HARLINGEN — Retired Brigadier Gen. Joe Ramirez excited students yesterday when he did the dab.
But they didn’t give him their attention solely because he’s hip to dance moves.
He had already inspired the students with his life story and the secret to what it takes to succeed.
“He told us to work hard and apply to as many colleges as possible,” said Valentina Villarreal, a Harlingen South senior. “This is the first time I have met a general so it’s quite exciting,”
Villarreal, 18, is a cadet first lieutenant in the Air Force JROTC.
She said the general’s talk was motivational.
“He said to pursue your dreams,” Villarreal said. “It could be hard at first, but you have to continue on.”
Villarreal said she has aspirations to join the military and she is applying to the Air Force Academy.
“Make the right choices, go to college, graduate and be successful in whatever it is you want to be,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez, 60, talked to students at the Harlingen Health Professions School. He talked to them about the importance of continuing their education and staying physically fit.
“Dream big,” Ramirez said. “If you want to be a doctor go out and be a doctor.”
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