[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-50px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
An atmosphere of proud accomplishment permeated the Texas Southmost College Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 for the TX ACE Stronger OST Initiative Graduation Ceremony. Students from various BISD high schools who participated in the program were awarded their certifications in workforce training programs including Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Structural Welding, and Private Security Officer training. For many of these students, they earned their certifications before having earned their high school diplomas, giving them a valuable head-start in their educational and career pathways.\u00a0 Photo by: Esteban Del Angel – Texas Southmost College.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In a celebration of ambition, early achievement, and future promise, a total of 70 students from five Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) high schools were recognized during a special ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Texas Southmost College\u2019s Performing Arts Center.<\/p>\n The students participated in the newly launched 2024-2025 STRONGER Out-of-School-Time (OST) Initiative, a transformative program designed to empower high school students in grades 9-12 through career-focused workforce training and critical mental health support. Funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program, also known as Texas ACE, the initiative creates early exposure to industry pathways while addressing students\u2019 holistic development.<\/p>\n As part of the initiative, students took part in a tier-based learning framework facilitated by TSC\u2019s Workforce Training and Continuing Education division. The program provided hands-on career exploration and certification-based training, equipping students with valuable skills and firsthand insight into high-demand fields, all before completing high school.<\/p>\n The long-term value of earning such certifications early in their educational journey is something the participating students are keenly aware of. \u00a0Having earned their PCT certification, Angela Trevi\u00f1o and Elsa Raya saw the program as a golden opportunity for early advancement. \u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity because as I keep working toward my goal of wanting to be a Registered Nurse, I know that this will help make some of my later classes easier because of the knowledge I\u2019ve gained, and it\u2019s also helped build connections with people working in the field for future job placement once I get my certification,\u201d said Raya. \u201cThis program helped get us one step closer to where we want to be with our careers, and having the chance to gain so much experience is going to open many doors in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Representing five BISD high schools, students participating in the program were allowed to enroll in a certification program aligned to their specific needs and career interests, ensuring strong alignment with local workforce demands:<\/p>\n Brianna Deleon of Lopez Early College High School feels that the path to earning her CNA Certification has clarified her future prospects. \u201cThe more I got to see how nursing assistants work in an actual hospital setting, the more it helped me realize that this is what I want to do in the future. I learned a lot of new things, and I feel confident about continuing in this field.\u201d<\/p>\n While some plan on continuing their education, others seem eager to use their new certifications immediately. Carlos Arcia of Rivera Early College High School feels that the hands-on training provided by the program has sufficiently prepared him to put his newly honed welding skills to work. \u201cI\u2019m going to try looking for a job this summer,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had some local companies talk to my class and scout for new recruits, so since I\u2019ve got my certification now, I\u2019m interested in looking into it.\u201d<\/p>\n For the Director of TSC\u2019s TX ACE program, Dr. Prisci R. Tipton, watching the students walk the stage to receive their certificates was a perfectly satisfying capstone to the initiative she has overseen since day one.<\/p>\n \u201cThese students are rewriting the definition of what\u2019s possible,\u201d she beamed. \u201cBefore even crossing the stage for their high school diploma, they\u2019ve earned industry-recognized certifications, and some even earned an associate degree, proof that they are not only college-ready but workforce-ready. Their discipline is setting a new standard for what the future of education and opportunity can look like. I couldn\u2019t be prouder of how far they\u2019ve come and how far they will go in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In a celebration of ambition, early achievement, and future promise, students from five Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) high schools were recognized during a special ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Texas Southmost College\u2019s Performing Arts Center.<\/p>\n The students participated in the newly launched 2024-2025 STRONGER Out-of-School-Time (OST) Initiative, a transformative program designed to empower high school students in grades 9-12 through career-focused workforce training and critical mental health support. Funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program, also known as Texas ACE, the initiative creates early exposure to industry pathways while addressing students\u2019 holistic development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":215,"featured_media":6765,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_gspb_post_css":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[100,194],"tags":[222,257,216,16,19,109],"class_list":["post-6762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ace-21st-century-community-learning-centers","category-wtce","tag-afterschool-programs","tag-graduation","tag-texas-ace","tag-texas-southmost-college","tag-tsc","tag-wtce","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n