(HARLINGEN) – Eight-year-old Leonard Fuller experimented with sublimation bubbles – converted from a solid to a gas – during Texas State Technical College’s first “Chemistry is Out of This World” event recently held at the Wellness and Sports Center.

“Getting to create my own bubbles using dry ice and watching them grow on their own has been my favorite,” said Fuller. “But creating my chemical base to launch my own rocket was fun too. It’s hard to choose.”

The homeschooled student said he enjoys studying science and chemistry. He hopes to become a scientist when he grows up.

The event hosted by TSTC’s Challenger Learning Center and Chemical Technology was a half-day event filled with hands-on activities for families with a goal of exposing  young children to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs and careers.

Activities such as building a battery, molecule creation, bubble sublimation, HoloChemistry mixed reality, rocket reactions and planetarium shows were only a few that the more than 100 attendees got to enjoy.

“With STEM education being a priority in all schools and grade levels, we want to plant the seed early and expose students to these amazing fields and the opportunities they can provide,” said Yvette Mendoza, TSTC college readiness coordinator. “And there’s no better way to do that than to make learning fun.”

For Lola Mejia from Girl Scout troop 1065, the rocket reactions activity launched her interest in chemistry.

“My rocket went over the bleachers, it was the best,” said Mejia. “I love baking, but now I love chemistry and science too. I have a lot to think about.”

The 11-year-old now has two possible career choices.

“Chemistry is Out of This World” was made possible by a grant the TSTC Challenger Learning Center received from the National Informal STEM Education Network, a community comprised of informal educators and scientists dedicated to supporting learning about STEM across the United States, provided all of the supplies necessary for the hands-on activities.

“This is the first time we receive this grant and we are so appreciative and grateful to be able to give our community this type of opportunity,” said Mendoza. “And the interest we have seen

from school districts, teachers and the community is immeasurable.”

Mendoza said this event and the services the Challenger Learning Center offers throughout the year are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, state curriculum standards set forth for public schools K-12.

Neri Balli, state director for pre-college programs, said the event was a success.

“We had a great turn out and it was so much fun seeing how engaged and interested these children were,” said Balli. “Our center and these programs supplement what they are learning in the classroom. This is definitely the first of many community engagement events we hope to host in the future.”

The next community engagement event “Journey to Mars,” will be held December 1 at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center, in partnership with a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) cooperative.

This event will celebrate NASA’s 60^th anniversary and the TSTC’s Challenger Learning Center’s fifth anniversary.

The event is free and open to the public and will consist of toddler and school-aged children activities such as rover building, computer coding, Mars habitat drawings with three-dimensional pens and rocket assembly.

For more information on the Challenger Learning Center and to register for Journey to Mars call 956-364-4125 or visit bit.ly/JourneyToMarsHarlingen.

(HARLINGEN) – Lemarques Hicks is a Vocational Nursing student at Texas State Technical College and without Charlie’s Pantry available for TSTC housing students, Hicks could have gone hungry. .

This is why the TSTC Staff Senate is hosting its annual Food Drive for Charlie’s Pantry and the Student Life Pantry, centralized in the TSTC Student Center for all students to use.

“There are times that I have had no funds for food,” said Hicks. “Without the help from the pantry I would have had nothing to eat. I’m grateful that TSTC offers this type of service and support.”

The 22-year-old Houston native relocated to the Rio Grande Valley to attend TSTC. With only a grandmother close by, Hicks has no other family support in the area.

Hick’s grandmother will help her grandson as often as she is able to, but unfortunately she struggles financially as well.

“The help I have received from the college has allowed me to focus on school and has relieved some burden,” said Hicks. “They (employees) have given me the chance to stay in school and make my dream of becoming a nurse come true so that I may be able to make a better life for myself.”

Hicks has also received assistance from the TSTC Foundation’s Snyder Helping Hands fund, an emergency aid fund available to students statewide who face unexpected hardships or are at risk of dropping out of school.

Hicks said after he graduates in Spring 2019, he hopes to begin his career at a Houston hospital and take care of his aging father.

Unfortunately, Hicks is part of an alarming 42 percent of college students who describe themselves as food insecure. This number comes from a recent study “Still Hungry and Homeless in College,” by researchers at Temple University and Wisconsin HOPE Lab.

According to the same study, one-third of these students say they have skipped meals or eaten small portions to cut costs.

TSTC Project Manager for Financial Services and Staff Senate president Sharon Foster said an increase of food-insecure students makes this a pressing issue for faculty and staff.

“We’re here to assist our students and help them stay in school,” said Foster. “We need to relieve the burden of hunger so that they can focus on achieving academically and earn a degree. Food should not be an obstacle.”

Since mid-August, the Student Life Pantry has been visited 574 times with an average of 48 visits per week. Charlie’s Pantry has an average of 15 visits per week.

“Our pantries need to be replenished. They’re running low on food,” said Foster. “Representative from both pantries have already called requesting food, and this is where our annual drive comes in.”

Foster said faculty, staff and students are always responsive to helping those in need. Non-perishable foods and monetary donations for frozen meals are already pouring in.

It takes at least $150 a month to keep the pantries stocked at minimum to ensure students like Hicks have food readily available when they need it.

“Students we’ve spoken to are always so grateful for the assistance,” said Foster. “Our goal it so make their college experience a positive one. We’re here for our students.”

There are drop-off locations set up throughout campus, and TSTC Staff Senate is also hosting food drive events to collect donations. The next events are on December 4 at the TSTC Learning Resource Center and December 11 at the Student Service Center.

As for Hicks, he is now a student worker at TSTC Housing serving as a community assistant and receiving a paycheck to help with food and other expenses.

“The help I continue getting is endless. This job is helping me more than many would think,” he said. “The pantry is now a last resort for me because I know there are many others who rely on it as well.”

For more information on how to donate to TSTC’s food pantries call 956-364-4023.

(HARLINGEN) – Cecilia Cuellar is studying Agricultural Technology at Texas State Technical College. The 21-year-old expects to earn her associate degree in Spring 2019, holds a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and is an active member of the Agriculture Club.

The Santa Monica, Texas native said her passion for agriculture came from watching her grandfather and father work with cattle. Growing up around the industry, she said she wants to follow in their footsteps.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate from TSTC I plan on transferring to Texas A&M Kingsville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to work a federal job perhaps with the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conducting fever tick research.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far at TSTC has been earning a spot on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll list.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is to not doubt my abilities. If you set your mind to something and work hard, then you can accomplish any goal you set for yourself.

Who at TSTC has had a great influence on your success?

It’s difficult to name just one person, so I’m going to have to say that all of my instructors have influenced my success. They ensure that we understand all of our lectures and labs and go the extra mile to help us. They share their experiences and always show genuine care about our success.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to come into college with an open mind. There are so many career choices, but it’s important that they choose what is best for them and what they’re passionate about.

(HARLINGEN) – Auto Collision and Management Technology at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen was recently award a Progressive Insurance laptop grant by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Collision Repair Education Foundation during the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one location and provides educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events and networking opportunities.

With this grant, TSTC Auto Collision and Management Technology will receive 10 laptops by the end of the year to use for training purposes.

“Every student in our program will benefit from these laptops,” said TSTC Auto Collision Technology lead instructor Jose Vasquez. “This is a huge upgrade and a big deal for our program. We are very grateful to have received this award.”

Vasquez said this award is part of group effort within departments at TSTC.

“Everyone from administration, statewide leads to the marketing department helped make this award possible,” said Vasquez. “And we are so thankful that everyone was able to do his/her part to help prove our need.”

The laptops will be implemented for training in the program’s Estimating/Shop Management course.

Vasquez said these laptops, which will be equipped with estimating and management programs used in industry, will allow his students to quickly research auto body parts and write up repair estimates for class assignments and live projects, where students research damage and parts and estimate repairs for vehicles brought in by folks from the surrounding communities.

“Our priority is to prepare our students for the industry and these laptops will allow them to experience firsthand what they will see when they begin working. This is industry-recommended training,” said Vasquez. “This will improve students’ training and will make their research and estimates instant, instead of the manual way we’re doing things now.”

TSTC Auto Collision and Management Technology and I-CAR, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs, have a long-running partnership.

I-CAR has provided students from TSTC’s auto collision program with scholarships, tool grants, U.S. Armed Forces veteran grants and also grants for TSTC shop upgrades.

“We are honored to provide TSTC in Harlingen with the Progressive Laptop Grant and other assistance throughout the year. This is a well-deserved award,” said Melissa Marscin, director of operations and administration for the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “TSTC’s collision program has proven to be great and we know these laptops will help them become an even better program. We hope that this donation will help them improve their access to I-CAR training, estimating and vehicle service information.”

Vasquez said he is thankful for everything I-CAR has done for the program and his students.

“Year in and year out, as a member of their foundation, I-CAR has helped us improve our training and kickstart careers,” said Vasquez.

Auto Collision and Management Technology is offered at TSTC’s Harlingen and Waco campuses and offers certificate and associate degree tracks.

For more information on TSTC Auto Collision Technology, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – George Ganze is an Agricultural Technology student at Texas State Technical College. The 55- year-old expects to graduate with his associate degree Spring 2019.

The Rosebud, Texas native currently holds a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and volunteers with the TSTC Veteran Students Alliance Club.

Ganze served four years in the Marines and was deployed to serve in Desert Shield and Desert Storm and is also a retired San Diego County, California deputy sheriff.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on returning to Waco, where I have some land, and start a farming/cattle business. This is a new career for me and it will supplement my retirement and carry me through the rest of my life.

What’s your dream job?

My dream is to own a business. I was born and raised in Texas where farming and ranching is a big part of life and it’s time to make something of the land that I own.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC is being placed on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll and being recognized for maintaining high grades. The last time I was in a classroom was in 1981, so this is a huge accomplishment for me.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

At my age I’ve learned many lessons, but the ones that have stuck with me are: you never quit learning or experiencing new things, be sure to take life one day at a time, meet new people, always laugh and be happy.

Who at TSTC has had an influence on your success?

The person who has had the greatest influence on my success is my Agricultural Technology instructor Sammy Gavito. When I came down from Waco he was the first person I met here at TSTC. He’s a great man and has been my guidance and support throughout the program.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice to future TSTC students is to take advantage of everything TSTC has to offer. This has been a great program and college for me and I highly recommend it.

(HARLINGEN) – On December 1, Texas State Technical College Chemical Technology alum and lab assistant Monique Jeudy will celebrate her anniversary with the college.

The 43-year-old graduated with an associate degree from TSTC in 2017.

“My senior year in high school, in 1993, an instructor from TSTC’s Chemical Technology program came to talk to us and the career possibilities stayed in my mind,” said Jeudy. “It was impressive.”

For Jeudy, college did not happen immediately. She is the mother to three girls, and the oldest was born immediately after Jeudy graduated from high school.

“I had to grow up fast. I was a mom,” she said. “I had a baby to support.”

So Jeudy put college on hold and worked odd jobs – Taco Bell, Cinemark and other office work. She even did medical billing and coding for her family’s home health business for nearly a decade.

“After I had my youngest, I was tired of never having a stable job and worrying about making ends meet,” said Jeudy. “It was time to do something for myself, get a degree; and that’s when I remembered TSTC.”

Jeudy began her journey at TSTC in the Fall of 2015 nervous and unsure how she would do, especially as the oldest student in her class.

“I was scared, but after my first semester I had straight A’s and I lost all doubt,” she said. I knew I could do it. I even became the class den mother.”

The Harlingen native would assist her classmates if they needed help and would sit with them to encourage the completion of their homework.

Her goal was to have everyone graduate together. She succeeded.

“There was no reason to not succeed in this program,” said Jeudy. “Every instructor had an open door policy and was always willing to help. It was refreshing seeing instructors care so much about the success of their students.”

Jeudy even served as the president of the Chemical Technology Club.

All of her experiences as a student, she said, prepared her for her current position as a lab assistant.

“I love my job and the sense of being part of something bigger than me,” she said. “Everyone was welcoming. My colleagues and students have become a second family to me.”

She said her job is rewarding and after completing a recruitment presentation at her alma mater – Harlingen High School, she said everything for her has come full circle.

“Being back on my high school campus reminded me about the TSTC guy who talked to us when I was a senior. Little does he know how his visit has impacted my life,” she said. “I hope that my visits can impact someone the same way.”

Jeudy said she is thankful for the opportunities that TSTC has given her, as a student and staff member. And although she already feels accomplished, she is eager to keep moving forward for herself and her daughters.

Jeudy’s middle daughter is about to complete her first semester at TSTC and Jeudy is also completing classes at the college so she can begin working toward a bachelor’s degree.

“I don’t want my girls to wait as long as I did to get a college education,” she said. “I want them to lead a better life and I want to set that example.”

She said she eventually wants to find a job in the industry as a plastics researcher, to create plastics using renewable and biodegradable resources.

“Because of TSTC I’m doing better for myself and my daughters,” said Jeudy. “I highly recommend the college, not because I work here, but because it has changed my life.”

For more information on Chemical Technology, visit tstc.edu.

Registration for Spring 2019 is underway. The deadline to register is January 2.