(HARLINGEN) – For two decades the Dental Assistant program at Texas State Technical College has organized a community service event at a local Head Start program or preschool to teach children about good oral health care and nutrition.

This semester the 27 students from the program’s Dental Prevention class gathered at the Wesley United Methodist Church Preschool dressed as tooth fairies and a tooth mascot to host child-friendly activities.

“Our program is about community service. We work with the community every day,” said Dental Assistant lead instructor Jean Lashbrook.

Lashbrook added that the goal of this event is to familiarize children with dental care so they’re not afraid of going to the dentist.

“We want to encourage these children to practice good oral care, while giving our students the opportunity to practice patient education and interaction,” she said.

Students like Amanda Garcia, who is in the last semester of the program and vice president of the Dental Explorers Club, taught the preschoolers about brushing, flossing, “good” and “bad” foods, and how to make healthy snacks to try to prevent cavities. There were also coloring stations and games for the children.

“It was a great experience being able to teach these children about brushing and flossing,” said Garcia. “This event helped me better understand the importance of communication and how different it has to be, depending on the patient.”

Every child went home with goodie bags filled with floss, toothbrushes, toothpaste and everyone’s favorite, stickers.

Dental Explorers Club President Clarisa Chapa agreed that it was great getting to apply what she learned in class to a real-world scenario.

“Introducing oral health and healthy foods at this age is beneficial toward their future,” said Chapa. “I enjoyed it so much that after graduating I’m thinking about specializing in pediatric dentistry.”

Dental Assistant instructor and 2005 program alumna Kristen Deleon said this project is a requirement for anyone pursuing a certificate in Dental Assistant, but it is also what everyone looks forward to.

“This is everyone’s favorite project. It’s not only a great community service event, but also a positive TSTC memory,” said Deleon. “This is the thing alumni reminisce about the most.”

After completing the nine-month program, students will earn a certificate and have the skills they need to work as a dental assistant or dental laboratory technician. Many find employment almost immediately at area dental clinics.

“The experience this project gives our students is invaluable,” added Deleon. “It prepares them to enter the field.”

Dental Assistant is also offered at TSTC’s Waco campus.

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – The fourth annual Operation Big Rig was recently hosted by the Continuing Education Department at Texas State Technical College.

More than 50 people attended the half-day awareness event that covered topics such as human and drug smuggling, human trafficking, and recent revisions to federal transportation laws and regulations.

“Overall, the event was a success,” said TSTC’s Continuing Education transportation coordinator Adan Trevino. “It’s important that we spread awareness on issues that affect our industry and those who work in it every day.”

TSTC partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of Homeland Security to make the event possible.

Federal transportation officers and agents in attendance at the event emphasized that if something doesn’t look right, then give them a call.

“We want our students to understand that we are all on the same page and here to work together to make their career journey as safe as can be,” said Trevino.

Trevino added that every year the event focuses on different topics, depending on the pressing issues at the time, but its primary goal is to teach students and industry professionals how to keep the community safe and save lives.

“Recent events are showing a rise in human smuggling and trafficking and how unsafe and sometimes deadly conditions are,” said Trevino. “We’re creating well-rounded professionals, and we want them to be smart and make the best decisions once they’re out in the field and know how to spot dangerous situations.”

Daniel Deleon, a TSTC Continuing Education Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) student, said Operation Big Rig is a great opportunity, especially for someone like him who is new to the industry.

“What TSTC does with Operation Big Rig is great,” he said. “It has really increased my awareness of the dangers we face out in the field and how our quick thinking and actions can save lives.”

Ernie Garcia, a recent TSTC CDL graduate who already has a job lined up with Spirit Truck Lines in San Juan, said he will take what he learned to help make the roads safer for all drivers and bystanders.

“I will be an advocate for safety in my career,” said Garcia. “I learned numerous tips on how to be safe and keep others safe and report suspicious activity.”

Operation Big Rig has also teamed up with local truck stops to help spread awareness of human and drug smuggling and human trafficking.

“At TSTC, safety is our No. 1 priority for our students and community,” said Trevino. “Together, we can make an impact and keep our streets safe.”

For more information on TSTC’s Continuing Education Transportation Services courses, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Harlingen native Daniel Reyes is a Welding Technology student at Texas State Technical College. He expects to earn his third associate degree this semester.

His other associate degrees were earned in Auto Collision Technology and Automotive Technology in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

When the 26-year-old isn’t in the classroom, he is an active member of several TSTC student organizations, such as Advanced Leadership Academy, Intramural Sports Club, SkillsUSA, Veteran Students Alliance Club and Catholic Campus Ministries. Reyes is also the SGA senator for the Industrial Manufacturing division.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate this spring, I hope to get a job in the automotive industry and gain some experience in my field and save money to open a business. Eventually I want to return to TSTC to get an associate degree in Business Management Technology.

What’s your dream job?

My dream is to open a business in Harlingen that will include automotive and welding services.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment is, honestly, getting this far and being able to earn multiple degrees. For me, school is fun and I love learning the skills I need to be successful one day. My goal is to leave TSTC as well-rounded as possible in my field.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned may sound cliche, but it’s to never give up. Life has a way of knocking you down sometimes. For me, I never had enough money to eat, so I would literally go days without food. But thanks to the TSTC Student Center food pantry, I was able to pick myself up each time and keep pushing forward and working toward my goals.

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

The people who have had the greatest influence on my success are Library Technician Gamaliel Sauceda, New Student Orientation Coordinator Larissa Moreno and Student Life Coordinator Belinda Palomino. Each one of these people has touched my life in different ways with encouragement, advice and support.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is that when you take your first step into TSTC, choose a major you are passionate about and focus on everything the instructors are teaching you because all of it is going to lead to a successful career someday.

(HARLINGEN) – Carlos Gamboa is an Education and Training student at Texas State Technical College. The La Feria native expects to graduate Spring 2019 with his associate degree.

When the 19-year-old is not busying studying he can be found at the TSTC Wellness and Sports Center volunteering with the Intramural Sports Club.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on transferring to Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio to get my bachelor’s degree in education.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to teach history and coach high school tennis. I played tennis in high school and earned a most-valuable-player award for the district and was a four-time district champ. I want to help other students succeed at the sport also.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far was passing my first semester of college. I was intimidated and had doubts, but I did it. It gave me confidence and made me realize that I could do it. It was a proud moment for me.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I’ve learned not to give up. Sometimes I’ll fail or lose, but the key is to keep going and keep trying to grow.

Who has had the most influence on your success?

The people who have had the most influence on my success are my parents and my friends. They are all my biggest supporters and are always cheering me on and motivating me to do the best I can.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to always work toward your goals. It’s going to be a challenging path, but so worth it in the end.

(HARLINGEN) – For more than a decade Texas State Technical College has been hosting Tech Day, an event focused on high school seniors and their interest in attending TSTC.

On March 1, TSTC will host approximately 1,000 high school seniors from across the Rio Grande Valley for program tours, admission and financial aid advisement, lunch and door prizes.

“Every year we’re so excited to host this event. It continues to grow,” said TSTC Director of Student Recruitment Dora Colvin.

More than 15 school districts have already confirmed attendance, some coming as far away as Laredo.

The four-hour event will showcase the campus and its technical programs such as Mechatronics, Computer Science, Engineering, Allied Health and Culinary Arts and help students better understand what TSTC is all about and what it offers.

“Tech Day is a tradition for us and those we invite,” said Colvin. “Educators and counselors look forward to sending their students to this event every year and we look forward to welcoming them on campus. It gives us the opportunity to teach them about TSTC and introduce them to our staff and faculty.”

Also readily available to answer questions or give students advice during the event are admissions, financial aid, campus housing representatives and current TSTC students.

“Meeting TSTC students first-hand gives these seniors a glimpse into college life and what it would be like to attend TSTC,” Colvin added.

Students who attend Tech Day, a statewide event also known as TSTC Open House, have already shown interest in a technical education and/or applied to TSTC.

In addition to tours and enrollment and financial advice, all high school seniors will be treated to a lunch, door prizes and scholarship drawings at TSTC’s Wellness and Sports Center.

“We hope we can encourage these students to complete the admissions process and become TSTC students,” said Colvin. “Our job is to get them into a program they love and open doors of opportunity for them into high-paying jobs with a two-year degree.”

Colvin added that every year Tech Day not only serves as a chance to pump up students about college and TSTC, but to also celebrate every senior who is about to become a high school graduate.

For more information on programs at TSTC or campus tours, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Created by popular demand, Texas State Technical College’s Student Life has launched an Advanced Leadership Academy, an extension of TSTC’s long-running Student Leadership Academy.

“Students were graduating from the Student Leadership Academy quickly and asking me what’s next,” said Student Life Coordinator Belinda Palomino. “We needed another program so we got working on it.”

The Student Leadership Academy was created to instill in students relevant skills and knowledge essential to the achievement of excellence in leadership and founded on the values of integrity, service, communication and innovation.

Recent Student Leadership Academy graduate, a requirement to be part of the advanced academy, and Welding Technology student Daniel Reyes is now a member of the new advanced academy and said he is looking forward to completing the program.

Alexandra Lugo (right) with other TSTC student leaders.

“We’ve all helped each other become better leaders and people in the academy,” said Reyes. “It has helped me build confidence in my leadership skills and take charge during class projects and community services events. I can’t wait to see what the advanced academy has in store.”

To become a graduate of the Student Leadership Academy, a perquisite to the Advanced Leadership Academy, students must attend the annual Student Leadership Conference, at least six leadership workshops such as Characteristics of an Effective Leader, Servant Leadership and Integrity and Ethics and four additional workshops offered throughout the year.

“Daniel runs the show now. He’s an active member in several student clubs and is always there when we need his help,” said Palomino. “It’s great seeing him and other students like him grow as leaders.

To complete the Advanced Leadership Academy,  students like Reyes and Business Management Technology and Mathematics student Alexandra Lugo,the must complete a community service project as a group, attend an academy orientation and two check-in meetings. There are currently seven students enrolled in the new program.

“We’re pretty ambitious and hope to complete a large-scale project that will impact and benefit the community,” said Lugo. “Our goal is to make a difference.”

Lugo added that before completing the Student Leadership Academy she struggled with being outgoing and although it was not always easy putting herself out there, becoming active around campus has been the best decision she has ever made.

“When I graduate I want to go into management and everything I am learning during my time in the academy will also help me after college and in my career,” said Lugo.

Palomino said she is so proud of all of her students who participate in the both academies.

“Being a part of either academy is not a requirement as a student at TSTC, which means these student do it because they want to,” said Palomino. “They find it in their hearts to better themselves and make a difference. We have some great students.”

For more information on the Student Leadership Academy or the Advanced Leadership Academy call 956-364-4370.

For information on programs offered at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.