Texas Border Business
The Pharr City Commission, in partnership with IT Director Jose Peña, proudly recognized ten outstanding PSJA ISD students: Jesus Alejandro Serna, Gavin Trevino, Hector A. Arriaga, Miguel Mendez, Jose Cantu, Miguel A. Aviles, Diego Naranjo, Orlando Robles, Yan Lucka Barajas, and Damian Rivera, who completed the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Grant Internship Program.
Funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., the internship program is part of a regional effort to empower students through education and career-readiness. The grant supports paid internships, hands-on training, and certification opportunities that prepare students for high-demand fields, specifically in cybersecurity and digital technology. During the special presentation, each student was awarded a certificate of completion in honor of their hard work and commitment. “This year, we were able to expand the program. These students are paid interns and are also part of the cybersecurity certificate program at South Texas College,” said Peña. “They were trained as Digital Navigators and in digital literacy—we are incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished,” he added. PSJA ISD’s Belinda Vargas expressed her appreciation for the collaboration with the City of Pharr. “Thank you to city leadership for partnering with us. Our students gain real-world experience, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of this,” she said.
Three students received special recognition for their exceptional hours of service: Hector Arriaga – 863 hours, Miguel Mendez – 807 hours and Josue Serna – 786 hours. “This is the first program of its kind—not just in Pharr, but across the region and state,” said Assistant City Manager Cindy Garza Reyes. “Our goal is to create educational pathways for our students. This program is a model for what we can achieve when we work together to support education and workforce development.” The City of Pharr is proud to celebrate these student interns, who have not only excelled in their high school coursework, but also earned college credits, certifications, and valuable real-world experience, laying the foundation for a stronger, smarte
