Future students sign letters of intent to attend TSTC

HARLINGEN — Texas State Technical College welcomed around 300 high school seniors at a National CTE (career and technical education) Letter of Intent Signing Day event on Thursday, April 20, at the Harlingen campus.

School representatives from Brownsville, Donna, Edcouch-Elsa, Edinburg, Harlingen, IDEA Public Schools, La Feria, Los Fresnos, Lyford, Mercedes, Monte Alto, Palmview, Port Isabel, Raymondville, Rio Hondo, San Antonio, San Benito, Santa Rosa, South Texas ISD and Vanguard Academy were in attendance to celebrate their students’ choice to attend TSTC.

In addition, students’ families, several TSTC instructors and some TSTC staff attended.

The occasion began with an opening welcome, followed by an explanation of the significance of National CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day.

Cheers filled the Wellness and Recreation Center as the high school students smiled with happiness, wore TSTC caps, and signed their letters of intent to study for a technical career at TSTC.

The students were thrilled when each one received a $1,000 scholarship provided by The TSTC Foundation to use toward their studies.

Esequiel Serrano Flores, a senior at IDEA Sports Park College Prep in Brownsville, will enroll in TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program at the Harlingen campus.

He said the signing event was a great experience.

“It’s a nice turnout,” he said. “I chose the Electrical Lineworker program because of the job opportunities it will provide.”

Kaitlyn Gonzalez, a senior at Rio Hondo High School, will enroll in TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program at the Harlingen campus.

She enjoys the culture at TSTC.

“I really love the people who work at TSTC,” she said. “The Nursing students have been helpful. I chose the Vocational Nursing program because I want to give back. I felt it was the right career path.”

Trey Pearson, TSTC’s interim vice president of student recruitment, said the event puts technical education in the spotlight it deserves.

“Celebrating the high school students’ commitment shares a story of opportunity for individuals who are seeking a technical career of their dreams,” he said.

Pearson added that TSTC is committed to helping its students succeed.

“We focus on student success and start by connecting them to something that inspires them,” he said. “There are a lot of choices and decisions for these high school seniors to make, and we’re here to help them every step of the way.”

For more information about National CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day, visit https://nc3.net/signingday/.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.