2021 EMS Student Publication

Texas Migrant Interstate Program

Exemplary Migratory Student

2021 Graduates

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A State Initiative for 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 Migratory Student publication is especially

dedicated to all migratory 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 migratory students!

Table of Contents

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

2021 Exemplary Migratory Student Honoree

Aaron Alvarez Eagle Pass ISD ..…….………….………..6


Juan Diego Salinas Friona ISD……………….…..……..7

Exemplary Migratory Students …………………..…………….8 - 39

2020-2021 Interstate Coordination Partner

David Muhonen North Dakota……………….….………40

Special Thanks to Education Service Centers and

Local Education Agencies……….…………..…………….41

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DEDICATION

The Exemplary Migratory Student section of this program is especially

dedicated to all migratory students and their parents whose sacrifice and

commitment to achieve is an inspiration to all of us.

“Our migratory 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…”

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the Texas Education Agency:

Anita Villarreal - Federal Program Compliance

Division Director, Migrant Education

Didi Garcia - State Director, Migrant Education

Idalia Ibañez - Director, Migrant Education

Nez Paniagua-Jimenez - Program Coordinator, Migrant Education

for supporting the Texas Migrant Interstate Program and for

continuing the Exemplary Migratory 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 migratory students.

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Aaron Alvarez

Region 20

C.C. Winn High School

Eagle Pass ISD

Rank: 6/427

GPA: 105.19

Parents:

Rogelio & Ilsa Alvarez of

Eagle Pass, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas

at Austin, Texas

Major: Computer Science

Migrant Background

Location: Rochester, Minnesotapacking

corn

Ms. Ruby Perez: As Aaron’s counselor, it has

been my privilege to watch him grow in a

different area that exemplifies his ability to

reach his goals. Aaron has utilized the migrant

program to plan courses that are required for

graduation, gained the credits that he has

earned in both states, and assimilated in both

communities. When he arrives from the

receiving state, he must make the most of his

time to catch up on the lessons taught prior to

his arrival. Academically, Aaron excels in

every subject area. He consistently maintains

stellar grades and was a regular recipient of the End of Year Award for all-year Honor Roll. In fact, very

rarely does he get grades less than a 90 average, and this includes regular participation in Pre-AP, AP, and

dual credit classes. This truly exemplifies his ability to manage different subject areas as well as his wellrounded

academic capabilities. The importance he places on his education, as well as the discipline he

demonstrates to maintain such high grades really shows that he has the necessary foundation to ensure

ongoing academic achievement in his future endeavors. During the current COVID 19 pandemic, Aaron

had been working at a local HEB grocery store. He managed to maintain his grades and was recognized in

our top 5% ceremony, ranking at number 5 in his class of 427 students.

Aaron is more than qualified to be an esteemed honoree and to be nominated to be an Exemplary Migratory

Student. He had taken several computer science courses in high school and earned an “A” in all courses.

He has a clear understanding of his abilities and is determined to improve on his weaknesses. He has

developed an interest in computer science and is currently attending The University of Texas at Austin and

majoring in computer science. I had many conversations with both Aaron and his mother, being a family

that migrants it creates other challenges that other students do have to endure. The main challenge that

occurs with migrating is the interruption of instruction and having to adapt. He did not always have the

privilege to meet his teachers on the first day. However, Aaron still was able to maintain high grades and

remained active with student activities and events.

Nomination submitted by

Ruby Perez Migrant Counselor


Eagle Pass ISD

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Juan Diego Salinas

Ms. Norma Carrasco, M. Ed., LPC: I have

had the pleasure of working with Juan

Diego while serving as his Migrant

Counselor and consider myself truly

fortunate to work with such an amazing

human being. Juan is a young man of great

character, who has experienced hardships which he converted to learning experiences and used as

motivation to continue working hard in pursuit of a better life via education. Working in the fields picking

grapes from 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon was back-breaking work that gave him headaches and

made his fingers ache. He used this experience as motivation to pursue higher education after high school.

Juan has been attentive to his family’s advice and remained focused on maintaining good grades, being

involved in his school and community while also working at a local dairy. Juan displays excellent

leadership skills and was selected by his class to be the class president and a member of his football team

in both his junior and senior years of high school. Juan participated in UIL Academics his last three years

of high school and earned 2 nd place in UIL Headlines at a district meet and 5 th place at the regional meet

during his sophomore year. His senior year. Juan also participated in track, basketball, band, and FFA. I

love his positive and open-minded attitude of willingness to try an activity or event and give it an honest

chance. Juan has earned the “A” Honor Roll status all four years of high school and is so humble about his

accomplishments. He is responsible, mature, respectful, kind-hearted, humble, and very hard working. He

has set the future goal of attending St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and majoring in Criminal

Justice. He wants to return to the Texas Panhandle and work as a game warden.

Juan has a good head on his shoulders, and I am certain he will reach his goals because of his diligent

nature and determined attitude. It is a delight to have the opportunity to brag about him and point out his

many wonderful qualities. I have been blessed to work with this young man and feel he is truly deserving

of being named a TMIP Exemplary Migratory Student. The world would be a much better place if more

young men were like Juan Diego Salinas.

Nomination submitted by

Norma Carrasco - Migrant Counselor

Region 16 Education Service Center

Region 16

Friona High School

Friona ISD

Rank: 1 / 65

GPA: 4.520

Parents:

Aaron and Rufina Salinas

of Friona, Texas

Educational Goals:

Saint Edward’s University in

Austin, Texas

Major: Criminal Justice

Migrant Background

Location: Granite Shoals, TX-

Harvesting grapes Pampa, TX-

Cleaning Cotton, Saginaw, TX-

Transporting Wheat from the

field to the mill, Forth Worth,

TX-Weeding sorghum

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2021 Exemplary Migratory Student

Jayden Rayne Barrientes

Region 1

PSJA Memorial ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 43/423 GPA: 92.21

Parents:

Ignacio Barrientes and Leticia Reyes of Alamo, Texas

Educational Goals:

Michigan State University

Major: Kinesiology

Migrant Background

Location: Sunnyside, Washington - picked pears

Nominated by:

Imelda Cadena - Migrant Counselor

PSJA ISD

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Melanie Anne Cantu

Region 1

Edinburg North High School

Edinburg CISD

Rank: 32/658 GPA: 100.34

Parents:

Sergio Cantu and Roxanne Molina of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Naples Florida - harvested tomatoes

Nominated by:

Sergio Martinez - Migrant Counselor

Edinburg CISD

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Kimberly Carbajal

Region 19

San Elizario High School

San Elizario ISD

Rank: 12/ 227 GPA: 97.686

Parents:

Manuel and Maria Carbajal of San Elizario, Texas

Educational Goals:

The University of New Mexico

Major: Biochemistry

Migrant Background

Location: Deming, New Mexico - cleaned chili fields

Nominated by:

Lynda Vargas - Migrant Clerk

San Elizario ISD

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Nereyda Maribel Cavazos

Region 1

PSJA North ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 275/504 GPA: 81.05

Parent:

Nereyda Ramirez of Alamo, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Kinesiology

Migrant Background

Location: Quincy, Florida - sorted tomatoes

Nominated by:

Eric Guerra - Migrant Counselor

PSJA ISD

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Bernardo Chapa, Jr.

Region 1

Robert R. Vela High School

Edinburg CISD

Rank: 72/572 GPA: 101.97

Parents:

Bernardo Sr. and Enedina Chapa of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

Texas A&M University at College Station

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Migrant Background

Location: La Reforma, Texas - bailing hay

Nominated by:

Osiel Salinas - Migrant Counselor

Edinburg CISD

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Clarissa Marie Costilla

Region 1

PSJA Memorial ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 29/423 GPA: 4.09

Parent:

Leonor Costilla of Alamo, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Major: Pre-Med

Migrant Background

Location: Capac, Michigan - picking strawberries

Nominated by:


PSJA ISD

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Kayla Ann Cruz

Region 1


Edinburg CISD

Rank: 74/572 GPA: 101.72

Parents:

Noe Cruz and Kathryn Wood of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

St. Edward’s University

Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Location: La Cruces, New Mexico - harvested onions

Nominated by:


Edinburg CISD

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Anaili Garcia

Region 1

Palmview High School

La Joya ISD

Rank: 4/503 GPA: 3.78

Parents:

Jorge and Iliana Garcia of Palmview, Texas

Educational Goals:



Migrant Background

Location: Grand Haven, Michigan - picked blueberries

Nominated by:

Viola Canales - Migrant Strategist

La Joya ISD

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Jesse James Gonzalez

Region 20


Eagle Pass ISD

Rank: 104/427 GPA: 93.61

Parents:

Enrique and Gloria Gonzalez of Eagle Pass, Texas

Educational Goals:

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Major: Business Management

Migrant Background

Location: Pearsall, Texas - Harvested corn and lettuce

Nominated by:

Ruby Perez - Migrant Counselor

Eagle Pass ISD

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Emha Mariana Hinojosa

Region 1

La Joya High School

La Joya ISD

Rank: 12/703 GPA: 3.73

Parents:

Jesus Adan and Blanca E. Hinojosa of La Joya, Texas

Educational Goals:

University of Texas at Austin, Texas

Major: Biology / Pre-Med

Migrant Background

Location: Lorenzo, Texas - picked cotton

Nominated by:

Anna V. Santos - Migrant Strategist

La Joya ISD

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Adriana Ibarra

Region 20


Eagle Pass ISD

Rank: 166/427 GPA: 89.56

Parent:

Claudia Ibarra of Eagle Pass, Texas

Educational Goals:

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Major: Marine Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Plainview, Minnesota - picked corn, peas and shipped produce

Mayville, Wisconsin - picked corn, peas and canned produce

Nominated by:


Eagle Pass ISD

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Luis Alejandro Limon

Region 20

C.C Winn High School

Eagle Pass ISD

Rank: 128/427 GPA: 92.01

Parents:

Valentin and Ana Limon of Eagle Pass, TX

Educational Goals:

Texas A&M International University

Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Montgomery, Minnesota - picked corn and peas

Nominated by:


Eagle Pass ISD

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Lynette Lyzette Lopez

Region 1

Edinburg High School

Edinburg CISD

Rank: 32/573 GPA: 100.73

Parent:

Maricela Lopez of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Finance / Agriculture

Migrant Background

Location: Bellingham, Washington - picked strawberries, blueberries and raspberries

Nominated by:

Roberto V. Garcia - Migrant Counselor

Edinburg CISD

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Oscar Daniel Marquez

Region 1

Lopez Early College High School

Brownsville ISD

Rank: 16/410 GPA: 4.09

Parents:

Domingo and Maria D. Marquez of Brownsville, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Art / Film Production

Migrant Background

Location: Blue Earth, Minnesota - sorted corn and peas

Nominated by:

Fidencio Zavala - Migrant Counselor

Brownsville ISD

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Litzy Anel Martinez Vasquez

Region 1

San Benito High School

San Benito CISD

Rank: 72/605 GPA: 3.91

Guardian:

Citlali Martinez Vasquez of San Benito, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Nursing / Nutrition

Migrant Background

Location: Corpus Christi, Texas - shrimped and fished

Mercedes, Texas - picked oranges

Nominated by:

Carmen Ramos - Migrant Academic Advisor

San Benito CISD

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Sarah Melanie Martinez

Region 1

PSJA North ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 233/504 GPA: 2.60

Parent:

Avigail Plata de Hoyos of Pharr, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Psychology

Migrant Background

Location: Gainesville, Georgia - packing chicken

Nominated by:


PSJA ISD

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Naydeline Victoria Morales

Region 1

PSJA Memorial ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 25/423 GPA: 4.08

Parents:

Victor Morales and Deysdi Pacheco of Alamo, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Criminal Justice / Environmental Science

Migrant Background

Location: Oxford, Indiana - picked corn

Nominated by:


PSJA ISD

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Mauricio Munoz

Region 19

San Elizario High School

San Elizario ISD

Rank: 12/217 GPA: 96.55

Parents:

Gabriel Muñoz and Carmen C. Aguirre Muñoz of San Elizario, Texas

Educational Goals:

New Mexico State University

Major: Computer Science

Migrant Background

Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico - weeded cotton and picked pecans

Nominated by:

Lynda Vargas - Migrant Clerk

San Elizario ISD

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Christina Orta

Region 1

PSJA Southwest ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 11/405 GPA: 4.54

Parent:

Maria Orta of Pharr, Texas

Educational Goals:



Migrant Background

Location: Leachville, Arkansas - chopping cotton, peanuts and soybean

Nominated by:

Hilda Araiza - Migrant Counselor

PSJA ISD

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Alyssa Lynn Ramirez

Region 20


Eagle Pass ISD

Rank: 68/427 GPA: 96.08

Parent:

Manuela Ramirez of Eagle Pass, Texas

Educational Goals:

The University of Texas San Antonio

Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Plainview, Minnesota - sorted corn

Nominated by:


Eagle Pass ISD

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Verenice Ramos

Region 1


Edinburg CISD

Rank: 65/572 GPA: 102.3

Parents:

Jose Martin and Melisa Ramos of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Business Management

Migrant Background

Location: Rio Grande City, Texas - picked watermelons

Nominated by:


Edinburg CISD

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Linda Jacqueline Rodriguez

Region 1


Edinburg CISD

Rank: 5/573 GPA: 104.48

Parents:

Rafael and Petra Rodriguez of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Mathematics

Migrant Background

Location: Shelby, Michigan - picking cherries

Nominated by:

Robert V. Garcia - Migrant Counselor

Edinburg CISD

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Lucas Rene Rodriguez

Region 1


Edinburg CISD

Rank: 65/573 GPA: 98.0

Parents:

Luis A. and Jacqueline Rodriguez of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:

The University of Texas at Austin

Major: Physical Therapy / Kinesiology

Migrant Background

Location: Midland, Texas - harvested watermelon

Nominated by:


Edinburg CISD

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Sidney Rodriguez

Region 1


Edinburg CISD

Rank: 80/572 GPA: 101.33

Parents:

Rodolfo Rodriguez, Jr. and Marissa Badillo of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Criminal Justice / Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Dothan, Alabama - harvested watermelon

Nominated by:


Edinburg CISD

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Zaida Daniela Romero

Region 1


San Benito CISD

Rank: 137/605 GPA: 3.58

Parents:

Jorge Luis and Josefina Romero of San Benito, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Biology

Migrant Background

Location: Glencoe, Minnesota - picked peas and corn

Metter, Georgia - harvested onions

Nominated by:


San Benito CISD

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Daffne Lizeth Ruby

Region 1


Edinburg CISD

Rank: 168/572 GPA: 96.13

Parent:

Francia Rodriguez of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Social Work

Migrant Background

Location: Bryan, Texas - picked watermelons

Nominated by:


Edinburg CISD

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Jason Salazar

Region 1

PSJA North ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 232/504 GPA: 2.61

Parent:

Nereyda Vela of Pharr, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Kinesiology / Math

Migrant Background

Location: Willard, Ohio - packing zucchini

Nominated by:


PSJA ISD

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Yahaira Salazar

Region 1


Edinburg CISD

Rank: 180/573 GPA: 90.70

Parents:

Tomas and Adela Salazar of Edinburg, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Pre Med / Nursing

Migrant Background

Location: Fargo, North Dakota - hoeing beans, picked cherries and cucumbers

Nominated by:


Edinburg CISD

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Alberto Sanchez

Region 1

Harlingen High School

Harlingen CISD

Rank: 27/433 GPA: 4.33

Parents:

Carlos A. Sanchez † and Miriam Castro of Harlingen, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Civil Engineering

Migrant Background

Location: Progreso, Texas - harvested onions

Mercedes, Texas - cleaned fields

Grand Island, Nebraska - detasseled corn

Nominated by:

Lourdes Martinez - Migrant Counselor

Harlingen CISD

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Alexandra Soto

Region 1

PSJA North ECHS

PSJA ISD

Rank: 83/504 GPA: 3.60

Parent:

Ines Soto of Pharr, Texas

Educational Goals:


Major: Accounting

Migrant Background

Location: Vincennes, Indiana - sorted watermelons

Nominated by:


PSJA North ECHS

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Karla Vasquez

Region 1

Donna North High School

Donna ISD

Rank: 4/479 GPA: 99.45

Parents:

Juan Vasquez and Esperanza Garcia of Donna, Texas

Educational Goals:

Rice University

Major: Political Science

Migrant Background

Location: Uvalde, Texas - harvested onions

Nominated by:

David Campbell, Migrant Strategist

Donna ISD

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Alec Daniel Ybarra

Region 1


San Benito CISD

Rank: 71/605 GPA: 3.92

Parents:

Daniel Ybarra and Griselda Gomez of San Benito, Texas

Educational Goals:

Baylor University

Major: Biology / Pre Med

Migrant Background

Location: Homestead, Florida - picked tomatoes

Nominated by:


San Benito CISD

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2020 - 2021 TMIP Interstate

Coordination Partner

North Dakota - David Muhonen

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to

David Muhonen, the North Dakota migrant team and

the Program Administrator, Ms. Judy Gries, for their

support and dedication to the success of our shared

migratory students during the 2020-2021 school year.

David graduated from North Dakota State University

in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and

Classical Languages. In 2013, he obtained an

additional degree in Social Studies. He taught for

seven years in middle school with the Grafton Public

Schools teaching English before transitioning to

Grafton High School where he taught Social Studies

in 2021.

David has been the P.A.S.S./Credit Accrual and

Recovery instructor for the past eight years at Grafton

Migrant School. In addition, Mr. Muhonen also

administers the STAAR assessments to Texas

migratory students throughout the State of North

Dakota. David is a great asset to the migrant

community. He enjoys helping students develop their

abilities so they can reach higher levels of academic success. With migratory families traveling to and

from Texas and North Dakota, one of David’s priorities is to continue advocating for migratory students

and contribute to helping them through their educational journeys. This past summer, when a Texas

migratory student in North Dakota needed to take an assessment and the student lived and worked three

hours away from the nearest testing site; with David's help, we were able to coordinate the

administration of the assessment for the student. This is only one example of how David is always

willing to lend a hand in helping his students succeed.

During the school year, David teaches U.S. History and World History at Grafton High School. David

has had many professional accomplishments. He has been the Head Varsity Football coach for the past

five seasons, as well as the Head Boys’ Golf Coach for the past seven years, winning three regional titles

and was awarded Coach of the Year. He lives with his wife Allison and their 6-year-old son, Archer in

Grafton, North Dakota. David and his family enjoy spending their free time at the lake.

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Special thanks to the following Education Service Centers and

their school districts for contributing to the success of the

2021 Exemplary Migratory Student Project.

Education Service Center

Nominations

Submitted

Region 1... ...................................................................... ...26

Brownsville ISD (1)

Donna ISD (1)

Edinburg CISD (10)

Harlingen CISD (1)

La Joya ISD (2)

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (8)

San Benito CISD (3)

Region 16……………………………………………………....1

Friona ISD

Region 19……………………………………………………....2

San Elizario ISD

Region 20 …...………...……………………………………….5

Eagle Pass ISD

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A State Initiative for the Texas Education Agency

Fiscal Agent: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD

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

tmip@sbcglobal.net

www.psjaisd.us/tmip

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2021 EMS Student Publication

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