November 12, 2026 - Smithson Valley High School senior Tristin Garcia was surprised with a $2,500 GritGrant award on Thursday.
Only six students in the country were selected for this year’s award which recognizes individuals who have one common trait, perseverance and the will to never quit.
“I didn’t expect any of this,” says Garcia, who has faced adversity with the grit and perseverance it takes to be a 2026 GritGrant winner.
Nominated by his Career Technology Education (CTE) teacher Gloria Wolfshohl, Garcia was surprised by the announcement and didn’t feel like he deserved all the attention.
Luckily, Jim McKenzie, the founder of the GritGrant and the McKenzie Foundation which sponsors the award, disagrees. In fact, he wanted to personally meet Garcia and present him with his grant.
“There were 27 finalists for this award from letters that were received from teachers from across the country,” McKenzie says. “The board reads applications from all over the world, and this is what brings me here today.
“Tristin, you were selected for the GritGrant. It’s a crystal octagon-shaped award with your name, school and a special inscription that says, ‘Whose actions motivate others to never quit no matter the obstacle.’”
In addition to the crystal award, Garcia also receives $2,500.
“This is a way for us to thank him for doing the things he has done,” says McKenzie.
To be nominated, a student must be enrolled in a high school INCubator program, which is how Garcia got to know Wolfshohl. He was a student in her business class as a sophomore and then her INCubator Ideation class as a junior. This is when he and his team created their start-up called “Help Beyond,” a mental health app platform designed for teens and young adults.
The app was personal for Garcia who watched his mother battle cancer and explained that he didn’t want anyone to go through what he went through. The app connects users with licensed professionals for quick, meaningful guidance without the barriers of traditional therapy.
He feels that the key to helping young people is letting them feel comfortable talking about their troubles, fears and concerns. The app provides a way for them to do so anonymously.
“His enthusiasm to surpass personal life challenges as he seeks success and goodwill for others is his goal each day,” Wolfshohl wrote in her letter. “His exceptional sincerity and contributions have been a positive influence among students of different ethnicities, cultures and special needs.”
The McKenzie Foundation partners with Uncharted Learning to provide the GritGrant to high school students who overcome adversity. The Regional Specialist for Texas Jerri Lamirand helped present Garcia with his award.
Photo descriptions
-Smithson Valley High School senior Tristin Garcia received a 2026 GritGrant.
-Pictured from left is Jerri Lamirand from Uncharted Learning, stepfather, Career and Technical teacher Gloria Wolfshohl, Founder of GritGrant and McKenzie Foundation Jim McKenzie, Tristin Garcia, Smithson Valley High School Principal Dr. Stacia Snyder and Comal ISD Superintendent Dr. John E. Chapman III.
-Pictured from left is Founder of GritGrant and McKenzie Foundation Jim McKenzie, Tristin Garcia, Smithson Valley High School CTE teacher Gloria Wolfshohl.
