The Gillespie County Democratic Association presented six scholarships for graduating or continuing education students for 2026.

The recipients are:

Sophia Lutz will start her second year at the University of British Columbia beginning this fall.  She is studying international relations as her major in college.  Her career goal is to complete her undergraduate degree and then go to law school to pursue a degree in international law. A notable quote from her application was, “We often discuss U.S. politics during these activities, so I can see how people from other countries view our issues and how they affect them.”

 Paige McDade will start her second year at Trinity University in San Antonio in the fall studying marketing.  She continues to maintain a 4.0 grade point average after being the valedictorian at FHS.  She volunteered with the Central Texas Food Bank in Fredericksburg and continues to volunteer at Trinity in a food bank and a community garden through her sorority. She is also involved with a non-profit company, RAICES, which helps serve immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.  

 Anthony Hernandez was a 2021 graduate of Fredericksburg High School, has received an Associate’s Degree from Central Texas College and is to enter his second year at San Antonio College this fall studying for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse. His ultimate goal is to become a nursing educator. This is Anthony’s third GCDA scholarship. He is the son of a single immigrant mother who taught him hard work and perseverance.  He works full time at HEB while managing a full nursing course load. One of his major concerns is the pervasive spread of misinformation that is used to divide and oppress. He, incidentally, has a most interesting signature.

 Sadie Eidson has a B.S. degree in Geoscience from Trinity University.  Sadie received an award from the GCDA in 2020-21 and is receiving her fourth GCDA scholarship as a graduate student at Columbia University’s Climate School to obtain a MSc. in Climate Science Analytics and ultimately a PhD in Paleoclimatology. She says “climate change will affect the poorest and most vulnerable populations first, and then the middle- and working-class population, two groups of people for whom the Democratic Party has long stood up for.” Notably, she says “No matter what career path I choose, whether it’s producing scientific research, writing climate policy at the federal level, holding large corporations accountable to their sustainability goals, or even if it’s not mentioned in my list above, I will do something with my life that makes a difference in the world.”

 Eleanor Burns will start her third year at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall studying political communications and journalism. This year’s award will be Eleanor’s second GCDA scholarship. One issue of most concern to her is voting rights. “I have contributed over 50 hours in the past year, assisting with registration drives, tabling events, and voter education efforts.  I have helped register over 1000 people in the past year” she says.

 Reece Harris is our newest awardee.  She will graduate from Fredericksburg High School this May and attend Northwestern University in Chicago.  She was nominated by a GCDA member. She plans to study mechanical or design engineering with a focus on human centered design. She says “I don’t just want to build things; I want to build better ways of living.” A major societal concern of hers is polarization. “Change begins with the individuals who are willing to listen, to question, and to engage with others rather than withdraw from them” she says.