Dinner

1 June 2018

Presentation

Guest Speakers

Casa De Palmas Hotel—McAllen, TX. June 1, 2018.

STYC members hosted the event to celebrate their achievements and plans moving forward to bring high speed internet connection to their schools. Guest speakers were Ruben Ramos with BBVA Compass Bank-McAllen, Dr. Daniel King Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Superintendent, and Jordana Barton Senior Advisor Federal Reserve Bank-Dallas.

Mr. Ramos spoke about BBVA Compass Bank’s initiatives to help bring fiber optic technology to South Texas, in particular their participation in Digital Opportunity for the Rio Grande Valley (DO4RGV). Mr. Ramos pointed out that BBVA sees infrastructure development like DO4RGV as essential to progress. The goal of DO4RGV is to bring fiber technology to the neighborhood. Known as the last mile.

Dr. King was introduced by Yvett Morales, Principal Weslaco HS. After his opening remarks Dr. King recalled how he worked as a fireman while in college. He told the story of how in 1973 Casa De Las Palmas Hotel was struck by lighten and destroyed by fire, and how he was among those who answered the call.

He stood in the now rebuilt hotel, reflecting on how new life had come from the ashes. He then turned to his current work to see that each student has the opportunity to earn 12 college hours by high school graduation. 

In 2013 Dr. King was named Texas Superintendent of the year by the American Association of School Administrators.

Ms. Barton was introduce by Priscilla Canales, Superintendent of Weslaco ISD. Ms Barton has authored a number of publications on economic disparities and the digital divide along the Texas Mexico border. Her recent work is “Workforce Development and the Internet Economy.”

She described her work with the Federal Reverse as giving her the opportunity to advance life in South Texas. Her passion showed when she revealed in her research that poverty is bad business.

Why South Texas?

Former STYC President

Grad Student Texas A&M University 

College Station, Texas

May 2018

On the first Saturday of February 2014 in a small room at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi I was there among a small a group of students whose minds were alive with ideas, lifted by the hope for change. 

Armando sat and watched us from the side of the room, encouraging the chaotic excitement in the air (while also taking those horribly candid photos he has always been so keen of posting online).

Ideas were bouncing left and right across the room. We all wanted to save the world on this one day, but we decided to be modest and first try to save South Texas. 

Of the issues presented, education stood out as our priority. We recognized that technology and education go hand-in-hand, and with improved education, comes more opportunities. 

There were times when we would question our ideas ever becoming a reality or ever taken seriously. We considered giving up on fiber optic technology and taking on an easier project. Thankfully, Armando was always there to encourage us on and not let our work go to waste. Seeing how far you have all taken our possibilities at fiber-optic technology is truly enlightening and inspiring. 

I know everyone from this first session has gone off to accomplish and pursue great things, and the same can be said for all those who follow. This is because being part of STYC means you are more than a member, it means you are a courageous and daring. This is in you and will continue to shape the way you carry out the rest of your lives. Take everything you learned here, and apply it in all you do. Others will recognize these qualities in you and respect you for it.

Now on this June day, and four years later, many meeting rooms have witnessed many discussions leading up to this day. However, STYC members have been in places other than meeting rooms. 

We visited our state’s capitol, not as tourists, but as lobbyists. We have visited with local representatives. We have sat down to discuss change with our school administration. But most importantly, our voices have traveled outside enclosed rooms. 

We are the living representation of our communities. We are the voices for our friends, family, and other members of our community. We are the voices of South Texas. We are the future of South Texas. 

Thank you, 

Yineli Carreon 

The U.S. Census projects the population in year 2020 in South Texas to reach 2.5 million. Hidalgo County's population is estimated to be more than one million people.

The communications economy is emerging from the growth. The cities on the list see access to modern communication infrastructures as essential to the economy, health, and education.

This Texas region has two essential elements ready on-hand to connect high schools with fiber optics.

People are the first essential. It is the go of the entrepreneur, they make opportunity happen, create options to progress, they believe in the next generation. They are proud of their unique Texas heritage. 

The second essential are fiber optic lines. They already exist near high schools. Communication giants are already working with local governments to bring super speed connections to business, health, and schools. What is missing are the means to connect. UT-RGV, for instance, has created a fiber optic ring—166 miles of fiber that encircles the Valley, and connects to the national backbone network. Laredo and Corpus Christi have similar options.