(HARLINGEN) – Rodrigo Patron built a fire pit brick by brick, 200 to be exact, in only six hours, to earn a spot at the 54^th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Mexico native is the only student from Business Construction Technology at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen to earn a gold medal in Masonry at the SkillsUSA competition held at TSTC in Waco earlier this spring.

At the end of the month, Patron will have the opportunity to compete against thousands of other students from across the United States at the SkillsUSA national competition.

“This was my first time doing SkillsUSA or any competition like this,” said the 22-year-old. “I was nervous, yet felt pretty confident that I could do a good job if I set my mind to it.”

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.

Patron, who has lived on his own since high school, said he came to America to chase opportunity and dreams.

He played baseball for an Arizona high school, before arriving in South Texas to be closer to his brother, who is a local attorney.

“Had it not been for me leaving my home in Mexico, I would have never had an opportunity like SkillsUSA or TSTC,” said Patron.

Patron said nationals is something he has been preparing for since his first day of practice for local and state SkillsUSA competitions.

“Living on my own has taught me to be disciplined, a self-starter and someone who manages their time well,” said Patron. “So having to spend extra time in the lab to practice was nothing for me, especially since I wanted to do well.”

He has spent every Friday afternoon in the lab since the beginning of the year honing in on his masonry skills.

TSTC Building Construction Lab Assistant and SkillsUSA Advisor Alfonso Gonzalez said Patron is one of the program’s best students.

“Rodrigo is self-motivated and always willing to work hard; and at nationals all of this will be exposed to industry professionals and potential employers,” he said. “He has a bright future and will be a tremendous asset to the construction industry.”

Gonzalez has some advice for students like Rodrigo who are competing at nationals.

“SkillsUSA is a wonderful experience for our students and I want them to know we are already proud of them…the big step is taking the initiative to compete in the first place,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez added, “I hope students will take advantage of this time to make good first impressions, do as much as possible on their projects correctly, take their time, concentrate, focus and most importantly, have fun.”

Patron said SkillsUSA has already been a fun and memorable experience for him and he hopes to represent well in Kentucky.

“My goal is to represent TSTC well and make the college proud,” he said. “And of course I wouldn’t mind bringing home a gold medal.”

Building Construction Technology is offered at both TSTC’s Harlingen and Waco campuses.

For more information on the program, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Arleth Olvera is an Engineering student at Texas State Technical College. The Brownsville native holds a 3.8 grade-point average and expects to graduate with her associate degree Spring 2019.

The 19-year-old said she is grateful that she can study what she loves close to home, at a college where the programs are exciting and the hands-on training in invaluable, all while still being able to help take care of her younger brothers.

What are your plans after graduation?

When I graduate I hope to transfer to the University of Houston or University of Texas at Dallas to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

What’s your dream job?

Since I was young I’ve been fascinated with designing, drawing and building things, so I hope I can build a career in engineering and architecture and show other women, especially young girls, that we can succeed in a male-dominated field.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

I have dyslexia, so school and learning has always been difficult for me. Not many people thought that I would finish high school or go to college, but here I am. So, my greatest accomplishment so far has been showing those who didn’t believe in me that I can do whatever I set my mind to and I will not stop until I make my dreams come true.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that the only person who can let me down, is myself. I have learned to not give up and keep trying until I succeed. Anything is possible.

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

My best friend Karla Dalet Ramos, who is studying Education and Training at TSTC also, is my biggest influence. She has shown me how to be free and open with my thoughts and opinions and how to have fun and enjoy life.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is don’t skip class, study hard, work hard and don’t give up on your dreams. If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

(HARLINGEN) – Alberto Torres and his mother Haydee Torres got a head start on Fall 2018, his first semester of college, by taking advantage of Texas State Technical College’s first Registration Rally of the summer.

Torres, who graduated from Rivera Early College High School in Brownsville only a couple of days ago, was able to select his majors: Computer Maintenance Technology and Mechatronics Technology, register for classes, apply for financial aid, take a tour of the campus and meet some of his instructors during the event.

“I feel I picked the perfect institution to attend. TSTC is for me, there are no doubts,” said Torres. “Everyone has been so helpful and supportive. I’m ready.”

His mother said she’s comforted to hear her son being so positive about college.

“As a mother you’re always worried about your child, but today has really helped me see that he will be in good hands here at TSTC,” she said. “Being able to meet college staff, my son’s instructors and walking the campus gives me peace of mind. We feel like we’re among family.”

TSTC’s registration rallies began Fall 2016 as a service to new and returning students and their families. It’s a one-stop-shop to apply and complete all registration and financial aid processes.

As in past rallies, enrollment representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Support Services, the Veterans Center, Student Life and TSTC Housing were on hand to assist students and answer all questions.

Campus tours were also available.

TSTC Director of Recruitment Dora Colvin said the idea behind registration rallies is to make the process of applying and registering easier and she is excited to know that the event is popular among students and their parents.

“Every department at TSTC comes together for this one day, in one convenient area, to help guide and answer all questions so that students have the resources and opportunities they need,” said Colvin. “And it’s rewarding to see and hear how it’s impacting students positively.”

And for prospective students like Torres, who was encouraged by his high school teachers, counselors and mother to attend the event, this is a step in the right direction.

“I’m relieved that everything is done,” said Torres. “I can enjoy the rest of my summer knowing that I got all of the classes I need. I’m officially ready to start college and begin working toward a career I’ve enjoyed my whole life.”

Just as Torres registered early, Colvin encourages all new and returning students to do the same.

“Registering early gives students a better chance of getting financial aid and the opportunity to get the classes they need before they fill up,” she said. “We encourage everyone to join us at our upcoming registration rallies.”

Colvin added, “Of course students don’t have to wait until the event, they can apply or register anytime. The earlier the better.”

All 10 campuses statewide host this event every semester with hundreds of students taking advantage of the assistance offered.

The next TSTC Registration Rallies on the Harlingen campus are scheduled for July 12 and August 7 at the TSTC Student Center from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Early on, James Cho knew that his calling was in the dental field so when he found the Dental Hygiene program at Texas State Technical College he knew it was the place for him, although there was one major challenge during the program that almost destroyed his dream.

The South Korean native was working as a dental assistant in Brownsville, after completing an online dental assistant certification program, but he wanted more.

“After working as a dental assistant for five years, and observing the duties and the care the dental hygienists and the dentists provided to their patients, I knew I wanted to do that too,” said Cho.

So after he began researching programs and realized the time it took to be a dentist was not in his cards, he chose the next best thing, TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program, the only program of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley.

“TSTC had exactly what I was looking for. The college was in my own backyard. A short 20-minute drive,” said Cho. “And their application and acceptance process was fair and square. Whether I passed my entrance exam or not was up to me. Everything was in my hands.”

The 39-year-old ended up being one of the highest scoring applicants who got accepted into the two-year program and earned his associate degree in 2017, with a 3.75 GPA and a job offer in hand.

But, this wasn’t almost the case.

While in the program, Cho went through a difficult divorce and became a single parent, which he says was disheartening and depressing.

“I started to lash out at classmates and people I cared about,” he said. “I made poor choices during this time that could have affected my future. It was tough to finish, but I hung on and made it through. I was given a second chance.”

Cho now works as the area dental hygienist with Brident Dental and Orthodontics in Austin, in charge of all three clinics in the area.

He made the move to Austin with his now 14-year-old daughter to have more opportunities to choose from and take advantage of the higher salaries outside of the Rio Grande Valley.

“I get to work alongside a wide range of team members and visit a different office pretty much every day. It’s refreshing,” said Cho. “I love what I do and actually look forward to going to work. I must say, I am very thankful and privileged to have such a career because of TSTC.”

As a hygienist, Cho is a patient’s key educator about oral health. He treats patients who are diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontal disease, coaches on nutrition, plaque control and overall oral health and delivers professional whitening services.

“I’m constantly striving to deliver the best quality of care to all of my patients,” he said. “And delivering the highest level of oral health care.”

Cho said what he has become today is the product of the experiences he had during his time in the dental hygiene program.

“The two years I spent at TSTC and in the program were the most unforgettable phases of my life,” said Cho. “The faculty and staff are incredible. They truly care about us as their students and our training, they strive to see us succeed and see the best in all of us.”

Cho added, “Had it not been for my instructors who realized my leadership qualities and gave me a second chance, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have become a more humble, thankful, caring, kind and helpful person, thanks to them.”

So, what’s in Cho’s future?

He will be starting classes soon to become certified as an orofacial myofunctional therapist, to help patients overcome disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth.

“My goal is to never stop learning. I will keep improving my skills and making myself more valuable to those I work with and for my patients,” said Cho. “And it all started at TSTC.”

For more information on TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program or the services offered at the TSTC Dental Hygiene Clinic, call 956-364-4696.

(HARLINGEN) – La Feria High School graduates and best friends Juan Buenrostro, 18, and Richard Alfaro, 19, recently completed the Texas State Technical College Auto Collision Technology Pathway through TSTC’s Dual Enrollment program and were the first ever to be recognized for this achievement.

“It was a really proud moment for my family and me,” said Buenrostro. “It’s always a great thing when you’re recognized for your hard work.”

His best friend shared the same sentiment.

“Sharing this moment with my best friend and family was the greatest,” said Alfaro. “I was very surprised, I didn’t expect to be recognized. I had never gotten anything like this before.”

Both men, who completed the career pathway – a series of courses toward a program degree –  while still high school seniors, were awarded a certificate and medallion at their high school’s fifth annual La Feria Certification Celebration Night.

“Juan and Richard were excited about the medal they received for completing this pathway,” said La Feria High School Career and Technical Education Secondary Coordinator Veronica Torres. “We are very proud of the determination and effort of these two students and we are looking forward to opening the doors of opportunity to many more students.”

TSTC Dual Enrollment Advisor Sarai Duran said the pathways are a recent initiative and have only been in the works for the past couple of years, but the dual enrollment program, in which high school students complete college courses and receive credit, has been in place for several years.

Students can choose from 13 pathways to enroll in and complete ranging from Wind Energy Technology and Business Management Technology to Culinary Arts, Machining and Welding; and four online pathways: Medical Office Specialist, Computer Aided Drafting and Design Technology, Digital Media Design and Cyber Security.

“These pathways allow students to get a head start on college and work toward a certificate or degree and a career before leaving high school,” said Duran. “So it’s definitely a good thing when we recognize them for their hard work.”

TSTC is partnered with school districts from across the Rio Grande Valley, serving students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties.

In fact this last school year, 15 students from San Benito Consolidated Independent School District completed the Education and Training Pathway, while four students from the Pharr, San Juan and Alamo Independent School district completed the Agricultural Technology pathway and four more students from the McAllen Independent School District completed Auto Collision Technology.

School districts like La Feria, cover the program cost, supplies and books. The classes are free for students.

“By completing a dual enrollment pathway, students and their families not only save time, but also money,” said Duran.

Each pathway is worth 12-14 credit hours, allowing a student to complete one semester of college even before graduating from high school.

“The dual enrollment opportunity with TSTC opens the doors for so many students who may not feel qualified to a post-secondary education,” said Torres. “But this collaboration provides the students with the opportunity to gain the confidence that all students have a chance to succeed.”

Buenrostro and Alfaro are already planning to return to TSTC Fall 2018.

Buenrostro plans on enrolling in Auto Collision Technology to pursue an associate degree, while Alfaro plans on registering to earn a certificate in auto collision and an associate degree in Welding.

“TSTC was a great experience for me. I was shy at first, but it helped me break out of my shell,” said Buenrostro. “It was completely different from high school, but now I’m more confident in myself and excited that I have a career I’m working toward and that I enjoy.”

Alfaro added, “I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school, but after completing this pathway I have a plan and have been exposed to so many career options in my field. I really enjoyed my time at TSTC and I’m excited to return.”

For more information on TSTC’s Dual Enrollment Pathways and the programs offered, call 956-364-4165.

(HARLINGEN) – Anahi Reyes is an Education and Training student at Texas State Technical College. She holds a 3.0 grade-point average and hopes to earn her associate degree in Spring 2020.

When the 19-year-old Harlingen native is not studying or volunteering on campus, she is teaching Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes at a local Catholic church, Queen of Peace.

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 education.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become an early childhood or elementary teacher. Teaching has always been a passion of mine. Even when I was small and I played school with my friends, I HAD to be the teacher.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far was finishing my first year of college with a decent GPA, but I know there is more success to come.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The lesson I have learned is that to get what you want and to achieve your goals you have to study and work hard. Nothing worth having comes easy.

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

The person who has had the most influence on my success is my Speech Instructor Juanita Amiel Townsend. She has taught me to be more confident in myself and how to calm my nerves when speaking in front of large audiences. I’ve taken her advice and used it in other classes and it is especially important to keep in mind since I want to be a teacher.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to keep an open line of communication with their instructors. All of the instructors I have encountered truly care about their students and are involved in making sure they succeed. They work with you.

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College student Alex Castillo, 19, is completing his Academic Core and expects to finish Spring 2020.

The San Benito native is also an active member of the TSTC Intramural Sports Club and works part-time with his father doing air conditioning and plumbing contract work.

Although he enjoys working with his father, Castillo said his passion is in teaching and coaching.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I complete my Academic Core I will return to TSTC to pursue an associate degree in Education and Training and eventually will pursue a bachelor’s degree in teaching specializing in special education.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a special education teacher and a coach for football and track. As long as I’m helping people, that’s all that matters to me and as a teacher I’ll be able to do that.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC has been getting involved on campus and interacting with people. I’ve always been shy, but doing this has helped me engage with other people on campus and around the community.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that life is always going to be filled with choices, but it’s up to us on which road we choose and how we decide to handle situations. No one else can make that decision for us.

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

The person who has had the most influence on my success is TSTC Intramural Program Coordinator Joe Garza, a.k.a coach. He is the person who has encouraged my involvement on campus and in the Intramural Sports Club. He has also pushed me out of my comfort zone in helping coach intramural sports. He is a great motivator.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to enjoy every moment of your college experience. TSTC gives students so many opportunities in and out of the classroom. Your college experience is what you make of it.

(HARLINGEN) – It was only three years ago when Jessica Pecina graduated with her associate degree in Health Information Technology from Texas State Technical College; a degree she never expected to get until she had to set a positive example.

This was the second time around at TSTC for the 39-year-old who is now a surveillance specialist with the Department of State Health Services in Harlingen and travels from Laredo to Corpus Christi monitoring birth defects and epidemiology, which is the study and analysis of the distribution and causes of disease.

She first graduated from TSTC with a certificate in nursing assistant and phlebotomy in 2000.

“I was a teen mom so when I graduated from high school, TSTC was the best choice for me,” she said. “It was affordable, close to home and a way for me to get a college education that would later help me support my family.”

The Harlingen native ended up working for Valley Baptist Medical Center for a little more than a decade before moving to a local home health care agency where she began handling and managing medical records as supervisor.

“I’m the type of person who wants to do things right if I’m going to do them,” she said. “So having no medical record experience wasn’t sitting right with me. So I said, ‘Why not, let me go back to school.’”

Pecina said the timing could not have been better, because it was also during this period that Pecina’s daughter, now 24, graduated high school and immediately found out she was pregnant.

“This was also my chance to show my daughter, that no matter the circumstances, even as a teen mom, going to college was a possibility,” she said. “Being mom should never stop you from following your dreams.”

So while working full-time, the mother of two and grandmother enrolled in Health Information Technology as a full-time student.

“TSTC opened my eyes to the bigger picture of my profession,” said Pecina. “And since I was already working in the profession, the program helped me better understand the rules, laws and regulations I needed to be following.”

Pecina added that the support from faculty and staff and training she received at TSTC was invaluable for her success, especially as a parent.

“Everyone I ever encountered was so helpful and understanding. It was the faculty and staff that helped us all make it through the program” she said. “Lessons and training were thorough and gave us the foundation we needed to begin a ‘successful’ career in the field. Everything I do in the field is what I learned in the classroom.”

She recognizes Health Information Technology instructor Ana Gonzalez as one of her best mentors.

“Ana is so welcoming and helpful toward everyone. She understand that life happens and we face challenges as students so she is always there to support us, offer advice and help us in any way she can, even after we graduate,” said Pecina.

Pecina is now pursuing an online bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in Health Information Management and sits on the TSTC Health Information Management advisory committee.

She also hopes to pursue a master’s degree in health informatics.

“I recommend anyone who is looking for a college or to change careers to check out TSTC,” said Pecina. “TSTC has helped me find a career that supports my family and has helped me grow. It has changed my life for the better.”

Health Information Technology is offered at TSTC’s Harlingen and Abilene campuses and is also offered 100 percent online.

For more information on the program, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – The Texas State Technical College Dental Hygiene class of Spring 2018 recently received official Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) exam scores and have achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the third consecutive year.

“We are so excited and so proud of our students,” said TSTC Dental Hygiene Program Director Raquel Rico. “Everyone has worked really hard to make this achievement possible.”

WREB is one of three exams that graduates from the dental hygiene program are required to pass to receive a license in the profession and be able to practice as a dental hygienist.

In addition to the clinical board exam (WREB), graduates must also pass the National Dental Hygiene Examination Board and the Texas State Governance Jurisprudence Exam.

Judith Cano, one of the 25 students from the Spring 2018 dental hygiene graduating class, is already working as a hygienist for The Smile Shop in Pharr and Mission and said she was excited to learn she and her classmates had passed their clinical board exam, receiving their golden slips.

“This just goes to show that all of our hard work has finally paid off,” said Cano. “I’m so happy and excited for all of us.”

Cano, mother of a six-year-old son and former president of her class’ dental hygiene club, also said that she owes her success to her parents who migrated from Mexico City.

“My mom and dad have been so supportive of everything I do. They believe in me 100 percent and without them I wouldn’t be where I am at,” said Cano. “They migrated to the U.S. to give us a better life and they definitely did that.”

Cano added that it is the hands-on training they received in class and at the TSTC Dental Hygiene Clinic, which provides low-cost dental services to the community, TSTC’s interview practicum and the mock board exams that made all of the difference.

Dental Hygiene Instructor Vicki Martin said they spend the last two semesters of the two-year program conducting mock clinical board exams following the same process students would experience during the actual exam.

As they do for the actual clinical board exam, the students select a person who is willing to volunteer as a patient, instructors approve the students’ patient selection and then perform and note every dental procedure completed by the student.

“As faculty, we are dedicated to making sure that we prepare our students the best way we can for their exams,” said Martin. “We don’t want there to be any surprises for them. We find this relieves a lot of their testing anxiety and that in turn allows them to do better.”

Rico said that mock board exams are a rare thing for dental hygiene programs to offer and that being the only program in the Rio Grande Valley, they felt this was an important service to offer its students.

“Our goal is to produce highly-skilled hygienists who are compassionate, provide the best patient care and always have the best interest of their patients in mind,” said Rico.

It is this that Rico said has put TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program on the map as the sixth best dental hygiene program in Texas , according to a list compiled by universities.com.

“This is great recognition for our program. It gives us visibility and helps us encourage future hygienists to check out our program,” said Rico. “We hope to continue growing and welcoming students from across the state.”

With the demand for dental hygienists growing and the job outlook increasing by nearly 20 percent, faster than the average of other occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Rico said TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program is ready to help meet the demand.

For more information on TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program or TSTC’s Dental Hygiene Clinic call 956-364-4696 or visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Jasmine Munoz is completing her Academic Core at Texas State Technical College expects to finish in Summer 2019. She also boasts a 3.5 grade-point average.

The 19-year-old Harlingen native is also active on campus and her community. She is a member of the TSTC Service Squad and Action South Texas, a civic organization that focuses on voter registration and increasing voter turnout.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I want to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism with a minor in political science.

What’s your dream job?

I want to be the next Christiane Amanpour and tell stories from the trenches. I want to shed light on politics and other controversial issues and be a voice for those who don’t have one.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been able to take everything I have learned in my classes and apply it in the real-world. Everything I have learned, done and am doing has helped me form my own perspectives and opinions and helped me figure out my purpose.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is to appreciate everything you have. I didn’t grow up with a lot, there were times we didn’t even have a place to call home, but getting an education and volunteering has put my life into perspective.

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

The person who has had the most influence on my success is Elizabeth Bryant, TSTC Government instructor. She not only teaches her students, but she shares her experiences with us also. Her door is always open and she is a great mentor and advisor.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to meet the people around you, to get involved and to help your campus and community.