Pillars of Character

Dr. Rita Garcia, ‘97, Pillar of Learning 

Determination despite adversity may be Rita Garcia's middle name.

While a junior at Taft High School, Rita became a parent. Through the Northside Independent School District's School Age Parenting Program staff, Rita learned to navigate the ups and downs of being a full-time teen parent and student. With the support of her family and the SAPP staff, Rita graduated high school and applied to The University of Texas at San Antonio.  

Rita said her parents taught her the value of never giving up, working hard for the things you want and keeping her son at the forefront of her mind when making life-changing decisions. The SAPP staff taught her that she could continue to pursue her dreams of an advanced education and believe in her strength of will. 

Rita's academic journey is a testament to her determination and resilience. Despite the challenges of being a young mother, she earned a bachelor's degree in community health from UTSA in 2003. Four years later, now a mother of two, she pursued a master's degree in health and wellness promotion from her alma mater. In 2023, she achieved her greatest academic milestone, earning a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Abilene Christian University. 

Rita's path to success was filled with challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of one of her greatest supporters, her mother, and the demanding task of juggling two jobs throughout her entire academic career. Despite these obstacles, Rita attributes her achievements to her supportive family and notably to two exceptional SAPP employees, Lisa Delgado and Anna Villa, who have consistently believed in her potential. While Rita has experienced remarkable success both professionally and personally, she considers her most significant achievements to be her children, who inspire her every day.

Rita's children, Daniel and Madison, are her unwavering source of motivation. She views them as the driving force behind her relentless pursuit of excellence, inspiring her to always strive to be her best and to never give up.

Today, Rita continues to make a difference in the field of health and wellness as the health and financial wellness coordinator for NISD. In her spare time, she remains active, enjoying time with family, running, weight lifting, marathons, and music concerts.  

She has served on the NISD School Health Advisory Committee for over a decade. She is on the Board of Directors with the San Antonio Business Group on Health and a member of the Mayor's Fitness Council and the Texas Business Group on Health.

Watch Dr. Rita Garcia's inspiring story in this video.

Lisa Delgado, ‘91, Pillar of Caring 

Throughout her academic career at Northside ISD, Lisa Delgado faced challenges that could have made academic success difficult. However, the unwavering support and encouragement from the faculty and staff became her pillar of strength, providing her with the stability she needed. The guidance and care she received helped her navigate those difficult times and find a sense of belonging and purpose within the school community. This support enabled her to excel academically and motivated her to join the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. She graduated in 1991, earning a place in the top 10% of her class.

She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from The University of Texas at San Antonio. She would later pursue a Master of Science Applied Statistics from the University of the Incarnate Word.  

In 2007, Lisa became a part of the Northside Independent School District family as an accountant in the Maintenance Department, unaware of the significant role she was destined to play. During her tenure, she made a life-changing decision to donate a kidney to a coworker she barely knew. Lisa firmly believed that their paths were meant to intersect at Northside, and her faith played a pivotal role in convincing her that it was exactly where she was meant to be. 

Today, Lisa is a Senior Advanced Data Analyst at the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA).  As a living organ donor, she is deeply grateful for the chance to utilize her analytical skills to support an organization dedicated to saving lives through the power of organ donation. Her selfless act of donating a kidney has not only saved a life but also inspired her to contribute to this noble cause in a professional capacity.

She also serves as the youth minister at St. George Maronite Catholic Church. She has served as a youth minister for over 20 years and has served thousands of local youth throughout the years.  The support she received in my youth inspired her to pay it forward. Lisa hopes to be a source of encouragement and strength for the young people she serves, ensuring they know they are valued, supported, and capable of making a meaningful difference in their communities.

Watch Lisa Delgado's inspiring story in this video.

BrigGen RJ Garcia, ‘92, Pillar of Respect

Army Brig. Gen. R.J. Garcia grew up in San Antonio, Texas.  He attended Locke Hill Elementary School, Colonies North Elementary School, Hobby Middle School, and Clark High School. His Northside Independent School District roots run deep – his wife attended John Jay High School, his mother was a teacher and a counselor at various schools across the district, and his sisters attended NISD schools.

While growing up in San Antonio, R.J. participated in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. While attending Clark High School, he participated in student government and was a member of the school's football team. In 1992, he was appointed and nominated to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.

His military service is extensive and diverse. After attending West Point, he graduated in 1996 and was commissioned into the Aviation Branch. He has served in various locations and duty positions in the United States and overseas, including duties with the 2nd Infantry Division Republic of Korea; 4th Infantry and 1st Cavalry Divisions: Fort Cavazos, Texas; 3rd Infantry Division: Fort Stewart, Georgia, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, U. S. Military Academy, 1st Armored Division: Fort Bliss, Texas, Headquarters Department of the Army, 25th Infantry Division: Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command: Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. 

Brig. Gen. Garcia's academic achievements are as impressive as his military service. He holds a Bachelor of Science from West Point, a Master of Science from Kansas State University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Aviation Officer Basic Course, Aviation Officer Advanced Course, Army Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College, and the AH-64A "Apache" and AH-64D "Apache Longbow" Aircraft Qualification Courses.

Brig. Gen. Garcia is a Senior Army Aviator who has earned the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Army Staff Badge.  He has been awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medals for his service during combat operations in Iraq. In addition to his military decorations, he has been inducted into the Army Aviation Association of America Order of St. Michael (Silver) for his contributions and service to the Army Aviation Branch.

Brig. Gen. Garcia's personal life is as fulfilling as his professional one. He is the 81st Commandant of Cadets at West Point. He is married to the former Elizabeth Trevino, and together, they are the proud parents of Grant and Ella.

Watch BrigGen RJ Garcia's inspiring story in this video.

Brandon Larson ‘94, Pillar of Fairness

Like most world-class athletes, Brandon Larson has experienced the highs and lows of pursuing a career in his chosen sport, baseball.

While playing football and baseball for Holmes High School, he lettered in both sports. He excelled academically as the senior class vice president and a member of the National Honor Society. 

After graduation and a brief stint at Blinn College, he transferred to Louisiana State University and joined the baseball team. He led the LSU Tigers to the College World Series within one year of joining the team. That year, he had 40 home runs and 118 RBIs with a .381 batting average.

The stand-out infielder was drafted in the first round (14th overall) of Major League Baseball's 1997 draft by the Cincinnati Reds and found success in the minor leagues. Larson was named a Triple-A-Allstar in 2002-2003 and the Reds Minor League Player of the Year in 2003. He made his Major League debut in 2001 and had stints in the Majors with different teams through the 2005 season. On July 20, 2007, Larson signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, batting .333 with 27 RBIs the rest of the season. In 2008, he was chosen to participate in the Atlantic League Home Run Derby and was selected to the All-Star Game.  

After retiring from professional baseball, Brandon worked as a baseball coach for the San Antonio Tigers, an assistant baseball coach for Kent State University, and a scout for the Washington Nationals.

While Brandon's athletic career reached the highest of highs, the lessons he learned while pursuing his dream had very little to do with the game's strategy and everything to do with life lessons. 

In a letter he wrote to a Cincinnati Reds teammate and published in the "Detroit Daily News," Brandon spoke eloquently of all he learned from the game: humility, friendship, compassion, and patriotism. However, the greatest lesson he learned was from his youngest fans. 

"The looks alone on all the little kids' faces when they see you approaching them, like they think you are Derek Jeter and whatever you say to them is gospel. That you could change and influence a child's day/week/month/year or even life by the way you treat them in the next few seconds or the next few words you say to them. And that's when I realized that even though I was the one playing the game, and I was the one who all the kids looked up to and came to see, it really wasn't about me at all. And that taught me my favorite lesson...selflessness," Brandon wrote. 

Today, Brandon is the head baseball coach for the Jay High School team.

Watch Brandon Larson's inspiring story in this video.

Matthew Carmona, ‘03, Pillar of Trustworthiness

While playing football at Clark High School, Matthew Carmona learned the value of putting your best effort forward, teamwork, sportsmanship, and building trust among his teammates. They are lessons he carries with him as a specially trained paramedic for the San Antonio Fire Department's Medical Special Operations Unit. 

Like most children, Matt wanted to be a fireman. His dream came true after earning an associate degree in fire science from San Antonio College. He holds certifications and licenses in emergency medicine from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In 2008, he joined the San Antonio Fire Department and earned the rank of Fire Engineer. He worked in fire suppression and the emergency medical services divisions before joining the Medical Special Operations Unit. 

The MSOU comprises two units in the city and is tasked with assisting during catastrophic events. Matt said he was told early in his career that trust was vital to success. He learned he had to trust his colleagues, and the public needed to trust him during the worst moments of their lives. Matt has endeavored throughout his career to earn that trust and to trust his colleagues as they help those experiencing unimaginable events. 

In his spare time, Matt extends his commitment to service by teaching army flight medics at UTHSCSA. His dedication to helping others is further demonstrated through his love for hunting and fishing, where he often donates his catch and meat to those in need. 

Matt's personal life is just as fulfilling as his professional one. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Christina, and they are the proud parents of three children, Alexander, Andrew, and Josephine.

Watch Matthew Carmona's inspiring story in this video.

Kimberly Jefferies, ‘92, Pillar of Citizenship

Kim Jefferies likes to joke she peaked in the third grade when she won the spelling bee and the bike rodeo that same year at Shenandoah Elementary School, now Howsman Elementary School. However, Kim has yet to peak.

After attending Hobby Middle School and graduating from Clark High School, Kim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas at San Antonio, specializing in reading and a minor in business administration. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from Our Lady of the Lady University. 

After a brief stint at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Kim embarked on a 25-year career at Brighton Center. Her leadership was evident from the start, and within six years of joining the San Antonio nonprofit dedicated to providing services for children with disabilities and developmental delays, she took the helm, steering the organization toward unprecedented growth and success.  

During her tenure, the Center grew from serving hundreds to over 4,000 children annually. Under Kim’s watch, the agency completed its first expansion in 2014 and a major $8 million expansion in 2020. Brighton Center was named Best Place to Work more than 25 times under Kim’s leadership and as the Nonprofit of the Year by the San Antonio Business Journal. 

In 2021, Kim joined Haven for Hope as its CEO. The nonprofit is dedicated to delivering an efficient care system for people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. Throughout her tenure, the organization has expanded programming for couples, young adults, and veterans and brought additional state and federal dollars to support Haven’s mission. In 2023, under Kim’s leadership, Haven for Hope was named the Nonprofit of the Year by the San Antonio Business Journal. Among her many accolades, Kim was voted the San Antonio Express-News Readers’ Choice Best Female Led CEO in 2023.

Kim dedicates herself to serving on various nonprofit boards and foundations in her spare time. However, the volunteer job she loves the most is serving at Our Savior for Lutheran, a local church her grandfather founded. In 2014, Kim fulfilled a lifelong dream of completing a mission trip to Malawi, Africa, where she assessed the educational system environment for children with disabilities to inform future program and mission planning for the Kingdom Workers agency. 

Kim and her husband, Cory, have two daughters, Kayleigh and Kamryn. Kim enjoys the outdoors, raising chickens, and loves to garden.

Watch Kimberly Jefferies's inspiring story in this video.

Walter Ball, ‘01, Pillar of Responsibility

Walter Ball has been a longtime community leader and servant to his community. As a 23-year fire science and emergency medicine veteran, Walter was recently named the Assistant Chief of Operations and Training for the Boerne Fire Department.

Walter's dedication to his community began long before his interest in fire safety and emergency medicine. A 2001 O'Connor High School graduate, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and received the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow by the Boy Scouts of America. His continued involvement as a mentor and leader in the Boy Scouts today is a testament to his enduring commitment to community service. 

Music was his passion throughout his academic career at Leon Valley Elementary and Stinson Middle School. He performed for his school's orchestras and was a member of the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio, a highly competitive local orchestra for youth aged 8 – 20 that provides a world-class experience and helps youth grow creatively, academically, and socially. Through YOSA, Walter performed with symphony and philharmonic orchestras.

During his years at O'Connor High School, Walter worked as a student aide to the athletic trainers. Learning about emergency medical care for student athletes led to his interest in emergency medicine and service with the fire department. He began as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Helotes while working to obtain his emergency medical technician certification and later became a licensed paramedic. 

Walter's academic journey has been marked by his dedication to fire and emergency services. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Texas A&M University San Antonio, along with two associate degrees from San Antonio College, a testament to his commitment to professional development in his field. 

During his career, he has continued to develop and strive for excellence, earning multiple commendations, including Paramedic of the Year in 2011, Officer of the Year in 2013, and Chief of the Year in 2018.

Walter has volunteered in multiple areas of Northside Independent School District, serving as a career day presenter across the district for the past 20 years and as a student mentor at Nichols Elementary School. He was recognized as the  Nichols elementary school's 2015 NISD Partner of the Year. Additionally, Walter is a mentor for the Marshall Law and Medical Services High School. 

Along with his duties at the Boerne Fire Department, Walter also serves as a member of the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, Boerne Honor Guard Commander, Adjunct Faculty for the San Antonio College Regional Fire Academy, and is a Firefighter for Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 8. 

Walter and his wife Rebecca of 17 years are the proud parents of Madisyn and Avonlea, Northside ISD students.

Watch Walter Ball's inspiring story in this video.