In August 2013, the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso received a five-year, $125,000 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation to provide funds dedicated to scholarships for economically disadvantaged and at-risk elementary, middle and high school students currently not enrolled in Catholic school. The Foundation chose a Hunt Scholar to represent each Catholic school. We know that education changes lives, the Hunt scholarship opportunities for Catholic schools are truly transforming lives.
Three of the Hunt Family Foundation Scholars are at Cathedral High School this year and they all play on the football team. Cathedral High School won the Texas Association Parochial and Private Schools (TAPPS) Division 5 Title for the second year in a row, a first in El Paso’s history. Hunt Scholar and senior Frank Alec Chacon is the team captain.
Frank Alec Chacon has been a Hunt Scholar since his freshman year at Cathedral High School. Alec’s mom dreamed about him going to Cathedral and everyone in the family was willing to pitch in to make it happen. When their house burned down and they lost everything, it seemed it would never happen. The Hunt Scholarship changed Alec’s life, something he is thankful for every single day. In addition to winning Cathedral’s 2nd Football State Championship, being named Academic All-State and 2nd Team All-State Linebacker, Alec has also received 5 offers to play collegiate football and will graduate from high school with an Associate of Arts Degree from El Paso Community College. Alec is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society, and Math Honor Society. He plans on enrolling at Trinity University where he will play football and study medicine. “What I love about Cathedral is the brotherhood that you get here. It’s a connection not only with your fellow classmates but with alumni, underclassmen, kids who will be coming soon. It’s definitely a strong bond that you hold for the rest of your life.”
Julio Hernandez comes to “La Cate” from Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School where he was a Hunt Scholar. As a freshman he played on the state championship winning team and expects to make the honor roll his spring semester. Julio is an excellent example of how a Catholic education can enrich a child’s life and is truly thankful to be a recipient of the Hunt Scholarship. Julio is thrilled about attending Cathedral as a Hunt Scholar. “The Hunt scholarship has had a big impact. It if wasn’t for the Hunt scholarship, I wouldn’t be here. My mom told me that since I’ve been given this wonderful gift I should make the most of it. She is really hoping I can do well and go off to college.”
Diego Perales is a freshman at Cathedral who attended St. Matthew Catholic School as a Hunt Scholar during his middle school years. Diego is on the football team and spent the majority of the year on the junior varsity team before being moved up to varsity for the playoffs. Diego continues to excel in his academics and personal religious life. He thoroughly enjoys attending Mass and pep rallies with the entire student body. “I’m very excited to be able to continue my education, especially here at Cathedral because this is one of the most prestigious high schools in the nation. I hope to be one of the Hunt success stories.”
In 2017, Cathedral High School’s football team was featured in Nike’s “Football Has No Borders” video.