About Us
Our Mission
The mission of The Hooper's Hero Award is to empower students from underserved backgrounds by awarding scholarships to high-achieving individuals who demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, and significant involvement in extracurricular activities. Through this support, we aim to honor the legacy of Claire Hooper by promoting educational equity, cultivating leadership, and recognizing students who positively impact their communities through volunteerism, athletics, organizational leadership, and meaningful engagement. Our goal is to help promising young leaders overcome barriers to higher education, enabling them to achieve their dreams and become agents of positive change.
Ms. Claire Hooper
We are establishing this award in honor of our beloved teacher, Claire Hooper. Ms. Hooper was an SAT instructor at Central High School in Beaumont, Texas. From the time she began teaching in approximately 2005, she quickly became one of the most cherished teachers at the school due to her engaging teaching style, unwavering dedication to our education, and genuine love for her students, which extended far beyond the classroom. In 2008, she created the original Hooper’s Hero Award, which she personally funded each year to support a deserving graduate in pursuing higher education.
One of the first things we learned about Ms. Hooper was her steadfast commitment to what she believed was right. When she chose to become a full-time teacher, our school district had recently initiated a pilot program offering SAT instruction as an elective class. Given her extensive experience and proven track record as an SAT teacher, Ms. Hooper was asked to teach at another school. However, she refused. It was a condition of her accepting the position that she teach at Central High School. Her reasons were twofold: Central High was her alma mater, and she recognized it as the most disadvantaged school in the district. She believed she could make the most significant impact with students who had substantial academic ground to make up and were least likely to access such resources independently due to financial constraints. Through her class, many students improved their test scores enough to gain admission to colleges they previously would not have dared to dream about attending.
Perhaps even more significantly, Ms. Hooper took the time to talk with us about life. Long before phrases like “Black Lives Matter” entered common discourse, she spoke openly with her students—at a school comprising 95% racial minorities—about the injustices she observed in the minority experience. She educated us about systemic injustices, validated our personal experiences, and helped us articulate the feelings that “something isn’t quite right here,” which many of us felt but couldn't fully explain. Additionally, she invested time in listening to our personal lives and challenges. Even when she couldn’t fix a situation, she always listened and provided unwavering support. Ms. Hooper had a unique ability to make us feel truly seen, regardless of whether our concerns seemed trivial or had the potential to be life-altering. Even on her own personal time, she supported us through life's challenges simply because she believed it was the right thing to do.
Ms. Hooper consistently encouraged us to pursue our dreams through both her words and actions. She was genuinely one of us—someone from our community who managed to transform her life through education. Whether sharing her experiences living in Ireland, attending law school, or ultimately leaving law school when she discovered her true passion for teaching, she exemplified living life authentically and passionately. When we shared our aspirations with her, she not only affirmed our capability to achieve them but also actively assisted us in making these dreams a reality, exemplified through the scholarship she established.
Due to health challenges, Ms. Hooper had to leave teaching in 2012, yet this did not diminish her commitment to the relationships she had formed with us, which she maintained until her passing in 2016. Despite facing significant health issues, she continued to support us, ensuring we knew we were loved and believed in. Her bond with her students was so profound that some affectionately called her "Mom."
Ms. Hooper frequently reminded us, "To whom much is given, much is expected." Given all she provided to us, we feel deeply honored to extend a portion of her immense impact back into the world through this award.
Hooper's Heroes
Luis Lopez
Co-Founder & Finance Lead, Hooper’s Hero Award
Hooper's Hero Award Recipient
Luis Lopez is a dedicated community leader, entrepreneur, and financial & insurance professional who is deeply committed to empowering the next generation through education.
A proud graduate of Central High School in Beaumont, TX, Luis was profoundly impacted by his SAT prep instructor, Ms. Claire Hooper. He was honored to be the original recipient of the Hooper's Heroes Scholarship in 2008, which significantly shaped his educational journey.
Inspired by Ms. Hooper’s unwavering dedication to justice, educational equality, and student mentorship, Luis co-founded the Hooper’s Hero Award, where he currently leads finance and fundraising initiatives.
Luis earned both his Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Lamar University. His professional path has included roles at respected international companies such as Deloitte and National Oilwell Varco before becoming a business owner himself. Drawing from his own experience overcoming financial obstacles with the help of mentors like Ms. Hooper, Luis is passionate about supporting students facing similar challenges.
Beyond his professional and philanthropic commitments, Luis is an avid runner—having recently completed his first half marathon—and a devoted boxing fan. Above all, he treasures time with his daughter, Abbie, instilling in her the same values of perseverance, compassion, and service to others that Ms. Hooper once instilled in him.
Luis Lopez remains steadfast in honoring Ms. Hooper’s legacy by empowering students to reach their full potential through education, mentorship, and financial support.
Harold Booker Jr.
Harold Booker Jr., a proud graduate of Texas Academy of Leadership in Humanities at Lamar University. Harold first crossed paths with Ms. Claire Hooper as his SAT prep instructor at Central Medical Magnet High School, where he was deeply influenced by her dedication to academic excellence, community service, and social justice. Harold embraced Ms. Hooper’s lifelong lesson: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
Harold has dedicated himself to creating meaningful change through roles that blend project management, technology, and community empowerment. After graduating from Morehouse College with a Bachelor’s degree in International and Global Studies—and enriching his education through studies at renowned institutions like the London School of Economics and the Geneva Graduate Institute—Harold has developed a global perspective that he applies to local and national community initiatives.
Harold currently is a founder and Principal Consultant of DrewJenk Consulting and has served as Interim Director of Workforce Development, Youth & Programs at the Greater Baltimore Urban League, managing transformative programs focused on justice-impacted employment, construction trades and apprenticeships, cybersecurity technology, youth mentorship, and leadership development. Under his leadership, his team has secured over $100,000 in grants and corporate philanthropy, directly benefiting underserved communities.
In addition to his impactful role at GBUL, Harold has held prominent positions in leading organizations including OnIndus, Trimble, and the Misys (now Finastra), expertly managing multi-million-dollar projects across multiple industries. His extensive credentials—including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster, Lean Six Sigma, and DEI certifications—underscore his commitment to excellence and equity in all areas of his professional journey.
As a passionate community leader, Harold frequently volunteers his time mentoring young professionals and supporting local nonprofit initiatives. He remains deeply dedicated to Ms. Hooper’s legacy of leadership, responsibility, and community service, continuously embodying the spirit of the Hooper’s Heroes Scholarship Award.
Candice Truong
Financial Analysis and Grant Management Professional
Hooper's Hero Award Recipient
Candice is an experienced financial analyst and grants management professional with a distinguished track record in education, nonprofit finance, and community service. After earning her Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business, Candice quickly established herself as an expert in managing complex budgets, financial analysis, and overseeing multimillion-dollar grant portfolios.
Currently, Candice serves as the Director, Finance Business Partner at a nonprofit organization, strategically guiding financial decisions and managing grant operations to ensure impactful outcomes. Her prior roles at the Texas Education Agency and Houston ISD showcase her exceptional ability to navigate intricate financial landscapes and maintain fiscal integrity in educational settings.
Candice first crossed paths with Ms. Hooper during her junior year at Central High School, where she excelled as an outstanding student in Ms. Hooper’s SAT/college prep class in 2004. Recognized for her exceptional talent and potential, Candice later returned at Ms. Hooper’s invitation to mentor future classes, sharing insights on college life, career readiness, and personal growth. Candice’s relationship with Ms. Hooper deeply influenced her professional ethos and commitment to community.
Honored as a recipient of the Hooper’s Hero Award, Candice exemplifies the values of resilience, integrity, and service that the award embodies. Through her continued dedication to educational advancement and financial stewardship, Candice remains a shining example for future Hooper’s Heroes.
Jasmine Guidry Muse, MSc
Hooper's Hero Award Recipient, 2010
Jasmine G. Muse is a dynamic regulatory affairs professional specializing in combination products within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Jasmine expertly navigates complex regulatory pathways, ensuring innovative medical solutions reach patients swiftly and safely.
An accomplished scientist and experienced leader, Jasmine's extensive background spans roles in regulatory affairs, quality control, and clinical project management at renowned organizations including ExxonMobil, AkzoNobel, Amgen, and Carnegie Institute for Science. Her strategic initiatives have led to significant operational enhancements, successful FDA audits, and notable increases in company profitability and efficiency.
Academically distinguished from the start, Jasmine graduated as valedictorian from Central Medical Magnet High School in Beaumont, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Prairie View A&M University, certificate in Physiology from Georgetown University, followed by a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from George Mason University. There, her research significantly advanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. Continuing her commitment to excellence, Jasmine is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Temple University School of Pharmacy.
Passionate about community service and advocacy, Jasmine has held impactful roles as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. mentor in the Morehouse School of Medicine Clinical Research Center, and membership manager in the Atlanta Chapter of Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
Selected as a Hooper’s Hero Award recipient in 2010, Jasmine embodies the core values of academic excellence, professional achievement, and unwavering dedication to community enrichment that the award celebrates. Her inspiring journey reflects the transformative power of education, perseverance, and leadership, making her an exemplary role model for future generations of Hooper’s Heroes.
Erika Mendoza, PMP
Hooper's Hero Award Recipient, 2011
Erika Mendoza is living proof of what happens when potential meets opportunity. A proud Hooper’s Hero Award recipient in 2011, Erika’s life was forever changed by the unwavering belief of Ms. Hooper—a teacher who modeled excellence, discipline, and the power of showing up for others. Today, Erika leads with that same spirit, now serving as Operations Lead for the very organization that honors the person who once invested in her future.
In her role with The Hooper’s Hero Award, Erika drives the strategy, structure, and execution that allows the nonprofit to expand its reach, mobilize donors, and support first-generation, need-based scholars with purpose and integrity. Her leadership ensures the organization is built to last—and built to matter.
Erika is also the Head of Growth & Automations at GLP, where she leads growth strategy, revenue operations, and workflow optimization. She has managed multi-million-dollar portfolios and led high-impact projects for Fortune 500 clients and has worked at global companies like Cloudflare, bringing operational precision and a human-first approach to every challenge.
As the founder of Project Management Strategy Consultants, Erika has helped professionals earn their PMP certifications with a 100% first-time pass rate, building not just resumes—but confidence, access, and generational opportunity.
Her career spans healthcare IT, e-commerce, SaaS, cybersecurity, marketing, and operations leadership, always grounded in her belief that the right systems—combined with the right heart—can change lives. Erika holds a PMP certification, a Health Informatics & Health IT Certificate, and degrees in Biology and Spanish from The University of Texas at Austin.
Bilingual and based in Texas, Erika is also an abstract artist and mentor. Whether she’s guiding a student through scholarship or a CEO through scale, her work is rooted in legacy—the legacy of Ms. Hooper, and the heroes who rise because someone believed in them.