Five Dallas ISD seniors were honored Thursday with $5,000 scholarships through the 2026 Monty J. and Sarah Z. Bennett Dallas Scholarship Fund, recognizing students whose academic achievements, personal discipline, and plans for the future stood out to Dallas Bright Futures.
The scholarship recipients were recognized for overcoming difficult life circumstances while maintaining strong academic records, serving their communities, and preparing for college. All five are first-generation college students, all five qualify for maximum financial aid, and the group carried an average GPA of 3.77, according to Dallas Bright Futures.
Sarah Bennett and Monty Bennett addressed each scholar during the ceremony, drawing from their personal stories and the words of teachers and mentors who nominated them.
Monty Bennett encouraged the students to stay grounded as they move into college and the next stage of their lives.
“But what I’m most thankful for is having a faith background. I encourage all of you guys to work on your faith, develop your faith, because in the end, what matters is your faith and your family, and then everything else,” Monty Bennett told the scholarship recipients.
Sarah and Monty Bennett addressed the 2026 Dallas Bright Futures scholarship recipients during the ceremony | Image by DX
Students Recognized For Achievement, Resilience
Laura Romero, a graduate of Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, plans to study civil engineering at the University of Southern California.
Romero grew up in a single-parent household, graduated at the top of her class with a 3.89 GPA, completed 12 AP courses, interned at HDR, and helped care for a younger sibling, according to Dallas Bright Futures.
Speaking to Romero, Sarah Bennett reflected on what Romero’s engineering mentor had written about her: that she is “ambitious without being arrogant, passionate without being impulsive, and optimistic without being naïve.”
“Your story shows that engineering is not just about roads, bridges, and buildings. It is about people, access, stability, and opportunity – and you have understood that longer than most engineers twice your age,” Bennett told her.
Martin Davalos, a Lassiter Early College High School graduate, plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas to study finance and real estate.
Davalos has already spent years learning the industry by following his sister Alma through home showings, contracts, and renovation projects, according to Dallas Bright Futures.
Bennett noted that one of Davalos’ teachers said his curiosity and intellect had “inspired me to enhance the rigor of my lessons.”
“You are not just dreaming about your future. You have already started building the foundation for it — with discipline, humility, and a plan specific enough to act on the day you graduate,” Bennett told him.
Scholars Look Toward Service, Leadership
Yurem Rojas, a graduate of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, opened his scholarship essay with his ZIP code: 75216.
Rojas described Oak Cliff not as a place to escape, but as a badge of honor. He works each week as a lead cook at Wingstop, takes his younger brother to school each morning, captains his Mock Trial team, and has spent four years being mentored by a City of Dallas management analyst, according to Dallas Bright Futures.
“Your dream is not just personal success. Your dream is to come back, serve Dallas, and make sure the next generation in your neighborhood has the same chances you fought to create for yourself,” Bennett told him.
Rojas plans to study public administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Kennedy Davis, a Conrad High School graduate, plans to attend UT Dallas to study information systems and technology.
At the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp, Davis built an AI tool called Supply Guard, designed to help protect small businesses from supply chain disruptions. The idea came after Davis watched her mother navigate medical paperwork following her grandfather’s stroke, according to Dallas Bright Futures.
Bennett cited Davis’ English teacher, who wrote that Kennedy “walks in wisdom far beyond her years” and that her “humility exudes a beautiful aroma that potently shifts the culture of any room.”
Davis also captained Conrad’s swim teams to back-to-back district championships.
Bright Futures Ahead
Valeria Plascencia, also a graduate of Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, plans to pursue pre-law at Southern Methodist University.
Plascencia, the oldest of five siblings, worked 40 hours a week, studied abroad in Madrid on a merit scholarship, won a student election against an incumbent, and helped keep a student club active after its founding sponsor departed, according to Dallas Bright Futures.
Her teacher of five years described her growth from a student who “struggled with self-confidence” into “a solid leader, a charismatic young lady, and a calculated risk taker.”
“The growth you have shown is not the result of circumstance. It is the result of choices – to stay, to lead, to serve, and to become someone your family and community can rely on,” Bennett told her.
Each of this year’s scholarship recipients also spoke to The Dallas Express about the teachers, mentors, and family members who helped them reach graduation and prepare for college.
The ceremony recognized five Dallas students who have already begun building paths rooted in discipline, service, and long-term purpose.
The next generation of Dallas graduates has some bright futures ahead.
