Texas Border Business
Amanda Sotelo
At 54 years old, Leonor Hernandez finally got the graduation she has longed for, as one of the more than 90 students who recently graduated from the GED program at South Texas College.
Like many others, the Monterrey, Mexico native had to drop out of high school to work and provide for her family.
Hernandez has worked as a provider and import/export clerk, but in November 2023, she decided to open doors of opportunity for herself in pursuit of becoming an educator.
“Financial stress is my enemy…it hasn’t been easy,” she said. “But I have things to prove. I did this to prove to myself and my family, that I could finish school and make my dreams come true. Now, I feel powerful.”
After completing about 200 hours of preparation in math, reading, social studies and GED test reviews, Hernandez finally put on that cap and gown to not only receive her GED diploma, but also earn the spot of class speaker.
She had an emotional message of hope and perseverance for her peers and their family members.
“Through these months, there have been many times that I have wanted to give up, but it was my family and class that gave me the strength to push forward and pass,” she said. “I also owe a lot to our instructors. It is their guidance that has served as an inspiration to achieve not only our GED diploma, but our educational goals. I hope to return to STC, so God willing, I can be a teacher someday.”
Traditionally, almost a third of all graduating GED students go on to get at least an associate degree or bachelor’s degree. Inspired by the many stories of achievement and success, STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., addressed this year’s GED graduating class.
“You’ve overcome a long process of studying and exams, felicidades,” he told the graduates. “You have laid a foundation, and you are now ready to continue your education. I can sense your motivation to continue; you inspire us. You have big wishes and dreams, and at STC, we can help you make them come true. You have the ganas, so we know you’re going to succeed.”
STC Trustee and Board Chair Alejo Salinas Jr., Ph.D., said he felt immense pride being able to join them for such a momentous occasion.
“I’m so proud of the work, the sacrifice and the dedication that these students have put into achieving this goal,” he said. “Not only am I proud of them, but so are their families. This is their hour to continue pushing forward. There are no limits to what they can do.”
Olivia De La Rosa, STC dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Training and Economic Development said more than 125,000 Hidalgo and Starr County working-age residents do not have a high school diploma, and STC’s goal, through its GED program, is to decrease that number.
“To continue to improve our communities, we need to make a dent in that number,” she said. “This ceremony is a testament to the work we are doing to expand opportunities in our region. We are so proud of these graduates, and we look forward to having them in our programs and achieve further success.”
For more information on STC’s GED program, visit southtexascollege.edu/ged.