Four students have been selected as a Pasadena ISD Athletics Hall of Fame scholarship award recipient. The designees will each receive scholarships totaling $2,500.
Sponsored by the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation, the students were selected based on a rigorous application process that requires applicants to demonstrate good academic and disciplinary standing. Selection is also based on a student’s mastery of “skills and principles of the athletic programs in which the student has participated,” according to the application.
The scholarship program was developed as a way of supporting graduating senior athletes who are pursuing their career path at a post-secondary institution.
This year’s recipients are:
Maria Prado - Pasadena High School (Cross Country, Track & Field)
Donovan Berotte - Pasadena Memorial High School (Basketball)
Allura Monroe - Pasadena Memorial High School (Volleyball, Track & Field, Swimming and Powerlifting)
Jesus Mendoza - Sam Rayburn High School (Swim Team)
Maria Prado - Pasadena High School (Cross Country, Track & Field)
Maria Prado is a well-rounded student who balances sports, advanced academic courses and school leadership. She lettered four years in cross-country, while receiving medals almost every year she lettered in track and field. Prado was named an All-American Athlete in Taekwondo in 2018, along with winning six national championships and earning a spot on the U.S. taekwondo team twice. Prado has been heavily involved in various school organizations, including the PHS National Hispanic Honor Society, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee and she is a member of the National Honor Society. Prado, who is ranked No. 1 in her class, recently earned an associate’s degree as part of the Pasadena Early College High School program and she will be earning her high school degree next week. Prado plans on becoming a DNP (Doctor in Nursing Practitioner) in hopes of opening a clinic and helping less fortunate communities.
Donovan Berotte - Pasadena Memorial High School (Basketball)
Donovan Berotte has been described by coaches and teachers as a gifted student, life-long learner and hard worker. And his resume fits the bill. Berotte played basketball all four years of high school, lettering his senior year, in which he earned the district 22-6A All Academic Achievement award with a stellar 3.95 GPA. He’s played on numerous basketball teams over the years, including the Team Elite, serving as a co-captain in 2020; BeastSide Athletics in 2019; Clutch City in 2018; and the Superstar Clippers in 2017. Berotte dedicated over 300 hours of volunteer service to the community. He volunteered at the Houston Food Bank, coached basketball for the City of Pasadena and provided a helping hand after Hurricane Harvey. Berotte has caught the eye of multiple top tier colleges and universities. Once he makes his pick, he plans to study petroleum engineering.
Allura Monroe - Pasadena Memorial High School (Volleyball, Track & Field, Swimming and Powerlifting)
Allura Monroe’s multi-sport resume is as impressive as it is inspiring. She lettered four years in multiple sports, starting as early as freshman year when she ran track and field. Monroe continued to letter in track and field each year of high school. She earned a spot on the swim team her sophomore year at Pasadena Memorial, where she was named “Newcomer of the Year.” That same year, she was also named a regional qualifier in track and field. As a junior and senior in high school, Monroe lettered in volleyball, track and field and powerlifting. Her senior year, she earned the All-State Academic Achievement award in volleyball and she was a regional qualifier in powerlifting. Beyond her achievements as an athlete, Monroe also maintained a 4.66 GPA and she was inducted into the National Honors Society. Monroe received the Thomas Jefferson History award in 2020 and she was named a DECA finalist for Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making. The soon-to-be high school graduate plans to major in business, with a focus in entrepreneurship.
Jesus Mendoza - Sam Rayburn High School (Swim Team)
Jesus lettered in swimming for the past three years, earning the Open-Water Championship in Austin, TX his sophomore year and most improved player his junior year. Jesus also received the Academic All-State award from the Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association. Outside of swimming, he participated in various volunteer efforts over the years, including Pasadena ISD’s Walk for Sight event, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the South Belt Area State, St. Juan Diego Church, Seabrook Lucky Trails and the San Jacinto La Porte Fun Run. Mendoza plays the alto saxophone and led the the Mighty Sam Rayburn Texan Band as a drum major. Mendoza plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in music and mortuary science.