New graduates gain GEDs, eye future opportunities

HARLINGEN — Commencement for 76 students in the High School Equivalency Program at Texas State Technical College Harlingen stands as a milestone toward more achievements.
The message from speakers at the ceremony Saturday in the TSTC Cultural Arts Center was reflected in family photos taken after the event that focused on graduate Ray G. Rodriguez, 19, of Harlingen, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. His cousin Rosie, mother Graciela, and fiancé Zaida took turns as photographers. His 3-month-old daughter, Mia, got in all the photos.
“I was motivated to enroll in the HEP for my daughter and for my family’s future,” he said. “People interested in the HEP should just take that first step, enroll in the program and then earn a General Equivalency Diploma. There was always help at TSTC. The faculty and staff made it much easier for me to adapt to college.”
Rodriguez is in his second semester as a computer science and software development major with an emphasis on gaming and simulation programming. He wore a white silk band around the neck of the blue graduation gown to symbolize his college student status. He and about 25 of his HEP classmates have begun or will soon begin college courses.
“It takes a lot of pride and humility to do what you are doing,” Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos, the keynote speaker, told graduates. “It’s a big deal today, but you will turn in the caps and gowns and the graduation honeymoon will be over tomorrow. I don’t want you to stop here.”
He praised graduates, their families and friends for the sacrifices made and challenges overcome to complete the HEP. “Let your desire and the strength of your will take you toward more opportunities. Graduate again and again if you need to do so. I will guarantee you that as long as I am the county judge there will be an entrepreneurial atmosphere in Cameron County to create jobs,” Cascos said.
Maria Isabel Martinez of Harlingen was one of two student speakers. She recalled the years when she and her family traveled as migrant laborers, and she thanked her five daughters for support that allowed her to complete HEP requirements while she worked at a nursing home and rehabilitation center.
“I am enrolled at TSTC and plan to earn an associate of science degree in nursing preparatory. It is a great start toward achieving my dreams,” she said.
“It has been hard to keep going, but I have faith in myself that I can overcome the troubles. Most importantly, I thank God who has given me the strength to go on day by day.”
HEP Director Antonia Luna said that more than 700 HEP students have earned GEDs at TSTC Harlingen during the past 11 years.
“We like to call it adventure education because there are many hands-on activities. The overall experiences such as life skills, critical thinking, community service, developing a resume and portfolio, participation in cultural events, visits to museums, career or profession exploration, and college preparation build well rounded citizens for our communities,” she said.
For more information about the HEP, call Gloria Serra at 956.364.4566 or go online to http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/CollegeReady/Staff_Directory.aspx.