First Place

Ryan Zapalac

Ryan Zapalac, 17, graduated from St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas, on May 22 as a National Hispanic Scholar. He is known for being a talented musician, writer, and leader. Ryan is a diligent student who has received numerous academic achievements throughout his high school career and was heavily involved with both the Concert and Jazz Bands at St. Thomas (where he played clarinet, saxophone, and bass guitar) and has performed at various festivals and shows around Houston. He has also pursued lingual interests, having taken Spanish lessons in school while simultaneously taking private German lessons at home. Ryan's interest in foreign culture and history stems from his numerous travels as a child (he lived in Kuwait for three years and has visited several other nations), and his love of travel and history led to him investigate his own family's unique origin. Ryan will be attending the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and will be participating in their Honors College. He will be majoring in Psychology and ultimately plans to become a fiction writer while continuing community service through music. He is the son of Bruce and Chela Zapalac and is the oldest of five children.

Ryan was also awarded the Gwen Pritzkau Scholarship.

"Russian-German Mennonite History"

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