Texas Border Business
Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College and the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen recently celebrated the culmination of a successful and collaborative initiative where fourteen high school students had the opportunity to become electrocardiography (EKG) technicians at no cost to them or their families.
Marked by a 100% pass rate, the pilot program is scheduled to be replicated next year.
“This is the first time we have ever done a collaboration like this, and I’m proud to see it was a tremendous success,” said Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen and STC Trustee. “I’m so proud of these students. Because of their efforts and excellence, 20 more students will have the opportunity to receive this summer course next year.”
For 16 weeks, the students attended college-level classes at STC’s Nursing and Allied Health Campus, benefiting from a $1,500 scholarship made possible by this partnership.
For Christopher Alvarez, incoming junior at McAllen Memorial High School, this was the perfect opportunity to start building a curriculum towards a paramedic career.
“It was an excellent class. It made me realize that I want to dedicate myself to a field where I can actively help people,” he said. “This certification is just the first stepping stone. The more I can achieve, the better. It has encouraged and excited me to pursue further opportunities.”
Alvarez will soon begin an EMT Basic program at his high school and is looking forward to joining the Emergency Medical Services program at STC in the future.
“I always see the paramedics on the front lines and want to be part of that,” he said. “There’s a significant need for more health care workers, and paramedics play a crucial role. That’s why I want to become one of them and I’m also considering fire science. I’m ready to go places and make a difference.”
During a recent celebration attended by friends and family, the students were applauded for choosing to spend their summer pursuing a certification that can help them secure a job already, putting them ahead of the curve before graduating high school.
Executive Vice President and Director of Community Relations for Lone Star National Bank, Julian Alvarez, attended the event to congratulate each of them on choosing a path to help save lives and encouraged them to continue their education.
“Health care is essential, and the demand in our community continues to grow. This partnership represents a significant step toward a brighter future and demonstrates what we can achieve through collaboration,” he told the students. “This is just the beginning. I hope to see you as nurses, doctors, or in any role you choose. Remember, there are many opportunities to pursue in health care right here in the Rio Grande Valley, particularly due to the excellence of STC. Congratulations!”
Gonzalez-Alcantar echoed this sentiment and reassured the families that they will continue to work on bringing these opportunities not only to McAllen but to the entire Rio Grande Valley.
“This agreement has brought me a sense of peace and purpose. Being here as both the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen and an elected trustee for STC gives my life a clear direction,” she said. “We are all working toward the same goal: empowering our youth and improving our community through education. Finding this bridge and merging both roles to provide these opportunities fills me with rewarding gratitude. It has been a unique journey and responsibility that I take to heart, and I am excited to continue moving forward.”