H.R. No. 1799 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, An exemplary student received well-deserved recognition when Sofia Ronquillo-Silva was named a University of Texas at El Paso Top Ten Senior for 2023; and WHEREAS, Presented by the UTEP Alumni Association, the award recognizes the university's most promising graduating or recently graduated seniors; honorees are chosen on the basis of multiple criteria, including academic achievement, involvement, leadership, and service, both in the community and on campus; and WHEREAS, While working toward her biochemistry degree, Ms. Ronquillo-Silva was involved in the UTEP Edge initiative, which allowed her to work on campus while participating in student leadership and research experiences; moreover, she served as an undergraduate research assistant through the MERITUS and SURPASS Programs sponsored by the Campus Office of Undergraduate Research Initiatives; she also took part in the CARES Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, the Blackstone LaunchPad Fellowship, and the Blackstone LaunchPad Innovation in Life Sciences Camp; and WHEREAS, Ms. Ronquillo-Silva hopes to become a university professor and dedicate herself to research, teaching, and mentorship; in addition, she has plans to launch a virtual platform to provide resources for female and nonbinary scientists; and WHEREAS, Through the dedication she has demonstrated in all her endeavors, Sofia Ronquillo-Silva has built a strong foundation for continued achievement, and she is indeed deserving of this prestigious accolade; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Sofia Ronquillo-Silva on her receipt of a 2023 Top Ten Seniors Award from the UTEP Alumni Association and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Ronquillo-Silva as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Ortega ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1799 was adopted by the House on May 25, 2023, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House