthur High School senior Joselyn Rodriguez was in for a surprise when she was awarded a $2,500 scholarship on May 5. Rodriguez had no idea what was happening when she walked in and saw cameras, the band and cheerleaders.

“It was very unexpected,” Rodriguez said. “Once I saw the big check, I became filled with emotions of happiness and excitement. Scholarships are an award, but they’re also a reflection of the things you’ve achieved and all of the hard work you put in. I’m grateful for the scholarship.”

KPRC 2 and American Furniture Warehouse have partnered to provide 20 Houston-area high school seniors with scholarships to help support their college journeys, and Rodriguez was one of 20 recipients. The annual program recognizes seniors nominated by their high schools for academic excellence, leadership and community service.

“Joselyn is a very deserving student, and when I considered the many students I could nominate, she immediately came to mind,” said Tamekia Thomas-Davis, a counselor at MacArthur High School. “She is intelligent, kind, passionate, and I am confident she will make a tremendous impact on the world. It was truly a pleasure and an honor to nominate her.”

Rodriguez plans to attend Barnard College in New York to study education. She wants to be either a high school teacher or a college professor and dreams of writing a book one day. Rodriguez said the encouragement she received from her teachers throughout school inspired her to pursue a career in education.

“I want students to have the same inspiration that my teachers had on me,” Rodriguez said. “I want to give my students the light and let them know they can achieve their educational goals. The teachers at MacArthur and my peers really supported me and pushed me to be greater.”

During her time at MacArthur, Rodriguez has been involved both on campus and in the community. She is a member of Mac Votes, a civic engagement club connected to Aldine Votes, a district-wide initiative focused on strengthening civic participation through education and community outreach.

Rodriguez is also a member of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE), a student organization that allows students to explore the teaching profession through hands-on experiences and educator shadowing opportunities. In April, Rodriguez signed a letter of intent to return to Aldine as an educator after completing her postsecondary education during the district’s Future Educators Signing Day. She is also on track to earn her educational aide certification.

Recently, Rodriguez was recognized at the Superintendent’s Annual Top 10 Scholars event, where the district honors the top 10 students from each high school. Rodriguez is ranked No. 3 in MacArthur’s Class of 2026.

With plans to one day return to education, Rodriguez hopes to inspire future students the same way her teachers inspired her.

Watch Rodriguez’s scholarship surprise that aired on KPRC 2.