Buc Days Commission announces the 2026 leadership program scholars

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Buc Days Commission is shaping the next generation of leaders through the Buc Days Port of Corpus Christi Leadership Program, selecting 20 high school seniors from across the Coastal Bend for a six-month development experience.

Running from December through May, the program transforms high school students into capable leaders. The Buc Days Commission selects 20 scholars from over 200 applications each year. Selection criteria include academic standing, extracurricular activities, community outreach involvement, and performance in interview and essay competitions.

Participants complete three customized Dale Carnegie Program sessions focusing on developing personal relationships and public speaking skills. Students also participate in industry tours to explore career paths and engage in community awareness and service projects.

The Buc Days Commission provides substantial financial support to the students. Scholars who successfully complete the program receive a $4,000 scholarship. The male and female scholars with the highest overall scores in program participation, engagement, and project presentation receive an additional $6,000 scholarship.

Scholarships for the 2025 Buc Days Port of Corpus Christi Leadership Program totaled $97,000.

The 2026 Leadership Program Scholars represent schools across the region, including urban districts like Corpus Christi ISD and smaller communities such as Agua Dulce, Orange Grove, and Mathis.

Buc Days Port of Corpus Christi Leadership Program

The 2026 Leadership Program Scholars are:

Alexia Ruiz – Santa Gertrudis AcademyAva Mendez – A.C. Jones High SchoolChristian Barrera – Robstown Early College High SchoolChristian Moreno – Robstown Early College High SchoolDaniel Hinojosa – A.C. Jones High SchoolIsabella Mendoza – Foy H. Moody High SchoolJolie Lankford – Sinton High SchoolJosiah Ponce – Collegiate High SchoolLanz Amarille – Gregory-Portland High SchoolLeighton Lawhon – Incarnate Word AcademyMaribella Gutierrez – Gregory-Portland High SchoolMarivel Martinez – Mathis High SchoolRebekah Gordon – Orange Grove High SchoolRicardo Leal – Agua Dulce High SchoolRobert Benavidez – Veterans Memorial High SchoolSam Ingram – A.C. Jones High SchoolSarah Nguyen – Veterans Memorial High SchoolSharmada Palakurthi – W.B. Ray High SchoolTimothy Rogers – Odem High SchoolUnal McLauchlan – W.B. Ray High School

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