Dr. Annabelle Palomo, chief executive officer and school director of Rio Grande Valley College, recognized the importance of educational partnerships and personal determination during the fifth Registered Nurse Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony held September 3, 2026, at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance.

Two years ago, Geordon Boulware, now 15, was at a routine dental visit in his hometown of Lufkin, Texas, when his dentist discovered he had an abnormal growth on his jaw. After meeting with a local oral surgeon, Geordon and his mom decided to seek treatment in Houston.