(HARLINGEN) –

Ricardo Flores

Ricardo Flores expects to graduate with an associate degree from the Automotive Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Fall 2019.

The Harlingen native is this year’s TSTC Rising Star award recipient because of his volunteer work on campus and in the community.

Flores, 19, not only works to pay for school and bills, but he is also active with the TSTC C.A.R.S. Club and is the incoming president, and volunteers during service projects hosted by TSTC’s Student Life.

What are your plans after you graduate?

After I graduate I plan on returning to TSTC for a certificate in Auto Collision Technology and Business Management Technology.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to own an automotive shop and build a partnership with TSTC to begin an internship program to help other automotive and auto collision students receive real-world experience while still in school.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC is has been using all of the knowledge I have gained since I have started my program and using it to rebuild and repair my $500 BMW, which didn’t work at all when I purchased it. My car’s name is “Helga” and is my daily drive and only transportation, so every semester I bring it into the TSTC automotive shop and fix something new, depending on what we are learning.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that money cannot affect your happiness, it is the people you surround yourself with that do. People come into your life for a reason; sometimes it is to teach us lessons, but no matter what, we have to cherish them.

Who at TSTC has had the greatest influence on your success?

There are two people at TSTC that have influenced my success, Diego Trevino, Automotive Technology program maintenance specialist and my ex-girlfriend Edith Romero. First, Trevino has been a great mentor who has helped me rebuild “Helga” and who has laid my foundation in the program. Lastly, Romero is the person who helped me become active on campus and give me the confidence I needed to grow as a leaders.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to find a trustworthy mentor. We don’t know it all and we all need someone who offers guidance. And the instructors and staff here at TSTC are some of the best mentors, they will never lead you in the wrong direction.

(HARLINGEN) – Edgardo Velez was speechless after being named the valedictorian for the Texas State Technical College Surgical Technology class of 2018 at the program’s recent pinning ceremony held at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center.

“This was a total surprise, I had no idea I was the valedictorian,” said Velez. “I was shaking and my heart was racing when I heard my name.”

It’s a tradition for the program to keep the name of the valedictorian a secret until the pinning ceremony.

The Mexico native who now resides in Harlingen, said he knew it was a tight race between him and another classmate, but his 3.8 grade-point average got him to the top.

“I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish and receiving this honor is great,” he said. “I’m proud of everyone in our program. Everyone has worked really hard to get here.”

The 20-year-old graduated with his associate degree only a couple of weeks ago during TSTC’s Summer Commencement Ceremonies and has already started his career at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg.

“TSTC has been good to my family,” said Velez, whose mother is a 2016 vocational nursing alumna from TSTC. “After high school I didn’t know what I wanted to do or go. I was interested in the medical field though and TSTC had just what I was looking for.”

TSTC Surgical Technology Clinical Coordinator Yolanda Ramirez said it takes hard work, dedication and time – the kind of time that not every student is willing to give, to be the valedictorian.

“Velez possesses all of these attributes and more,” she said. “He did an outstanding job and demonstrated dedication to his academics, was inquisitive, eager to learn and always had a positive attitude.”

Velez was inspired to enter the medical field by his uncle who is a doctor in Mexico and his mother. And although he is unsure about his next educational step, he knows for sure the type of surgical technologist he wants to be.

“I want to be well-rounded and be able to assist the surgeon, doctors and nurses in any situation,” said Velez. “I want to be knowledgeable in all surgical aspects and be a valuable member of the surgical team.”

This is an admirable goal and one that TSTC Surgical Technology alumni Nadia Alanis and David Flores, who was also named the program’s Preceptor of the Year, advices these graduates to do.

“Do everything to the best of your ability,” said Alanis, a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Harlingen Anesthesia Associates. “Always have a plan, never forget that with sacrifice comes success, keep learning and never give up.”

“I was once in your shoes, it’s scary, but it’s the first step that takes you where you want to go,” said Flores, a certified first surgical assistant at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. “As your preceptor I’m glad I’ve been able to guide you in the right direction and mentor you in this journey. Remain strong in academics, be enthusiastic about your career and always have a positive attitude.”

At the ceremony, Velez and 19 of his other peers were pinned, cited the Surgical Technology Pledge and heard remarks from fellow graduate and TSTC Surgical Technology Club President Angela Ramirez, TSTC Surgical Technology Senior Instructor Ana San Pedro and TSTC Surgical Technology Program Director Robert Sanchez.

“You have your career in your hands and how you work with it and pursue your dream is up to you,” Sanchez told his graduates. “You have the opportunity to be the best technologist you can be. This degree will allow you to pursue other academic endeavors you may never have imagined.”

For more information on the Surgical Technology program at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Registration is underway for Fall 2018 and classes begin August 27.

(HARLINGEN) – Isaac Carrion was 10-years-old when he first knew he wanted to be a welder, and now the 46-year-old is an alumnus from Texas State Technical College, on the cover of a Victor Technologies welding catalog and has more than 53,000 followers on Instagram.

“I remember seeing sparks and light with purple, blue and orange hues in our garage as my dad welded a trailer when I was a young boy,” said Carrion. “That is when I knew I would become a welder.”

He went through middle and high school hoping to get some welding experience in the classroom, even joining the Future Farmers of America, but it was not until he enrolled at TSTC in 1991 that he got his first taste in welding.

“TSTC was a great training place for me,” said the Harlingen native. “The instructors acted like father-figures, always sharing their knowledge, experience and lending a helping hand. For me it was a life changer and gave me the foundation and stepping stone I needed to make my dreams a reality.”

Carrion earned his certificate in Welding Technology in 1994. He said it took him a little longer than most because he had to work full-time and take semesters off to save money for tuition and books.

He worked with a Rio Grande Valley construction company while in college, traveling across Texas installing gymnasium wood floors.

But immediately after graduating from TSTC, he received a job offer from an Austin aircraft company as an airplane frame welder and constructor.

“I said yes to the offer right away,” said Carrion. “This is what I had worked for and it was happening. I could not let the opportunity pass me by.”

So him and his wife, of now 24 years, moved to Austin and have been there since.

Carrion now owns a welding shop in Austin, “Welding Repair Services,” and works on heavy equipment mainly on construction sites. It was established in 2000.

“It was always a dream of mine to own my business and be my own boss,” he said. “It’s been a crazy adventure, but I couldn’t have done it without TSTC and the opportunities I received after.”

For the first decade of Carrion’s career, in addition to the aircraft company, he also worked as a welder constructing race cars, at a manufacturing center welding and installing waste water treatment pipes and at a welding shop that also required him to learn about sheet metal fabrication and machining.

“In all of my jobs I was the person who would weld off-site, so I got to meet a lot of people and learn about industry needs,” said Carrion. “It was then when I realized that my type of business was in demand and if I worked hard it could be successful.”

Not only has Carrion found success in the welding industry, but also in social media. He manages his own welding Instagram page called “icweld,” where many of his more than 53,000 followers are young welders from all over the world looking for guidance and a mentor in the industry.

It was his Instagram following that caught the eye of Victor Technologies, a welding supply company, and inspired them to put Carrion on the cover of their catalogue, on a calendar and to produce a podcast and video about Carrion’s welding career.

Since then other welding supply companies have also reached out to Carrion about being an honorary representative at their booths during FABTECH, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating and welding conference, which Carrion attends annually.

“It amazes me to see how much of an impact social media has had on my career,” said Carrion. “It has allowed me to reach so many people and share my knowledge and love of welding.”

From time to time Carrion also hosts meet and greets during FABTECH so he can meet his Instagram followers and can have the opportunity to encourage and mentor young welders.

He has even visited TSTC in Harlingen and in Hutto to speak with Welding Technology students and is always surprised when they recognize him from social media.

“I hope to return to TSTC as a mentor for these students,” he said. “TSTC has grown and the technology has advanced so much that I want to encourage these students to take advantage of every opportunity offered.”

He added, “The average age of a welder is 55, and retirement is imminent, so the demand for welders is high and is increasing, and I feel TSTC is moving in the right direction in helping to fill that gap.”

Carrion said he hopes to begin hiring help at his shop, and when the time comes the first place he will recruit from is TSTC.

For more information on Welding Technology, offered at all 10 TSTC campuses across the state, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Monica Garcia is a Business Management Technology student at Texas State Technical College, maintains an impressive 3.9 grade-point average and expects to earn her associate degree in Spring 2019.

When the 36-year-old is not busy studying, she can be found volunteering at the Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry and Lifeline Heart of Worship church, all in interest of making her hometown of Harlingen a better place.

What are your plans after graduation?

My answer to this whenever someone asks me is, I’m not sure yet, but I will go wherever God leads me and wants me to be. I’ve done the full-time job gig before and I wasn’t happy. I’m at a place in my life now where I want to make a positive impact in lives and make a difference.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to open a bakery/deli and employ women, who have been victims of domestic violence and have left their homes, to help them get back on their feet, show them their worth and remind them that their talents are needed.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment is my GPA. Coming back to school after many years and being one of, if not the oldest student in class can be intimidating, but my GPA gives me confidence and shows me that I’m worthy of being in college.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that the only thing that can hold me back is fear, and that’s why I work hard at not letting fear enter my thoughts. Through this new journey I have learned that I am strong and courageous and fear has no hold on me.

Who at TSTC has had the most influence on your success?

All of my Business Management Technology instructors influence me every day. They encourage me and help me see that I can do anything I set my mind to and are so patient and understanding.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is: do not fear, take a chance, focus on your studies, don’t procrastinate and most importantly, take advantage of the services TSTC offers its students to ensure that you pass and reach your goals.

(HARLINGEN) – It was an emotional ceremony for the 20 Texas State Technical College Vocational Nursing graduates who were recently pinned and officially welcomed into the profession during the program’s annual pinning ceremony.

“We were put on Earth for something greater than any of us could ever imagine,” said TSTC Vocational Nursing alumnus Jason Rodriguez. “You belong here, you’ve earned it. Don’t quit now, continue growing your knowledge.”

Rodriguez graduated with his certificate in vocational nursing in 2015 and works with Windsor Atrium, a nursing home in Harlingen. He said it was an honor to have been invited as a guest speaker and he is hoping that some remember the wisdom he shared.

“Anything in this world worth having is worth working for,” he said. “And remember, the title does not make the nurse, the nurse makes the title.”

For Maria Cisneros, the class’ valedictorian with a 3.8 grade-point average, the wisdom was taken to heart.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “The road has not always been easy, but today makes all of the hard work and tears worth it.”

Cisneros, a mother of two, reminisced during her valedictorian speech about her grandmother, who inspired her to be a nurse.

“She took care of me while my parents were at work. We were close,” she said. “But her health began to decline and I was helpless. This is when I knew I wanted to be a nurse.”

She first graduated from TSTC in 2015 when the certified nursing assistant program was offered. And now the TSTC vocational nursing graduate plans on returning to campus next year for the vocational nurse to registered nurse transition program.

“There have been so many days where I have to put a smile on for my kids, but I did not feel like smiling,” she said. “I wanted to show my kids there is no obstacle to big and that quitting is never an option, and it was my second family made up of instructors and peers that made the struggle easier. I’m going to miss them.”

This is a sentiment that many could relate to, making the moment bittersweet.

Through tears of relief and joy the ceremony continued with remarks from TSTC administration and faculty, the anointing and blessing of hands by Pastor Dan Anderson from The Bridge-Rio Hondo Baptist Church, a first for the program, and a candle lighting ceremony, which marks the passing of the light of knowledge.

The Vocational Nursing Pinning Ceremony is held twice a year during the fall and summer semesters and is described as a rite of passage by TSTC Vocational Nursing Director Heather Sauceda.

“Our students work so hard to get to this day,” said Sauceda. “Today begins another chapter in their lives and we are very proud of them.”

For more information on the Vocational Nursing program at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.