IDEA Donna student awarded UT Austin scholarship

DONNA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An IDEA Donna student was joined by loved ones as she was awarded a scholarship from UT Austin.

Destany Avila, a senior at IDEA Donna, is known in her school community as a hardworking student who supports her family.

To recognize her efforts, Avila was presented with a $48,000 scholarship from UT Austin.

"It's the type of thing that happens in movies," Avila told ValleyCentral.

Avila is currently the president of an organization that serves as the driving force behind the Student Council Food Drive.

Once she graduates, Avila plans to continue helping others and studying social work.

"I think that being a social worker is important, especially considering the way that I grew up," Avila said. "The Rio Grande Valley is a low-income area, so I was always especially aware of that, and I always wanted to find some way or another to help my community."