Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
Students from the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at South Texas College are spreading holiday cheer to children who are spending their holidays in the hospital.
The academy’s newly formed student-run organization, Jaggies for the Community, recently organized its first toy drive and delivered the donations to Edinburg Children’s Hospital on Dec. 23.
The initiative struck a chord with engineering student and Jaggies for the Community President, Alisson Cabanas, who said she can relate to the children who are sick and can’t spend Christmas at home.
“I remember being sick at Edinburg Children’s Hospital over the holidays when I was little and I remember how scary it was,” Cabanas said. “We are taking the first step in making a difference, and we hope we can inspire the community to do the same.”
Founded in fall 2024, Jaggies for the Community aims to use the student’s engineering mindset to impact the communities they serve. Juan Garza, vice president of the organization, emphasized the connection between engineering and serving others.
This holiday, Garza hopes the students’ efforts will bring a sense of joy to children facing health challenges.
“What really inspired us to do this is really what it means to be an engineer. Our goal is really to help people in the community and solve problems that can improve their quality of life,” Garza said. “This holiday, being able to help out the children really gives me a spark in my heart knowing that one gift can brighten a child’s day, even if they are going through a difficult time in the hospital.”
Maricruz Hinojosa, project manager for the Texas A&M Engineering Academy, praised the students for embodying a spirit of compassion.
“These students are engineering with a heart,” Hinojosa said. “This just shows how they are taking it a step further, extending into activities that can feed their soul. They are now asking what else they can do for others.”
Staff with Edinburg Children’s Hospital praised the students for supporting the children at this critical time.
“Our patients are greatly appreciative of the donations provided for this Christmas season,” said Gabriel Alcantar, pediatric ICU nurse director at Edinburg Children’s Hospital. “It’s a very opportune time to help them so the kids can cherish this time of the season.”
Offered in partnership with Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering, the Academies program offers students an opportunity to pursue one of 22 majors within the College of Engineering at Texas A&M while co-enrolled at STC
Students are then able to transition, with automatic acceptance into Texas A&M’s highly competitive engineering program, to Texas A&M College Station, Galveston or the Higher Education Center at McAllen to complete their bachelor’s degree.
For more information on the STC, Texas A&M Engineering Academy, please visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/partners/tamu-engineering/index.html.
