The Tiede-Medina First Generation Scholarship

The Tiede-Medina First Generation Scholarship, established by the Knight Brothers Foundation in 2022, was created to encourage and support students who are the first in their families to attend college. This scholarship represents the Foundation’s deep commitment to education, social service, and the building of stronger, more equitable communities.

Each year, a scholarship is awarded to a deserving student within the International Leadership of Texas (ILTexas) public charter school district who has demonstrated a commitment to pursuing majors in education or health services—fields that reflect a calling to serve others. Through these disciplines, students carry forward the values of compassion, equity, and community engagement that are at the heart of this scholarship's mission.

Recipients of the Tiede-Medina First Generation Scholarship also receive access to ongoing mentorship opportunities designed to support their educational journey, personal development, and career aspirations.

The Tiede-Medina First Generation Scholarship also honors the remarkable career and contributions of Irene Aguilar Tiede, Scott Tiede's wife, and a lifelong educator. Across her 29-year career as a teacher, principal, and Executive Director in schools across San Antonio and North Texas, Irene has positively influenced the academic success of tens of thousands of students.

Her leadership has shaped school communities grounded in equity, inclusion, and opportunity. As a mentor and Field Supervisor to aspiring school administrators through the University of Arlington, Irene has worked to ensure that empathy, advocacy, and student-centered leadership remain at the heart of education for generations to come.

It is through her ongoing passion for educational access and her distinguished tenure with International Leadership of Texas that this scholarship is uniquely dedicated to ILTexas senior students who embody the spirit of leadership, perseverance, and service that Irene has championed throughout her career.