2021 EMS Student Publication

2021 Exemplary Migratory Student Honoree
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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