Joey Gomez
RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS .– In Starr County, a club dedicated to helping students find confidence in math has grown into a pillar for community service at South Texas College.
Together with students and faculty, STC’s Girls Discovering Math Club has extended beyond the classroom to support abandoned animals across the Rio Grande Valley.
The club recently completed a college-wide donation drive supporting Yaqui Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Sullivan City housing more than 80 dogs, 60 cats and farm animals such as cows, horses and pigs.
Co-advisers for the club, Student Learning Assistant Lazaro Garcia Costilla and math faculty Rosa Gutierrez say the donation drive reflects the club’s growing mission of community involvement.
“When we started the club in 2024, we made a pledge to include community service in everything we do,” said Gutierrez. “We began with a food drive and then Lazaro brought his love for animals into the conversation. The response from students has been amazing.”
Costilla, who tutors college algebra and has served the Starr County Campus’ Center for Learning Excellence (CLE) for nearly a decade, has a personal connection to the animal shelter.
He is also a former STC student, graduating with two associate degrees – first in Business in 2016 and then Math in 2017 and finally a Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership in 2023.
As a student, Costilla said he began fostering animals for Yaqui and volunteered his time to transport pets to Austin to help them reach permanent homes out of state.
“People in my neighborhood started dropping dogs off at my house because they knew I could help,” said Costilla. “It got to the point where I didn’t know what to do, so I contacted Yaqui, and they helped with medication and support.”
The recent donation drive focused on high-demand items like food and cleaning supplies.
“They had a wish list of items they needed, and our students stepped up,” Costilla said. “We had donations come in from across campuses and it was truly a college-wide effort.”
With only 15 to 20 active members, Costilla said the initiative’s impact was broad. Flyers were distributed across all STC campuses and donations came from students outside of the club, all eager to support the animals in need.
“Many of our students don’t even know organizations like Yaqui exist, but once they learn about it, they become so willing to help,” Gutierrez said. “This gives them a sense of connection, not only to the animals but to their communities.”
Students had the opportunity to visit the shelter recently, as well as tour the facilities and interact with the animals – an experience Gutierrez says brings home the importance of their contributions.
“They get to play with the dogs and cats and see that they are truly making a difference,” she said. “One of our members even adopted a cat because she fell in love during a visit.”
Costilla said the club represents more than a resource for learning math – it’s about building a sense of belonging.
“College can feel isolating,” he said. “We want students to feel like they’re part of a supportive, educational community. Community service helps solidify their identity – not just as students, but as people who can make a difference.”
Now pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration from Western Governor’s University, Costilla said he continues to work as a full-time tutor at STC while supporting the club and its outreach.
“If anyone wants to join us, they are always welcome. Even if it’s just one can of food, it all adds up,” he said. “Whether it’s $1 or $1,000, every donation matters. We want to make a big, beautiful, positive impact and we’re just getting started.”
Photo Caption: STC’s Girls Discovering Math Club has extended beyond the classroom to support abandoned animals across the Rio Grande Valley. The club recently completed a college-wide donation drive supporting Yaqui Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Sullivan City.
