McAllen’s Reynaldo G. Garza Elementary School recognizes South Texas College during its College Day, Sept. 14

Jerry-visits-Reynaldo-G.

Jerry visits Reynaldo Elementary

Kindergarten students at Reynaldo G. Garza Elementary in McAllen have selected South Texas College as their featured school during College Day, Sept. 14, 2017.

Students will arrive to school on that day proudly displaying t-shirts from STC, recognizing the college for its role in the community.

“Every Thursday at our campus, we celebrate and honor college day by making sure the kids bring in shirts or jerseys with their favorite college,” said Garza Principal Nancy Valenzuela. “Kinder decided to recognize STC, and we are very excited that we were contacted by the college, which donated the t-shirts. We are super excited because tomorrow the students will be coming in, and all kindergarteners will be wearing their STC shirts.

“We want to make sure the students, even at their young age realize that college is very important,” Valenzuela said. “We are also proud to let them know that there is a college in their own community that they can attend if they wish.”

Representatives from STC and Jerry the Jaguar were on hand Wednesday morning to meet and greet students.

“It’s very important for these kids to know what college is, and we try to remind them how important it is for them to go to college,” said Margarita Solis, a kindergarten teacher at Garza Elementary and STC graduate in 2010. “Most of these kids say they already know what they want to be when they grow up, so I believe having a college day is very motivating, and it is a reminder that we have to prepare them to go to college.

“I received my Associate Degree at STC, and it actually motivated me to continue my education and get my Bachelor’s degree in Education,” Solis said. “I believe STC was a significant part of my success.”