TSC President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez, TSC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela Garza, and TSC Board of Trustees Secretary Dr. Norma Lopez-Harris pose for a picture with Cynthia Espinoza (wearing visor) who took first place in the women’s division of the TSC Historic 5K Run and Angelica Gutierrez who finished third.

Former Scorpion Continues Success at Our Lady of the Lake University

Former 51���� standout is already making his mark at the next level with Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) in NAIA competition.

The Los Fresnos High School product and former captain of the TSC Scorpions men’s soccer team scored a goal on Saturday, Sept. 27, against Jarvis Christian University, adding to an early season that already includes an assist for the Saints.

At TSC, Zamora was a leader on and off the field, setting the tone for the program in its early years. Head Coach praised his former captain for his dedication and professionalism.

“Kevin never missed, was always on time, and led by example,” Coach Zamora said. “He set the tone for the profile of player we are looking for and showed younger guys what it takes to succeed.”

Coach Zamora added that his former captain left a lasting impact on the culture of TSC Soccer.

“He set a great example, and that’s what makes me most proud. Seeing him succeed at the next level proves that TSC can be a stepping stone for local Valley talent who dream of playing beyond junior college.”

success highlights the pathway TSC provides for student-athletes from the Rio Grande Valley who want to continue their education and athletic careers at four-year universities.

As the program enters just its third year, stories like Kevin’s are already shaping its identity. His achievements serve as inspiration for current Scorpions and a message to future recruits: hard work, dedication, and the opportunities at TSC can open doors to the next level.

51���� men’s soccer continues to grow each season, and the success of players like Kevin Zamora proves that the foundation being built is strong—not just for wins on the field, but for lasting opportunities off it.

The donation check for $20,000 to go toward 51����’s Nursing Programs is unveiled in TSC’s ITECC simulation lab on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Pictured left to right: TSC Board of Trustees Vice Chair Delia Saenz, Steven De la Garza, TSC Board of Trustees Chair Adela Garza, RGV Philanthropic Foundation CEO Dr. Diane Milliken Garza, RGV Philanthropic Foundation Trustee Jennefer Spence Sampayo, TSC President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez, TSC Director of Associate Degree Nursing Program Mary Kasprisin.

Criminal Justice Institute graduates Gomez and Pelayo work under law enforcement vet Delaunay at Cameron County D.A. office��

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There are Scorpions all over the Cameron County District Attorney’s office. But no need to worry, these Scorpions are on the case to deliver justice!��

From the top floor down to the first level of the Administration Building, 51���� alumni are making an impact on the department and the community they serve.������

Two standouts in the department are investigators Mayra Pelayo and Karina Gomez. Both are making the 51���� Criminal Justice Institute Police Academy proud of their work on the investigative team. ��

They work under the direction of another Scorpion alum, Chief Investigator George Delaunay. ��

Investigators Karina Gomez and Mayra Pelayo work under lead investigator George DeLaunay and District Attorney Luis Saenz to prosecute suspects. Ms. Gomez, Ms. Pelayo, and Mr. DeLaunay are all alumni of 51����.

George DeLaunay, Lead Investigator

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He attended TSC in the late 1970s before earning a bachelor’s degree at Pan American University. His career in law enforcement included decades with the Drug Enforcement Agency before bringing his expertise to Cameron County D.A. alongside District Attorney Luis V. Saenz.����

DeLaunay also serves on the Criminal Justice Institute’s advisory board to guide the program’s direction. ��

“A good number of my investigators, at some point, attended TSC, including myself,” DeLaunay said. “We have a historical connection, those of us who have 30 plus years in law enforcement. There is a deep connection to TSC.”��

Delaunay explained how on top of being women, in a primarily male field, Gomez and Pelayo are a younger duo than what is expected in an investigator position. ����

“They are learning every day, all of us are in this job, there is always something new,” DeLaunay said. “Most of the investigators we bring in are much older than these two ladies. Typically, they have had a career in law enforcement and then we come here.”��

Since Gomez and Pelayo have worked in police departments, they have the experience necessary to communicate with PDs while building the skills to put together cases for prosecuting attorneys. ��

Karina Gomez, Criminal Investigator

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“We help the attorney and victims paint a better picture at the court level. We want to present the best view of the incident,” Gomez, a 2013 graduate of Lopez High school said. “When we paint a great picture for the judge and jury, it aids the person looking for justice.”��

She said that her career took off after earning the knowledge and certification from the Criminal Justice Institute. “I finished the CJI police academy and then earned my TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) license, and it opened many doors,” Gomez said. “I have been able to serve my community. I was previously at BISD before returning to school and earning my associate degree. I wanted to be as prepared as possible, and I knew TSC had the tools to help me accomplish that.”��

Gomez now works on crime scenes to determine how to put together the best case to prosecute suspects.����

Investigators Karina Gomez and Mayra Pelayo work under lead investigator George DeLaunay and District Attorney Luis Saenz to prosecute suspects. Ms. Gomez, Ms. Pelayo, and Mr. DeLaunay are all alumni of 51����.

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Luis V. Saenz, Cameron County District Attorney

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District Attorney Luis Saenz had rave reviews for the quality of students that become employees in his office, with Gomez and Pelayo serving as prime examples.����

“We’ve had very good results with TSC students and TSC alumni,” D.A. Saenz said. “That is why we keep going back there; we know that they are good, trained and they are committed. We have very good results, so we look forward to going back there, picking up recruits and putting them to work for the safety of Cameron County.”��

Saenz and his office have shown dedication to fighting the epidemic of domestic violence in the Rio Grande Valley. In October, the RGV District Attorney Coalition stopped at 51���� to speak on domestic violence and how to prevent the problem in young people. ��

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Mayra Pelayo, Criminal Investigator

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Pelayo completed the program in 2011. She spent 10 years as a patrol officer with two different departments before landing at Cameron County where she specializes in domestic violence cases. She joined the D.A. office in 2021.����

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“I completed the full-time Police Academy and started working for the city of South Padre Island in 2011. I was there for a few years before working with Brownsville ISD PD for eight years,” Pelayo said. “Then I saw this position and I went for it.”��

Her work as an investigator with the District Attorney’s office is vastly different than what she has experienced before. But her base in education helped make the transition possible.����

“I had never done some of the requirements of being an investigator,” Pelayo said. “We work after the fact, seeing the reports. We are not the first officers on scene, so it was a learning experience. But it is rewarding because we can see the full process and not just take the initial report and never know what happens after that.”��

She admitted that the work around domestic violence can be emotionally taxing work but reaching the desired resolution gives the work value. ��

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Join the tradition!��

If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, the TSC Criminal Justice Institute is a great place to start, with proven results. You can contact records specialist Litzy Hernandez at 956-295-3734 or via e-mail litzy.hernandez@tsc.edu. ��

The police academy’s webpage is /workforce-training-and-career-education/criminal-justice-institute/. ��