SWTX Celebrates Nursing Scholarship Recipients, Honors Legacies of Jesse T. Moreno Jr. and Alejandro Torres
The Moreno Family awarded six Jesse T. Moreno Jr. Memorial Scholarships valued at $500 each to:
Maria Gomez of Crystal City
Brianna Gonzalez of Uvalde
Arlette Lopez of Dilley
Arlynn Lopez of Dilley
Bobby Joe Ramirez of Crystal City
Julian Tabares of Brackettville
The Torres Family awarded three Alejandro Torres Memorial Scholarships valued at $500 each to:
Jennifer Aguilar of Uvalde
Jacelynn Chavera of Pearsall
Alayna Saucedo of Crystal City
The scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated academic achievement, perseverance, and a commitment to serving others through the nursing profession.
"This scholarship program represents our families' commitment to supporting the next generation of nurses," said Jesse R. Moreno Sr. during the ceremony. “Nurses play a critical role in caring not only for patients, but also for their families during difficult times.”
The Jesse T. Moreno Jr. Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Jesse T. Moreno Jr., a Uvalde native and registered nurse who worked for more than two decades at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Kerrville. Despite battling multiple myeloma for 16 years, Moreno remained dedicated to his patients and profession until shortly before his passing. His family created the scholarship to continue his legacy of service and compassion.
This year also marked the inaugural presentation of the Alejandro Torres Memorial Scholarship. Alejandro Torres, affectionately known as "Al" or "Toro," was born in Uvalde and served 20 years in the United States Army as a medic, including two tours in Vietnam. During his military service, he treated hundreds of wounded soldiers and earned the Bronze Star for his dedication and bravery.
Following his military retirement, Torres earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and began a second career as a registered nurse. He worked in the Burn Unit at Fort Sam Houston before joining the dialysis team at Santa Rosa Hospital, where he served patients with compassion and professionalism until retiring in 2001.
Torres passed away on Dec. 1, 2025, and his family established the scholarship to honor his lifelong commitment to healthcare and service.
Family members present at the scholarship ceremony included Richard Torres, Raymond Torres and spouse Yvonne Torres, and Sulema Torres, wife of Alejandro Torres.
The scholarship funds were raised through community-supported fundraising efforts, including the families' annual garage sale and a raffle. Organizers expressed appreciation to the Empowerment of Community and Action Foundation Inc. for donating a 72-inch television that served as the raffle's grand prize.
The next scholarship garage sale is scheduled for Oct. 10. Community members interested in donating items may contact Nora Gonzalez at norag8085@gmail.com.
The scholarship recipients were selected through a competitive application process that included academic performance, personal essays, and demonstrated commitment to the nursing profession. Throughout the ceremony, family members spoke about the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals and encouraged recipients to embrace nursing as both a profession and a calling.
The event also highlighted future opportunities in nursing education, including efforts to expand local educational pathways that will allow students to continue their nursing studies closer to home.