By Joey Gomez
MCALLEN, TEXAS – With proud smiles and diplomas in hand, more than 30 South Texas College GED graduates crossed the stage at South Texas College knowing their achievements were promises kept to their families.
Whether they were mothers, fathers, daughters or sons, STC leadership say all graduates have now set a new standard of perseverance and possibility for future Jaguars watching from the audience.
“For us, it is our honor to be able to offer this quality of education and give students the opportunity to finish one part of their educational journey,” said STC Board of Trustees Chair Alejo Salinas, Ph.D., addressing graduates in Spanish. “It’s very important because what you students have accomplished reflects on your families and inspires what your children will do in the future as you set the example for them to follow. We can do anything in this world, and there shouldn’t ever be a limit on what we can do, especially when our families are depending on us.”
Coordinated by STC’s Continuing Education and Workforce Training and Economic Development department, more than 30 students earned their General Educational Development (GED) diploma at a special ceremony.
In attendance at the graduation ceremony included Board of Trustees Chair Salinas along with Vice Chair Paul Rodriguez and Trustee Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar.
Students completing their GED diploma take their classes free of charge through STC’s General Education Development Program, which is a part of the college’s Continuing Education department.
STC’s GED graduates have completed 150 hours of test preparation and have passed the four tested subjects: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning through Language Arts, Social Studies and Science. All graduates are now prepared to move forward with their education through GED career pathways or to pursue a certificate or associate degree program.
“By completing this first step to obtaining your GED diploma, you have demonstrated that you have the dedication to achieve your goals…you have conquered the hardest part of this process, which is conquering your fears and your doubts,” Gonzalez-Alcantar told graduates at the ceremony. “Each one of you knows that you have the qualities needed to be successful in anything you put your minds to. We want this to be the first step to receiving your associate or bachelor’s degree.”
GED graduate Brittney Cano served as the student speaker at the ceremony. Cano, who completed her GED diploma in 2024 and shortly after, entered STC’s Business Administration Transfer Plan Program said she was inspired into higher education by her infant daughter.
After STC, Cano said she will work towards receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
“To me, earning my GED wasn’t just an award but a test to prove that I could push and keep moving forward to create a better future for myself and my daughter,” Cano said. “There were moments when I thought it was impossible, but every step brought me closer to this day, and the journey taught me resilience, patience and that it was never too late to start again.”
Chloe Garcia said she dropped out of high school after struggling with mental health issues, but found the motivation to return to school and receive her GED diploma.
Garcia said she hopes to enter nursing school when she returns to college.
“It feels amazing to now be back on track thanks to the help of STC,” Garcia said. “To all the students out there facing similar challenges to what I went through, please never give up. I know it’s so difficult and it can be very scary, but you must believe in yourself and believe that there is a better future out there waiting for you.”
Photos Caption: Coordinated by STC’s Continuing Education and Workforce Training and Economic Development department, more than 30 students earned their General Educational Development diploma (GED) at a special ceremony with their families in attendance.
For more information on STC’s GED program, visit www.southtexascollege.edu/cpit/courses/personal/ged/.
