When Vannia Romero began classes at The University of Texas at Tyler this fall, she carried with her more than a passion for nursing. She carries the sacrifices of her family, the strength she built through adversity, and the support of a community investing in her future.
East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF) named Romero, a recent graduate of Gilmer High School, as the recipient of the Yamboree Empowerment Scholarship (YES) for Women for the 2026–27 academic year. The scholarship was created to help young women from Upshur County pursue a college education and achieve their dreams.
For Vannia, attending college represents an opportunity to build a future rooted in compassion and purpose. Romero plans to study nursing at The University of Texas at Tyler. Her long-term goal is to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practitioner degree and specialize in pediatric oncology care.
“My goal is to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner,” said Vannia, the scholarship awardee. “I want to provide care for children battling cancer while also supporting their families through some of the hardest moments of their lives.”
Throughout high school, Vannia balanced academic excellence, leadership activities, and long work hours with remarkable determination. She graduated with a 3.9 GPA while participating in National Honor Society and FCCLA, where she helped organize events and community service projects. She also worked approximately 25 hours a week at a local restaurant, eventually taking on managerial responsibilities.
Romero’s teachers and employers describe her as dependable, driven, and compassionate. “Vannia has a special ability to excel academically while balancing significant responsibilities outside the classroom,” said Dr. Robin Stephenson of Gilmer High School. “Her leadership and work ethic will carry her far in the future.”
Romero’s journey has also been shaped by personal challenges that strengthened her resilience and sense of identity. “My life experiences have taught me strength, independence, and pride in who I am,” Vannia said. “They motivate me to work harder and create a better future for myself.”
Now in its third year, the YES for Women Scholarship was established by Gilmer natives Sally Greene and Laura Parsons-Sergent, whose families have deep roots in the East Texas Yamboree tradition. Inspired by their upbringing and the opportunities they were given, the pair created the scholarship to support young women who may otherwise struggle to afford college.
“Returning to the Yamboree has given us an opportunity to look back and realize how fortunate we were to have had the advantages that we did growing up in Gilmer,” Greene said. “College was only a dream for many young women in the county then, and unfortunately, still is. Through the creation of this scholarship, we hope to help young women attend college who might not otherwise have the resources.”
The endowed scholarship was established through initial contributions from Greene and Parsons-Sergent and continues to grow through support from the East Texas Yamboree Association. The long-term goal is to sustain a renewable scholarship that supports recipients throughout their college careers.
“Each year, as we award this scholarship, we renew our commitment to giving back to our hometown,” said Parsons-Sergent. “We hope these young women know their community believes in them and their future.”
The YES for Women Scholarship is part of ETCF’s broader mission to support students throughout East Texas. This year, the Foundation awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships after reviewing thousands of applications from across the region.
“ETCF is grateful for the opportunity to support Laura, Sally, and the East Texas Yamboree Association with the awarding of this scholarship to such a deserving graduate,” said Kyle Penney, President of ETCF. “It is an honor for the Foundation to steward these resources while helping students pursue their educational goals.”
As Vannia prepares for her first semester at The University of Texas at Tyler, she is focused not only on achieving her own dreams, but also on one day helping families facing unimaginable challenges. With resilience, compassion, and determination, Romero embodies the mission of the YES for Women Scholarship: empowering East Texas women to overcome obstacles, pursue higher education, and create meaningful change in the lives of others.
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