Solis: STC’s GED graduates show what determination is all about

MCALLEN, Texas – For the second year in a row, South Texas College held a summer graduation ceremony for students who completed the college’s GED preparation classes and passed the test to earn their high school equivalency diploma.

“This is a celebration for them,” said Olivia De La Rosa, dean of continuing education and workforce training and economic development at STC. “You know, a lot of them had obstacles, challenges. They had to quit school because they had to work, take care of family and so on. So, this was just to celebrate them, give them that graduation that they didn’t get to have when they were in high school.”

This year, 95 students earned their GED certification through STC’s General Education Development Program and about 40 participated in the ceremony. The students completed an average of about 150 hours of course instruction that covered mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies and science – the four sections that make up the GED exam. Upon arriving at STC, faculty will assess a student’s starting level and determine the number of hours of preparation they will require to successfully pass the equivalency exam. Through various grants, the GED program is available to students at no cost to them.

“These students did it on their own, knowing the opportunities, knowing that it’s critical that they obtain the most basic education of all, which is a high school degree, a GED,” said STC President Ricardo Solis. “And they’re determined … and, of course, STC – we’re very proud. We have made it a priority to upgrade the value of a GED, and that’s what we did today. That’s why we’re having now our second formal event to demonstrate that it’s part of the whole process, and we don’t want any student to be left behind … This gives the students now that security that they can succeed.”

In his remarks to the graduates, Solis added, “We are a comprehensive college, one that delivers education at all levels.”

On stage with Solis were department heads and members of the STC Board of Trustees. Alejo Salinas Jr., chair of the STC Board of Trustees and its longest-serving member, gave the keynote address in Spanish, telling students that there are no limits to what they can accomplish and that their future is in their control.

After all the graduates walked the stage, De La Rosa instructed them to officially turn the tassels on their caps to signify their great achievement.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

“I commend you for all your hard work, sacrifice and dedication to this milestone moment,” said De La Rosa. “We sincerely wish each of you all the success in the future.”

Solis closed the ceremony by congratulating the graduates and encouraging them to continue their educational journey.

“All of you have everything in front of you to continue,” said Solis. “… There are funds now, so there’s no excuse for tuition. There are scholarships now that you’re going to be able to continue. And, what better place to do it [than] at the most advanced, the most state-of-the-art institution? We are a college; we are a university. We are South Texas College. Muchas Felicidades!”

For those students that are ready to move into a certification or undergraduate program, De La Garza says that STC can help them find grants and scholarships to cover tuitions costs as well as assist them in filling out paperwork like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). She says currently about 28 percent of the GED certificate recipients do continue into higher education. As more students become aware of the different funding opportunities and programs, they hope to see more graduates furthering their education.

Still, the first step of receiving a GED certificate or other high school equivalency diploma is crucial to setting people on their career path and strengthening the workforce. Mario Reyna, point person for the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force and former dean of business and technology at STC, is working with Region One Education Service Center to reduce the number of high school drop-outs in the county. In a recent interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Reyna says there are about 25,000 people in Hidalgo County between the ages of 18-26 that never finished high school. He says institutions like STC could play an even bigger role in helping these people obtain their diploma and even suggested that the college open a charter school with state and federal funding.

When presented this idea, Solis said he was open to more partnerships, but will ultimately leave the establishment of charters to those organizations already equipped to found them.

“That’s something that we have not really explored yet,” said Solis. “There are other organizations and institutions that are in charge of that – Region One and the high schools. Those schools are set up to open up those type of charters and provide that type of education because the funding goes to them for that, but not for us. But we’re open to any type of partnership to work with those organizations, such as Region One or any other charter school to provide that bridge and especially a pathway to STC.”

For now, the accomplishment of the GED graduates is proof enough that those who left without finishing high school still have a chance to achieve their goals, no matter their age or current circumstance.

“We saw what determination is from all the students,” said Solis. “… We have students of all ages, and certainly they have what it takes, which is the ganas. I know that all of these people here have a story. They all have all types of hardships that they’ve gone through and challenges, but they’ve overcome them. Many people start at different times during their life, but they clearly are able to succeed – and they will. And so it’s never too late because this is not just one process.”

For more information about STC’s GED classes, you can visit their website here.

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