(HARLINGEN) – Steak, chicken and all of the trimmings were enjoyed and well-deserved by the 32 Texas State Technical College SkillsUSA state gold medal winners during the annual send-off luncheon.

The gold medalists are headed to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky from June 19-23 to compete among other students from across the United States, and the lunch is for good luck.

“On behalf of TSTC we wish you the best. We know you will all represent us well,” TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia told the students.

“You are our state champions and we will be thinking of you and praying for you,” she added.

SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help high school and college students pursue successful careers. Members build these skills through student-led team meetings, contests, leadership conferences and other activities.

Students in Skills USA participate in hands-on competitions in various fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, building construction and culinary arts.

Luis Moya is one of the students competing at nationals. He set his foundation and earned his way to nationals brick by brick.

The 20-year-old won a gold medal back in March in masonry and will be competing in the same category at nationals.

“I’ve literally been practicing by laying brick,” he said. “It’s been a lot of evenings and weekends preparing but I’m excited and ready.”

This is Moya’s first time competing at nationals, but he is no stranger to the SkillsUSA world. He competed often in high school for building construction before pursuing it as a career at TSTC.

“All of my high school teachers told me TSTC was the best place in town to go for building construction,” said Moya. “And they were right. I’ve had so many opportunities here; going to Kentucky is my latest one. I’ve never been out of Texas.”

For many students like Moya, SkillsUSA opens the doors of travel and networking with professionals in the industry, which leads to career opportunities down the road.

All of the gold medalists were presented and honored during the send-off luncheon with certificates for their first-place win at the state level.

“Go for the gold,” Garcia encouraged. “But just know that no matter the outcome, TSTC is proud of you and you are champions in our eyes.”

With TSTC’s campuses in Waco and West Texas, there are a total of 76 students competing at the SkillsUSA national competition.

(HARLINGEN) – Registration at Texas State Technical College for Fall 2017 is in progress and to make it an easy process for students, the college will be hosting a registration rally Wednesday, June 13 at the Student Services Center.

TSTC’s Registration Rally gives new and returning students the resources they need to complete the application and registration processes conveniently located in one place.

Registration Rallies are a new initiative at TSTC that started for the Fall 2016 semester. All 10 campuses statewide host this event with hundreds of students taking advantage of the assistance offered by faculty, staff and student volunteers.

TSTC Director of Recruitment Dora Colvin said the idea behind registration rallies is to encourage students to register early and make new semesters an easy transition for them.

“The earlier a student registers, the more likely it is they get the classes they need before they fill up and a schedule they are happy with,” she said. “This is a one-stop shop for our new and current students.”

And a one-stop shop it is. Enrollment representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Advisement, Support Services, the Veterans Center and Student Life will be on hand to guide those attending the event. Tours of the college will also be available throughout the day.

“We want to help students by providing the resources and opportunities they need to finish the application and registration processes for the next semester,” said Colvin.  “We hope that having faculty and staff present will help make this process easier for students,” she added. “They’ll have a chance to learn about the services we offer and get the help they need.”

To complete the registration process students must bring their completed admissions application, GED scores if applicable, recent high school or college transcripts, and proof of their bacterial meningitis vaccination if under 22 years of age.

TSTC’s registration rally is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Student Services Center (EK Building). Parents are welcome to attend. There will be two more registration rallies later this summer on July 12 and August 3.

Fall registration ends August 21 and the first day of class is August 28.

To apply or register visit tstc.edu or call the TSTC Student Recruitment Office at 956-364-4118.

(HARLINGEN) – Darryl Klu is pursuing his General Academic Core at Texas State Technical College and currently boasts a 3.5 grade-point average. The Dallas native expects to complete his academics in Spring 2018.

The 18-year-old said he chose to attend TSTC because it is affordable and close to home. Klu added that he plans on making the best of his college experience and since finishing his first year in college he is motivated to become active on campus by becoming a member of the Anime Manga Gamers Club.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on transferring to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and Communication Disorders to become a speech therapist.

What is your dream job?

My dream is to be able to help people overcome obstacles that come with hearing issues, because without communication and hearing it is difficult to establish the relationships and trust we need in life. In addition, I would like to own a record label and help people achieve their musical dreams. Music is a hobby for me and has always been a part of my life.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

In high school I was on the honor roll, and being able to carry that over to college has been a huge achievement for me. Because of my hard work and studying, I have the honor of being on the dean’s list.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned that it is important to be yourself; not be a follower, but a leader; and do what you are passionate about.

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

It’s difficult to name only one person because all of the people I have met at TSTC, from my instructors to peers, have taught me something different.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to tell students to stay out of trouble, go to class and do all of your work. This is your future, and it is too important to gamble with it.

(HARLINGEN) – Rudy Tijerina is a rising junior at Raymondville Early College High School. Instead of working the fields this summer, he is attending the Migrant Academic Achievement Residential Summer (MAARS) program at Texas State Technical College.

Since elementary school, the 17-year-old has been traveling to Michigan with his mother and eight brothers and sisters to work in the fields.

“This is the first summer I’m not working, so I can get ahead in my classes,” said Tijerina. “I’ll probably leave after I’m done, though. I have to work so I can help my mom.”

Tijerina is one of 76 students from across Rio Grande Valley high schools who were selected by their migrant counselors and are enrolled in the six-week program and living at the TSTC dorms this summer.

In its fifth year, MAARS is designed to meet the needs of high school migrant and seasonal farm workers in pursuing higher education and to provide community service opportunities.

Students in the program receive two academic high school credits in an attempt to prevent them from falling behind, since most migrants leave before the school year ends and return after school starts, oftentimes affecting the number of credits they earn.

“Our goal with this program is to help high school students graduate on time with their class,” said Neri Balli, TSTC state director for pre-college programs. “At the same time, they get college exposure. Many of these students need to know that college is a possibility.”

Tijerina said he already feels better prepared to tackle his junior and senior years and that TSTC has opened his eyes to the world of engineering.

“I’m really improving in my writing. I needed this extra help, especially if I’m going to pursue engineering in college,” he said. “I’ve learned that writing well is important no matter what field I decide to study.”

In addition to accruing high school credits, MAARS students get to choose two technical courses to explore such fields as building construction, computer networking and business management with three-week rotations.

“This type of college exposure and experience is what opens doors of opportunities for these students,” said Yvette Mendoza, program director for the Center for Science and Math Education.

Mendoza added that MAARS students like Tijerina also receive a $1,200 stipend when they successfully complete the program.

“These students have sacrificed time working and have lost income,” she said. “So these stipends help them.”

For Tijerina, like many of the others, the stipend helps him purchase back-to-school supplies and clothes for him and his brothers and sisters.

“In every way this program has been beneficial and has helped me grow, which will be beneficial to my family in the long run,” said Tijerina. “I hope to come back next year.”

(HARLINGEN) – Juan Alferez recently traveled to Austin with his family to receive his 2017 Chancellor’s Excellence Award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development awards and dinner celebration.

The Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor joined 13 other TSTC employees at the banquet who also received this honor.

“I’m speechless about this award. I don’t know what to say,” said Alferez. “I’ve only been here for one year so I never expected an award like this so soon.”

Although he was surprised, Alferez said he is very thankful and appreciative to his colleagues who nominated him.

“I want to thank the person or people who nominated me,” he said. “This is a great honor. I’m very pleased. It goes to show that hard work pays off.”

Alferez, who is also a United States Navy veteran having served  from 1998 to 2004, first came to TSTC as student in 2002 earning associate degrees in Electrical Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Technology.

While in the Navy the Edinburg native studied Engineering Common Core, Electrical Core and Auxiliary Equipment Technology. At the time he was stationed in the Mediterranean assisting in the Kosovo War and with operations in South America and patrolling the New York harbors after September 11.

“Coming to TSTC opened so many new doors of opportunity for me and my family,” said Alferez. “It brought me into a new life and new career that I would not have had otherwise.”

Before coming back to TSTC as an instructor in 2016, Alferez completed a bachelor’s degree in 2004 in Applied Technology and spent a decade with Toshiba International as an application engineer associate, production application engineer and sales engineer traveling across the U.S. and Mexico.

“After some thought and being away a lot from my daughter and wife I decided it was time for another career change,” said Alferez. “That’s where TSTC came in.”

Wind Energy Technology Lead Instructor David Gomez said it is Alferez’s dedication that earned him this prestigious award.

“Juan is a dedicated employee that develops good relationships with his students,” said Gomez. “We congratulate him on his achievement.”

Alferez is once again a student pursuing a master’s in business administration saying that for him part of being a good instructor is continuously learning new subjects he can incorporate into his curriculum.

“I love my job and having the power to change lives,” he said.

“My goal as an instructor is to always be helpful and share my knowledge,” Alferez added. “And somewhere in the middle of everything, my students end up teaching me a thing or two also.”

(HARLINGEN) – Cecilia Pena is completing her General Academic Core at Texas State Technical College and is expected to finish Fall 2017.

The Harlingen native boasts a 3.5 grade-point average and when she is not studying she is serving her community by participating in events such as National Make a Difference Day.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I complete my academic core I am considering enrolling in the Education and Training program to get my associate degree before transferring to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in teaching.

What’s your dream job?

Aside from becoming an algebra teacher for middle school students I hope to one day be a principal. I want to be a role model and spread positivity to children and teachers.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC has been learning to be more independent. When I came to TSTC I knew no one and I had to rely on myself. Now I have good friends and I’ve learned so much about myself.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

A long time ago, after transitioning from high school to college, I felt alone and this is when I realized the importance of family and how to keep going through ups and downs.

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

The person who has had the most influence is my best friend and TSTC student Debbie Bearden. She has given me countless rides to school and is always there for me. When I felt the most alone, she was there reminding me that I wasn’t. She is my support system.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to tell future students to always stay motivated. Sometimes a person will fail, but it’s what you do after that that matters. Don’t give up, keep going and reach your goals.

(HARLINGEN) – For one Rio Hondo family, Texas State Technical College became a family affair when their daughter Logan Cleary enrolled after high school.

Cleary, her mother Sylvia Cleary, her brother John Cleary III and Sylvia’s husband Arturo Marroquin have either graduated or are attending TSTC.

First, there’s 24-year-old Logan, she recently received her associate degree in Biology and is now working toward a bachelor’s degree at a local university as a pre-med student.

The mother of two boys credits TSTC with her recent success and acceptance into the Atlantis Project, a  study abroad pre-med fellowship.

“Studying biology at TSTC first was my best decision,” she said. “The instructors have very high expectations of their students. They know each of us personally, we’re not just a number, and they always assure us we can do better. It gave me confidence.”

Cleary will spend three weeks this summer in Athens, Greece shadowing doctors and exploring the healthcare industry.

“I never thought that a girl from the small town of Rio Hondo could get an opportunity like this,” said Cleary. “But this just goes to show it doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you study, if you want something you should go for it. I’m so excited.”

While Cleary made her pre-med dreams come true, her brother John is also working toward his.

John is considered legally blind and is unable to drive. He said he chose TSTC because of its proximity to home and his sister’s good experience at the college.

“My instructors know about my situation, but I love that they treat me like everyone else,” said John. “I know there’s help I can receive, but I want to prove that I can do it by myself and my instructors encourage me to. That’s why I’ve done so well.”

The 21-year-old is working toward an associate degree in Education and Training and currently boasts a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. John said his true passion is poetry and writing and he hopes to someday become a professor in English and creative writing.

John has already proven his talent by becoming a published author with his poem “Memories,” which won a poetry movement contest.

John’s family said it has been TSTC and its instructors that have showed him he has no limits and that he can achieve his career goals.

With two of her children at TSTC and being witness to their success, Sylvia realized she was ready to return to college as well.

Sylvia has worked in the medical field as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for nearly 19 years and said she is ready to move up.

“I’m patiently waiting for the registered nursing program at TSTC to start,” she said. “I don’t want to go anywhere else.”

Like her son, Sylvia has a perfect 4.0 GPA. The 49-year-old is taking academic core and biology classes, but said at her age she never expected to do so well in college.

“I was scared coming back. A lot of the students are so much younger, so I figured so much smarter,” she said. “But like I tell my children, college is what you put into it and I’ve really challenged myself and succeeded.”

As for Sylvia’s husband, Marroquin, he recently graduated as well from Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology.

He is a decorated army veteran who earned a purple heart for his service and tour of duty in Iraq. Although he was shot and now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, Sylvia said she is proud of his determination.

“He’s always there encouraging me and striving for the best,” she said. “It was he who encouraged me to come back to school. He told me this was my time.”

The family agrees that TSTC has provided them a great education and the college experience has helped them all grow. . And as for Cleary she said she truly misses the college.

“I wish TSTC offered bachelor degrees,” she said. “I would come back in a heartbeat.”

For more information on the technologies offered at TSTC or apply visit tstc.edu.

Registration for Fall 2017 is in progress.