Seniors commit to finishing education

HARLINGEN — Marco Castellanos knows he’ll finish his training as a diesel mechanic.

The Harlingen High School South senior has already planned for quite some time to attend the Universal Technical Institute. He’ll begin a two-year-plan of study at the Houston institution this fall. But yesterday’s Commit to Complete event in the cafeteria further cemented his intent to finish his education.

“Now that we’ve shown what we’re going to study we have to make it happen,” said Marco, 18.

About 500 seniors filled the cafeteria to sign a “Commit to Complete” pledge. The form declared a commitment to complete either an academic degree at a university, trade coursework at a college such as Texas State Technical College, or a stint in the military.

“We commend the Class of 2017 for setting the bar high as they work toward achieving their higher education goals,” said Superintendent Art Cavazos. “I am so proud and humbled to be able to share this momentous occasion with our students.”

Students in bright orange shirts with the words “accepted” fed their eager appetites with hot pizza and cupcakes. They spoke casually about friends, high school and plans for their future. With great enthusiasm they received the “Commit to Complete” pledges and promptly signed them.

Signing the certificates conveyed the message that students would not only enter college, trade school or the military but would complete their commitment to those plans.

While some students planned to pursue academic degrees or trade certification, others were planning for a military career.

“I will be leaving July 2 for the U.S. Air Force,” said Alaina Claudio, 18.

She plans to first become a dental assistant and later an aerospace engineer – all as an Air Force officer.

“I am patriotic and my dad was in the Marines,” she said. “I want to go to school and have a job at the same time.”

The pledges helped sharpen the focus of many students.

“It makes us motivated to go and progress in life and succeed,” said Sami Bouls, 17, who planned to study international business at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.