Las Vegas Teen Named Cooke Scholarship Semifinalist

Antonio Romero rubbed the shoe of the John Harvard statue for good luck, a moment that felt both surreal and achievable for the 17-year-old from Las Vegas, New Mexico.

The Robertson High School senior recently learned he's a semifinalist for the prestigious Cooke College Scholarship, which provides up to $55,000 to help students attend their dream schools. Out of 6,500 applicants nationwide, only 568 made it to the semifinal round.

Romero's college journey has already taken him places many small-town students only imagine. In October, he flew to Massachusetts as one of just 95 students selected from 3,700 applicants for a fly-in program at Tufts University. The program covered his flight, meals, and lodging while he explored the campus.

Christina Argyres, an attorney at the Roybal-Mack & Cordova law firm where Romero interns, took him a day early to visit nearby Harvard University. "I fell in love with Boston, I fell in love with Harvard," Romero said. "It's quiet, peaceful, and really beautiful."

His connections to both campuses run deeper than tours. At Tufts, he recognized plants he uses in his landscaping designs with Future Farmers of America, where he serves as chapter president and district vice president. He heard student musical groups perform and could picture himself joining them as a violinist who sings with Mariachi Alma del Norte.

Romero discovered these opportunities through his college advisor Matt Ybarra, who directs ROCA New Mexico. The organization supports first-generation, rural college students navigating the path to higher education.

The law firm where Romero has interned since June 2024 has become his second family. Attorney Antonia Roybal-Mack wrote his recommendation letter for the Cooke Scholarship, while the Argyres sisters have mentored him like aunts.

The Ripple Effect

Romero's success shows how rural students can compete nationally when given the right support system. ROCA New Mexico connects talented students with opportunities they might never discover on their own. The Roybal-Mack law firm demonstrates how local professionals can transform lives by opening doors and sharing connections.

These partnerships create pathways that didn't exist before in small communities. When one student breaks through, they light the way for others who share similar dreams.

His mother Monica has been his biggest supporter as a single parent. "Everything I do is dedicated to her," Romero said. "I am truly grateful for the guidance and support she has provided to me."

Romero will learn in late March whether he advances to the finals, but he's already beaten incredible odds and proven that small-town kids can dream big and make those dreams real.