Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers scholarship in honor of Uvalde victim

Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·2 min read

Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, a 10-year-old victim of the May 24 shooting at Uvalde's Robb Elementary School, dreamed of attending Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and becoming a marine biologist.

The Island University will offer a scholarship in her memory.

"Maite was a sweet girl and those who know and loved her were blessed with her kind, ambitious, friendly and sweet soul," her obituary reads. "She was an AB honor student who enjoyed learning about animals and the ocean; especially dolphins, whales, and dogs. She dreamt of attending (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) to become a Marine Biologist because of her caring heart towards wildlife and the animals within it."

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A photo of Maite Yuleana Rodriguez is shown at a memorial in the Uvalde town square.
A photo of Maite Yuleana Rodriguez is shown at a memorial in the Uvalde town square.

Maite's mother, Ana Rodriguez, shared in a Facebook post Thursday that Maite hoped to attend A&M-Corpus Christi. On Sunday, Rodriguez shared in an additional Facebook post that the university reached out to create a scholarship in memory of Maite.

The Maite Yuleana Rodriguez Scholarship will be awarded to a student from Uvalde who is pursuing a degree in marine biology, Rodriguez said in the post.

"I am grateful that Maite’s memory will live on through other students who are passionate about Marine biology, just like she was," Rodriguez said in the post.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi President and CEO Kelly Miller offered a brief statement about the scholarship:

"Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi wanted to honor the memory of Maite Rodriguez after learning of her desire to become an Islander. The university created a scholarship in her name to ensure she will forever be a part of the Islander family."

Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com. You can support local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times. 

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi offers scholarship in honor of Uvalde victim