BROWNSVILLE (51����) – 51���� students thinking about future job opportunities took advantage of a unique chance to polish their interview skills at TSC’s Interview Practicum held at Jacob Brown Auditorium.��

��The students took part in mock job interviews with representatives from local businesses.��

“Some financial institutions here, locally, you have TVC, the Texas Veterans Commission, UTRGV, the City of Brownsville and Cameron County as well, along with the Workforce Solutions Cameron too,” said Josue Silguero, TSC’s Director of Career and Employment services, which organized the event.��

TSC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela Garza took part in the event as an interviewer. As a business owner, she took joy in offering advice to a student who is seeking a business degree.��

“I told him when you work for Corporate America, it’s a different set of rules than when you establish your own business,” Garza said. “In every job you have, you��have to��take your heart with you, your compassion, and your professionalism. And that follows you forever.”��

 Jennifer Sanchez, a first-year student in TSC’s Child Development Early Childhood (CDEC)��program��was grateful for the advice she received.��

“I thought it was really interesting,” Sanchez said.��“It was��really good. It did help me for what potential employers would say in an interview.”��

Sanchez was interviewed by Rusty��Brechot, Cameron County Market President for Lone Star National Bank.��

“Something he did say was that my greatest strength is me, how I am, how I present myself, and how I stay honest��to��myself,” Sanchez added.��

“Everyone is a little bit nervous when they do something like this,��Brechot��said. “If you can break that in the beginning,��you’ll��end up with a wonderful interview and��you’ll��get to know the truth. I think a lot of what we talked about as well is being honest and having confidence. You know, all these different things, as well as what is on paper.”��

Nadia Sanchez, who is also in the CDEC program, hopes to one day be a director for an early childhood center. She says the event also helped her learn more about how she can improve for real-world interviews.��

“I was trying to calm down, but still, I was nervous,” Sanchez said. “Trying to work on my body movements and they said my voice was a little lower. So, try to raise my voice.”����

51���� honored the service and sacrifices of the nation’s veterans during its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2025, at the TSC Performing Arts Center, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community members for a morning of reflection and gratitude.

The ceremony opened with warm remarks from TSC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela G. Garza, followed by a welcome from TSC President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez. Their messages highlighted the deep respect and appreciation the college community holds for all servicemen and women, as well as TSC’s continued commitment to supporting veterans and their educational pursuits.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and TSC student Roberto Vela led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, setting a reverent tone for the morning. The Veterans Memorial High School Junior Marine Corps ROTC were present to perform the Posting of Colors, followed by a stirring violin rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by Daniel Perez.

This year’s keynote address was delivered by Oralia Fernandez, a distinguished U.S. Army and Navy veteran who also served as Superintendent of the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park for 28 years. Fernandez shared her personal story of service, detailing her time in the National Reserves, her overseas assignments, and the challenges faced by military personnel serving far from their loved ones. Her remarks touched upon both the hardship and the profound pride that come with a life of service, as well as the unique combination of strength, courage, and resilience which have long defined America’s veterans.

The ceremony concluded with a moving performance of Taps, played by TSC Music Instructor Victor Martinez, accompanied by music program students Anthony Hudgins and Andrew Joseph Angeles, as attendees stood in solemn remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to the nation.

The event was coordinated by Francisco Quezada, a United States Air Force veteran and Coordinator of TSC’s Veterans Success Center, which provides critical resources and guidance for student veterans transitioning to civilian and academic life.

“At the Veterans Success Center, we provide resources for veterans and their dependents to be able to use their state and federal benefits so that they can pay for their tuition and any living expenses they may have,” said Quezada. “We provide them with access to a computer lab, printing resources and tutoring resources. We also work with different organizations in the community like United Way and Veterans Upward Bound, so we’re able to refer them to those resources as well.”

Through ceremonies like this, 51���� reaffirms its lasting commitment to honoring the legacy of veterans and supporting those who continue to serve our country through education, leadership, and community engagement.

The spirit of remembrance came alive at 51���� on Monday, November 11, as students, faculty, and community members gathered for the college’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration. The evening painted a vibrant picture of the dedicated preservation of local customs and heritage, as participants honored the memories of loved ones who have passed while celebrating the cultural traditions that continue to connect generations throughout our community.

The festivities began in the courtyard between North and South Hall, where volunteers welcomed guests with face painting, electronic candles, and paper marigold crafting stations. Students from eight Texas ACE schools joined in the creative energy, fashioning the iconic orange flowers that symbolize remembrance and renewal. Setting the tone for the evening, Porter Early College High School’s Conjunto band, La Leyenda, filled the courtyard with lively and soulful music.

As the sun began to sink below the horizon, the crowd gathered in a procession to begin their march across campus, candles glowing softly in the twilight. Their path led them through the Oliveira Student Center, where altars adorned with photographs and offerings stood as poignant tributes to those who are no longer with us. Emerging from the building, participants were greeted by TSC President Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez and Board of Trustees Chair Adela G. Garza, who shared brief remarks about the significance of honoring both heritage and community through traditions like this one.

The celebration continued with a spirited series of performances, including Ballet Folklórico dancers from Hanna Early College High School, TSC’s Mariachi Escorpión ensemble, and the Los Fresnos Conjunto Halcón. The music and movement brought a joyful close to an evening rooted in love and cultural pride.

To end the night, attendees gathered together to enjoy traditional pan de muerto and hot chocolate, provided by the TSC Student Life department, reminders of the warmth that comes from honoring the past as a community united in spirit and celebration.

Facets of ancient history vividly came to life�� beneath the morning sun as 51���� hosted its annual Living History Day on Saturday, October 4, 2025, on the South Hall lawn.

For one morning, the present gave way to the past as frontiersmen, gladiators, and other historical figures stepped onto the lawn to bring centuries of history to life for attendees. The event, first introduced in 2017, is the creation of TSC History instructors Dirk Yarker and Robert Ramaker, who designed it to celebrate world cultures and eras through immersive learning. Over the years, the celebration has grown into one of TSC’s most beloved traditions, blending education, entertainment, and community engagement.

This year’s event also welcomed Texas ACE students from 10 Brownsville ISD schools, who explored a variety of history-themed activity stations across the lawn. Under the supervision of faculty and volunteers, students had the chance to test their aim by throwing spears at targets and watched reenactors demonstrate the cutting power of ancient swords as they sliced through fruit.

Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, several TSC clubs joined in by hosting themed tables inspired by major historical events and cultures. Displays ranged from recreations of the infamous Salem Witch Trials to demonstrations of folkloric music traditions, complete with authentic instruments and performances courtesy of students and faculty from TSC’s Music department.

Beyond the fun and spectacle, Living History Day serves as a reminder of TSC’s deep historical connection to the past. With the college’s main campus located on the grounds of the historic Fort Brown, which itself dates back to the 1800s, many of the preserved buildings from that era are still utilized today also stand as living links to regional and national history.

By bringing students, educators, and community members together in celebration of that shared heritage, TSC continues to honor its mission of fostering learning, curiosity, and pride in the Rio Grande Valley’s vibrant history.

51����, in conjunction with the Cameron County District Attorney Coalition, hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Event at the Oliveira Student Center on Wednesday, October 18, 2022.��

This was the 6th annual occurrence of the event, created and spearheaded by 51���� Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences and Chair of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dr. Christopher Alves.��

“I was a law enforcement officer for eighteen years in the state of North Carolina, and for two of those years, I was a domestic violence officer,” said Alves. “I saw a lot of pain as an officer. I saw a lot of women in pain, I saw a lot of men in pain, and most importantly, I saw a lot of children in pain, so I created an event in North Carolina and decided to bring it here to the Rio Grande Valley, mainly because of the amount of domestic violence that occurs here. As a Latino male, I know that domestic violence is a part of our culture, and I’m willing to change that. I want to change that.”��

Joining him were a group of guest speakers to address the audience, mostly comprised of students from Brownsville ISD high schools, and inform them of both the dangers and warning signs to look for with domestic abuse.��

Shelly Page, Associate Professor of Law and Director of Experimental Education at the University of Southern Illinois, spoke on the importance of identifying red flags in relationships. “If you don’t stand up for you, nobody else will” Page told the audience as she gave examples tactics that abusers employ to in unhealthy relationships, such as abuse of drugs, monitoring their partner’s activities and isolating them from their family and loved ones.��

Gabriel Garcia, a Community Outreach Specialist for the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, gave information about gaslighting, a topic which has gained an increasing amount of attention over the past few years. “Gaslighting is a deliberate attempt to bend the truth to emotionally manipulate a person through self-doubt,” Garcia told the audience before giving examples of different forms of gaslighting. He also explained how certain phrases can be used by abusers to further distort the reality of their victims. “Gaslighting works on your perception of reality,” he began, “but it also works on questioning your own feelings.”��

A presentation on the dangers of stalking, harassment and domestic abuse was also given by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Muñoz.��

Incidents of stalking, Muñoz explained, are most often committed by former romantic partners of those whom they choose to stalk, and social media has made it easier for stalkers to gain personal access to their victims. In addition, she informed the audience of methods which can be used in order to address incidents of stalking, such as creating a paper trail and saving screenshots which can be provided to law enforcement.��

“There is such an importance in documenting cases like these,” she told the audience, explaining that having concrete forms of evidence often results in victims obtaining protective orders against their stalkers. She also further urged those who are adjacent to situations of domestic abuse not to remain silent. “Domestic violence is everyone’s business, and we have to take it upon ourselves to make it that way,” said Muñoz, urging people to have the difficult conversations and be an advocate for those who are suffering from abuse.��

TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez, Ph.D., expressed gratitude to the guest speakers for sharing their insight with the gathered group of young students, and he emphasized that there are counseling services available on campus where victims of abuse can seek assistance. “If not you, who?” he asked, “If not now, when? If not today, why not? We are here to help you. We want to help you.”��

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, the national domestic violence hotline is 800-799-7233. TSC students can reach out to the office of Counseling and Student Accessibility Resources at the Lightner Center or at 956-295-3587. In cases of immediate and imminent danger, please call 911.��

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Mariachi has landed at 51���� in a big way! High school students can be part of the cultural sound at the inaugural TSC Mariachi Summer Camp.��

The camp will take place on TSC’s historic campus from July 10th-12th.��

Registration is $75 dollars and will include lunch each day plus a beautiful, originally designed, TSC mariachi camp shirt.��

Participants of all skill levels can expect to be taught by experienced mariachi instructors and performers before ending the three-day camp with an exciting concert on their own on July 12th��

The camp will be led by Music Program Administrator Avigai Gonzalez, who has recently been brought on to the TSC team to guide the Mariachi Escorpion, the college’s very own mariachi.��

“We want to help the programs around the area, a lot of high schools are starting mariachi programs,” Gonzalez said. Mariachi in the education setting has taken off over the last few years. High Schools across the Rio Grande Valley continue to earn high marks, and ��

Campers will learn from Gonzalez along with San Benito Mariachi and Orchestra Director, Karina Vela as well as Antonio Delgadillo, who is Mariachi Director at Ramiro Barrera Middle School in Roma.����

“I wanted to offer something that can help students and directors get a head start of what the school year is going to look like and what mariachi is all about,” Gonzalez said. “I also wanted to provide some sort of music so they can kick off the school year with music that students are familiar with.”����

Gonzalez, who performs with her group Mariachi Margaritas, is excited about the program that will start putting down local roots in the Fall.����

She hopes to offer both a beginner and advanced level at TSC, this mariachi camp will be a key recruitment tool to show students there is a higher educational option to continue their playing careers.����

“My goal is to be the source of help where students can reach out and know that TSC is here to help in any way,” she said. “Our goal is to get these students onto campus and have them know that our campus is here to openly learn music regardless of their level.”��

Perspective music students can sign up for mariachi and other music programs. 51���� music programs include guitar, piano, mariachi and more.��

The performance at the end of the camp looks to be the shining moment. Students can showcase their ability to learn quickly and take the experience back to their mariachi, band and orchestra halls back in their respective high schools. ��

“We want them to enjoy what they learned that way they can wrap up the mariachi camp with a feeling of ‘oh my God, I learned something new I didn’t know I was capable of playing this instrument with this type of music,’ she said. “It’s important for them to feel accomplished.”����

You can see the camp’s webpage at: /news/mariachi-escorpion/ or sign-up using the following link: ��

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