Rio Hondo students get an early start on college at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) - Fifteen Rio Hondo High School students are learning beyond the traditional classroom at Texas State Technical College 's Harlingen campus.

The students are enrolled in dual credit classes in six of TSTC's technical programs. The Rio Hondo Independent School District provides transportation for students going to and from TSTC, along with tools needed for classes.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 29.8% of Rio Hondo residents have a high school or equivalent degree, while 10.2% of residents hold an associate degree. The education percentages decrease for those with bachelor's and graduate degrees.

"The city is thankful that these young citizens are provided with this opportunity," said Ben Medina Jr., Rio Hondo's city administrator, "It is important to the city and surrounding communities because many of these students are the first generation in their families to be higher education-bound. It is a significant saving to families as financial aid grants become scarce."

Leroy Perez, a senior at Rio Hondo High School, is taking dual credit classes in TSTC's Building Construction Technology program. He said some of the skills he has enjoyed learning include blueprint reading, carpentry, and working with concrete. He said the hardest part about taking the classes has been being the youngest student.

"I am glad I took the opportunity and tried new things," Perez said.

Eli Betancourt, a senior at Rio Hondo High School, began taking dual credit classes in TSTC's Wind Energy Technology program during his junior year.

"The (TSTC) recruiter came to my school and was talking about it and that it was good money," Betancourt said. "That is what got me hooked."

Betancourt said he has enjoyed learning about the electrical aspects of wind energy and hydraulics.

"The instructors make it easy for you to learn, and they give you a lot of opportunities," he said.

Betancourt said he wants to continue at TSTC after he graduates from high school.

"I would like to stay and work in wind energy and be near my family," he said.

Ayden Bello, a senior at Rio Hondo High School, said his mother encouraged him to take dual credit classes in TSTC's Mechatronics Technology program. He said he has liked learning about circuits and programmable logic controllers.

Bello's advice for students considering dual credit classes is simple: Stay focused.

"Don't slack off," he said. "Just keep trying to do your work."

Rio Hondo High School staff begin at the middle-school level getting students focused on their futures. Students who are interested in taking dual credit classes must attend a mandatory meeting with their parents to learn about the expectations. Nancy Flores, a counselor and dual enrollment liaison at Rio Hondo High School, said parents are told that if their children do not pass dual credit classes or if they drop out of them, then they must pay the school district back the cost of semester credit hours and materials.

More than 400 students from 13 area high schools are taking dual credit classes this year online, in person or on their home campuses through TSTC's Harlingen campus, according to Robbie Mesa, director of dual credit for TSTC's Harlingen campus.

"Dual credit and high school students earning an associate degree get into the workforce faster and often earn high wages so that they can help their families financially," Medina said. "These students become role models for their siblings and colleagues (so hopefully they) will follow them so they too can receive the benefits of dual credit."

Registration continues for the spring semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.

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