Welcome Preservation Scholars Class of 2026!
Past Matters, Summer 2026, Published 6/12/2026
We are thrilled to welcome the 2026 cohort of Preservation Scholars. After receiving an impressive pool of high-quality applications this year, we are especially excited to introduce these eight outstanding individuals, who join us from communities across Texas. Each scholar brings a shared passion for preserving and protecting our state’s rich history, and we look forward to seeing the mark they will make during their 10-week internship with the Texas Historical Commission.
We are also excited to share that this year marks the highest number of scholars ever placed at Texas Historical Commission historic sites, with three scholars gaining hands-on experience at these locations.
Meet the Scholars:
Anahisa Rodriguez is from Weslaco, Texas and proud to call the Rio Grande Valley home. Currently, she is a graduate student at UT Austin pursuing a Master of Science in Information Studies with a focus on Archives & Preservation. She’s passionate about sharing diverse cultures and protecting underrepresented voices. Outside of class, she works as a research assistant at the Benson Latin American Collection where she enjoys assisting patrons and interacting with archival materials. In her free time, she loves to explore local theaters and bookshops around Austin. As our Larry Oaks Scholar, Anahisa will be working on the Archeology Division Library Project with Ryann Ramirez and Donald Firsching in the Archeology and IT Divisions respectively.
Angelica Mock is currently a rising junior double-majoring in History and Anthropology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. She was born in Florida, raised throughout the southern United States, and is now a proud Texan. Angelica currently works as a Collections Assistant at the Anthropology and Archaeology Collections at Wesleyan, where she conducts research on the objects housed in the collections to further stewardship and educational engagement. Additionally, she is working with the Wesleyan Center for Fine Arts to create an artistic, embodied unofficial land acknowledgment in collaboration with Wangunk artist, Gary O’Neil, to uplift Wangunk presence within the university and around the Connecticut Valley region. She plans to work with archives and museum collections after graduation, and in her spare time enjoys reading, traveling, and thrift shopping. As a Preservation Scholar Angelica will be working on the Uncovering Undertold Local History Project with Alicia Costello in the History Programs Division.
Asa Owens is a rising junior Nursing major at Prairie View A&M University. Born and raised in the Third Ward of Houston, Texas, Asa is excited to learn more about her hometown through her research this summer. As our Clay Scholar, Asa will be working on the African American Travel Guide Survey Project with Leslie Wolfenden in the History Programs Division.
Emily Puentes is a long-time resident of our beautiful state of Texas! She was born in Matamoros, Tamaulipas but moved to Brownsville at a young age, propelling her desire for studying the history of the state. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley pursuing a master of arts degree in History with a focus in borderlands and immigration history. Currently, Emily is an intern for the Brownsville Historical Association where she is fortifying her love for museums and historic preservation. Outside of her professional life, Emily loves to travel to cities around Mexico to discover their histories, collecting music in physical formats, and cooking. Emily will be working on an exhibit at Casa Navarro in San Antonio with Antonio Coffee and Crystal Dominguez.
Fabiana Bracho is a third-year history and museum studies student at the University of Texas at Austin. Her interests include historic preservation, archival studies, and Latin American history. Previously, Fabiana has collaborated to curate exhibits showcasing materials from UT Austin’s Historical Textiles and Apparel Collection (HTAC). As our Larry Oaks Scholar, Fabiana will be working on the Sam Bell Maxey 78 RPMs Project with Stacie Flood and Anne Ruppert at the Sam Bell Maxey House in Paris, Texas.
Kamille Anaya is a member of the 2027 undergraduate class at Trinity College, where she is majoring in Sociology and American Studies. Originally from Spring, Texas, she has a passion for researching town histories and connecting with community members. In addition to her academic pursuits, she enjoys seeking out new coffee shops and hiking trails. This summer Kamille will be working on the Mapping Texas Treasures Project with Ana Alicia Acosta and Melissa Fontenette-Mitchell in the Community Heritage Development Division
Trinity Franklin is a Nashville native with a passion for human behavior and social patterns. She is a Sociology major with a minor in Anthropology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has experience in a range of technical skills with particular interests in writing, mentoring, and research. On campus she is involved in UT San Antonio’s G-Force as a Student Coordinator, an ambassador program geared towards local elementary and middle schools. She also holds two positions as the Secretary and Treasurer for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Upsilon Upsilon Chapter. In the future, Trinity hopes to pursue a career in higher education focusing on research and community engagement. This summer she will be working on the Heritage Tourism for Gen Z and Alpha with Lance Catchings in Marketing and Public Relations.
Victoria Case is a student at Sam Houston State University pursuing a double major in History and Fashion Merchandising, with a minor in Art History. She is passionate about exploring the intersections of history, material culture, and storytelling, with a particular interest in how everyday objects and garments reflect lived experiences. Through her studies, she has developed strong research and analytical skills and is especially interested in making history more engaging and accessible to diverse audiences. She hopes to pursue a career that blends fashion, museum work, and historical interpretation. As a Preservation Scholar Victoria will be working on the Sam Bell Maxey Postcards Project with Stacie Flood and Anne Ruppert at the Sam Bell Maxey House in Paris, Texas.
We appreciate your support as celebrate the program’s 20th year!
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