Category Archives: Education

Searching for Ghosts

Many tenants of Downtown Harlingen historic buildings claim that the buildings are haunted. The public will be able to find out for themselves via the Downtown Harlingen Ghost Tour if the ghost stories are true.

As the sun goes down, an eerie feeling falls across the dimly lit streets of Downtown Harlingen. The buildings of the past have a different feel to them. One can almost feel the rush and excitement of the Roaring Twenties in Harlingen. “Some of these buildings have a different feel to them, almost like they’re living,” Downtown Harlingen manager Edward Meza said. “We hear things here in our building and…

Read More

McAllen ISD Hosts College Night

College Night

The annual McAllen ISD College Night event takes place Sept. 23 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center. More than 60 universities will be representing their institutions of higher education. They will provide students and parents with admissions information as well as address individual questions. Local scholarship associations will be available to disseminate scholarship information. University alumni will also be available to share their individual college experiences. Financial aid…

Read More

ECO-RIO Builds Student STEAM Skills

Danny Conner and his live reptiles are among the many educational entertainers at ECO-RIO.

The largest environmental educational event in South Texas, ECO-RIO, takes place this weekend at Fiesta De Palmas. From Sept. 21-22, students 12 and under can build STEAM skills for free. The Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math event also builds environmental leadership.  Since nature education takes many forms, ECO-RIO features more than 40 educational booths. Students will have opportunities to see live animal ambassadors up-close. Many educational entertainers will be on hand including Sky King Falconry, Contacto…

Read More

Bailey is Border Texan of the Year

Guy Bailey

University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey is the 2019 Border Texan of the Year. He will be honored at a dinner and reception Nov. 21 at the McAllen Convention Center. “I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected as 2019 Border Texan of the Year. This is easily the highest honor I have ever received, and I am particularly pleased because it comes from my colleagues in the Rio Grande…

Read More

UTRGV Veterans Receive Inaugural Scholarships

Scholarship recipients include (seated) Juan Cerda, John Garcia, Gabriel Carrizales, Juan Gonzalez, Carla Blevins and Hector Villanueva. (photo Edinburg Chamber)

UTRGV veterans are the recent recipients of the inaugural Texas Cook’Em High Steaks in Edinburg Veteran Scholarships. During the planning of the 14th annual Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks, the Edinburg Chamber made the decision to award five $1,000 scholarships. When H-E-B heard of this endeavor, they quickly and generously chose to match that amount. Recipients are Juan Cerda, John Garcia, Gabriel Carrizales, Juan Gonzalez, Carla Blevins, Hector Villanueva, Brandon Bunch, Rosa…

Read More

TSC Expands Free Transit Service

Texas Southmost College and Brownsville Metro are continuing to offer free transit services for STC students. (photo STC)

After a successful pilot program in the spring providing free transit service to all Texas Southmost College students, TSC has expanded the free service citywide via Brownsville Metro to its students. The free citywide transit service for TSC students began Aug. 26 with the start of the college’s fall 2019 semester. It will continue through Aug. 2020. The program is a partnership between TSC, Brownsville Metro and the City of…

Read More

$1.9 Million Grant Benefits Migrant Students

The High School Equivalency Program grant will benefit about 500 Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers and eligible family members to obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma. (photo STC)

South Texas College is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education for a High School Equivalency Program grant. One hundred percent of the $1,919,976 grant comes via federal dollars. The grant will implement a five-year project assisting 500 Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers and eligible family members. The grants will help them obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and to enroll in a post secondary Industry Recognized Certification Career…

Read More

Dual Enrollment Celebrates 20 Years

Rebecca Marie De Leon serves as dean of South Texas College's dual enrollment program.

Rebecca Marie De Leon was an aspiring student and high school athlete at Mission Veterans Memorial High School when she enrolled in a dual enrollment program in the early 2000s. The future collegiate golfer was pressed for time in balancing academics and athletics. Dual enrollment, which blends college and high school courses, then grounded her in the need for effective time management.  “It set the foundation for me,” said De…

Read More

Elks Lodge Supports Veteran Students

For nearly four years, the Elks Lodge #1889 in Harlingen has supported Texas State Technical College student veterans with contributions for scholarships. This year is no different. TSTC was recently presented with a check for $2,500, the first of two contributions for 2019. The total amount the Elks Lodge is expected to give toward veteran scholarships this year is $5,000. “The Elks Lodge is an organization that invests in helping…

Read More

#clearthelists of RGV Teachers

Letty Macias, Belinda Trevino, and Karen Aguirre, teachers at Perez Elementary in McAllen ISD, look over their Amazon classroom wish lists.

On Aug. 8, I received this Facebook message from Susan Valverde, a close friend who lives in McAllen but is the chief franchise operations officer for Sylvan Learning’s corporate offices in Maryland:  “Hey Chris – are you familiar with clear the list Texas? It is an effort to help teachers with their back-to-school supplies list and has gained a lot of traction. A teacher can set up an Amazon wish…

Read More