Mustang Roundup - Lisa & Louis Guerra

Lisa and Louis were college sweethearts. After graduating, Lisa taught at DISD for 15 years and Louis grew his family business (Rudy’s Tortillas). They were blessed with three girls. Their two older daughters graduated from St. Monica. Their youngest, Gracie, started at St. Monica but moved to MIS in second grade. Why the move? They valued the nurturing environment, felt more at home, and appreciated MIS’ reputation for solid high school prep.

During their seven years at MIS, Lisa volunteered as a room parent, served on the Auction committee and helped with bulletin boards around the school. Her warm smile is remembered even three years later.

Louis and Gracie Guerra with Coach Matt Brandt and the rest of the Mustangs after winning the DPL Championship!

From 2016 through 2019, Louis coached Gracie’s basketball team with fellow MIS dad, and current SAC President Matt Brandt. “It was great to see the girls mature as a team and work together,” he said. His favorite MIS memory was when the team won the DPL championship in 2018.

After graduating in 2019 from MIS, Gracie attended her dream high school, Ursuline, where she continues to play basketball with fellow MIS graduate Caroline Brandt. “It’s great seeing ‘my girls’ still playing together,” Louis said.

Louis with “his girls” Caroline Brandt (left) and Gracie (right).

The Guerras said MIS prepared Gracie well for Ursuline.  “She continues to excel in English, Math and Science because of the solid foundation provided by MIS,” they said.  “She’s unafraid of the hard subjects and looks forward to continuing this interest into her college studies.”

The Guerras consider themselves fortunate to have had the resources to send all of their girls to Catholic schools. They are proud of the strong women they’ve become who are well prepared for even higher education and careers.  

The family has always been passionate about education. Through their business, the Guerras established endowments at Jesuit, Ursuline and the University of North Texas. After retiring, Louis and Lisa decided to continue their passion at Mary Immaculate School.

During his 31 years at Rudy’s Tortillas, Louis employed many first generation Americans who helped the business become the success it is today. He and Lisa have seen, first-hand, the impact education has toward economic advancement and better opportunities. As Catholics, the Guerras feel strongly about sharing their blessings with others. “Lisa and I believe this fund is our legacy of giving back to those who have supported us,” Louis said.

“MIS is tremendously grateful to Lisa and Louis for their generosity and passion,” said Fr. Alfonse Nazzaro. “This new fund will help many who would otherwise not be able to afford Catholic education.”

The MIS Tuition Assistance Fund acts like an endowment. The Guerras seeded this Fund, managed by The Catholic Foundation, with $50,000. Once it reaches $100,000, disbursements will be made between three to five percent annually.

We know the MIS community joins us in thanking the Guerra family for creating this Fund and helping us provide a solid, Catholic education to our community.

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For more information about the MIS Tuition Assistance Fund, contact the Development Director Kim Guidry Speirs at 972-243-7105, ext. 151 or kspeirs@mischool.org. To help, you can donate by clicking here and selecting “Tuition Endowment” or mailing a check to the Development Office of MIS at 14032 Dennis Ln., Farmers Branch TX 75234.

Mustang Roundup - Zang Family Flying High!

1984 MIS Graduate Mike Zang earned the Guinness World Record for most sky dives (500) within 24 hours in 2001.

“Jump (for my love)” was one of the top songs in 1984. MIS Class of 1984 graduate Mike Zang must have taken that song to heart as just 17 years later, he earned a Guinness World Record for making the most sky dives (500) within 24 hours. Not only that, but he is a Boeing 787 pilot with United and owns a landscaping business. Oh, and did we mention that he and his wife Trish have been fixtures at Mary Immaculate School since 2003 sending all four of their children here?

“MIS has high standards and that laid a firm foundation for the rest of my life,” Mike said. “I still use the study skills I learned at MIS when studying for my check rides!”

Mike attended MIS from 1975 until he graduated in 1984. When he returned to MIS as a parent, he coached soccer, basketball, and helped with the Mary Immaculate Dads (MIDs). Trish was a 17-year Room Parent (yes, 17 years), 2008 Auction chair, PTC president, and PTC Vice President. She continues to volunteer at the school even though her children have all graduated.

The Zangs have four children: Abigail Zang Powell (Class of 2012), Nicholas (Class of 2015), Rachel (Class of 2017) and Andrew (Class of 2019).

After leaving MIS, Abigail graduated from JPII High in 2016 and Texas A&M in 2019. She and her husband, Joe Powell, recently delivered their first son (Michael Joseph) who will soon be baptized at Mary Immaculate church. She is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology and plans to move back to Texas so their son can attend MIS.

Nicholas graduated from Jesuit in 2019 and is working toward a degree in Sports Management and business at Texas A&M. He is currently serving as president of the corporation that runs Aggie Bonfire.

Rachel graduated from JPII High earlier this year and currently attends Stephen F. Austin. She found her calling to be an elementary teacher from a very early age because of the love the teachers at MIS show for their students.

While he was still a student at MIS, Andrew began playing hockey at Jesuit, a role he continues today as a junior. He is a honor student and member of National Honor Society there and hopes to play hockey in college.

We know you join with us in congratulating Mike and Trish on their World record, but even more for the great job they’ve done raising an amazing family!

The Zang family: Andrew, Mike, Abigail, Nicholas, Trish and Rachel.