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Justin Thompson
Justin Thompson is a Senior Manager for Valero Energy Corporation. He graduated from Taft High School in 1999 and went on to get his Bachelors and Masters degrees at St. Mary’s University.
Justin has been committed to support local non-profits in San Antonio. He has completed over 600 volunteer hours through community projects sponsored by Valero, and served in various community leadership roles including United Way Metro Campaign Team Captain (Valero campaign that raised $1,028,025 for the San Antonio community) and Golf Tournament Czar (captain) at one location during Valero’s Benefit for Children golf tournament (more than $12.5 million raised across all locations in 2018.
Justin also served on the Board of Directors of the Brighton Center (2013-2021), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides developmental and educational services to children, including early childhood education, therapy services, counseling, case management, and special education support and services.
During 2008, Justin created a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to raise money for St. Mary’s University scholarships The endowment fund currently distributes text book scholarships annually to incoming freshmen undergraduate and Law students based on academics and financial need.
In addition to his current employment with Valero Energy Corporation, Justin coaches youth club soccer for San Antonio Surf Soccer Club.
Avery Thompson
Avery is currently 10 years old and she attends 5th grade at John Hoffmann Elementary School in NISD. This year Avery is a part of safety patrols, JHTV, and Project ACORN. Project ACORN is a local program that promotes learning about the local climate and nature while planting and promoting the growth of native plants.
When not at school, Avery enjoys reading, swimming, and painting. However, Avery’s true passion is dancing. Avery has been dancing at Chrissy’s Dance Academy since the age of 2. She enjoys tap, jazz, and hip hop.
Avery knows the importance of Fundraising. Her mother, Tiffany Thompson, has been a member of the Junior League since 2011. Avery has helped collect clothes and toys for Goodwill, as well as attended fundraisers such as Viva 5k and Holiday Ole Market. Avery has aided in helping her local elementary school raise money for new recess equipment, field trips, and special assemblies. She has donated food to help PTA give Thanksgiving baskets to families in need.
Together with other Trail Blazers, Avery hopes to raise money to help bring awareness to the ongoing struggle of mental health in our youth.
Justin and Avery decided to become Trail blazers to help raise mental health awareness. They feel they can help others to understand symptoms, find treatment, and most importantly, break the mental health stigma that leaves so many people suffering in silence.