Mission Career Tech Early College High School senior, Matthew Perez, still has a semester to go before graduating from high school, but he has already received his Associate’s Degree in Welding from South Texas College (STC). He started this endeavor in the fall semester of his freshman year and has worked diligently by taking dual enrollment courses, summer and night classes at STC to complete the requirements towards his degree.
“I just wanted to try something new after hearing a little about the class during a presentation made at my junior high school,” states Perez. “I was interested in welding because I wanted to try something new and at first it was hard to do, but eventually I got better at it after taking the classes.”
His journey started with a little seed that was planted by a Mission Career Tech ECHS team that visited junior highs throughout the district to conduct presentations. They do this to provide information to 8th grade students and to pique their interest in the programs offered. They make sure to inform them on the types of certifications that are available at the Mission Career Tech ECHS through the Career and Technical Education program that is currently housed at Mission High School. It is a school within a school concept that provides students with many options and opportunities. Mission Career Tech ECHS is available to all high school students in the district.
“I am looking forward to working on some projects that my family wants me to do for them,” states Perez. “I want to keep practicing over the summer to gain more experience.”
Perez made sure to complete the 60 hours required to obtain his associate’s degree and is excited about the future. He will be graduating from high school this year and is planning to study engineering. He would like to attend either Texas A&M – Kingsville or the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for his engineering degree in the fall of 2020.
“Students are exposed to what we have to offer in 8th grade when we go out to the junior highs to introduce them to the programs,” states Nora Longoria, Mission Career Tech ECHS Administrator. “Matthew took welding and ran with it, he took it beyond the level I and II certifications to obtain his associate’s degree.”
For more information on Mission Career Tech ECHS contact Nora Longoria (Mission Career Tech ECHS Administrator), or Maria G. Barrera (Mission Career Tech ECHS Counselor) at (956) 323-5477 or (956) 323-5700. For information on the CTE program contact Sergio Pena (Director) at (956) 323-5508.