Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
The South Texas College concurrent enrollment partnership with The Oxford School in Reynosa, has given Sol Diaz, a rising high school senior, newfound hope, and a new realization of her strengths, which she recently shared during a TEDx McAllen Youth speaking event.
“Before coming to STC, I was shy, not outgoing socially,” said the 16-year-old. “But being welcomed into education in the U.S. and at STC, it has changed me. I’ve discovered a new part of myself and have a new outlook.”
Diaz just completed her first semester at STC, but already her willingness and determination to pursue a higher education earned her an invite to speak to other youth about overcoming their fears.
“I talked about my journey in becoming a concurrent enrollment student and how I thought I couldn’t do it. How I feared taking and passing my Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI),” said Diaz. “At one point, I nearly let fear take over, but my mom reminded me about the opportunities I would get, and I kept going. I’m so glad I did.”
By overcoming her fear, not only is Diaz now a high school and college student, but she gets to inspire others.
“I’m hopeful that someone in the audience was able to identify with me and will move on from this stronger and inspired to not let fear overcome their lives and that they take opportunities presented to them,” she said. “There’s always going to be fear, but it’s what you do with it that counts.”
Acknowledging that things would be different had she quit before even starting, Diaz is appreciating her experiences more and already thinking about how STC fits into her future as an aspiring health care professional.
“I will be returning in the fall through the concurrent enrollment program, and when I graduate, I’ve made up my mind to get my associate degree at STC in nursing. It’s a great first step in the right direction.”
Diaz said that after cancer took both her grandparents, she has made it her mission to research, advocate and promote cures and solutions that could save lives.
“I wish I could have given my grandparents a better quality of life; I wish I had access to solutions to their illness. I want to give that chance to others,” she said.
Getting closer every day to reaching her goals, Diaz said she has had a support system made up of family and instructors that encourage her daily to keep going and be the best she can be.
“My parents are my No. 1 supporters. They push me, guide me and keep me going,” said Diaz. “But my instructors have been great too, especially my composition instructor Dr. Rebecca Millan. She was kind, understanding and made my first semester of college easier and better.”
Millan is an associate professor of English at STC.
Diaz added that she hopes that after hearing her about her experience, more of her peers at The Oxford School will take advantage of this opportunity with STC.
“This is something that is a great opportunity for everyone,” she said. “It gives us access to an affordable education, despite the minimal fee; it’s online, so it’s convenient and it’s a way to discover our skills, interests and prepare for our futures.”
STC’s Concurrent Enrollment program has numerous agreements in place with high schools across the border and provides a college education to eligible high school students at a minimal fee, helping students prepare for American colleges and universities while saving money and time.
