United Launch Alliance Supports Tech Prep Initiatives
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The $5,000 check that Ernest Roybal, ULA’s Director of Harlingen Operations, presented to Tech Prep Executive Director Pat Bubb, represents the aerospace company’s long-term commitment to technical education. Given in recognition of what Tech Prep-Rio Grande Valley does by guiding students into technology courses and pathways, the donation underscores the important link between business and education.

“The things ULA (United Launch Alliance) is interested in align perfectly with the mission of Tech Prep,” said Roybal at the Harlingen facility which has been making Atlas launch vehicles for 22 years.

“Tech Prep’s success in helping increase graduation rates and directing rising numbers to colleges give young people better opportunities. We are all on the same path and excited to help Tech Prep,” Roybal said. In the long term, he hopes skilled graduates will come work at ULA.

The ULA check, which has become a tradition, is used for a ULA Engineering scholarship which is awarded as a part of the Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Texas Tech Prep Scholarship program and to support the Academic Leadership Alliance. The ALA places high school Tech Prep teachers and counselors in local businesses to give the teachers a firsthand view of the skills students need for employment in the 21st century. In 2009, ULA hosted a teacher extern. It has also continued its hands-on support of high school engineering and rocket clubs.

Ernest Roybal, ULA’s Director of Harlingen Operations, makes donation to Tech Prep Executive Director, Pat Bubb

We're Busy Developing a New Website
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

We're working on a new website! Many thanks to Joyce Magee of Web-Magik, who is continuing to host our current site during the transition. Thanks, too, to TSTC Harlingen, which is doing the work necessary to become our new host.

While our new website is under construction, the calendar function will not be in operation. We have posted our Tech Prep calendar for the year at a link in the "Calendar" section of our current website, and you can download either a Tech Prep calendar or a P-16 calendar through our "Downloads" section.

Board meetings for the year are set as shown below. A great deal of additional information appears on the calendars described above. We will, of course, post more detailed information as meeting dates and times become available. And from time to time you'll hear from us about additional activities that don't fit into the calendars in the Downloads section.

SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEETINGS:

 BOARD: Thursday, February 25, 2010 – 12 noon, Weslaco

 BOARD: Thursday, May 27, 2010 – 12 noon, Weslaco

 BOARD: Thursday, August 26, 2010 – 12 noon, Weslaco

Job Shadow Day Kickoff Set for February 2 at Rio Grande Valley Partnership
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

On February 2, 2010, Rio Grande Valley employers and students will focus on Groundhog Day, but not on the weather! A press conference hosted by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership will kick off a series of Job Shadow Day events that will continue throughout the spring. Student "shadows" from partnering school districts, with employers and community leaders, will participate in the event. The program is supported by cities, counties, school districts, colleges, universities, business and community leaders, television stations, and other media. Event details are as follows:

Who: Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership

What: Groundhog Job Shadow Day "Kickoff" Press Conference

When: Tuesday, February 2, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where: Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership, 322 South Missouri Avenue, Weslaco

By the end of the spring, hundreds of Rio Grande Valley students will have gained valuable perspective by learning firsthand how the skills they are learning in school are applied in working life. In a Job Shadow Day experience, a student "shadows" an employer or employee as he or she works through a normal day on the job, observing actual workplace experiences in a wide variety of fields. Experiences with employers during Job Shadow Day events help Rio Grande Valley students to understand the relevance of their academic studies, so that students are motivated to excel. In addition, employers have the opportunity to showcase their businesses and emphasize the importance of education, encouraging students to pursue higher-level academics and postsecondary education.

According to Sergio Contreras, chairman of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, “Job shadowing is a terrific way to give students exposure to professional life and help them understand how developing productive habits in school can facilitate future success.” Contreras, who serves as external affairs director for AT&T, is well-versed in the benefits of this type of program through his involvement with AT&T’s successful Aspire/Job Shadow program aimed at reducing high school dropout rates.

Tech Prep RGV, which is a partnership between education and business that prepares young people for today's skilled workforce, has been spearheading Job Shadow initiatives in this region for several years. State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez praised the efforts of Tech Prep and the other participating organizations: “Tech Prep has done a tremendous job organizing and developing this program, and the high level of support and participation within the business community has been critical to its success. The Annual Job Shadow Day program presents an opportunity for students to gain access and insight into what could be their future careers.”

Employers and community leaders can contribute to Job Shadow Day activities in any of the following ways:

• By participating in the Groundhog Job Shadow Day "kickoff" press conference described above.

• By having a personal "student shadow" Groundhog Day or later in the spring.

• By encouraging other employers and community leaders throughout the region to host students for Job Shadow Day events on Groundhog Day or later in the spring--helping Tech Prep and the Partnership to secure additional employer placements for all Job Shadow Day activities.

Contact Martha Gutierrez at Tech Prep or Veronica Villegas at the Partnership for additional information.

Tony "Thrill" Hill to Speak at Tech Prep Employers and Education Forum on February 11
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Want to learn more about the link between education and economic development? The opportunity will be there when Dallas Cowboys superstar Tony "Thrill" Hill speaks at the Tech Prep Employers and Education Forum beginning at noon on February 11 at the Knapp Medical Center Conference Center in Weslaco.

Individual tickets are $50, and sponsorships are available. Download a sponsorship packet through the "Downloads" section of this website, or contact the Tech Prep offices for additional information. (The sponsorship packet appears in the "Downloads" section under the name "Annual Education and Employer Forum/Sponsorship Packet.)

Leroy Anthony Hill, Jr., better known as Tony Hill, graduated from Stanford University with a 3.3 GPA in Political Science at the age of 20. Tony “Thrill” Hill then spent ten successful seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He helped the Cowboys become “America’s Team” by leading them to Super Bowls XII & XIII and six playoff appearances. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hill is the second all-time leader in receiving yards with 7,998. During his ten-year career with the Cowboys, Tony led the team in both receptions and yardage for eight of those ten years. His 479 receptions are third on the Cowboys’ All-Time list behind Michael Irvin and Drew Pearson. Hill’s 51 Touchdown receptions also rank third on the All-Time Cowboy list behind Bob Hayes and Michael Irvin. He finished his career with 8,072 total yards (Rushing and Receiving), making him the team’s fourth All-Time leader in that category behind Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett and future Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. Tony Hill was known for his quick speed and big play ability. Cowboys Coach Tom Landry had this to say about him: “[He is] our Home Run Hitter. I’ve never seen a guy who could adjust to a ball in mid-air like Tony. He is a very explosive player; the type who can turn a short play into a big play in a hurry, because he has excellent running ability and speed.” He has been inducted into the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame.

A native of Long Beach, California, Hill resides in Dallas with his wife and four children. Tony is the CEO and President of Legends Sports Promotions, Inc., a company that raises funds for charitable organizations through celebrity basketball, softball, and football games as well as golf tournaments. Legends Sports Promotions also caters to corporate America by providing athletes for motivational and promotional events across the country.

During his tenure as a Cowboy, Tony became involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, serving for nine years as Honorary Chairman for the North Texas Chapter. Hill has been a game-show contestant and has served as a color commentator for Arena Football. He has many other accomplishments in both the philanthropic arena and in business.

He and his wife are the proud parents of three daughters, Cassidy, Kelli and Leslie, as well as one son, Anthony, who plays basketball for Colgate University.

Tony Hill works closely with Tech Prep RGV Board member Rene Capistran, South Texas Vice President of SpawGlass Contractors, on philanthropic events throughout the state. It was Capistran who arranged for Hill to travel to the Valley to participate as featured speaker for the Tech Prep RGV event.

Presentation Made to Representative Eddie Lucio III
Friday, December 18, 2009

The honorable Eddie Lucio III, Texas House of Representatives, District 38, presented keynote remarks during the opening general session of Tech Prep RGV's regional conference, which was held at South Padre Island on December 2-3. Tech Prep Executive Board member Gonzalo Salazar, was present to present awards to Tech Prep Teacher of the Year Velma Sanchez (Edinburg CISD) and Tech Prep Counselor of the Year Patti Muniz (Harlingen CISD). Dr. Steve Flores, Harlingen CISD Superintendent and also a member of the Tech Prep Board of Directors, was present for the ceremonies and spoke during the second general session later in the day.

Gonzalo Salazar, Los Fresnos CISD Superintendent; Pat Bubb, Tech Prep of the RGV Executive Director; and Dr. Steve Flores, Harlingen CISD Superintendent, presented State Representative Eddie Lucio III with a Certificate of Appreciation at the 2009 Tech Prep Regional Conference. In his keynote presentation, Representative Lucio noted that employers talk about a high-skilled workforce, not the available workforce. "Tech Prep has an impact on our quality of life."