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LLS Recognizes Francesca Bustamante As Student Visionary Of The Year 2024BTy Sally Kaloshe Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)’s Student Visionaries of the Year philanthropic competitionbrings together thousands of high school students across the country from diverse backgrounds and experiences. These students are extraordinarily driven to reach their personal best and, ultimately, to help LLS fight blood cancer, a disease diagnosed every 180 seconds in the U.S. with no current means of prevention.Student Visionaries of the Year is a groundbreaking leadership development program for high school students. It has helped LLS invest more than $1.7 billion in cutting-edge research worldwide, fueling nearly every critical advancement in blood cancer treatment. LLS is also the leading source of free blood cancer information, education, and support, helping patients and families through a wide range of free services.Francesca Bustamante, a senior at Smithson Valley High School, is LLS’s South Texas Region’s winner and holds the title of Student Visionary Of The Year 2024. Francesca raised a grand total of $140,539 and received a national impact award for raising over $100,000.Francesca decided to get involved with LLS when her friend Alex Smithwick (the 2023 student visionary of the year) asked her if she would be interested. Her grandma had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier that summer. When she heard about LLS and how she could help, she took the opportunity. Her 6-year-old cousin was also diagnosed with Leukemia right at the end of her campaign. Francesca learned how to be professional, including sending emails and talking to businesses. She felt more confident and plans to attend Blinn for 2 years then transfer to A&M to studyMay 18th & 19thSATURDAY7:00pm - 11:00pmCountry & Western Music & Dancingby Jake Hooker & Outsiders$25 AdmissionAvailable both days Hamburgers, snacks, beer/wine/sodasSUNDAY11:00am - begin serving German pot roast & sausage meal (till it runs out) Polka Music & Dancing!11:30am – 2:30pm Shiner Hobo Band 3:00pm - 6pm Jody Mikula Orchestra $10 AdmissionWe specialize in hard surface floor cleaning. 5 Star Rated.Germania Farmers Verein149th Annual MaifestYour floors will shine in 2024!When the floor is clean, the people who live and work there will function at a higher level.Follow QR CodeCall: 210-277-0424Anhalt Dance Hall2390 Anhalt Rd., Spring Branch, TX 78070 www.anhalthall.comBook Online GreenTreeSteamers.comReflection Taxidermy & Bucket List OutfittersTime To Think About...SpringHunting Trips!Axis, Rams, Hogs, Oryx, Catalina Goats, Aoudad in Texas.Africa, Argentina, Spain, Canada?Spring & Fall- Bear, Elk, Mule, Deer, Booking Now!14370 US281 N, Spring Branch, TX 78070 wildlifer511@aol.com • www.bucketlistoutfitters.com(210) 722-8936business. After college, she hopes to work for a bit and then open a few businesses of her own, maybe even a non-profit.“Congratulations to Francesca, and all the dedicated candidates, supporters, and volunteers who helped to make Student Visionaries of the Year an incredible success this year!” said Clarissa Flores, LLS’s South Central Texas Executive Director.For more information or to get involved, visit llsstudentvisionaries. org and follow on social media, @ LLSsouthcentraltexas and @LLSusa, #LLSVisionaries. If you know a high-school student to nominate please email Caitlin. Cote@lls.org and Monica.Riojas@lls.org.Blood cancer patients and their families should contact the LLS Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., ET.WE SELL TEXAS LANDAlex LacombeSales Agent / Licensed in TX alacombe@cbharper.com(210) 777-0816weselltexasranches.comGraduate Spotlight : Caroline StewartCaroline Stewart, a graduate fromand then transfer.One of Caroline’s most cherishedmemories from high school is the series of fun trips she took with her classmates. These included the school retreat, where seniors like her worked to create a memorable camp experience for underclassmen. During this retreat, Caroline and herBy Sally KalosChristian School, is preparing to pursue a major in Political Science with a minor in German. While she remains undecided about which college to attend, she has narrowed her options to Covenant College in Georgia and Dallas Baptist University. Her plan is to begin her education at a local community collegeclassmates organized engaging activities to help students bond with each other. Additionally, she fondly recalls traveling around Europe with her classmates.Throughout her schooling, Caroline has emphasized the importance of doing the right thing with faith and excellence, all for the glory of God. She credits her inspiration and strength to God and her family. Growing up as a military child, she learned the value of consistency and cherishing the relationships in her life.Caroline has been recognized with the Barnabas Award in track and cross country, given to those who demonstrate characteristics similar to Barnabas, the close friend and supporter of the apostle Paulin the Bible. She has also received various academic honors, including being on the honor roll, receiving the Distinguished Christian Scholars Award, the President’s Education Awards Program, and the Principal’s Academic Excellence Award. Caroline has also been awarded multiple scholarships.Her extracurricular activities include participation in varsity track and field, varsity basketball, varsity cross country, and the National Honor Society. Currently, she serves as the student council president.Highlights Publications wishes her much success in her endeavors in the future.BrackenCaroline StewartMay 2024www.bsbhighlights.com9