JOHNNIE T. ROSALES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In Memory of:

Johnnie Tirso Rosales

October 15, 1981- June 1, 2008

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Because everyone deserves a chance to chase their dream...

The Johnnie T. Rosales Memorial Scholarship is a 501C3 nonprofit organization based upon the belief that “everybody deserves a chance to chase their dream”. We endeavor to provide access to postsecondary education to local graduating seniors in the San Marcos community who might not have the financial means to fulfill their educational goals by awarding annual monetary scholarship awards.

The Johnnie T. Rosales Memorial Scholarship sees higher education and training as a catalyst for change which benefits the individual, the family, and both the local and global communities. We believe that everyone has the potential to succeed but recognize lack of financial resources may close doors and limit educational success. We envision a world where everyone can have access to education regardless of background or economic circumstances.

We invite all who share this vision to join us as a volunteer or support our cause via financial and in-kind support. which provides scholarship awards every year to selected San Marcos High School graduating seniors interested in, or intending to pursue post-high school course of study at either a college/university or other post-secondary educational institution in the preferred majors: Computer Science, Engineering, Music. Since 2010 approximately $28,000 in scholarships have been awarded.

2026 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS: Jyuan Alonso, Layla Arredondo, Adelyne Bustos, Daniel Cruz, Eleanor Hiner, Jackson Murphee, Thomas Natal, Lizbeth Sandoval, Angelina Vazquez, and Isabella Zertuche

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

History

On an early Sunday morning our son Johnnie's life ended suddenly and tragically when he was hit and run over by a drunk driver while walking home. Many of us found ourselves in a strange place beginning a grief journey we had not planned to take.

In 2009 our family decided we wanted to start an annual scholarship in memory of Johnnie. Fund raising efforts began informally by family members selling BBQ plates. Johnnie's friends then offered to play for free at a local club to help raise funds and Johnnie Jam was born.

On May 7, 2010 we were honored to give this scholarship for the first time to several selected local San Marcos High School graduating seniors and have continued to present scholarships since then every year in May.

In August 2011, the Johnnie T. Rosales Memorial Scholarship organization was officially formalized as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. The decision to apply for IRS tax exemption status was made later and was officially approved by the IRS in January 2015.

In 2012, the late Mr, Kent Finlay owner of Cheatham Street Warehouse, a historically renowned music venue granted us permission to begin holding the Johnnie Jam annual scholarship music fund raiser there where it has continued until today.

November 2, 2013, In partnership with Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, the first ever Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run was held at River Ridge Parkway in San Marcos Texas and has continued to be an annual Fall event. In 2016, the event was moved to a new location at Hernandez Elementary School. (LIKE us on Facebook: Dia de los Muertos 5K in San Marcos, Tx)

August 8, 2015, Proclamation issued by City of San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero proclaiming "Johnnie Jam Day"!

PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:

2025 Caden Arredondo, Maureen Lucio, Anabel Lopez, Catherine Cortez, Jonathan Walker, Yousef Omar, and Aubrey Clark

2024 Harley Burdick, Raegan Chomel, Jessalyn James, Brendan Jones, Victoria Martinez, Trinity Sabin

2023: Madelyn Kirby, Daniel Lopez, Noah Mosqueda, Rose Rios, Neveah Rodriguez, Julian Velasquez, Steven Wilder

2022 Dorian Contreras, Justien Hernandez, Nayeli Reyes

2021 Emma Cortez, Natalie Rodriguez, Devyn Underwood, Juliana Villalpando

2020: Alicia Cruz, Abraham Medina, Angel Martinez, Daniel Phan

2019 Sara DeLeon, Luke Merchant, Erik Velasquez, Roman Villanueva

2018: Lizette Del Bosque, Seth Andrew Luera, Joshua Lucio-Salinas, and Joe Selvera

2017: Yesenia Esquivel, Alyce Jeaneth Parra, Adriana LaNeese Williams, Julian Delarosa, Monica Pavia

2016: Rebekah Suzanne Bryan, Jasmine Flores-Guerrero, Juan Vasquez, Augustus Bates

2015: Richard Pecina, D'Nauzscha Nichols, Manuel Prado, Erica Silva

2014: Samuel Sowell, Marianna Perez, Samantha Govea

2013: Adam Escamilla, Tiffany Tolley, Evan Valenta, and Marshall Valenta

2012: Elia Lopez, Samanta Nombrana, and Pamela Tovar

2011: Jonathan Moreno, Brittany T. Natal, and Raquel Nino

2010: Jennifer Marie Halfmann, Cruz Madrid, Lauren Danielle Pagan, and Cameron Valenta

Johnnie JAM 2025 “El Fin”

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE JAMMIN YEARS!!

PAST ANNUAL Music Fundraiser, 2nd Saturday in August! ROCKIN TUNES!

ALSO:

Dia de los Muertos 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run 2026

Saturday morning October 31st at Hernandez Elementary School 333 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos Texas. Click on link, or paste on browser for registration: https://www.athleteguild.com/event/san-marcos-tx/2026-13th-annual-dia-de-los-muertos-5k-runwalk-kids-fun-run

Contact Us @

Email	jamjohnnie@gmail.com
Facebook	LIKE our page
Mail	Johnnie T. Rosales Memorial Scholarship P.O. Box 2654 San Marcos, TX 78667

Your donations help fund our efforts

Contributions to the Johnnie T. Rosales Memorial Scholarship are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law