Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Van Gogh Early College High School held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, marking the start of construction on a new campus scheduled to open in August 2027. The event brought together Vanguard Academy leadership, City of Pharr officials, the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, students, and community members.
Melissa Morales, Executive Director for Institutional Advancement and Communications, opened the program. Raphael Garcia, a ninth-grade student, performed the national anthem. A student-led invocation was followed by the Vanguard Academy Prayer led by Luisa Trejo Herrera, a seventh-grade student, and a personal prayer by Jeremiah Hernandez, a tenth-grade student.
Board members and special guests were recognized before a performance by the Van Gogh Tiaras Dance Team under the direction of Mrs. Rebeca Segovia. Principal Vanessa Gonzalez then addressed attendees.
“Welcome, everyone, to Vanguard Van Gogh,” Gonzalez said. “This expansion represents a wonderful opportunity, not only for our students, but for the entire Pharr community and its surrounding cities.” She said the new campus will allow the school to “welcome even more students into our Van Gogh family and continue building a strong foundation for their future successes.”
Gonzalez highlighted student achievements, noting the Tiaras became national champions last school year and that several students advanced to state competitions in the school’s first DECA participation, including Rene Lucero, Alexa Martinez, Gabriela Torres, Sophia Ya Hernandez, and Sebastian Garcia Trevino. She also recognized Ms. Villa Tez for advancing to state in family medicine for HOSA, Raphael Garcia for advancing to state in solo and ensemble, and Michelle Orozco for winning multiple art competitions in Pharr.
Gonzalez asked current tenth graders to stand, noting many enrolled when the school opened in 2021. “These students that you see here before you will be our very first royal graduating class of 2028,” she said.
City Manager Dr. Jonathan B. Flores delivered the keynote address. “On behalf of Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and our entire Pharr City commission, it’s an honor to be here with you all today for this momentous occasion,” Flores said. He described the event as “about community” and commended Vanguard leadership for “all the late nights, all the planning, all the hard work” required to reach the milestone.
Victor Perez, President and CEO of the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, also spoke. “Nourishing students and parents, preparing them for the future where they will strive to be the best leaders,” Perez said. He quoted Malcolm X, stating, “Education is a passport to the future, but tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it.”
Student Sebastian Garcia said, “These new buildings represent a major milestone for our campus. They are a stepping stone that will define the future of our school for decades to come.”
Superintendent Dr. Marisol Rocha described the project as the start of “Vision 2036,” Vanguard’s 10-year plan in Pharr. “Today marks the beginning of what we call Vision 2036,” Rocha said, adding that the ceremonial shovel symbolized “the beginning of our construction for Van Gogh Early College High School.”
The ceremony concluded with an official shovel event and photo opportunity. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned prior to the campus opening in August 2027.
