Open Letters

We are the voices for our friends, family, and of our community. 


We are the living representation of our communities.


We are the voices of South Texas. 


We are the future of South Texas.

Yineli Carreon

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 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 

May 2018


Mimosa Thomas

October 1995—April 2020

Dear South Texas Youth Congress Representatives: 


Congratulations! You have just made one of the best decisions that a high school student here in South Texas can make – joining the South Texas Youth Congress! As a former member and co-president, I would like to share with you my experience in STYC and offer a sincere welcome into our Congress. 


Last year, when I first learned about STYC, I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of it. The idea of getting to write real legislation that could one day be passed into law was extremely exciting, and unlike any opportunity that I had yet been presented with. Over the course of the year, I had the amazing opportunity to meet and work with other amazingly talented and passionate representatives from high schools all over South Texas to craft legislation that we believed would make Texas a better place for all of its residents. Together, we brought forth proposals for legislative action, and through discussion and cooperation singled out the three most realistic and important of our many proposals to lobby for in the Texas Legislature. I am very very proud of the proposals that we made, and of the groundwork that we laid down as part of the pilot program of STYC, to build the rules and procedures upon which the organization would run. 


As new representatives to STYC, I am sure that you will create proposals that will truly change Texas for the better, and of which you can be equally proud. 


I am so excited to meet you all and hear your ideas for a better Texas. With members like you, I am confident that STYC will continue to grow and flourish, making Texas better one legislative proposal at a time. 


Sincerely, 


Mimosa Thomas
First STYC President-2014


Zoe Alaniz

The South Texas Youth Congress symbolizes a way for students to create a leadership experience for one another. Learning from each other is the greatest way to find faith in one's community, and I only wish I could be one of these students in the STYC.

                                                                       

Dream Forward Dinner

Keynote Speaker

Corpus Christi, Texas

27 June 2014

Texas High School 

Diving Gold Medal—2013.

For each of us, there are many aspects of life that we really enjoy and have excitement for. However, there are those few set blessings that bring out more than simple enjoyment: they bring out passion. For me, I know I enjoy a really large and warm chocolate chip cookie every once in a while! But my passion is saved for more fulfilling purposes than eating a cookie. The South Texas Youth Congress holds part of this passion in me due to the people who make it special, lively, and inspiring.


Although I never had the opportunity to be a student who went through the ins and outs of the South Texas Youth Congress, I have had the tremendous privilege to get to know the people who have helped it grow. When Armando came to me when he was first beginning to put this program together, I was not sure how I could help being that I was about to graduate and could not participate. However, we have formed a very sincere and cherished friendship that has allowed me to support the program in my own way. I have been able to watch the sensational students come up with ideas that truly could make a difference in South Texas. If you ever have the chance to read about some of their ideas, you better read them! It would be unimaginable the positive effects that could come from their proposals. Through hearing about their ideas, it tells so much about their characters as well. This program not only allows for our community to be improved, but it equally aids in helping students and everyone involved learn a little more about themselves. At the end of the day, this is about as successful as any person can be. The hearts of the students, Armando’s undeterred drive and passion, and the great foundation this program stands for are all rarities that we all need to invest in.


My job for the South Texas Youth Congress is to be a voice of advocacy and support. However, I hope this letter shows the impact STYC has actually had on ME. I feel that any support given to the STYC would be rightly placed. Thank you for your time and support thus far. It is fueling the passion of many.


Best Wishes,

Zoe Alaniz

Summer 2014

First logo 

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the human heart.

                                                    -Goethe

Open Letter

By Armando Villarreal

December 2013

Dear Members:


Congratulations and welcome to a journey, an adventure to explore and discover new possibilities to advance life.


This Youth Congress is homegrown here in South Texas. It is not some government program from Austin, or Washington—it is not some feel good project from some large organization. It is made here. It belongs, it is built and moved forward by you.


Starting out I saw this Youth Congress as a gift one generation gives the next. A lofty sentiment. But as I traveled doing presentations I began to change. I saw that it is you who were providing the gift. My coming up experiences were shaped by the Raza Unida Party, Vietnam and the Cold War, Watergate, Black Power, the United Farm Workers and the movements of that era.


As you move forward with your life you also will have experiences that will shape your awareness and outlook. How often do you hear the banner phrase that the youth are the future. Its overuse drains it of vitality. Plainly put I see the road before you stretching further than the road behind you. And on this road the more experience you accumulate the better you will be able to deal with injustice.


Every generation arrives on the scene with its own hunger for justice, it's own dreams to make real. And you are the new arrivals. The pilot. Here you are asked to do the work of sinking in the core root that will grow the South Texas Youth Congress. At the Corpus Christi meeting you will adopt the groundwork to make this possible.


At the first annual session you will propose, discuss, debate and vote on three issues to get introduced in the next general session of the Texas Legislature.


Have passion in your beliefs, question things with intelligence and respect.


I leave you with this to contemplate—Think fiber-optics, renewable energy, safe water and clean air, work for security and safety for the elderly, imagine less poverty, trust in human rights, believe in those coming up behind you and what you will leave.


Help South Texas high schoolers get the tecnology they need

7 March 2017

By Kassandra Garcia

Dear 85th Texas Legislative Session:


I am a senior at Roma High School and a member of the South Texas Youth Congress.


When I entered elementary school the iPhone was announced. Six years ago last January the iPad was introduced. I was in middle school at the time. 


These devices touched off change which continues to transform how we communicate, connect, and learn. 


My generation is told that we are “Twenty First Century Learners.” But I don’t feel like one. My high school, like many others, finds it difficult to meet the goals and promise we are required to achieve. It is not their fault. I have wonderful teachers who work to prepare us.


In my mind the twenty first century means having the resources that match up to the expectations we are asked to meet.


I imagine a classroom where we are connected with others to collaborate, to work on a common projects, to explore and innovate. We can not do this with outdated technology, with broadband restrictions. This is a disadvantage which lessens our ability to be robust contributors to progress and the tax base.


We have a proposal, we call iSol—SB 2123 before the 85th Texas Legislative Session. It’s an initiative to connect our schools with fiber optics which will truly make us “Twenty First Century Learners” and workforce ready!


I urge our state representatives to do the right thing and place us on the right side of innovation, opportunity and progress.


Kassandra Garcia

Roma High School Roma, Texas

By Aleksia Herrera