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maria garcia '05 '08

Podcast Writer & Host

Maria created and hosts Anything for Selena, an award-winning podcast that explores Selena Quintanilla’s legacy through themes of identity, language, and belonging. The Apple-recognized series has earned national acclaim, and Garcia credits her ³ÉÈËÍ·Ìõ experience as deeply identity-forming in her career.

 

abiel macias '06

musician

Shaped by the grit he built as a ³ÉÈËÍ·Ìõ football player, Macias discovered his true passion through media courses and songwriting. That spark grew into a career as a country artist and producer, where he now mentors emerging musicians and his own children.

elizabeth trow '08 '13

business owner

Co-founder of the handmade children’s boutique Heike&Liz, Trow has built a career blending art education, sustainability, and storytelling through custom garments and community workshops. Her designs gained national recognition when she and her business partner were named Designers of the Year at New York Fashion Week in February of 2025.

MARTHA MARTINEZ  '05, '08

TEACHER

Inspired by her students and her community, Martinez turned her passion for education into a life of service that grew beyond the classroom. What began as a simple idea for a 5K became the Royal Run for Hope – a powerful movement supporting children in El Paso battling cancer.                                       

 

 

 

abril smart '12 '20

vocational rehabilitation counselor

A vocational rehabilitation counselor today, Smart draws on her own journey of overcoming shyness, language barriers, and profound personal loss to help clients navigate moments of uncertainty. Her path - from discovering her voice in communication to finding purpose in counseling - is marked by resilience, empathy, and a commitment to guiding others toward new beginnings.

richie marrufo '09

artist & educator 

As the force behind the Barbed Wire Open Mic Series (BWOMS), Marrufo helped transform a student-led reading series into a locally driven movement - welcoming poets, musicians, and storytellers from across El Paso. The open mic has become a space rooted in connection, creative expression, and community belonging. 

matthew gardea '24

city councilman

Matthew Gardea, the youngest appointee in Horizon City’s history, now serves as Alderman No. 6, leading efforts in talent retention, community development, and strategic growth. A former Terry Scholar and Bill Archer Fellow, he brings experience in policy, governance, and public service to his work shaping Horizon City’s future.

alejandra matos '12

managing editor

With experience at major outlets including The Washington Post and The New York Times, Matos has built a journalism career focused on connecting communities with meaningful news. Today, she serves as managing editor at the Houston Chronicle, where she leads content and audience strategy while making history as the publication's first Latina masthead editor.