(HARLINGEN) – Joel Jimenez told his story of digging trenches in the sweltering Rio Grande Valley heat and how they served as a lesson from his father during Texas State Technical College’s 12th Annual Noche de Gala scholarship fundraiser.
Jimenez talked of his struggle and his temptation to quit when things got hard. Not making enough money to pay for his dorm, purchase school supplies or anything else he needed, he felt afraid, but the Lozano Long Opportunity Scholarship turned that around and lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders.
“I thought, if this is just the beginning and it’s so hard, how will I make it past the rest? But thanks to this scholarship I was able to quit my job at a convenience store, focus on school and realign my priorities,” said Jimenez.
The Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology graduate and Mathematics student remembers his parents always instilling the value of education, and on that particularly hot, humid day his father reminded him how education is the key to success.
“Education doesn’t make your job easier, but it sure beats digging holes in the sun,” he told TSTC’s scholarship donors. “It’s people like you that make life easier for students, and I hope someday I can make life better for someone else. Thank you.”
Joining Jimenez with the same heartfelt appreciation were two other Lozano Long Scholarship recipients: Montserrat Mauleon de Esquivel, an Agricultural Technology student, and Monique Cavazos, a Building Construction Technology major.
Esquivel relived the time she and her husband, while raising a 3-year-old, were forced to live on unemployment checks because of several layoffs. This, while facing other financial, family and health issues, made quitting school tempting. But because of the family she had formed at TSTC and the scholarship she received, quitting became a distant reminder of hard times.
“At TSTC we matter. We’re an
ything but expendable; we’re important,” said Esquivel. “We even mattered to Provost Adam Hutchinson. I couldn’t believe that someone in such a high position cared to offer me support.”
Hutchinson gave Esquivel a business card and told her to carry it with her and give him a call if she ever felt like quitting was her only option. He knew there would come a point when that would happen, and he wanted to be there to change her mind.
“To this day, I have the card in my wallet,” said Esquivel. “But when I use it, I won’t be telling him that I’m quitting. I’ll be letting him know that I’ve been accepted to veterinary school.”
As for Cavazos, a wife and mother of four daughters, she shared childhood memories of spending time with her grandfather in his wood shop.
“I was only allowed to use scraps and crooked nails,” Cavazos recalled. “But I would bang them straight and voila! I had a new boat to play with in the ditches. But little did I know he was helping me build something bigger: a career.”
Cavazos said college has sometimes been a difficult road, but thanks to the Lozano Long Scholarship she received she will be graduating this spring with an associate degree.
“Generous donors, TSTC staff and faculty, and any person that has ever assisted a college student fulfill their dreams, I would like to thank you,” said Cavazos. “You are the nails that help keep our paths together.”
It is donors and committed volunteers like Ruthie Ewers who help students like Jimenez, Esquivel and Cavazos realize their dreams.
Ewers, who is called the “Energizer Bunny” by Harlingen’s Mayor Chris Boswell, is this year’s Noche de Gala honoree. It is her dedication to youth, students and TSTC that has earned her this honor.
TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia said Ewers has supported TSTC for years. She has been an avid supporter of TSTC’s Interview Practicum, which has held mock interviews for soon-to-be graduates since 2010. Ewers has participated every semester, and when she sees a student excel during an interview she works to place them within the community.
Ewers is also an active member of TSTC’s newest committee, the Scholarship Steering Committee.
“When I asked Ruthie for suggestions or recommendations on setting up a successful fundraising campaign, she immediately volunteered before I even finished my sentence,” said Garcia. “Ruthie is not only a strong supporter of TSTC with her time and money, but more importantly she also believes in what we do.”
Ewers said she loves the type of professionalism that TSTC is turning out and loves what she sees.
“TSTC is something good I believe in and I want to be a part of it,” said Ewers. “I’ve never considered myself a leader, yet this award is given to leaders. I’ve always just tried to help wherever I can. But tonight I feel like I’ve won an Academy Award.”
Special guests celebrating Ewers’ honor and helping students achieve their dreams were Harlingen City Commissioner Victor Leal, Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell, Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, and State Representative Eddie Lucio III. Ewers’ son Joe Ewers was also on hand to give his mother a special introduction.
The Lozano Long Promise Opportunity Scholarship was established in 1999 and has helped thousands of students across Texas realize their dreams of an education.
Noche de Gala is hosted by the TSTC Foundation. The black-tie affair consists of a cocktail hour, full-course dinner and awards program.
The annual scholarship fundraiser has raised more than $1.5 million and helped more than 400 TSTC students achieve their education dreams.