SPRING 2011



“The RGV Mentors program is designed to help kids succeed at whatever they want to do,” RGV Mentors co-founder Nolan Perez, M.D., said at the pilot program’s wrap-up ceremony. It helps make sure the protégés-high school students are graduating with skills needed for life and college success.
            “I’m more inspired,” protégé Shyloh Southern said, about her future in Culinary Arts. “I didn’t think some of the things I wanted were at TSTC. The more I researched, I found out they were.” Her mentor Rafaela Moreno, who is completing her Culinary Arts degree at TSTC, told Shyloh how she had worked her way through the program and now intends to get a Bachelor’s in Family and Consumer Life.  Shyloh said she expects to follow the same route that her mentor has taken.
            Shyloh’s mother said the mentoring program has changed her daughter’s outlook about her future. “I’m hearing a lot more “I definitely want to do this.’ She’s starting to get a life plan,” said Mrs. Southern.
             Protégé Amanda Arredondo wants to attend UTSA and study criminal justice. “This program has given me knowledge about how college might be.  I learned that I need to prepare my study skills. I know it will be hard work,” she admitted. She recommends the RGV Mentors program for other high school students.  “It would help them prepare for their future.”
Her mother, Gloria Montalvo, said Amanda has always talked about going into the field of law. “She knows now she has to be committed to it.” 
As a protégé, student Mark White learned what he wanted to study in college and what campuses he would like to attend.
            “I think the students had wonderful meetings with the college students and received honest answers.  A really good bond was created,” said Rosie Leal, Harlingen High School’s Technology Academy counselor. “RGV Mentors does not forget about students who face considerable challenges. We have students who have heart and motivation, but they encounter challenges in their life. RGV Mentors helps them open doors.”  Having mentors and protégés so close in age motivated the younger students, she believes.  It has led them to realize they, too, could succeed in college and a career.
Dr. Leonel Vela, Dean of the RAHC, said Dr. Nolan Perez inspires him. “He’s returned to the Valley and continued to give back to the community. He not only talked about the mentoring concept, he delivered.  Dr. Perez was instrumental in founding RGV Mentors. The people who make a difference are not those with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.”
Dr. Vela said the mentoring program is going to have an impact. “What we’re going to see is commitment that is going to achieve results. Some of you are going to be venturing out to colleges across the country. Do not forget the Valley.”
“Tech Prep had all the relationships we needed to make it work,” said Dr. Perez. The pilot project was school-based and relied on key collaborations with UT Health Science Center’s Med Ed program, represented by Esme Lozano, on Tech Prep, represented by Martha Gutierrez, and Rosie Leal of Harlingen High School.
             It was, however, the commitment of the mentors and protégés that has made the program a success. Mentor Bryant Nieto, a UTPA premed student, said his long commute and involvement with RGV Mentors was rewarding.  “What I got out of the program was easily worth it, driving form UTPA.” He and Aaron Gonzalez, his protégé, don’t have the same career goal, but that didn’t hinder the mentoring relationship.  “There are many things everyone needs to share. It was a good match.”
             Aaron, who is in Army ROTC, said “He seemed like someone I could relate to. What stood out was to always follow your dreams.”  Aaron has decided to follow his dream and enlist in the Air Force.
Danielle Hernandez realized she needed to learn more about college and relied on her mentor James Harper. “He gave me honest and clear answers and helped me understand the importance of balancing college work and activities,” she said. The future criminal justice student’s favorite activity was the poster project.
“Parents, teachers, and mentors can have a huge impact on students’ lives,” concluded Perez, speaking from personal experience. “Your window of opportunity is wide open now. You possess limitless potential, but you have to seize the opportunities. The fact that you’re here speaks volumes about your character, your parents, and your future.”
            Perez called the protégés trailblazers as the first RGV Mentors participants. “Pursuing higher education will honor your family.” He recommended five habits to help reach their goals.
First determine what they want to do and then work hard to achieve that goal. They should seek out mentors and look for internships and job shadowing chances to see the field from the inside.  They will have to learn to accept delayed gratification because the road to success is long and frustrating.  Last, they should stay close to God and their family. “Natural gifts are blessings; however, success is really about working hard and knowing where you are going.”
            Perez challenged the parents of the protégés, too.  “The most important thing you can do is to have high expectations of your children,” he said.

            RGV Mentors school-based mentoring program will resume later this year. The community-based segment with mentoring by adult professionals will begin then.