Anna Mares

Anna Lucia Mares, EPHS Class of 1980, was born in Anchorage, Alaska where her parents (Lucia and Gilberto) 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 Texas Historical Commission to have EPHS 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 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 assisted the students, faculty, staff and school. She also worked with the El Paso Independent School District to ensure an expert on restoration of historic building was selected to evaluate and restore 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 elementary and middle school students.

She mentored a Loretto Academy Challenge Program student and encouraged her to become the first college graduate in her family. Anna received DoD STEM grants for robotics and participated with Hanks High School, Bowie High School and Loretto Academy to build a robot for competition.

Anna serves as an inspiration and role model for students of the community to strive for and achieve success in the fields of science and math.