Comal ISD Seniors Recognized in Valero Alamo Bowl’s Record-Breaking Scholarship Program
Six graduating seniors from Comal Independent School District are being recognized as part of the Valero Alamo Bowl’s largest high school scholarship year on record, highlighting the district’s strong presence in one of San Antonio’s most impactful student-athlete programs.
The students were selected as recipients of the 2025 Valero Alamo Bowl Student-Athlete Scholarship, each receiving $7,500. In total, the Valero Alamo Bowl awarded $765,000 to 102 high school seniors representing 80 area campuses, continuing its standing as the top local scholarship provider among all college bowl games.
Recipients from Comal ISD include students from Pieper High School, Canyon Lake High School, Smithson Valley High School, Davenport High School, and Canyon High School, each demonstrating a combination of academic achievement, varsity athletics, leadership, and community involvement.
At Pieper High School, Andrew Grinestaff was selected for his leadership and athletic accomplishments. Grinestaff serves as senior class vice president and is a two-time Second Team All-District varsity football athlete and two-time district champion. He is also a varsity track and field high jump regional qualifier, a National Honor Society member, a student section leader, and an Esports competitor. Fellow Pieper senior Owen Smith was also recognized. Smith is a four-year varsity cross country and track athlete, a three-year member of HOSA, vice president of the Outdoor Club, a two-year Student Council member, and a two-year volunteer with Kinetic Kids.
Canyon Lake High School senior Chloe Gray earned the scholarship following a standout athletic and academic career. Gray is a four-year varsity volleyball athlete and served as team captain for two years. She received Academic All-District honors all four years, along with Outstanding Setter of the District and First Team Academic All-State recognition in her final season. She is a member of National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, participates in PALS, and has volunteered with the Spark Program for Ignite Volleyball Club.
From Smithson Valley High School, Cyanna Cavazos was selected after distinguishing herself in both athletics and academics. Cavazos is president of the Spanish National Honor Society and a four-year varsity basketball athlete who served twice as co-captain. She broke three school records and earned Academic All-District honors for three years, along with First Team All-District recognition for two years. Her involvement also includes two years of varsity track, serving as Spanish Club secretary, and participating in band for two years.
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Davenport High School senior Kara Kirkpatrick was recognized for her diverse athletic and leadership background. Kirkpatrick is a four-year varsity water polo athlete and varsity soccer athlete. She has served as a Future Farmers of America officer for three years, competed as a livestock judge for four years, and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society.
At Canyon High School, Maia Aldrich earned the Valero Alamo Bowl scholarship following four years as a varsity basketball athlete and two years as team captain. Aldrich is also a varsity volleyball and track athlete, a four-year member of Spanish Alliance, and a member of both the Hispanic Honor Society and National Honor Society.
The Valero Alamo Bowl Student-Athlete Scholarship Program evaluates applicants based on academic achievement, teacher and coach recommendations, involvement in extracurricular activities, varsity athletic participation, honors received, and a personal narrative. Each applicant must have earned at least one varsity athletic letter. The program also ensures that at least one student is selected from every participating San Antonio-area public and private high school that meets the criteria.
All scholarship recipients were honored at the H-E-B Scholarship Awards Luncheon on December 17 and will be recognized on the field during the first quarter of the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 30, celebrating their accomplishments before a regional audience.
Since launching the scholarship program in 2000, the Valero Alamo Bowl has awarded more than $13.25 million to 2,102 students, continuing its long-standing investment in the future of Comal ISD and communities across the San Antonio region.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
