Arianna Apodaca named LBJ Outstanding Senior Student at Texas State

Arianna Apodaca is the recipient of the 2021 LBJ Outstanding Senior Student Award presented annually by the Texas State University Alumni Association.

This award is named in honor of Distinguished Alumnus and 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, and recognizes graduating seniors who have shown outstanding leadership, character, campus and community involvement, and academic success.

Throughout Apodaca’s undergraduate career, she maintained her high GPA while battling aggressive breast cancer twice. During her sophomore and junior years at Texas State, she underwent numerous surgeries and many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Her experience with cancer led her to pursue a degree in radiation therapy and raise awareness for early detection of breast cancer. Ever dedicated, Apodaca completed the clinical rotations for her degree at the hospital where she was receiving her cancer treatments, enabling her to continue her studies without taking time off.

Apodaca has spoken about early detection and her cancer journey at San Marcos High School, as well as local news, webshows, and podcasts. While at Texas State, she served as the Vice President of the Pre-Radiation Therapy Organization, and the Social Media Coordinator for Be the Match. She was also a member of the student organizations Black Women United and Men Against Violence.

She graduated in May 2021 with a bachelor of science in radiation therapy and will pursue a career treating cancer patients with firsthand knowledge of the challenges they face when undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.