Dual Enrollment students from Rio Hondo and Los Fresnos high schools, who attend a front suspension class in Automotive Technology at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, organized SkillsUSA Chapter 3557 to enter regional competition.

A community service project sponsored by the Dental Assistant Explorers Club at Texas State Technical College Harlingen stretched thousands of miles to benefit U.S. Army troops in Iraq. The Explorers teamed up with the American Legion in Raymondville and Boy Scout Troop 76 in McAllen to send snacks, sun screen lotion, foot powder, footballs, board games, bug spray, moist wipes and personal hygiene products to support the husband – and his unit – of Dental Assistant student Anissa Sayas of Raymondville.

Many Hidalgo High School students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology course on ground operations took turns at the controls of a single-engine Cessna 172, even though they aren’t licensed to drive a motor vehicle.

A basketball tournament for robots built and controlled by Mechatronics Technology students became a high-tech sports event and a test of their technical skills.

Paul Villarreal and Alma Garcia spend so much time together that acquaintances at Texas State Technical College Harlingen gave them the singular nickname “Paulma.” The pair first met as kindergarteners at Crockett Elementary School in Harlingen.

Eli Torres graduated from Rio Hondo High School in the spring of 2007 and quickly enrolled at Texas State Technical College Harlingen for the summer semester. He forfeited summer vacation to make a fast start on college to speed up his quest for a Certificate of Completion in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology. However, Torres said that he almost delayed college plans due to the financial pressure higher education expenses could place on his family.

Three new courses – Pharmacy Technician, Electrocardiogram Technician and Physical Therapy Aide – are scheduled to open this April within the Continuing Education department at Texas State Technical College Harlingen. The expanding curriculum is one of the priorities for Continuing Education Director Angie Gonzalez, who took the position in December.

A $2.1 million grant awarded to Texas State Technical College Harlingen based on serving Hispanic students will boost student recruitment and push graduates toward higher degrees. The funding will create an academic achievement center and fill eight new employee positions during a five-year span. Director of Student Success Richard Kirk said that the achievement center would provide an all-encompassing site for tutorial services, supplemental instruction, peer monitoring and related programs.

Emergency Medical Technology graduates will be more familiar with ambulance procedures thanks to hands-on experience with a new simulator at Texas State Technical College Harlingen.

Businesses and college graduates should take advantage of growing free trade opportunities worldwide. Israel Hernandez, an Eagle Pass native who serves as assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and director-general of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, emphasized that message in a speech to local industry and government leaders and Texas State Technical College Harlingen students.

“It doesn’t matter how long it took you to get here. The point is, you’re here.”

The words of Cameron County Commissioners Court Judge Carlos Cascos summed up at least a portion of the stories involving almost 80 High School Equivalency Program students at their graduation ceremony in the Fieldhouse on July 27. Graduate speakers Brenda De Leon of San Benito and Luis Pastrana of Rio Hondo shared their perspectives on how earning a General Equivalency Diploma and enrolling in college courses at Texas State Technical College Harlingen changed their outlook on life.

Ten sophomores from San Benito High School forfeited their mornings for four weeks of the summer break to test drive Auto Collision Technology course work at Texas State Technical College Harlingen. The 48-hour short course covered topics such as welding, safety procedures, meeting insurance standards, plastic repair, and custom paint. The Auto Collision Technology program at SBHS is the only high school program in Texas certified by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, the professional organization that promotes training for technicians worldwide.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief David V. Aguilar urged students to pursue education and career opportunities that benefit themselves as individuals and consider serving the nation when choosing a career.

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