Changing Lives

Region One ESC Board of Directors2011-2012

Richard R. Cantú, ChairpersonPlace 4 – Hidalgo County

Alicia E. Requenez, Vice-ChairpersonPlace 1 – Hidalgo County

Ricardo Gutierrez, SecretaryPlace 2 – Jim Hogg County, Starr County & Zapata County

Abel CavazosPlace 7 – Willacy County

Ruben Cortez, Jr.Place 5 – Cameron County

Dr. Manuel Gomez, Jr.Place 6 – Cameron County

Linda La MantiaPlace 3 – Webb County

VacantCharter Schools Representative

Administration

Jack C. DamronExecutive Director

Dr. Eduardo Cancino Deputy Director, Instructional Support Services

Marco Antonio Lara, Jr.Deputy Director, Administrative & School Support

Frances Guzman Deputy Director, Business, Operations & Finance Support

GEAR UP Staff

Tina AtkinsDirector

Abel DiazAccountant

Norma McCormickMelissa LopezKris McKinney

David HernandezEllie Tores

Rita G. Rodriguez-CedilloJoe M. Castillo

Specialists

Jessie DoriaElizabeth GarciaProgram Support

The Region One ESC GEAR UP Success Story has been several years in the making.

With the award of its first grant in 1999, the Region One ESC GEAR UP staff understood that in order to be successful, young people must make the most of their education, beginning in the early grades and continuing all the way through high school graduation and beyond.

We took a pledge to parents that this long-term project would support parents and students toward a higher education.

The GEAR UP staff was devoted to the success of cohort students, to planning programs designed to get them excited about school and about their futures, and to providing the support necessary for students to do well.

Since then, over 14,000 students have been served by GEAR UP through our Right Choices for Youth or Bridges to the Future Programs and we can say, GEAR UP has made an impact! • Most recently, Region One ESC GEAR UP graduated its second cohort

of students in 2011.

• A high percentage of these students were designated as “college ready” based on their state assessment or college entrance exam scores – with 71% in college ready in reading, 62% in mathematics and 55% in writing.

• Because of their performance in these areas, fewer students will need to take remedial courses their first year in college.

• Over 90% of GEAR UP cohort students applied for admission to a college or university.

• At least 71% applied for federal student financial aid

• Approximately 70% of Region One GEAR UP high school graduates have enrolled in post-secondary courses for the 2011 Fall semester.

Here’s their story.....

A Region One Education Service Center Partnership funded by the U.S. Department of Education

“I believe that much of my success comes from the opportunities that were presented to me by the Region One ESC GEAR UP program.”

Edsson A. Garcia2006 Graduate, Roma High School (Roma ISD)Chemical Engineer

“GEAR UP has done so much for me in so many ways, but I think it has made the biggest impact on me as a person. It has enabled me to become confident, secure, and strong.”

Samantha Valdez2011 Graduate, Weslaco High School (Weslaco ISD)attending Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

The Parent ConnectionOver the course of the GEAR UP lifespan, we have built significant relationships with parents of Region One ESC GEAR UP students through an extensive parental involvement initiative. Parents are regarded as critical partners in helping prepare students for the rigors of college, and often work side-by-side with teachers and school leaders with the child’s best interest in mind.

Services such as a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), a parental involvement curriculum, and special events, such as regional conferences, were implemented with the intention of including more parents as partners in helping prepare students for the rigors of a college education. In the course of the last six years, over 6,000 parents have participated in the Region One ESC GEAR UP: Bridges to the Future Partnership!

“If it was not for GEAR UP, I would not have been a contributing member to my community. I always remember to have a ‘servant’s heart’, so I made it a point to make a difference in my community, my school and my life.”

Dorothy Villarreal2011 Graduate, Valley View High School (Valley View ISD)attending Harvard University

As a parent leader, Blanca Tijerina has been very involved at Mission High School for many years. She has volunteered in after school events and assisted with any and all activities that involved GEAR UP and college outreach.

“When I started helping GEAR UP, I got the opportunity to make up for those years that I was not able to help my daughter out. I also had the opportunity to work with other students and help them, too. Now my daughter has graduated and I thank GEAR UP for letting me be close to her and see her DREAMS come TRUE.”

Blanca and Deyra Tijerina (mother/daughter team) have been active members of the Region One GEAR UP Partnership at Mission High School during the past four years.

This leadership duo has made a conscious effort to spread the college-going message in their school and community. They have worked alongside the GEAR UP campus-based staff to provide trainings and support to other students and parents. They also helped coordinate evening sessions, with guest speakers, which focused on topics such as concurrent enrollment, college readiness, testing, admissions and financial aid.

“I have many goals. School taught me one thing about my life... I love learning. I feel that it is my responsibility to pass what I have learned on to others. That is why I want to become a teacher. I imagine myself helping a new generation and guiding them.”

Angel Roque2011 Graduate, Port Isabel High School(Point Isabel ISD)attending University of Texas-Brownsville

“GEAR UP has given us the tools to prepare for future endeavors. Our GEAR UP facilitators have been wonderful blessings to all of us, and they have given us the knowledge to develop genuine focus to survive college. Without GEAR UP, we would not have been aware of the many opportunities that came our way.”

Lorena Zapata2011 Graduate, LBJ High School (United ISD)attending Texas A & M International University-Laredo

“GEAR UP not only changed my viewpoint on college, but it also provided me with the information and resources to make my dream a reality.”

Daniel Villarreal2011 Graduate, Veteran’s Memorial High School (Mission CISD)attending St. Mary’s University