ANNA MARES - Outstanding Ex

Anna Lucia Mares, EPHS Class of 1980, 2018 EPHS Outstanding Ex Anna Lucia Mares, Class of 1980, was born in Anchorage, Alaska where her father served in the United States Air Force. She lived and was raised in the Mission Hills area where she attended Mesita Elementary School before going to El Paso High School (EPHS). While at EPHS, Anna was a 4-year varsity basketball letterman, excelled scholastically, served as Student Council President, and was selected as All EPHS Girl. As a senior in high school, Anna worked with the El Paso County Historical Commission to research, document and submit the application to the National Historic Commission and the Texas Historical Commission to have EPHS be recognized as a National Historic Site. The submission was approved and EPHS is now a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Due to Anna’s efforts, the “Lady on the Hill” will always be preserved and protected. After receiving her Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, Anna went to work for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. She created specific innovative performance-based methodologies to increase friendly aircraft protection thereby reducing fratricides to United States and Coalition forces. She is highly regarded and respected in her field. Her technical awards include the Army Research Laboratories 13th Annual Honorary Award for her work on the Analysis for Air Defense during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, and the Human System Integration Practitioner of the Year Award. Anna has received letters of commendation from the Secretary of Defense, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation as well as many of the Commanding Generals of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center. Anna is always ready to participate and help in anything having to do with EPHS. She was instrumental in making the Centennial Celebration a success. She was part of the core team that planned, raised money, located alumni, and rallied the community to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. As a member of the EPHS Alumni Board, Anna continues to pursue activities that assist the students, faculty, staff, and school. She is currently submitting grant applications for funding to construct the “El Paso High School Museum” as well as grants to fund the digitizing and preservation of the over 100 years of photos, yearbooks, newspapers and artifacts. She also worked with El Paso Independent School District to ensure that an expert on restoration of historic buildings was selected to evaluate the condition of the EPHS façade. Anna always gives unconditionally to her family, friends and community. Whenever possible, she reaches out to students to promote education. Anna volunteers her time to promote education by providing inspirational Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) seminars to the 5th graders at Carlos Rivera School and to the Girl Scouts. She mentors a Loretto Academy Challenge Program student and encourages her to become the first college graduate in her family. After submitting the application and receiving a DoD STEM grant for robotics, Anna worked with the Loretto Angelbots robotics team to build a robot for competition. She helped these girls realize their own creativity, imagination and intelligence. Anna serves as an inspiration and role model for young women throughout the community to strive for and achieve success in the fields of science and math. Anna Lucia Mares is a true El Paso High School Outstanding Ex.