Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 94, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 24, 2007 Page: 2 of 6
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The Rio Grande Herald-Thursday, May 24, 2007, Page 2
More than 1800 graduate
from STC in May 2007
More than 1,800 students
graduated from South 1 exas
College at Dodge Arena this
May. Students walked away
from one of three ceremonies
with degrees, smiles and the
knowledge that their future is
just beginning.
"I finally did it!" said
Jomichael Vasquez, Sociology
major. "It has been a long road,
but I had a lot of support
through the college's Valley
Scholars Program, Phi Theta
Kappa Honus Society and
through my student-worker job
at the STC Health and Wellness
Center. 1 have really enjoyed my
time at South Texas College and
I know that I have a solid
foundation for future academic
success. This was a great day
full of memories that I will take
with me forever."
Among those who celebrated
this milestone were the college's
first Bachelor of Applied
Technology (BAT) Program
students. STC's BAT Program
was initially offered in August
2005 and the first cohort of
students graduated this spring.
Students who signed up for the
program were required to
complete 46 credit hours of
upper-level courses, helping
them expand their perspective
on many business issues
including administration,
accounting, technology, human
resources, marketing and many-
other topics.
The spring 2007 class
includes Paloma Aguilar. Datron
Bolden. Claudia Cabrera, April
Castafieda. Leticia De Los
Reyes, Nelly Flores, Vanessa
Garcia, Billy Ray Garcia,
Cristina Garza, Miriam Guerra,
Monica Ibarra, Jennifer
Longoria, Veronica Lopez.
Monica Molina and Claudia
Olmedo.
"Many of us can attest to the
time, effort and dedication we
have had to give to this program,
working full time and some
being parents as well. There
were times when the frustration
level was through the roof and
quitting seemed so easy, but we
all persevered," said Billy Ray
Garcia "This accomplishment is
a testament to our hard work and
dedication. We are celebrating
all of that hard work, but it is
only the beginning. We must
take the knowledge we have
obtained and show the
community what STC's BAT
graduates are all about. They are
counting on us to be tomorrow's
leaders and we will succeed."
Additionally the college
graduated 16 students from its
Dual Enrollment Engineering
Academy (DEMSA). The
students walked away with
college diplomas weeks before
earning their high school
diplomas from Rio Grande City
and Roma High Schools. In
order to complete the program,
the students were not only
required to complete their high
school curriculum, but 61 hours
of college credit to earn their
associate's degrees in biology.
The 2007 DEMSA class
includes Kendra L. Alanis,
Delilah M. Alvarez, Barbara M.
Arredondo. Cristina A. Canales.
Rita J. Castillo, Karla M. De La
Rosa, Michelle Flores, Alyssa
Garza, Javier R. Garza, Leonel
"Leo" Lopez IIII. Homer E.
Olivarez, Katrina R. Pena,
Ricardo Saenz. Derek C.
Salinas, Jose M. Sanchez Jr. and
Celene Vela.
Leo Lopez of the DCMSA
program was also selected as the
2007 Presidential Inspirational
Achievement Award recipient
by Dr. Shirley A. Reed,
president of the college. The
award celebrates the
accomplishments, perseverance
and leadership of students who
have overcome tremendous
obstacles in their life and
education. Lopez was awarded a
plaque and a S 1,000 scholarship
to continue his pre-medical
training at Texas A&M
University. The scholarship was
personally funded by Dr. Reed.
Last, but not least, more than
95 STC employees received
their diplomas from the college
this May. The graduates work in
every division at every campus
and center at the college, truly
giving STC something to
celebrate.
"Everyone at the college has
been so supportive and
encouraging while I was
working on my degrees I would
say without the support of the
1st Anniversary Mass
In Memory of Sandra Alaniz Martinez
(June 12. 1963 - May 24. 2006)
IF TEARS COULD
151 U.I) A STAIRWAY
If Tears could build a stairway and
memories were a lane
We would walk up lo heaven and bring
you back again
No farewell words were spoken. No time
to say goodbye
You were gone before we knew it and
only God know why
Oui hearts still ache in sadness and secret
tears still flow
What it meant to lose you No one can
ever know
But now we know you want us to mourn
for y ou no more
To remember all the happy times life still
has much in store
Since you 11 never be forgotten we pledge
lo you today
A hallowed place within out hearts is
where you'll always sta\
Will be held on Thursday May 24, 2007
at 6:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church.
Alaniz & Marline:. Family.
Board of Trustees and the
executive and administrative
staff, 1 most likely would have
never pursued a higher
education to begin with," said
Jeff Heavin, Human Resources
administrative technician for
STC. "It was definitely hard
work, working full time and
going to school full time, but it
was worth all of the effort. Now
I can hardly wait to start
working on my master's
degree."
This spring Heavin earned
his associate's degree in
interdisciplinary studies from
STC and his bachelor's in
management with honors from
The University of Houston
Victoria. He plans to continue
his work toward a master's of
business administration in global
management from The
University of Houston
Victoria.
Helping the college celebrate
the festivities with words of
encouragement were Dr. Mario
Ramirez, renowned Starr
County physician and leader;
U.S. Congressman Henry
Cuellar; and Robert W. Shepard.
chair of the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board
(THECB). All three speakers
reminded students that learning
is a life-long process and
congratulated students on their
achievements.
CACST to offer
traveling
assistance to
migrants
CACST Public Information Office
Migrant workers thinking of
traveling to northern states in
search of jobs later this year
may qualify for financial
assistance.
The Community Action
Council of South Texas
Community Services division is
acceptin", applications from
people that could benefit from
the program.
Community Services
Director Celeste Garcia said
anyone seeking assistance must
provide the following:
• proof of monthly income
• 2006 income tax return with
W2 or 1099 tax forms
• any utility bill such as water,
electricity, or gas
• name, address, and telephone
number of the person the
applicant will be working with
along with the company name
and state of destination.
Garcia said all household
members must provide the
aforementioned required
information.
Applicants are urged to call
CACST's Community Services
Program at (956) 487-2585. ext.
265 for an appointment to
explain the program and process
applications.
The Community Action
Council of South Texas is a
nonprofit agency that provides a
variety of health and social
programs to a five-county area
in South Texas.
It is the false shame of fools to
try to conceal wounds that have
not healed.
—Horace
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CONSULTANTS
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McAllen 78504
(956) 631-7269
4761 East Hwy. 83, Suite E
Rio Grande City 78582
(956) 488-9911
M
North Grammar honors parents with picnic
North Grammar Elementary hosted a Parent Picnic to thank the parents for their participation in then
children's education. Mr. Ricardo Saenz and his staff wanted to thank all the parents by hosting ,i
picnic for them on Saturday, May 19. Parents were treated to delicious BBQ chicken, hoi dogs ami
snacks. Everyone had a great time; students enjoyed the day as well as their parents by playing in the
playground in organized activities such as football and other games. The staff greeted parents, sal with
them and had a great time reminiscing about the activities throughout the year. (RGCCISD photo)
Frankie Barrera receives
Class of '84 scholarship
applications through their high
school counselors. Awardees are
selected by the scholarship
committee composed from the
Class of 1984. The scholarship
serves as a way to say thank you
"to our community which gave
us a great place to grow up and
to graduate from the best high
school in the Valley."
A class spokesperson stressed,
"Don't ever forget your roots.
Your memories of Rio High
will go far. The Class of '84
continues the Rattler tradition
and we remain united ever strong
since our graduation in 1984
Congratulations and best
wishes-Rio Rattlers 2007. 'May
you always live in glory...win
in all you do' -- RGC High
School Alma Mater. 'Stand for
something or fall for nothing.'"
Barrera Brothers Scholarship
The recipient for the 2007 Rio
Grande City High School Class
of 1984 Memorial Scholarship
is Francisco "Frankie" J.
Barrera.
Frankie is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. Guadalupe E. Barrera, Jr.
of Rio Grande City and the
grandson of Mr. and Mrs.
Guadalupe E. Barrera, Sr. (+)
and Maria Del Rosario Garza
Barrera. also from Rio Grande
City Frankie will enter the
Jennifer Rodriguez awarded
Fort Monmouth, New Jersey in
July 2007.
Upon completion of the Prep
School. Frankie will enter the
U.S. Military Academy at West
Point, New York and join the
Class ol 2012. Frankie ranks
No. 10 in his graduating class
and is the first from Rio Grande
City High School to enter the
Prep-School and follow on to
the U.S. Military Academy at
West Point.
The Rio Grande City High
School Class of 1984 Memorial
Scholarship was established in
1994 during the 10-year class
reunion. The Class of 1984
wanted to find a way in which to
honor and remember their
departed classmates so they will
never be forgotten. Class
members conduct scholarship
drives annually in fulfillment of
awarding one scholarship to a
deserving high school senior.
Students submit scholarship
The recipient of the 2007
Barrera Brothers Military
Leadership Scholarship is Cadet
1 leutenant Colonel Jennifer
Rodriguez.
Jennifer is the daughter of
Mrs. Mary l.ou Lara and the late
Juan R. Rodriguez Jennifer
plans to attend South Texas
Vocational Technical Institute in
McAllen and will studs to be a
massage therapist.
The Barrera Brothers Military
Scholarship was established in
1994 in an effort to promote
Rio Grande City High School's
Army Junior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps (ROTC).
I he five original Barrera
Brothers included: Sergeant First
Class (SFC) Retired (R)
Francisco "Frank" Barrera (Class
of '78), Clinton, Tennessee;
7-DAY
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• 2 Rio Grande City 7-day locations
• 9 area locations and growing!
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Senior A i r m a n (S R A)
Guadalupe E. Barrera, Jr. (Class
of '79), Rio Grande City; Major
(MAJ) Luis C. Barrera (Class of
'82), Fort Meade. Maryland;
Major Ross Barrera (Class of
'84), Alexandria, Virginia; and
Specialist (SPC) Joel O. Barrera
(Class of '89). Rio Grande City.
The scholarship is given
annually to a deserving high
school senior enrolled in ROTC.
ROTC students submit
scholarship applications through
(heir high school counselors and
are selected by the SAI (Senior
Army Instructor). A Barrera
family member stressed.
"JROTC is a great program and
we know it will continue to be a
successful one in Rio Grande
City."
The family member
concluded, "Best of Luck to all
the Rio Rattlers 2007. May the
wind be behind you and may
your dreams come true. 'Stand
for something or fall for
nothing.'"
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The
Rio Grande
Herald
(USPS 466-200)
Joe Mickelson
Publisher
Published weekly for 15.70 per
year in Stan County and 18 75
per year out-of-county by Valley
Newspaper Holdings, LP 1811 N
23rd St, McAllen TX 78501
Editor
KENNETH ROBERTS
Advertising
CHRISTIAN SAI IN AS
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 94, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 24, 2007, newspaper, May 24, 2007; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196066/m1/2/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.