Category Archives: Breckenridge

Moeller sees link between TSTC, student success

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – When Monty Moeller learned that Texas State Technical College was hosting a high school welding event, he knew his students would be in attendance.

Moeller, the Rolling Plains Technical School coordinator and welding instructor, wanted his students to see TSTC’s facilities. Two of his students finished in the top three at the recent Breckenridge welding competition.

“Prior to the pandemic, I would always take our students on tours to see the programs offered in Abilene, Breckenridge, and Sweetwater,” Moeller said. “We are within 90 miles of each of those campuses.”

He has seen many success stories at TSTC, from his students to his own family.

“My son graduated from TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program in Sweetwater,” Moeller said. “My son-in-law was in the same class as my son, and they did not even know what the future would bring them. They both have great jobs, thanks to TSTC.”

One student who Moeller is particularly proud of took the welding skills he learned at TSTC into a military career.

“He earned his degree and is using the things he learned at TSTC to protect our country,” he said.

Another student wanted to stay close to his home in Haskell. Moeller said since graduating from TSTC, the student is welding in Haskell while also learning other trades, like electrical work, on the job.

“I have told him and many of my students to soak up all of the knowledge you can,” he said.

With welding being one of Moeller’s focuses at the school, he looks for competitions throughout West Texas. In October, he hosted an event that was judged by Stephen Hope, TSTC’s welding instructor in Breckenridge.

“Monty and the school are big supporters of the programs we offer at TSTC,” Hope said. “We have had many students from his school enroll in West Texas.”

Hope said students from the technical school based in Rochester come into TSTC with an advantage.

“The students are a step ahead of many first-year students. That is a direct result of Monty and what he teaches,” Hope said.

It showed during the TSTC competition. The three students welded a 6-by-6-inch cube and continually ground the cube, and checked for leaks before the final judging.

“These students were prepared for this competition,” Hope said.

Moeller said students from smaller campuses, like Haskell and Benjamin, attend the school through a cooperative agreement. The purpose, like at TSTC, is to prepare people for the workplace.

“So many students do not go to college anymore. We set up our programs to help get people to work,” he said. “We also tell our students that if they go on to higher education, like TSTC, they will be more marketable.”

Moeller plans to bring additional welding students to competitions scheduled later this month at TSTC in Abilene and Sweetwater.

“The more we can show our students the great facilities TSTC has, the better chance they will come here to earn a certificate or degree,” he said.

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Veteran turns weekend hobby into second career at TSTC

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Scott Rosignol, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Army, dabbled in welding on weekends while living in Harker Heights. 

But it was not until he moved to Breckenridge and toured the Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College that he began to think of welding as a career option.

After talking with TSTC welding instructor Stephen Hope, Rosignol decided to enroll in the program.

“I talked to Stephen about what I wanted to do, and he told me everything that would be available. I saw how clean and organized he had the shop, and I was hooked,” he said.

Hope said working with veterans is one way he can give back.

“I always try to have a veteran in our program. They worked hard to serve our country, and it is my job to serve them in training them for a trade,” Hope said. “Many veterans learn so many trades in the military, and teaching them a trade for a second career is the least I can do. I always like to see veterans complete the program and give them a big hoorah.”

Rosignol is on track to earn his certificate of completion in August, but he plans to return to TSTC to earn an associate degree.

“This is the kind of environment I want to learn in,” he said.

After he retired from the military, Rosignol lived in Tennessee and had no real plans on what to do with his life. But he knew he wanted to do one thing.

“I wanted to further my education,” he said.

After working as an electrical and mechanical technician, Rosignol moved to Texas. It was by talking to his son that welding became an option.

“After my son graduated high school, he went to welding school and had some fantastic opportunities,” he said. “That piqued my interest in welding being a possible career.”

Rosignol’s goal is to complete his education and “just weld and make some money.” However, he may take his career a step further down the road.

“I probably will do my own thing one day and launch my own business,” he said. “But I need to get a few years under my belt.”

For now, the welding lab environment at TSTC leads to the best part of the day for Rosignol.

“I am excited that at the end of the day, I can look back on my pieces and see where I have improved,” he said. “The program does have its challenges, but that is showing me how much I am improving.”

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC helps fill need for chemical dependency counselors

(ABILENE, Texas) – The need for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is expected to grow over the next decade.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 26 percent increase in the number of counselors needed in Texas by 2028, and Texas State Technical College is helping to train counselors to fill that need through its online Chemical Dependency Counseling program.

Many of the students in the program learn more about themselves, according to Chemical Dependency Counseling instructor Patty Bundick.

“Some of our students are hungry to know more about themselves,” she said. “The one thing I always think about, even if the student does not go to work in the field, is that the program has made a difference in their life.”

Making a difference in someone’s life is what inspires Leigh Anne Folger, a counselor at Addiction Behavioral Services.

“I can’t take credit for their success or get down if they fail,” said the 2017 TSTC graduate. “All I do is provide them with the information that can help them. I hold up the road map to a successful life. They have to want to drive the car.”

Abilene’s Ashli Arispe shares that same philosophy.

“I think everyone deserves a second chance,” she said. “My nature has always been to help people. I volunteered in high school and have always liked helping others.”

Arispe, a 2020 TSTC graduate, works for ABODE Treatment in Abilene. She said the facility’s acronym, short for Adult Basic Opportunity Development and Environment, depicts how the treatment center works to help people.

“I want to help more people, and help them plant their seeds and watch them sprout,” she said.

The five-semester Associate of Applied Science degree program at TSTC covers several topics, including working with families and family intervention. Students will discuss current issues ranging from child protective services to HIV and other diseases.

Joseph Ott, a 2015 graduate of the program, said he always enjoyed helping people and that was the main reason he chose the field.

“I knew that being 22 years sober that I would try to help people. It is not about the money for me,” he said.

The median annual salary for a counselor, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $46,240 in 2019.

Graduates of TSTC’s program have found employment at different facilities in West Texas, including the Abilene Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Homeward Bound, Serenity House, the Taylor County Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC hosts welding competition for high school students

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Welders are naturally competitive.

Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor Stephen Hope decided to use a competition to promote the program and offer scholarships. High school students from New Castle and Trent competed on March 24 for a chance to win a welding scholarship.

On March 31, the competition will continue with high school students from Breckenridge, Rochester, and Seymour, with each student welding a 6-by-6-inch cube. The top three students who earn the highest scores will receive scholarships for TSTC’s Welding Technology program in Breckenridge. Each of the 17 competitors will receive a gift from TSTC.

TSTC will announce scholarship recipients on March 31.

“Our goal was to get more exposure to our program and to have some fun,” Hope said. “When we first started talking about doing a competition, we knew it would be a good way to get more kids into our facility.”

During the competition, everyone followed coronavirus safety protocols, and only five of the welding bays were used. The March 31 event will be divided into two sessions to ensure safety.

The students worked for up to two hours to make their cubes. Once the cubes were complete, Hope checked them for leaks, which accounted for the majority of points. TSTC Welding instructors Daniel Aguirre and Greg Nicholas then checked the cubes for clean welds, spatter removal, how they fit together, and quality.

At the end of the first day of the competition, Hope said he was pleased with the students’ efforts.

“The quality was really good for these students. I was really pleased with what I saw them accomplish,” he said.

Hope said the competition was initially scheduled to be held virtually. But after additional discussion, it was decided that allowing a certain number of students to come to campus would help promote the program.

“The most important thing was to get the students here and use the equipment,” said Chris Johnson, TSTC’s lead student recruitment representative for West Texas. “Using the equipment and seeing what we offer shows everyone why we are so special. It is also cool for the students.”

Raquel Mata, TSTC’s associate provost in West Texas, said it gave students the chance to meet instructors.

“The students were able to talk to our instructors, and we added the element of a competition,” she said. “Welders are known for their competitiveness, and we wanted to offer a fun event.”

A similar competition is scheduled for April 12 in Brownwood.

“This will be a great chance for me and the other instructors to talk to students about what we offer,” Aguirre said. “I am excited to see what the response will be like.”

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Business Management Technology prepares students for a range of career options

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s online Business Management Technology program prepares students for a wide range of career options.

Graduates of the program have worked in different areas of business, from accounting to business management. Earning an associate degree or certificate has opened doors for many of the program’s graduates.

Ron Howard is now working for the Taylor County Veterans’ Service Office after earning an associate degree in 2019.

“Everything I learned in the program is helping me tremendously in my job. It has helped me with all of the computer skills and with Word documents,” he said. “My job all day is working on a computer.”

Howard said he could not have succeeded without the help of the TSTC instructors.

“The one-on-one time they give you is great. They do not tell you, ‘Here is the work, go do it’; they make sure you understand what to do,” he said. “The instructors will set you up to succeed.”

Howard would visit his former instructors before the coronavirus pandemic and now communicates with them via email.

“I hope we can get together again. They helped me so much,” the U.S. Marine Corps veteran said.

Instructor Duston Brooks said many students, including Howard, take the learning further by earning a bachelor’s degree.

With TSTC offering a certification and degree program online, Brooks said the cost is minimal.

“Students will need a laptop and good internet access, of course,” he said. 

Brooks said students would learn the skills needed for a business to succeed. These include a clear understanding of accounting and principles; efficient management processes; practical verbal, electronic, and visual communication skills, work; how to work with supervisors, customers, employees, and stakeholders; and knowledge of computer software, including word processing spreadsheets, and presentation software.

Small-business owners have taken the course to improve the company’s management end, Brooks said. He also has had students who worked in physical labor positions but took the course to work in an office.

Howard said the program offers people career choices.

“I think people should embrace what they learn in the program. They will succeed,” he said. “TSTC’s Business Management Technology program is the best out there.”

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Trying experience leads O’Byrne to TSTC Nursing program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – The compassionate voice of a nurse led Blaine O’Byrne into the health care field.

O’Byrne is studying to become a licensed vocational nurse at Texas State Technical College and plans to become a registered nurse. For now, she is excited that she is able to complete clinical sessions while remembering why she wanted to become a nurse.

“I struggled with my pregnancies. But when God sent me our baby, I remembered all of the nurses who helped me during the pregnancy and delivery,” she said.

One nurse in particular stood out, according to O’Byrne. A nurse she met during a walk happened to be working on the day O’Byrne learned she would need an emergency cesarean section to deliver her first child.

“I was so scared because I was a first-time mom. She held my hand, telling me everything would be fine,” she said. “That just touched my heart. I knew then what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a person who would comfort my patients and help them through the tough situations.”

Helping others has come easy to O’Byrne.

“I consider myself a people person. I love hearing other people’s stories,” she said. “I wanted to be able to share God’s love through nursing.”

She is considering the obstetrics and gynecology field because of her own life experiences.

“I know there are a lot of young moms out there that will need help,” O’Byrne said.

The TSTC campus in Breckenridge is a perfect fit for O’Byrne. She said it is the midway point between her family and her husband’s family.

“I was looking at different nursing schools and knew it would be halfway between our families,” she said. “My husband got a job, and I started school.”

Stephens County is seeing an increase in the number of LVNs being hired. According to the Texas Board of Nursing, the county had 94 LVNs employed in 2017, and by 2020 that number had increased to 100.

“There is always a need for nurses, and I am happy to be part of the growing field here,” O’Byrne said.

She said the instructors show the same passion as nurses in the field.

“I love the school. I have a good relationship with all of my instructors,” she said. “The pace is fast, but I think that is a challenge. I always have something to do. I think that will make for better students and eventually better nurses.”

O’Byrne still remembers the nurse who visited her five years ago before her first child was born. They have become friends, and she was able to thank her for the career choice.

“I saw her during Christmas, and she was able to see my son. I told her I was going to start nursing school, and she cried,” O’Byrne said. “She means the world to me.”

During the month of March, TSTC wants to honor women in history and right on our campuses who work to make strides in STEM fields every day. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Nursing student follows childhood dream

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Jadin Casto’s interest in nursing was sparked when she was a child.

The Texas State Technical College Nursing student personally saw how nurses helped her injured sister recover. She also observed family members who were nurses, and it became her dream to make nursing a career.

“My aunts and my mom were nurses, so I have always been interested in the field,” she said.

Casto enrolled in TSTC’s Nursing program in Breckenridge to become a licensed vocational nurse.

“TSTC has some great instructors and a really good support system,” she said. “Everyone at the campus goes above and beyond to help us.”

Casto said Breckenridge’s program is a “hidden treasure” in Texas, and she hopes more people will take advantage of the opportunity.

“The staff is one of the best you could ask for,” she said. “They want to make sure we have everything available to be successful.”

Instructor Jenny Wingate is seeing Casto grow into the profession.

“Even though she is in the beginning stages of the program, she is already growing her professional nursing skills in both the classroom and clinical setting,” Wingate said.

Wingate also noted Casto’s admirable work ethic and willingness to help others.

“She recently gave back to her community by participating in a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Breckenridge, serving a large number of patients,” she said. “Her hard work and dedication to serving others are just a few top qualities that ensure her future success as a nurse.”

Casto said Wingate helps her with any situation.

“She goes above and beyond by spending time making sure we are told the best way to do things,” she said. “All of the instructors show us what we could be doing, and that helps build my confidence. The teaching styles they all possess motivate me to work hard.”

Casto said the fast pace of the program is sometimes challenging, but with constant communication, students can succeed.

“If we do have a question, the instructors make sure to take the time to answer it. All they want is for all of us to succeed,” she said.

During the month of March, TSTC wants to honor women in history and right on our campus who work to make strides in STEM fields every day. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Nursing graduate sets sights on RN degree

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Jesse Mendez is not taking any time off.

After graduating from Texas State Technical College’s Vocational Nursing program this fall, Mendez will begin studying for his Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing (ADN) at the Sweetwater campus next semester.

“My goal is to work in a metro area,” he said of the reason to obtain his nursing degree.

Mendez has always wanted to help others and has a passion for studying human physiology. His sister inspired him to go into the nursing profession.

“The beauty is I have always liked to help people,” he said. “I have always tried to be a Christian, and the best thing about being a Christian is you want to serve others.”

TSTC Nursing instructor Marchelle Taylor said Mendez remained focused during class.

“His dedication and focus has set a perfect example for classmates and future students to follow,” she said. “I look forward to seeing his accomplishments in the nursing field as he moves forward to the ADN program and beyond. He sets his standards high and will be a great addition to the nursing field.”

In nursing, Mendez said his Christian attitude will pay off on a daily basis.

“I know I will have to put others above myself. That is what we have to do to help others,” he said. “I know I have a long way to go because I have only scratched the surface of helping others.”

It took Mendez some time to get started on his nursing path, but he is not looking back.

“I had a few hiccups in my life. I did not like the job I was at and decided to pursue nursing,” he said. “I knew I needed to have a job that was meaningful to me.”

He was led to TSTC because he lived near the Abilene campus and saw it on a daily basis. He also knew the nursing program was only an hour away in Breckenridge.

“One of the guys who took classes at TSTC told me about the program. He said I should give it a shot,” Mendez said. “I took his advice and have not regretted that decision.”

He has been able to experience different areas of hospitals for clinical sessions.

“Working clinicals in the ICU was my favorite part,” he said. “To see doctors and nurses working to save people was inspirational.”

Mendez said he has also seen a change in himself over the past year.

“One of the highlights for me is to see where I was as a person in January to now,” he said. “I have seen how much I have grown not only as a student, but as a person.”

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Dual enrollment opportunity leads Heatley to continue education at TSTC

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Breckenridge High School senior M.T. Heatley does not want to stop studying Welding Technology when he graduates in May.

Heatley plans to continue his education at Texas State Technical College, where he is a dual enrollment student, to pursue an associate degree. He said that will set him up for a brighter future.

“I am working on my certificate and decided that if I was that far, I should continue for the associate,” he said. “I know it will help me in looking for a job.”

TSTC Welding Technology instructor Stephen Hope said he knew Heatley would excel in the program.

“He came in here during his junior year and really took hold of things,” Hope said. “His skills in this trade have grown so much. I knew early on he had a future as a welder.”

Heatley has taken on the role of mentor and wants to see every student do well.

“It feels good to help the younger guys. They are working hard in the lab,” he said. “I want to see them succeed.”

About two dozen Breckenridge High School students are taking dual enrollment welding classes at TSTC. The agreement is seen as a positive for everyone involved, said Breckenridge High School principal William Paul.

“The program is very popular with our students. Just as important is our partnership with the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation, led by Virgil Moore, who has committed funds to ensure our TSTC student costs are covered,” Paul said. “The BEDC is committed to ensuring we are promoting a skilled workforce within Breckenridge, and we value that.”

The dual enrollment opportunity, according to Paul, is a way for the high school to fulfill its mission of preparing students for life after school.

“Our partnership with TSTC is an extremely important part of achieving that goal as it gives students the opportunity to learn a valuable skill, such as welding,” he said. “Students who enroll in our dual enrollment TSTC welding classes can get a jump-start on a career by earning TSTC dual credit hours prior to graduation and have some of the welding curriculum completed when they graduate.”

Heatley said Hope makes the class experience easy.

“He is very helpful and will make arrangements for any of us,” he said. “Everyone in the class has learned a lot from him.”

Heatley may be one of Hope’s best recruiters at the high school.

“I talked to my cousin, who is a sophomore, and he plans to start the program next year,” he said. “I hope more students begin it. This is something that will change your life.”

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC alumna works to lead people down right road

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Leigh Anne Folger is using her life experience as a road map to help others.

Folger, a 2017 graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program, is a counselor at Addiction Behavioral Services. Prior to joining the staff, she worked as a counselor at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Thomas R. Havins Unit in Brownwood.

“I know I am not responsible for my clients’ decisions. I can’t take credit for their success or get down if they fail,” she said. “All I do is provide them with the information that can help them. I hold up the road map to a successful life. They have to want to drive the car.”

Folger said she got her life on track after being released from prison. She knew a career in the medical field would not be possible, but another option was available.

“I made a lot of bad decisions in my life, and they finally caught up to me,” she said. “I knew that I would never have a career in the field I once dreamed of, which was the medical field. So I thought, ‘Why don’t I become a counselor?’ I knew I could help people by using my life experiences.”

Folger reconnected with a friend and classmate at Addiction Behavioral Services, Laura Weaver. Folger credits Weaver for steering her to TSTC’s counseling program.

“I had these unrealistic fears of failing. I was kind of hesitant to enroll,” she said. “Laura said she would meet me at the school.”

Once Folger walked onto the Brownwood campus, she felt at ease.

“Everyone had a smile on their face. No one was bothered by all of the questions I had,” she said. “Everyone at TSTC made me excited about going back to school.”

After graduation, Folger began working for the Havins Unit. It served as a reminder for her to move forward.

“I love what I do. Working at the unit felt like a reminder that I did not want to go back,” she said.

She also knew which inmates needed the most help.

“About 60 percent of the guys had already made up their mind that they did not want to return to prison,” Folger said. “It was those individuals on the fence that I targeted. I wanted to persuade them that the grass was greener on the outside.”

When the chance came to work for Addiction Behavioral Services, she did not hesitate.

“Looking back, I enjoyed my time at the unit. I just wanted to make a change,” Folger said. “Being able to work with Laura was also amazing. Everything has come full circle for me.”

Folger continues to praise TSTC and the staff for helping her find her way.

“Had it not been for TSTC, there is no telling where I would be right now,” she said. “TSTC was amazing. (Instructor) Elizabeth Jones is amazing. She has more insight than anyone in this field. I even recommend TSTC to people looking to restart their life. It worked for me.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.