2020 EMS Publication 4-12-21

Texas Migrant Interstate Program


Exemplary Migrant Student

2020 Graduates

T

M

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A Special Project of the Texas Education Agency

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The Texas Migrant Interstate Program would like to thank all

the participants for their commitment and support to the Intra/

Interstate Secondary Credit Accrual Workshop. Your

participation ensures the success of our workshop and your

presence is a source of encouragement for all migrant

stakeholders.

The primary goal of the Intra/Inter-state Secondary Credit

Accrual Workshop is to provide opportunities for networking

among out-of-state representatives and Texas educators. We hope

that you find this workshop beneficial and informative.

The Exemplary Migrant Student publication is especially

dedicated to all migrant students and their parents, whose

sacrifice and commitment to achieve is an inspiration to all of us.

Thank you for your support and dedication to the academic

success of our shared migrant students!

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

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Table of Contents

Dedication and Acknowledgements…………………………………....4

2020 Exemplary Migrant Student Honorees–

Yamile B. Perez - Brownsville ISD………………..….…..5

2020 Exemplary Migrant Student Honorees

Omar Sifuentes - Eagle Pass ISD…………….…………..6

2020 Exemplary Migrant Student Honorees

Yaremi B. Perez - Brownsville ISD…………….…..….…...7

Exemplary Migrant Students ……………………………………..8 - 33

2020-2021 Interstate Coordination Partner

Susana DasNeves, Illinois………………………………...34

Special Thanks to Education Service Centers and

Local Education Agencies……….…………………………..35

Texas A&M International University

Laredo, Texas

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DEDICATION

The Exemplary Migrant Student section of this program is especially dedicated to all migrant

students and their parents whose sacrifice and commitment to achieve is an inspiration to all

of us.

“Our migrant children…

they are our only hope…

Like seedlings, they have

been sown in your

schools…

it is our wish

they blossom

into harvests of hope…”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the Texas Education Agency:

Anita Villarreal - State Director, Migrant Education

Didi Garcia - Program Director, Migrant Education

Idalia Ibañez - Program Manager, Migrant Education

Nez Paniagua-Jimenez - Program Coordinator, Migrant Education

for supporting the Texas Migrant Interstate Program and for continuing the

Exemplary Migrant Student Project.

A sincere thank you is also extended to Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo, Superintendent of

Schools from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, our fiscal agent.

Further acknowledgements to the all personnel in the educational system throughout

the United States that have facilitated the coordination with the Texas Education

Agency and the Texas Migrant Interstate Program to enhance the academic

opportunities provided to our shared migrant students.

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2020 Exemplary Migrant Student Honoree

Yamile Beatriz Perez

“Ay hija, everyone says the same thing that they are

going away to college but in the end they end up staying. They

think it’s easy to live independently. Why don’t you stay here

where you don’t have to worry about anything?” This is what I

heard from my parents and relatives every time I talked about

going away to college. I am a Hispanic female from

Brownsville, Texas. My family consists of six children, which

makes me the third oldest of three brothers, a sister, and a twin

sister. My mother, a housewife, attended school in Brownsville,

but did not complete her 4th and last year of high school. My

father, a construction worker, attended school and finished high

school with a diploma in his hand in Tamaulipas, Mexico. For

as long as I have known, my mother has always suffered from

diabetes and I deeply admire her because even though

sometimes the illness takes a toll on her, that doesn’t stop her

from being the strong, independent woman she has become.

Growing up in a family of immigrants and being migrant has

always been tough for my parents. Because my father did not

have papers, it was very difficult for him to find a job at first,

but throughout the years, he has worked extremely hard through

blood sweat and tears and fortunately, he became a U.S. resident, through my mother, which has now made it

easier for my family.

Just as every other migrant worker out there, my parents came to the United States out of financial

need and finding a job to live a stable life along with providing the basics for their family. We've always

struggled financially, but both my parents have always given us everything they felt that we needed. This has

made me more aware of the hardships of low financial status and to treasure the items gifted to me by my

parent's hard work. Although we have two different religions in my house I have learned how to be very smart

with my decisions and my actions. Even though I have these obstacles in my life they will eventually help me

become independent during college.

My life purpose is to serve, impact, and influence the younger generation all over the world. I plan on

majoring in music technology because ever since my older sister had the dream of being an artist, all I wanted

was to help her achieve her life goal which led me to have a passion for music. I would make a difference by

reaching out to children, teenagers, and young adults through my music and helping them make their own

music so they can express their inner feelings to the world.

Without the help of scholarships, I will have to delay my college education because my older sister is

attending a college far from home and very soon my twin sister and I will also be attending college at the

same time making financial assistance a necessity. This could sometimes be difficult for my father since he

has to save money every month to be able to pay for basic necessities, rent, bills, and even send money to my

older sister. My whole family has always encouraged me to be the best that I can be as well as to always strive

for successes. By doing this I can accomplish anything that comes my way and will intend to work hard to

excel in college.

Nomination submitted by

Fidencio Zavala - Migrant Counselor

Rivera Early College High School

Brownsville ISD

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Omar Sifuentes

Ms. Tanya D. Tijerina: It is a genuine pleasure and honor

for me to recommend Omar Sifuentes as a recipient for recognition

as an Exemplary Migrant Student for the Texas Migrant Interstate

Program (TMIP). As his counselor for the past two years. I have

had the honor of working with Omar to help him achieve an Associate’s

Degree from Southwest Texas Junior College and graduate

high school.

As a member of the Early College Academy, Omar has completed

rigorous college courses with exemplary grades since he started

high school. His dedication to school is commendable and speaks

highly of his desire to learn. Omar is part of the first Early College

Academy in our district and he has served as a role model for other

students who are interested in applying. While the road has not been

an easy one. Omar has demonstrated that achieving ones’ goal is

possible when you put your best effort. His quiet and determined personality has helped him mold his path to

success. Omar makes logical decisions. He researches, asks questions and inquires about his options when making

a decision. He presents valid arguments with supporting information always being respectful when stating

his point of view. Omar also listens and thinks through the information given him. Such qualities arc the tools

he needs to forge his future into the career of his choice.

When faced with the decision to apply for the Early College Academy he took a risk, made sacrifices

and set his education as a priority. Dual credit classes require that student have good attendance throughout the

semester. Omar made arrangements with his family and work in order to be present at school for his classes.

It was not always easy and Omar demonstrated his ability to solve problems with his quick thinking skills.

Such skills will make him a successful college student. College brings about challenging obstacles for students

and I know Omar will not be deterred from achieving his goals.

He migrated with his family to Clearlake, Minnesota all his life, along with his two brothers and sister.

They worked in the same factory (Thomas James Hartkopf -TJ Farms) for more than 22 years. His mother

shared a story about when she was expecting Omar, during this time they were pollinating corn for TJ Farms.

Her greatest desire at that moment was for a better life for her baby and the rest of her children. Being such a

dedicated son, Omar continue has also been a roofing helper for his father while his father worked roofing jobs

when they returned to Eagle Pass, Texas.


Ruby Perez - Counselor

C.C Winn High School

Eagle Pass ISD

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Yaremi Berenice Perez

I am a Hispanic female from Brownsville, Texas. My family

consists of 6 kids, which makes me the fourth oldest of three

brothers and two sisters. My mother, a house wife, did not come

close to completing high school, which makes 10th grade her

highest level of education in Brownsville. My father, a construction worker, attended school and finished

high school in Tamaulipas. My mother has always suffered from diabetes and I admire her because of the

strong, independent women she has become even though she has that obstacle in her life. Growing up in a

family of immigrants and migrants has always been tough especially for my parents. It was very difficult for

my father to find a job at first, but throughout the years he has worked extremely hard and ended up making

himself a U.S. resident, through my mother, which has now made it easier for my family.

Just like every other migrant parent out there, my parents came to the United States for a better life.

We've always struggled with money, but both my parents have always given us everything we needed

whether it was for school or non-school related. My parents would always find a way to provide. Their

endurance through hardships have shaped me to be patient because not everything is going to be given to you

at that moment that it is needed. It has also made me have a good attitude and faith, even when the problems

can seem impossible to overcome. Their words of encouragement to be "better than them" and to "strive for a

future" is my motivation to keep on going.

Because I enjoy assisting other people, I integrated myself in a local church where I helped out in the

worship ministry for the past 3 years. The purpose of the worship team is to lead people into an intimate

relationship with God through worship. I've gained life skills that have helped me to be humble, patient

towards my life's purpose, and responsible for the people around me.

Coming from migrant parents, you don't look at things the same way and proud to say that I'm

thankful for being brought up the way I was, in a humble home. I intend to work hard by fulfilling what I

consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifices. I will ensure to excel the most of my abilities by

investing my time to be successful. With the help of my family, I will carry on to pursue a higher education

and one day return the favor for all they have done for me.




Brownsville ISD

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2020 Exemplary Migrant Students

Nominated by:

Dr. Jaime Rodriguez - MEP Director

Nominated by:

Melissa Ornelas - ESC Migrant Tutor

Dariana Acevedo

Region 1

La Feria High School La Feria ISD

Rank: 86/259 GPA: 3.67

Parents:

Adan Acevedo and Norma Mosqueda of

La Feria, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas RGV in Edinburg, Texas

Major: Animal Science

Migrant Background

Location: Weslaco, Texas - Sort onions

Dr. Jaime Rodriguez-MEP Director:

It is with great pleasure that La Feria ISD recommends 2020 La

Feria High School graduate Dariana Acevedo, for TMIP’s

Exemplary Migrant Student Honors. Dariana is the daughter of

Norma Mosqueda and Adan Acevedo. Dariana and her family

are residents of La Feria, Texas, and migrate to Weslaco, Texas,

to sort onions. Currently, Dariana is working full-time in the

service industry and is saving to put herself through school. The

skills that she is developing such as engaging with the public

and verbal communication will help her achieve her ultimate

goal of becoming a veterinarian. She has one brother and two

sisters. While in high school, Dariana took Medical Assistance

classes.

Miguel Angel Aguirre

Region 19

Horizon High School Clint ISD

Rank: 57/364 GPA: 93.01

Parents:

Gabriel and Claudia Aguirre of

El Paso, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas at El Paso, Texas

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Migrant Background

Location: Bernalillo, New Mexico

Picking green peppers

Melissa Ornelas–ESC Migrant Tutor: Miguel Angel Aguirre

is an individual who is driven, works hard, and carries himself

in a polite, respectable manner. He graduated high school in

just three years and at the top 20% of his class. He participated

throughout the years in our summer camps and traveled to

Washington with the migrant program. He is a very dedicated

young man with a sense of responsibility and is very goal

oriented. He aspires to become an engineer and has a love for

education. It is without reservation that I recommend Miguel

Aguirre as a strong candidate to be recognized as an

Exemplary Migrant Student.

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Nominated by:

Diana Alejos - Migrant Counselor

Antonio Albiter, Jr.

Region 1

Johnny G. Economedes High School Edinburg CISD

Rank: 8/634 GPA: 103.46

Parent:

Maria De La Luz Moreno of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas

Major: Business Administration and Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Gilmore, Texas - Harvest grapefruit, lettuce,

oranges and peaches

Diana Alejos-Migrant Counselor:

He is my number one migrant male senior. He is a first-generation

high school and college graduate. Antonio is one of the most

resilient young men I have ever met. He is also one of the most

intelligent young men I have ever known. What sets him apart

from other students is his “passion for success” in his academic

studies. In spite of the major setback while he was in the 10th and

11th grades, his mother was diagnosed with liver cancer and his

grade fluctuated causing his grade point average to drop, he still

managed to maintain focus and his passion to succeed. Antonio

lives with his mother, a single parent and mother of 7 children. He

is the middle child. He says migrant work is hard, waking up early

and getting home late in the evenings, but that there were moments

then that he was happy for the family was together and they would

talk about their goals and aspirations and life was great.

Nominated by:


Nohemi Beltran

Region 1

La Feria High School

La Feria ISD

Rank: 220/259 GPA: 1.93

Parents:

Jesus Pilar Beltran and Mariana Beltran of

La Feria, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Nursing

Migrant Background

Location: Sarita, Texas

Dairy Farm

Dr. Jaime Rodriguez-MEP Director: It is with great pleasure

that La Feria ISD recommends 2020 La Feria High School

graduate Nohemi Beltran, for TMIP’s Exemplary Migrant

Student Honors. Nohemi is the daughter of Mariana Beltran

and Jesus Pilar Beltran. Nohemi and her family are residents

of La Feria, Texas, and migrate to Sarita, Texas, to feed cows.

Nohemi currently resides in Dallas, Texas. She is enrolled in

classes to become a registered nurse. She enjoys baking and

cooking for her six siblings, especially during the holidays.

Nohemi also enjoys all aspects of folklorico.

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Javier Bermudez

Region 1

Pace Early College High School

Brownsville ISD

Rank: 112/479 GPA: 3.61

Parents:

Danilo Lopez and Maria Medrano of

Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: International Business

Migrant Background

Location: Michigan -

Packaging green beans

Javier Bermudez-Counselor: The person that influenced my

education was my track coach Francisco Garza. He gave me

advice on career options and life choices. He cared enough to

motivate me. Being a migrant worker gave me a well rounded

perspective of the real world and of life at an early age. One of

my favorite quotes is “Be flexible because life changes and one

has to adjust.”

Nominated by:

Fidencio Zavala - Counselor

Nominated by:

Jose Muñoz - Counselor

Aimee Camacho

Region 4

Pasadena High School

Pasadena ISD

Rank: 80/565 GPA: 4.1

Parents:

Jaime Camacho and Martha Pantoja of

Pasadena, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Houston in Houston, Texas

Major: Nursing

Migrant Background

Location: Georgia - Picking apples

Texas - manual field labor and grew crops

Jose Muñoz-Counselor: Aimee Camacho is a 2020 graduate

from Pasadena High School. As the daughter of migrant

workers, Aimee learned the importance of hard work at an

early age. Her father spent his life migrating between Georgia

and Texas. When Aimee’s father lost his job, Aimee took

charge and obtained employment at McDonald’s to help her

family pay for rent and other living expenses. Aimee has

volunteered at the rehabilitation center at Bayshore Hospital

with plans to pursue a nursing career.

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Nominated by:

Osiel Salinas - Migrant Counselor

Nominated by:

Margarita Harmeson - Migrant Coordinator

Karina Canning

Region 1

Robert R. Vela High School Edinburg CISD

Rank: 33/519 GPA: 105.6417

Parents:

Kevin and Alicia Canning of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Troy, Michigan

Plowing land and planting trees

Margarita Hamerson-Migrant Coordinator: As you observe

the groups, you may notice certain students immediately take

charge and set the vision of the group. Karina is a prime

example of a student taking charge. I have had the opportunity

to observe her leadership skills through her participation in

numerous organizations and extra-curricular

activities specifically with our Robert Vela High School drill

team Sapphires. Her involvement in organizations has allowed

her to become an active member in her community by

volunteering over 450 community hours at many events from

tutoring young children to walking alongside. By being

involved in many activities, she has gained knowledge on how

to prioritize her responsibilities and how to properly manage

her time. She has always taken her officer roles seriously and is

passionate about her results.

Kayla Carrillo

Region 19

Canutillo High School Canutillo ISD

Rank: 104/521 GPA: 4.132

Parent:

Irma Carrillo, Texas of El Paso, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas

Major: Accounting and Finance

Migrant Background

Location: Anthony, New Mexico -

Irrigated pecan trees

Osiel Salinas-Migrant Counselor:

Kayla was influenced by her mom and grandparents. Seeing

them struggle daily made her want to do better for them and

herself. Kayla is independent, hardworking, and self-motivated.

She is thankful for her past experiences and how she was raised

because it made her who she is today. Her goal is to complete

a post-secondary career and make her mom proud in order to

give back to those who have always supported her. Graduating

in the top ten percent of her class is a reward for all the hard

work she put in and out of the classroom. Being a migrant

student gave Kayla the motivation and help she needed to make

it to the top.

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Nominated by:

Eric Guerra - Migrant Counselor

Eric E. Coronado-Bazan

Region 1

PSJA North Early College High School

PSJA ISD

Rank: 99/502 GPA: 3.7

Parent:

Alva Bazan of Pharr, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Civil Engineering

Migrant Background

Location: Winamac, Indiana -

Harvested potatoes

Eric Guerra-Migrant Counselor:

Eric’s qualities of hard work and dedication will help him to

continue to succeed. He has learned to manage his time wisely

and maintain a balance between school and everyday life.

Eric has outstanding grades and accomplishments which set

him apart from the rest of his senior class. He has been selfmotivated

and diligently strived to continue his education,

while adapting to a different learning environment in

Michigan. He was a part of the dual enrollment program and

earned college credit hours while in high school.

Ayramar Cortez

Region 1


Rank: 28/519 GPA: 90.2083

Parents:

Americo Cortez and Mireya Gonzalez of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas

Major: Bio Medical Science

Migrant Background

Location: Blencoe, Iowa - Detasseling Corn

Carolina Zamora-Mathematics Teacher:

Ayramar Cortez is a driven young woman with strong moral

values and hardworking personality. I was fortunate to have

her in my Pre-Calculus Dual Enrollment and my AP Calculus

AB classes. I have seen Ayramar grow into a proficient

problem solver. She welcomes challenges of new and difficult

concepts and demonstrates a strong aptitude for mathematics.

She is a highly disciplined, highly motivated student which

demonstrates a desire for deeper understanding by

participating in class discussions. She has demonstrated

excellence in all that she sets her mind to. Ayramar is an

excellent student that will continue to grow in achievements in

high school, college and beyond.

Nominated by:


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Nominated by:

Viola Canales - Migrant Strategist

Nominated by:


Alexandra Cuellar

Region 1

Palmview High School La Joya ISD

Rank: 62/517 GPA: 3.642

Parent:

Gabriella Cuellar of Palmview, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas RGV at Edinburg, Texas

Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Williamsburg, Iowa

Detasseling corn

Viola Canales-Migrant Strategist: Alexandra’s favorite

quote, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you have to

put up with the rain” very much sums up her outlook on life.

Although quiet and reserved she is very focused on her goals,

quite optimistic and hopeful of what she can accomplish.

While at Palmview High School, Alexandra was a dedicated

and responsible student. Coming from another school district

she fully participated in the Migrant Club, the M.U.S.E.

Program, and enrolled in dual enrollment courses. Her

motivation stems from the hardship of migrant field work that

she was exposed to and from her mother, who as a single

parent, raised Alexandra and her sibling. With her mother

always rooting her on, and celebrating her achievements in

school, Alexandra focused in achieving her academic goals.

Today she is well on her way to become the wonderful

professional she will be someday.

Jose Armando Delgado

Region 1


Rank: 232/259 GPA: 1.85

Parents:

Jose and Cecilia Delgado of La Feria, Texas

Educational Goals:

Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, Texas

Major: Law Enforcement

Migrant Background

Location: Lufkin, Texas - Working in poultry farms

Dr. Jaime Rodriguez-MEP Director:

It is with great pleasure that La Feria ISD recommends La

Feria High School 2020 graduate Jose Armando Delgado, for

TMIP’s Exemplary Migrant Student Honors. Jose is the son of

Cecilia and Jose Delgado. Jose and his family are residents of

La Feria, Texas, and migrate to Lufkin, Texas, to work in

poultry farms. Currently, Jose is working part-time to while

attending college. He is a freshman in the Law Enforcement

Program at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, Texas,

where he hopes to develop the skills to become a Fish and

Game Warden to prevent fish and game law violations,

investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife

and compile biological data. On his free time, Jose enjoys

running and gaming.

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Nominated by:

Ruby Perez - Migrant Counselor

Donato E. Figueroa Villarreal

Region 20

C.C. Winn High School Eagle Pass ISD

Rank: 183/492 GPA: 90.12

Parents:

Bernardo Figueroa and Elsa Villarreal of

Eagle Pass, Texas

Educational Goals:

Southwest Texas Junior College in Eagle Pass, Texas

Major: Welding

Migrant Background

Location: Glencoe, Minnesota

Canning Corn

Ruby Perez-Migrant Counselor:

Donato is the youngest in the Figueroa Villarreal family; his

sense of responsibility is something to be admired. Since both

parents worked long hours along with this older brother,

Donato’s only responsibility was to come to school and do

what was expected of him. He had excellent attendance in

school and kept up with his studies. His welding teacher

along with his other teachers had always great comments to

say about Donato. While in high school he complete the

welding endorsement and maintained a 90.12 GPA. Ms.

Perez, can genuinely say that Donato is a good young man

with a hard working attitude and determination to pursue a

higher education and without any hesitation Donato will

continue to build his welding skills.

Nominated by:

Imelda Cadena - Migrant Counselor

Rebekka Flores

Region 1

PSJA Memorial Early College High School

PSJA ISD

Rank: 72/426 GPA: 91.25

Parents:

Roberto and Janie Flores of

Alamo, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Major: Pre-Med

Migrant Background

Location: Corpus Christi, Texas

Picked-cotton, beans, corn, grain, and wheat

Imelda Cadena-Migrant Counselor:

Rebekka graduated under the Distinguished Achievement

Plan. She was an outstanding student and her personality is

truly one of great intelligence, honesty and dedication. She

shared with me that one of her blessings come from being a

migrant student. Rebekka migrated with her family to

Corpus Christi, Texas, during the summers. This experience

made her the person that she is today. She values education,

family and truly believes in giving you best to mankind.

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Nominated by:

Robert V. Garcia - Migrant Counselor

Nominated by:

Hilda Araiza – Migrant Counselor

Erandy E. Gama

Region 1

Edinburg High School Edinburg CISD

Rank: 66 /544 GPA: 96.23

Parents:

Elicelia Gonzalez and Rosendo Salinas of

Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley-Edinburg, Texas

Major: Criminal Justice

Migrant Background

Location: La Homa, Louisiana -

Fishing Industry - Packing shrimp

Robert V. Garcia-Migrant Counselor:

Erandy was an outstanding student her fours years at

Edinburg High School. Faced with an unusual school year due

to COVID-19, she held her head high and never let this

unprecedented school year challenge, get in her way of

keeping up with her studies. All of these changes generated a

very good attitude and positive way of maintaining her

excellent grades. Erandy is a hard working, and very friendly

young lady. She is a person that I have come to trust and

admire. She has many talents that she has worked hard on

developing. As a DACA student she is planning for the best

but hoping for positive changes at the national level in

congress so she can continue her post-secondary education.

Jamary Garcia

Region 1

PSJA Southwest Early College High School

Rank: 90/415 GPA: 3.8

Parents:

Javier and Maria Garcia of Pharr, Texas

PSJA ISD

Educational Goals:


Major: Nursing

Migrant Background

Location: La Mesa, Texas - Hoed cotton fields

Hilda Araiza-Migrant Counselor: Jamary she has always

taken a role in requesting to be enrolled in rigorous courses, she

has continued this trend throughout high school. Her high

school and South Texas College transcript reflect the rigor and

completion of courses. She has earned grades that have put her

in the top twenty percent of her senior class. She actively

participated in the decision making process of planning her

class schedule to ensure her degree plan was completed. She

has had many obstacles but none of these have made her take a

detour from her goal. She has immersed herself in all her

classes and excels academically. She earned an Associate’s

Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from South Texas College

in May 2020. She will attend University of Texas Rio Grande

Valley and further her studies and earn a degree in Nursing and

pursue a Master’s Degree in the future. She plans to take

advantage of the college abroad programs at the university to

gain an awareness of the medical field information from other

countries and expand her knowledge of the medical profession.

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Nominated by:

Diana Alejos - Migrant Counselor

Nominated by:

Erika Esquivel - Counselor

Claire M. Haughey

Region 20

Knippa Collegiate Knippa ISD

Rank: 5/22 GPA: 3.81/98.36

Parents:

Samuel and Rebecca Haughey of

Uvalde, Texas

Educational Goals:

Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

Major: Music & Environmental Studies

Migrant Background

Location: Larsen Bay, Alaska -

Trolling salmon

Claire M. Haughey: My mother has made a great impact on

my education by teaching me the importance of learning. She

was my homeschool teacher up to the 7th grade. Being a

migrant student helped to develop my leadership skills and the

ability to adapt to new and challenging situations. My favorite

quote from Albert Einstein, “The woman who follows the

crowd usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who

walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has been

before.”

Anahi Berennice Gonzalez

Region 1

Johnny G. Economedes High School Edinburg CISD

Rank: 6/634 GPA: 104.09

Parents:

Demetrio Gonzalez and Maria Muniz of Edcouch, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: English

Migrant Background

Locations: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri,

Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Oregon

Production and evaluation of seeds from- corn, cotton, sorghum

and soybeans

Diana Alejos-Migrant Counselor: Anahi is a student who is

very conscientious about her grades, always trying to do her

best in everything she does. She is the youngest of her siblings

and feels pressured to prove that she can do thing on her own

and do them very well. Anahi is first-generation high school

and college graduate. She would migrate with her family to

various states. She helped her parent de-weed the bean plants

to detasseling corn. Her family also worked in production and

evaluation of corn, soybeans, cotton and sorghum seeds.

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Nominated by:

Mary Ann Handy - Migrant Counselor

Areli Hernandez

Region 1

Mercedes Early College Academy Mercedes ISD

Rank: 20/97 GPA: 4.05 / 91.47

Parents:

Noe and Esperanza Hernandez of

Mercedes, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Biomedical Sciences

Migrant Background

Location: Pullman, Michigan -

Potting plants in Nursery

Areli Hernandez: The person that has impacted by education is

my 14-year old brother. He has a terminal illness and there has

been very little research conducted on this disease, he inspires

me to do more every day. I found migrant work to be harsh and

challenging not only physically but mentally as well. Because

of migrant work, I am more mature and feel more sure of what

it is that I want to do with my life because it has helped me

become more disciplined. My favorite quote from Frida Kahlo

is “Al final del día, podemos soportar mucho más de lo que

creemos que podemos.”

Nominated by:

Arlyssa Gonzalez - Counselor

Deisy Herrera

Region 1

Monte Alto Early College High School Monte Alto ISD

Rank: 3/56 GPA: 3.633/4.028

Parent:

Dora Herrera, of

Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Major: Nursing

Migrant Background

:Location: Monte Alto, Texas-

Hoeing cabbage

Deisy Herrera: Two people that influenced my education are

my mother and Mr. Bob Martinez one of my teachers. My

mother was able to raise five children on her own. I admire her

for her hard work and dedication to provide for us and she still

made time to be my mom and friend. Mr. Martinez believed in

me when no one else did, not even myself. He reminded me

and all his students that we had potential and that we could

accomplish whatever we set my mind to. I really needed

someone to believe that I could achieve great things in life. My

own favorite phrase by an unknown author is “Keep working

hard because the end is worth more than the beginning.”

17


Nominated by:


Joaquin Jasso

Region 1


Rank: 95/519 GPA: 99.9167

Parents:

Javier Jasso and Cristina Cantu of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

St. Edwards University

Major: Computer Science and Finance

Migrant Background

Location: Atlanta, Indiana - Clearing fields to plant soybeans

Marivel R. Alaniz-Spanish Teacher and National Honor

Society Sponsor: I have found him to be extremely loyal to his

academics, passionate in helping other, driven in his goals, and

caring of his community. Joaquin’s dedication to his studies is

proof of his true determination to succeed. Joaquin is a very

dependable and responsible student. As an officer of various

clubs, you will often times see him afterschool; planning

community service activities, school fundraisers, working on

beautification projects and so much more. He exemplifies

leadership by taking the initiative with other officers and

finding options to help our school and local community. This

young man is one of the busiest students, yet no matter how

busy he is, he always has time to share a smile. Joaquin is,

without a doubt, one of the most driven and hardest working

individuals that I have ever encountered.

Nominated by:

David Campbell - Migrant Strategist

Kimberly Juarez

Region 1

Donna North High School Donna ISD

Rank: 6/489 GPA: 97.83721

Parent(s):

Gustavo and Maria Elena Juarez of Donna, Texas

Educational Goals:

University Texas Rio Grande Valley at Edinburg, Texas

Major: Computer Science

Migrant Background

Location: Uvalde, Texas - Clipping onions

David Campbell-Migrant Strategist: Kimberly is one of the

most talented and barrier breaking students I have come in

contact with during my career as an educator. In my opinion

she has the character qualities needed to be very successful in

life. She is a hard worker, relentless, and self-motivated.

Kimberly’s involvement in many extra-curricular activities

within our school and community has demonstrated her

openness and eagerness to learn and experience new places,

meet new people, and acknowledge other cultures and

customs. Kimberly with her keen intelligence, is capable to

analyze and take advantage of opportunities to gain and

participate in new experiences-thus, making Kimberly a wellrounded

individual from every angle of life. She managed to

excel in her high school studies by remarkably managing very

high grades.

18


Emely Leandro

Region 1

Nominated by:

Maria Martinez - Migrant Counselor

Harlingen High School Harlingen CISD

Rank: 7/622 GPA: 4.6265

Parents:

Jose and Soila Hernandez of

Harlingen, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas in Austin, Texas

Major: Radio, Television & Film

Migrant Background

Location: Hidalgo and McAllen, Texas

Harvested Savila

Efrain Fuentes-JROTC/ARMY Instructor:

As a student, Cadet Leandro demonstrated a love of learning

and the level of commitment necessary to succeed in college

and beyond. I was struck by the commitment Cadet Leandro

seemed to have to excellence, not only in her scholastic

endeavors, but also in all aspects of her life. She was quite

enthusiastic for her studies and a solid, conscientious student,

who regularly participated in class discussions and probed the

material with a zest for learning and assuming leadership

responsibilities. I believe her proposed course of study is suitable

and builds on her many strengths. Her animating spirit and

disciplined approach to learning make her particularly well

suited to succeed in life.

Nominated by:

Eric Guerra - Migrant Counselor

Alondra Marina Lopez

Region 1


Rank: 128/503 GPA: 3.3

Parent:

Marina Macias of Pharr, Texas

PSJA ISD

Educational Goals:


Major: Environmental Science and Sustainability

Migrant Background

Location: Elwood, Indiana -

Harvested tomatoes

Eric Guerra-Migrant Counselor:

Alondra will continue to succeed because her dedication and

hard work are some of the many qualities that she possesses.

She will graduate meeting the requirement of a Distinguished

Level of Achievement and was part of the dual enrollment

program earning college credit hours during high school. She

learned to manage her time wisely in order to maintain a

balance in her life. Alondra has outstanding grades and

accomplishments which set her apart from the rest of her senior

class. As a migrant, Alondra has been self-motivated and has

strived to continue her education, while adapting to different

learning environments.

19


Nominated by:


Ramon Armando Luna

Region 1

La Feria High School

Adela Maldonado

Region 1

La Feria ISD

Rank: 106/259 GPA: 3.52

Parents:

Ramon Luna and Maria de Jesus Cruz of La Feria, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at Edinburg, Texas

Certification: Design Technology - CAD

Migrant Background

Location: Weslaco, Texas - Sort onions



graduate Ramon Luna, for TMIP’s Exemplary Migrant Student

Honors. Ramon is the son of Maria de Jesus Cruz and Ramon

Luna. Ramon and his family are residents of La Feria, Texas,

and migrate to Weslaco, Texas, to sort onions. Currently,

Ramon is working in construction where he is learning

architecture and engineering skills to create drawings of

buildings and other types of models. His goal is to become

CAD certified. A soccer athlete in high school, he now enjoys

relaxing by playing video games and playing with his 11 dogs.

Harlingen High School South Harlingen CISD

Rank: 26/398 GPA: 1.8088

Parents:

Inoncencio Maldonado & Rosa Villanueva of

Harlingen, Texas

Educational Goals:

Texas State Technical College Harlingen, Texas

Major: Nursing

Migrant Background

Location(s) Edinburg, San Benito, Sebestian -Texas

Harvested cabbage, chile, onion

Cheyenne Lopez-English Teacher: Adela is a sweet,

kindhearted student who works hard to reach all her goals. She

does not back down from even the largest of challenges. Adela

is truly a hardworking young woman, with a resilient spirit that

will take her far in life and will inspire many more to do the

same. Her ability to think creatively has been a blessing to both

her classmates and the classroom environment. She is a

dedicated and intelligent student and an all-around great person.

Nominated by:

Maria Martinez - Migrant Counselor

20


Nominated by:

Cynthia Castillo - Migrant Counselor

Erika Medrano

Region 1

Monte Alto High School Monte Alto ISD

Rank: 20/56 GPA: 3.718

Parents:

Refugio and Claudia Medrano of Monte Alto, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Nursing

Migrant Background

Location: Mulberry and Plant City, Florida-

Picked and sorted peaches and strawberries

Location: Rantour, Illinois –

Detasseling Corn harvested beans

Location: KawKawlin, Michigan–

sorted cucumbers

Erika Medrano: “My mother is my inspiration and has had the

greatest impact not only in my education but in everything in

my life. She is such a strong woman that leads by example, she

earned her GED. An advantage of being a migrant student was

the opportunity to travel to three other states to see new places

and meet new people. Although, I did not get to enjoy it as I

would have loved to because, I was always working.” My

favorite quote from Nikita Jaiswal is “Everyday is a new

beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and start again.”

Stephanie Lorraine Montero

Region 1

Porter Early College High School Brownsville ISD

Rank: 80/448 GPA: 3.56

Parents:

Jose De La Cruz and Maria Montero of

Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Business Administration

Migrant Background

Location: Glencoe, Minnesota

Canning carrots

Stephanie L. Montero: Even though migrant work entailed

travel to other states. I always wondered what it would be like

to travel by plane to a foreign country for pleasure. If I had a

plane ticket in my hand, I would surely put it use right away.

South Korea, would be my first choice to visit. Their unique

culture, customs, museums, art and history are of interest to

me. I realize the language would be an issue; however, I am

sure a translator would not be difficult to find.

Nominated by:


21


Nominated by:

Imelda Cadena - Migrant Counselor

Nominated by:


Isabella Peralez

Region 1

PSJA Memorial Early College High School

Rank: 140/426 GPA: 88.3377

Parents:

Julian and Angie Perales of San Juan, Texas

Educational Goals:

Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas

Major: Exercise and Sports Science

PSJA ISD

Migrant Background

Location: Bastrop, Texas - Harvested watermelons

Imelda Cadena-Migrant Counselor: Isabella Peralez is a

hardworking dedicated young lady. She earned her Associates

Degree from South Texas College in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Her personality is truly one of great kindness, perseverance and

dedication. She balanced her academics and extracurricular

activities very well. Isabella maintained the A&B Honor Roll

throughout high school. She was very involved with girls

basketball, wrestling, was a member of Future Farmers of

America and the GEMS Migrant Club. She and her family

travelled to Bastrop, Texas, to harvest watermelons. She once

shared with me that she was proud of being a migrant because

the experience made her the person she is today. Isabella has

become a resilient woman whom believe she will conquer her

dreams.

Yamile Beatriz Perez

Region 1


Brownsville ISD

Rank: 11/534 GPA: 4.3

Parent:

Reynaldo Perez and Leonor Lerma of Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:

Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan

Major: Exploratory Preference

Migrant Background

Location: Ruskin, Florida– Sorting oranges

Yamile B. Perez:

“Ay hija, everyone says the same thing that they are going away

to college but in the end they end up staying. They think it’s

easy to live independently. Why don’t you stay here where you

don’t have to worry about anything?” This is what I hear from

my parents and relatives every time I talk about going away to

college. My purpose in life is to serve, impact and influence the

younger generation all over the world. I plan on majoring in

music technology. I would make a difference by reaching out to

children, teenagers, and young adults through music and

helping them make their own music so they can express their

inner feeling to the world. My family has always encouraged

me to be the best that I can be and to always strive for success.

By doing this, I can overcome anything that comes my way.

22


Nominated by:


Nominated by:

Anna Santos - Migrant Strategist

Yaremi Berenice Perez

Region 1

Rivera Early College High School Brownsville ISD

Rank: 22/534 GPA: 4.13

Parent:

Reynaldo Perez and Leonor Lerma of Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:

Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan

Major: Veterinary Science

Migrant Background

Location: Ruskin, Florida - Sorting oranges

Yaremi B. Perez:

“Cuéntame tu historia” I would ask my father as curiosity got the

best of me, I rarely had the opportunity to talk to my father, in

depth, since he was always working. My father shared with me, “I

remember the first time I arrived in the United States. I traveled

upstate and found a job working in the field of North Carolina

gathering blueberries. It was one of the toughest jobs I had ever

experienced. We didn’t have the option to choose...becoming

migrant workers was a necessity in order to survive and have a

better life.” Their endurance through hardships have shaped me to

be patient because not everything is going to be given to you a the

moment it is needed. I remember their words of encouragement us

to be “better than them” and to “strive for a future” were my

motivation to keep on going. With the help of my family, I will

pursue a post-secondary education and make them proud.

Jasmin Alexandra Platas

Region 1

La Joya High School La Joya ISD

Rank: 3/633 GPA: 3.768/94.2

Parents:

Rafael and Obdulia Platas of Penitas, Texas

Educational Goals:

Texas A&M in Kingsville, Texas

Major: Psychology

Migrant Background

Location: Indian & Ohio - Detasseling Corn

Julian Garza-Teacher: Jasmin is not only an intelligent

individual, but also a role model for her classmates due to her work

ethic and dedication. While these are incredible attributes for a

student to have, what most impresses me about her is her

personality, kindness, sense of drive, and willingness to help others.

We’ve all heard that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t

work hard, but what if both of these qualities are placed within one

individual. This is Jasmin. She is a student that has such potent

intellectual ability, yet doesn’t rely solely on that in order to achieve

success. She works hard for her achievements. It is crystal clear in

all of her work. The assignments she turns in are not only evidence

of intelligence, but also of hard work that took time and dedication.

It’s also obvious that all work turned in is the absolute best work

that she can produce. Her work ethic and intellect, as impressive as

they were, didn’t surprise me. What did surprise me was her

willingness to help her classmates in absolutely anything they

needed further guidance on whether that was an assignment or a

personal issue.

23


Nominated by:


Kassandra Portillo

Region 20


Rank: 6/492 GPA: 102.2769

Parents:

Diego Portillo and Maria V. Munoz of

Eagle Pass, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas at Austin

Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Rochester, Minnesota -

Packing beans

Kassandra Portillo: “My mother has truly impacted by

education, she has always motivated me to do my best and

whenever I felt like giving up or when things became difficult,

she was the one who encouraged me to continue to work hard

for a brighter future.” The experience of being a migrant has

prepared me for college because it has shown me the

importance of an education and how with hard work, anything

is possible.

My favorite quote from Winston S. Churchill: “Success is

not final; failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that

counts.”

Nominated by:

Eric Guerra – Migrant Counselor

Lisa Marie Quintanilla

Region 1


Rank: 114/502 GPA: 3.7

Parent:

Reyna Quintanilla of Pharr, Texas

PSJA ISD

Educational Goals:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas

Major: Interdisciplinary Studies

Migrant Background

Location: Pearsall, Texas - Harvested watermelon

Eric Guerra-Migrant Counselor: Lisa graduated meeting the

requirements for Distinguished Level of Achievement. She was

part of the dual enrollment program and earned college hours

during high school. I am sure that Lisa will continue to succeed

because her dedication and hard work are some of the many

qualities that she possesses. She has learned to manage her time

wisely to maintain a balance in her life. Lisa has outstanding

grades and accomplishment which set her apart from the rest of

her senior class. As a migrant, Lisa has been self-motivated and

has strived to continue her education while adapting to different

learning environments. She participated in cheerleading,

cotillion, band and drama. Lisa was also involved in her

community, participating in Trunk or Treat, RGV Food Can

Drive, Toys for Tots, La Posada just to name a few. Being

involved and giving back to the community is one of her

priorities.

24


Guillermo Daniel Rincones

Region 1


Rank: NA/259 GPA: NA

Parents:

Daniel and Maria Rincones of La Feria, Texas

Nominated by:


Nominated by:


Migrant Background

Location: Alamo, Texas—Pick watermelons


that La Feria ISD recommends La Feria High School 2020

graduate Guillermo Daniel Rincones, for TMIP’s Exemplary

Migrant Student Honors. Guillermo is the son of Maria and

Daniel Rincones. Guillermo and his family are residents of La

Feria, Texas, and migrate to Alamo, Texas, to harvest

watermelons. He has a strong work ethic and professional

attitude. He is currently working to help his family overcome

their barriers and to strengthen their family bond. In his current

position, Guillermo has not only gained experience working in

a fast paced, high volume organization, but also learned to

build relationships by engaging with customers. Guillermo has

a passion for animals, vintage cars, rock music, and eating

wings. He hopes to attend a post-secondary school soon.

Analiza Marcell Rodriguez

Region 1


Rank: 19/259 GPA: 4.84

Parents:

Jaime and Yvonne Rodriguez of La Feria, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Communication Science and Disorders

Migrant Background

Location: Weslaco, Texas

Tag onions



graduate Analiza Marcell Rodriguez, for TMIP’s Exemplary

Migrant Student Honors. Analiza is the daughter of Yvonne

and Jaime Rodriguez. Analiza and her family are residents of

La Feria, Texas, and migrate to Weslaco, Texas, to work tagging

onions. Currently, Analiza is working part-time to put

herself through school. She is a freshman in the Department of

Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of

Texas–Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas, where she hopes

to develop the skills to become a Speech Pathologist to work

with people who have impairments of speech, language, and

swallowing by diagnosing and remediating these disorders. Analiza

was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated

with honors. During her off time, Analiza enjoys watching

movies and working out.

25


Nominated by:


Nominated by:


Antonio Rodriguez

Region 1


Rank: 151/259 GPA: 2.84

Parent:

Antonio Rodriguez and Corrie Hernandez of

La Feria, Texas

Educational Goals:

US Military Basic Training

Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

Migrant Background

Location: Seattle, Washington

Pick raspberries

Dr. Jaime Rodriguez-MEP Director: Jaime Rodriguez

nominated Antonio Rodriguez as an Exemplary Migrant

Student. Antonio is the son of Corrie Hernandez and Antonio

Rodriguez. Antonio and his family are residents of La Feria,

Texas, and migrate to Seattle, WA, to work picking raspberries.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and received his basic combat

training in South Carolina where he learned teamwork and

discipline, and how to handle a weapon, rappel, and march.

Currently, PVT Rodriguez is in Georgia learning about his

Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) working as an

Information Technology Specialist. Antonio enjoys fishing,

eating pizza, and spending time with his family and his beloved

truck.

Esmeralda Rodriguez

Region 1

Pace Early College High School Brownsville ISD

Rank: 170/479 GPA: 3.18

Parents:

Jesus and Evelia Hernandez of

Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Social Work

Migrant Background

Location: Kent City & Travis City - Michigan

Packing Asparagus and cherries

Location: Frankton and Alexandria -Indiana

Packing tomatoes

Esmeralda Rodriguez: The person that influenced me to

complete my education is my cousin Maria. She was the first

one to break the migrant cycle for our families. She graduated

from Michigan State University. She did not know anyone there

and she pushed herself to finish. My migrant experience

prepared me for college, I became a hard worker, a problem

solver and a responsible individual. My favorite quote is “If

you change the way you look at things, the things you look at

change.”

26


Nominated by:

Anna Santos – Migrant Counselor

Nominated by:

Robert V. Garcia - Migrant Counselor

Maria Mayte Rodriguez

Region 1

La Joya High School La Joya ISD

Rank: 62/633 GPA: 3.79/94.77

Parents:

Angel and Imelda Rodriguez of

Mission, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Forensic Science

Migrant Background

Location: Larimore, North Dakota

Summer season – cleaning fields of beans and beets

Fall season harvesting beets, corn and potatoes

Norma Fernandez-English Teacher: Intelligent, introspective,

responsible, kind, and dedicated. These are just a few of the

attributes that make Maria such an admirable young lady.

Maria always enters the classroom with a genuine smile on her

face, indisputably eager to work and delve into the world of

literature and language. She is an intuitive writer who is

genuinely committed to sharpening her writing craft, always

willing to revise her essays in pursuit of improvement.

Throughout these two year, she has proven to be intensely

focused and committed to academic success. Maria has

expressed a sincere passion for the field of Forensic Chemistry.

Her indefatigable work ethic and strength of character will

undoubtedly ensure her success in this academic pursuit.

Luis Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr.

Region 1


Rank: 46/544 GPA: 97.88

Parents:

Luis and Jacqueline Rodriguez of

Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas in Austin, Texas

Major: Sports Broadcasting

Migrant Background

Location: Lubbock, Texas-

Harvested watermelon

Robert V. Garcia-Migrant Counselor: I have worked with

Luis for the past four years and have seen this young man

evolve into the person he is today. He has been a very active

athlete in football and various sports. He has excelled in all

sports beyond stardom status. I can see the potential in him,

which will tremendously assist him throughout his lifetime.

Luis is interested in the world of technology and hopes to earn

the credentials that will help him become a successful and

productive citizen.

27


Nominated by:


Roman Rodriguez, Jr.

Region 1

Porter Early College High School

Rank: 65/448 GPA: 3.75

Parents:

Roman and Maria Rodriguez of

Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville ISD

Educational Goals:


Major: Biology/Molecular Engineering

Migrant Background

Location; Orestes, Indiana—Canning corn

Location: Oak Harbor, Washington - Canning corn

Roman Rodriguez, Jr: Ever since I was a little boy, my

hunger for knowledge was evident. I would overwhelm my

parents with so many questions, simple questions an 8 year old

child could ponder. However, at a point my parents could not

answer my questions and clear my doubts anymore. This

hunger for knowledge drove me to where I am today. If you

had a ticket to travel anywhere in the world where would that

be. My reply would be, “I would go in search of what my

parents could not explain.

Sarahee Rachelle Salazar

Region 1


Rank: 167/259 GPA: 2.62

Parents:

Roger Salazar and Erika Contreras of

La Feria, Texas

Nominated by:


Migrant Background

Location: La Odessa, Michigan

Picking raspberries



graduate Sarahee Rachelle Salazar, for TMIP’s Exemplary

Migrant Student Honors. Sarahee is the daughter of Erika

Contreras and Roger Salazar. Sarahee and her family are

residents of La Feria, Texas, and migrate to Lake Odessa,

MI, to work picking raspberries. Sarahee is currently working

part-time to purchase her own vehicle. In her position, she has

developed a number of strengths to offer an employer such as

customer service, problem solving, organizational and

communication skills. On her days off, Sarahee plays softball,

enjoys gaming and vintage shopping.

28


Nominated by:


Zaida Salinas

Region 1


Rank: 22/519 GPA: 106.6176

Parents:

Jose Salinas and Silvia Iglesias of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Civil Engineering

Migrant Background:

Location: Brownfield, Texas

Harvest watermelon

Osiel Salinas-Migrant Counselor: Zaida’s achievements are

remarkable. By every standard Zaida has demonstrated responsibility

and reliability ethics throughout her working years.

Zaida has been a migrant student for the past four years at our

school and he has demonstrated outstanding educational and

extracurricular activities. To summarize, Zaida is intelligent,

hardworking, and a very friendly young lady. She accepts

criticism well and is able to take on responsibilities as

appointed to her. She is also able to command respect, which is

one of the many fine qualities that she possesses. She is a

student that I have come to admire and respect. She has many

talents, which I know will play a major role in her college

career and her lifetime upon receiving the top quality education

at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Kevin Segura

Region 1


Rank: 131/479 GPA: 3.47

Brownsville CISD

Parents:

Mario Segura and Soreyda Ramos of

Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Business Administration

Migrant Background

Various locations of Central Texas

Fencing livestock and cleaning livestock areas

Kevin Segura: the individual that made an impact on my

education was my migrant teacher Mrs. Garcia. She let me

know that I had the knowledge and capability to attend a 4 year

university. She also talked to me about St. Edwards University,

and I applied. I wouldn’t have done it on my own. Migrant

work helped develop me into a dedicated, independent and

resourceful individual that will do the work that needs to be

done. One of my favorite quotes is “Feast with the people you

start with-Don’t forget your beginnings.”

Nominated by:


29


Nominated by:


Nominated by:

Roberto V. Garcia - Migrant Counselor

Omar Sifuentes

Region 20


Rank: 85/492 GPA: 94.7241

Parents:

Juan G. and Sylvia P. Sifuentes of

Eagle Pass, Texas

Educational Goals:

Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas

Major: English

Migrant Background

Location: Clearlake, Minnesota-

Grading and packing potatoes

Omar Sifuentes: Omar is the proud son of Juan G. and Sylvia

P. Sifuentes. While attending C.C. Winn High School he was a

part of the 1st Early College Academy cohort, which allowed

him to obtain an Associate of Arts in General Studies. Omar is

the recipient of the Texas A&M International CAMP

Scholarship. The person that influenced my education was Ms.

Perez, my counselor; she helped me tremendously. She kept me

on track mentally, emotionally and especially academically.

“The work ethic I learned as a migrant workers has served me

well throughout my education. Migrant work also empowered

me to ask for assistance and to ask questions, when in doubt.

Omar was My favorite quote from Inio Asano Solanin, “Isn’t it

better to regret things you’ve done, than to regret things you’ve

never even tried?”

Michelle Marie Silva

Region 1


Rank: 15/544 GPA: 101.64

Parents:

David and Irma Silva of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: English

Migrant Background

Location: Michigan - Picked Strawberries

Roberto V. Garcia-Migrant Counselor: Michelle is one of the

finest students at Edinburg High School, she was the highest

ranking migrant student of her graduating class. She took

Advanced Placement classes and tests during her high school

career and demonstrated remarkable achievement results. These

tests have given her an edge by giving her an opportunity to

receive additional college credit hours. Not all students at our

high school are selected to participate in these accelerated

classes. Because of her intellectual and maturity level, she has

proven to be one of the finest migrant students throughout the

years. Michelle is intelligent, hardworking and a very friendly

young lady. She is a person I have come to trust and admire.

She has many talents that she has developed over the years.

30


Nominated by:


Nominated by:

Cynthia Castillo - Migrant Counselor

Marialy Solis

Region 1


Rank: 92/544 GPA: 94.6

Parents:

Alejandro Solis and Irma Gonzalez of

Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: History

Migrant Background

Location: Lubbock, Texas -

Harvested Cotton

Roberto V. Garcia-Migrant Counselor: Upon high school

graduation in May 2020, Marialy had earned an Associate’s

Degree from South Texas College. She has been a student in

our Early College Preparatory Program, took Advanced

Placement tests at Edinburg High School and demonstrated

remarkable achievement results. During her high school career

she has been a member of our outstanding medical preparation

classes which assists students to learn the concepts and

objective in the medical careers available upon graduation.

This is indeed a major accomplishment which is indicative of

the responsible, focused and dedicated student that she is. She

hopes to compete her post secondary education and specialize in

the nursing program.

Naomy Lizette Torres

Region 1

Monte Alto Early College High School Monte Alto ISD

Rank: 18/56 GPA: 3.753

Parents:

Nicandro and Liliana Torres of

Monte Alto, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Nursing

Migrant Background

Location: Plant City, Florida -

Harvested Strawberries and Peppers

Naomy L. Torres: The individuals that influenced my

education the most are my parents, they are my role models.

Especially my mother, she taught me many valuable lessons

and has always been there for me. I have learned the

importance of earning an education and how an education can

bring about great things. An advantage of being a migrant

student was the migrant program, it provided information on

many career opportunities through presentations and field trips.

They helped me to be positive and kept me informed on

educational opportunities. My favorite quote from Gary Keller,

“Life is a question and how we live is our answer”.

31


Nominated by:


Anahi Treviño

Region 1


Brownsville ISD

Rank: 128/479 GPA: 3.49

Parents:

Jose Treviño and Ana Lopez of Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: International Business

Migrant Background

Location: Indy, Indiana

Packaging tomatoes

Anahi Treviño: Several people impacted my education. First

and foremost, my parents, they both migrated from Mexico to

the United States in search of a better future. They want a better

and easier life for me and that means me earning a college

degree, I want to make them proud of me. Second person that

impacted by education indirectly was my friend Ronni, I met

her in my biology class. She was supportive and encouraged me

to stay focused on my ultimate goal, graduation and college.

Migrant work is not easy both my parents worked hard, long

days and I grew up quickly and learned to be independent,

responsible and self-sufficient. My goal is to graduate from

college with a business degree and open a business in Colorado

and travel for fun. My favorite quote is by Brian Tracy “Make

your life a masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can

be, have or do.”

Nominated by:


Danelly Nicole Treviño

Region 1


Rank: 106/544 GPA: 93.96

Parents:

Valente Treviño and Cynthia Ramirez of

Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Psychology

Migrant Background

Location: Monte Video, Minnesota-

Harvested Sugar Beets

Roberto V. Garcia-Migrant Counselor: Danelly is an

intelligent, hard-working and very dedicated young lady. She

has been involved in many community activities such as; Texas

Department of Transportation “Adopt a Highway”, and Adopt

an Angel through La Excelencia Migrant Club, through these

community activities she earn many volunteer community

service hours which has also given her a chance to work with

young children by helping them with ways to become more

responsible citizens. Her experiences as a migrant worker in the

agriculture fields has made her realize that the only way to reach

her goals in life are through an education. Her goal is to receive

a degree from St. Edward’s University and encourage other

migrant students to further their education beyond high school.

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Francisco Vargas

Region 1


Nominated by:


Nominated by:

Cynthia Castillo – Migrant Counselor

Rank: 68/259 GPA: 3.84

Parents:

Francisco Vargas and Maria Tostado of

La Feria, Texas

Educational Goals:

Major: Automotive Technology

Migrant Background

Location: Progreso, Texas

Clip onions



graduate Francisco Vargas, for TMIP’s Exemplary Migrant

Student Honors. Francisco is the son of Maria Tostado and

Francisco Vargas. Francisco and his family are residents of La

Feria, Texas, and migrate to Progreso, Texas, to clip onions.

Currently, Francisco is working to help his family. He loves

working on cars, fixing things, and working with his hands. His

goal is become a certified auto-engineer. In his spare time,

Francisco likes to play soccer. Francisco graduated with honors.

Eric Vasquez

Region 1

Monte Alto Early College High School

Rank: 9/56 GPA: 3.866

Parents:

Alvaro and Raquel Vasquez of

Edcouch Elsa, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Computer Science

Migrant Background

Location: Traverse City, Michigan -

Boxing and cleaning cherries

Monte Alto ISD

Eric Vasquez: The person that influenced my education was

my father. He has made a huge impact over my education

because he always encouraged me to be the best when it came

to school. He only recently earned his GED, which motivated

me to continue my education to earn a college degree. A very

important reward/advantage of being a migrant student is the

life and work experiences. Through my work experiences as a

migrant worker, I learned about dedication, responsibility,

which helped develop my strong work ethic. My favorite quote

from Babe Ruth: “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives

up.”

33

Susana DasNeves

2020-2021 INTERSTATE COORDINATION PARTNER

Susana DasNeves is a higher education professional with over 20

years of experience providing student services as a bilingual counselor,

academic advisor, and administrator at the university and community college

levels. Currently, Susana is the Director of Illinois Migrant Education

Services at Northern Illinois University, funded through a contract with the

Illinois State Board of Education with Title I Part C funds for migratory

students. She believes that collaborative partnerships are the key to

successfully serving migratory students and other underserved populations.

Susana has been a crucial advocate for undocumented students at

NIU, serving on the presidential task force for the support of undocumented

students and contributing to the NIU “Guide for Working with Undocumented Students.” In her role as acting

director for the NIU Latino Resource Center, she collaborated with offices across the university to coordinate

the admission process for undocumented students so that all departments distributed accurate information to

interested parents, students, and high school counselors.

Susana has also been a lifelong advocate for Latino children and families, developing partnerships with

colleagues and community organizations like World Relief, Family Focus, USHLI, LULAC, school districts,

and Conexión Comunidad in DeKalb, IL, where she served as an executive board member. In 2016, Susana

brought local families together to create Universidad para Padres (Parent University), a community outreach

initiative that focuses on the personal growth of parents as a tool to support their children’s pursuit of

postsecondary education.

Susana has made collaboration central to her leadership of Migrant Education Services, as well. She has

collaborated with NIU STEAM to provide STEAM camps to local grantees for only $5 per camp. She has built

new partnerships with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to secure a dedicated representative to assist

migratory students and families with FAFSA and scholarships. And she has invited a wide range of

organizations to partner in better serving migrant students, including the Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy

Project and Illinois Migrant Council. She co-leads a group of Migrant Education Program staff from across the

Midwest who meet once a month to share lessons learned and resources among peers.

Susana is originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León in México and holds a Licenciatura in Clinical

Psychology from the Universidad de Monterrey (México), a Master of Science in Guidance Counseling, and a

Specialist of Education credential in Educational Psychology from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Presently, Susana is in the Adult Education doctoral program at Northern Illinois University and presents at

national, state, and regional professional conferences, school districts, and graduate programs on issues affecting

undocumented students, family engagement, adult education programs, and college readiness.

34

T

M

I

P

Special thanks to the following Education Service Centers and

their school districts for contributing to the success of the

2020 Exemplary Migrant Student Project.

Education Service Center

Nominations

Submitted

Region 1... ...................................................................... ...45

Brownsville ISD (8)

Donna ISD (1)

Edinburg CISD (11)

Harlingen CISD (2)

La Feria ISD (9)

La Joya ISD (3)

Mercedes ISD (1)

Monte Alto ISD (4)

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (6)

Region 4…………………………………………………...1

Pasadena ISD

Region 19 ............................................................................ 2

Canutillo ISD

Clint ISD

Region 20 ............................................................................ 4

Eagle Pass ISD (3)

Knippa ISD

35


A Special Project for the Texas Education Agency

Fiscal Agent: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD

(956) 702-6047 1-800-292-7006

tmip@sbcglobal.net

36

2020 EMS Publication 4-12-21

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