MISSION, TEXAS (June 23, 2026) – Mission Consolidated Independent School District alumni, student-athletes, and a historic championship team were recognized as part of the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Media Day held Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Mission Event Center.
The event gave local media an opportunity to visit with inductees, Team of Honor recipients and scholarship award recipients ahead of the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet.
Mission CISD was proudly represented among this year’s honorees, including Mission High School alumna Dr. Sonia Treviño, fellow Mission High School alumna Anyssa Olivarez Wood, the 1991 Mission High School Cross Country State Championship Team, Mission High School scholarship recipient Leon Villarreal and Veterans Memorial High School scholarship recipient Itzel Garcia.
Dr. Sonia Treviño reflects on hometown roots
Treviño, a 1986 Mission High School graduate, was recognized for her outstanding volleyball career. After finding success at Mission High School, she continued her athletic career at the collegiate level, where she became a four-time conference champion, a two-time All-American and a national player of the year.
Treviño said being inducted in her hometown made the honor even more meaningful.
“Having it (Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Banquet) be here in our hometown makes it even much more special,” Treviño said. “These are the people that have shaped us. This is a community that supported us. This is the people that first believed in us.”
Treviño also credited the Mission coaches and mentors who helped guide her journey, including her high school volleyball coach Carmen Martinez and elementary coach Carlos Lopez. She said returning to Mission as an adult has allowed her to continue building her life in the community that helped raise her.
“I call Mission not only my home, but this is also where I do business,” Treviño said.
1991 cross country state champions honored
The 1991 Mission High School Cross Country State Championship Team was honored as a Team of Honor recipient, recognizing one of the most memorable athletic achievements in Mission CISD history.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Babie Sandoval said the honor was a reminder of what seven Mission student-athletes accomplished together more than three decades ago.
“We are very humbled,” Sandoval said. “Seven girls from Mission, Texas, in 1991 did a truly amazing, outstanding thing for our school, for our district.”
Sandoval said the team’s success came from hard work, discipline and the leadership of Coach Kathy Howell.
“We ran Monday through Sunday,” Sandoval said. “We worked hard day in and day out. We had to meet our times. Our coach was on us. All seven of us were very disciplined. We wanted it. We wanted to win. We wanted to be the best.”
She said the team’s bond helped carry them to the state title and created a sisterhood that has lasted 35 years.
“We had this strong sisterhood,” Sandoval said. “We are very close with one another. I think that the bond that we had helped us win that state title.”
Mission CISD students receive scholarship recognition
Mission High School graduate Leon Villarreal and Veterans Memorial High School graduate Itzel DeLeon were recognized as scholarship recipients.
For Villarreal, receiving the scholarship was especially meaningful because of his family’s connection to the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame.
“It’s an honor,” Villarreal said. “My grandma was inducted as a volleyball coach a few years back, so it’s an honor to be recognized by the same organization for my hard work these past four years.”
Villarreal plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a degree in sports management. Although he does not plan to compete at the collegiate level, he said he wants to remain connected to athletics and eventually give back to the region.
“I do want to stay around sports to try to help the future student-athletes of RGV,” Villarreal said. “I want to be able to be in that position to help the RGV athletes and help the city of Mission.”
Villarreal thanked his coaches, family and support system for helping him throughout his athletic and academic journey at Mission High School.
Garcia’s recognition as the Veterans Memorial High School scholarship recipient adds to the district’s proud representation at this year’s Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame celebration.
A celebration of Mission CISD excellence
The recognition of Mission CISD alumni, students and teams highlights the district’s long-standing tradition of excellence in athletics, academics and community leadership.
From Hall of Fame inductees to championship teams and future leaders, Mission CISD continues to celebrate the students and alumni whose hard work, perseverance and commitment have left a lasting impact on the Rio Grande Valley.
###