More than 400 supporters gathered March 3 at River Oaks Country Club to invest in Houston’s future, raising more than $760,000 to expand opportunity for high-achieving students from low-income communities.
The 9th annual Build The Village Luncheon celebrated the students, mentors, and community members who make that work possible and the collective effort required to ensure talented young people have access to the nation’s most selective colleges and the life-changing opportunities they open.
From alumni reflections to student announcements about their college futures, the program illustrated what happens when a village comes together behind the next generation of leaders.
Watch highlights from the 2026 Build the Village Luncheon:
Relive the Luncheon
If you were unable to attend or would like to revisit the program, you can watch the full Build the Village Luncheon on our YouTube channel.
Photo Gallery
Explore highlights from the afternoon through our 2026 Build The Village Luncheon Photo Gallery.
A VISION FOR HOUSTON’S FUTURE
In her remarks, EMERGE CEO Ashley Cash reminded guests that the celebration of college acceptances is only the beginning of a much longer journey.
Behind every acceptance moment, she said, is a student who worked for years to get there, a family that sacrificed along the way, and a village of supporters walking beside them.
Cash reflected on her own path to college as a first-generation student navigating the process largely on her own. Sitting on her bedroom floor with a college guide, she circled schools she hoped to attend but had little guidance on how to reach.
That experience shaped her belief in EMERGE’s work.
“College remains one of the most powerful engines of economic mobility in this country,” she told the audience.
Research shows that students who attend the nation’s most selective colleges earn, on average, $100,000 more per year than peers with similar academic qualifications who enroll elsewhere.
Over a lifetime, those gains translate into greater economic mobility for students and stronger long-term prosperity for cities like Houston.
EMERGE helps close the opportunity gap through sustained, relationship-driven advising that begins in high school and continues through college and into careers.
The results are clear. EMERGE scholars earn college degrees at four and a half times the national average for students from similar economic backgrounds.
“The model is proven,” Cash said. “The talent is out there. Now we need to reach more of them.”
Marlee Morgan: A Village in Action
Guests were then introduced to Marlee Morgan, an EMERGE alumna whose journey reflects the long-term impact of the program.
Marlee graduated from Westbury High School and went on to attend the University of Virginia. Today, she is pursuing a master’s degree at Syracuse University.
In a video shared during the program, Marlee reflected on how EMERGE’s support extended far beyond the college admissions process. Her program manager remained someone she could call with questions about school, career decisions, and moments of uncertainty.
“Going beyond graduation with my program manager has meant a lot,” she shared.
Marlee attended the luncheon with her parents, Yoseph and Kimbley, and her brother Ethan, who were recognized during the program for supporting her journey.
Watch Marlee’s story: Marlee Morgan: A Story of Resilience
Honoring a Champion for Students
The luncheon also honored Mia Mends, Chief Executive Officer of Cushman & Wakefield Services and former EMERGE board chair, for more than a decade of leadership and mentorship.
Her partnership with EMERGE has helped strengthen the organization’s network of supporters and expand opportunities for students across Houston.
The award was presented by Ruth Beaubrun, an EMERGE alumna and University of Chicago graduate who now works as a Senior Associate at DoorDash.
Ruth shared how Mends entered her life through the EMERGE mentorship program when Ruth was a high school senior at Bellaire High School.
She recalled the first time Mends picked her up after band practice and invited her to dinner with her family. That evening helped Ruth imagine a future that once felt distant.
“She showed me that my dreams were possible,” Ruth said. “And she gave me what I needed to achieve them.”
Accepting the award, Mends reflected on the lasting relationships that define EMERGE’s work.
“When we invest in EMERGE scholars, we invest in Houston,” she said.
Watch the Honoree Presentation: Honoree Recognition: EMERGE Alumna Ruth Beaubrun Honors Mentor Mia Mends
Diana Villatoro Sorto: A Dream Realized
The emotional centerpiece of the afternoon came from Diana Villatoro Sorto, an EMERGE scholar and senior at Klein Collins High School.
Diana shared the story of her family’s journey from El Salvador to Houston and the sacrifices that shaped her path.
She spoke about her older brother, who set aside his dream of studying civil engineering so the family could build stability after arriving in the United States. She described her mother, who once held a business degree in El Salvador but worked in a school cafeteria after immigrating.
Diana discovered EMERGE in high school and filled out the application immediately, determined not to miss the opportunity.
Through the program, she visited colleges she had never imagined attending and received guidance from her program manager, Andrea Pedraza, who helped her navigate applications, financial aid, and scholarships.
She also credited her EMERGE mentor, Mrs. Audrey, for helping guide her through critical decisions during the college process.
Then Diana shared the moment everyone had been waiting for.
This fall, she will join the Princeton University Class of 2030.
The announcement sparked cheers and applause across the ballroom.
For Diana, the moment represented more than a personal milestone. It belonged to her parents, Esther and Elmer, her brother who sacrificed for the family, and her younger sister who is now growing up seeing what is possible.
After college, Diana hopes to return to Houston as a neurologist and serve the community that supported her.
“When you invest in EMERGE scholars,” she said, “we come back.”
Watch Diana’s story: From Houston to Princeton: Diana Villatoro Sorto’s Powerful Speech
Watch EMERGE seniors open their college acceptances: Class of 2026 College Acceptances | EMERGE Scholars React
A Community Committed to Opportunity
Events like the Build the Village Luncheon are made possible through the dedication of supporters and community leaders who believe in expanding opportunity for students across Houston.
EMERGE is deeply grateful to 2026 luncheon co-chairs Kate Dearing Fowler and Kate Schilling Kelm, , as well as the many corporate and philanthropic partners, board members, advisory council members, mentors, and community leaders whose investment makes this work possible.
You can view the full list of sponsors and partners who supported this year’s luncheon here.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters across Houston, EMERGE continues to expand the number of students who can pursue their ambitions through our program. If this work resonates with you, consider making a gift to help us reach more students across Houston.
If you’re interested in supporting next year’s luncheon, becoming a mentor, or learning more about how you can get involved, we would love to connect. Please reach out to our team at development@emergescholars.org.