Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
Homeschooled for most of her life, Edcouch-Elsa senior Ana Trevino put her education on hold two years ago to care for her parents as they battled cancer and to step in as a second mother to her six younger siblings.
Now, at 18, she is back in school through Region One Education Service Center’s Dropout Recovery & Prevention (DPR) program and she’s already charting a future in Nursing at South Texas College.
“After losing my dad earlier this year, I decided it was time to go back to school and pursue my dream of becoming a nurse,” she said. “Thanks to this program, I’m not only completing high school, but also earning a credential that sets me up to be college ready.”
The newly-established initiative is designed to support young adults ages 18 to 26 who left school due to challenges such as unemployment or financial hardship, helping them return to high school and earn their diploma.
Through partnerships with school districts including Weslaco, Edcouch-Elsa, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) and Rio Grande City Grulla, the program has already helped nearly 100 students earn their high school diplomas and continues to grow.
Now, with STC as a partner, this year’s students can complete their diploma while also earning certifications in high-demand fields such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Welding.
“My first goal is to earn my CNA,” Trevino added. “I’ve already applied to STC’s Emergency Medical Services program to pursue a paramedic degree. From there, I plan to continue my education and transition into STC’s Nursing program.”
Recently, nearly 60 students visited STC’s Health Science Professions campus to attend the first DPR College and Career Day, where they explored a wide range of opportunities in high-demand fields in health care.
The event gave students a unique opportunity to envision themselves in careers that lead directly into the workforce, such as Patient Care Technician, a one-semester introductory certification program that serves as a pathway into nursing, as well as two-year associate degrees in Pharmacy Technology, Medical Assistant Technology, Radiologic Technology and Respiratory Therapy.
“Sometimes all a student needs is a moment of inspiration to realize that a meaningful career is still within reach,” said Judy Martinez, STC Health Science Professions initiatives manager. “That’s what we wanted to create with this event, a spark that says, ‘I can do this.’ We’re truly honored to be part of this program.”
Veronica Mendoza, STC student recovery and outreach coordinator, added that the initiative is about more than academics -it’s about second chances and believing in students who have faced difficult circumstances.
“Walking alongside these students as they reach their goals is what motivates us every day,” she said. “Sometimes, all it takes is telling a student, ‘I believe in you.’ For some, it’s the first time they’ve heard those words, and that’s what gives them the courage to come back.”
For 25-year-old father of two, Samuel Felix, the program has been life-changing. He dropped out of high school at 19, but with a 4-year-old and a 3-month-old at home, he knew he wanted to create a better future for his family.
Felix reenrolled in high school this past August and is now on track to complete his diploma and pursue an associate degree in HVAC at STC.
“This program gave me a second chance to build a better future for my kids. With the support of Region One ESC and STC, I’m finally able to make that happen,” Felix said. “What keeps me going is knowing I’m not alone, we’re all walking this path together, supporting each other every step of the way.”
Information source: STC
