(San Antonio, TX, October 29, 2008) – Sixteen students from the San Antonio College chapter of the Society of Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists (MAES) were honored at the 2008 MAES National Symposium and Career Fair, held Oct. 22-26 in Las Vegas Nevada. San Antonio College was one of only three community colleges competing against several four-year colleges and universities. The areas of competition included: Scholarships, Decathlon, Undergraduate research Poster Competition, and various internship and Co–op interviews with large companies.
 
“Overcoming the competition, SAC placed in every single category or portion!” said Manuel “Manny” De La Cruz, President of MAES-San Antonio College. He also said that the MAES-San Antonio College club received the Most Improved Chapter Award.
 
Further, seven SAC students landed on-site interviews at the career fair that enabled them to secure internships and research projects for the summer of 2009.   Awards also went to:

• Mark Guerra, First Place Undergraduate Research Competition (beating out Tier 1 and Tier 2 research schools).

• Daniel Varley, Second Place in the Decathlon Individual Category: 30-second interview, beating former SAC student Carlo Lomeli, now University of New Mexico student.  

• Manuel “Manny” De La Cruz, $2,500 Presidential Scholarship

• Jacque Ortiz, a $1,000 General Scholarship

• San Antonio College Decathlon Team #1 won First Place for Team Representative Poster

• San Antonio College Decathlon Team #2 – 2nd Place overall (First place went to the University of New Mexico team led by former SAC Student Carlo Lomeli).  The SAC Decathlon Team #2 included: Megan Planas, AJ Carnal, Rene Zamora, Adrianna Aldape, Graciella Ruiz, Manuel Lechuga, Kristell Martinez and Eric Trevino.

“This is a huge testament to the type of student that is produced by faculty and staff at this College,” De La Garza said.  “We look forward to representing the school next year at the 2009 National Leadership Conference in Boulder, Colorado.”