Commerce Bank, United ISD Superintendent of Schools and the Border Patrol come together to offer students a chance to practice social, academic and real-world skills
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Students at Centenoville, a “mini city” inside R.C. Centeno Elementary School, celebrated the fourth year of their Minitropolis program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Wednesday, December 19. Centenoville provides students an opportunity to see how a community operates by giving them a variety of real-world positions. Minitropolis® was created by IBC Bank in 1996 and currently operates in more than 25 elementary schools across Texas. Commerce Bank executives inducted 25 fourth grade Centeno student “employees” to work at Commerce Bank in Centenoville. The students recently toured the bank, received training and had the opportunity to meet Commerce Bank President and CEO Ignacio Urrabazo, Jr.
Commemorating the occasion along with the students were Commerce Bank officers, along with Border Patrol, school, city and county officials. In addition to Commerce Bank in Centenoville, students have the opportunity to work for the police department, Junior Border Patrol, IRS, Kinder Sweets, Centeno Mart, Centenoville City Council, Centenoville Postal Service, La Pita Mangana Recycling Center, 2710 Buck Station and for the Bienvenido Committee.
“Commerce Bank is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of our customers and communities and we are proud to participate in programs like Centenoville,” explained Commerce Bank President and CEO Ignacio Urrabazo, Jr. “The interactive environment provides an exciting learning opportunity, and it is wonderful to see these children grow up to become active, productive and engaged citizens of Laredo.”
During the ceremony, Urrabazo and other local officials addressed the students, faculty and visitors and commended the students and faculty at Centeno Elementary School for their hard work and dedication to such an important program.
