President encourages students to begin thinking about college.
By: M. Ozuna
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Staff Council President Jacob Martinez, college President Robert Vela, six staff members and the Gnome Ranger spirit figure delivered school supplies Sept. 4 to T.J. Brackenridge Elementary School, 1214 Guadalupe St.
Patti Radle, president of the San Antonio Independent School District board of trustees, Principal Jennifer Maestas and other school faulty members attended the presentation in a first grade classroom.
Twenty first graders each received crayons, scissors, markers, glue sticks and other supplies collected in a school supply drive led by this college’s Staff Council in July and August.
“We want you to know that we are here for you,” Vela told the students.
He said employees of this college want to help each student succeed by providing brand new school supplies, and they encourage each pupil to enroll in college.
“How many want to go to college?” Vela asked.
Every student’s hand went up.
Vela said success is about attitude, a “pride of learning” and starting off on the right foot by making sure each child has the necessary supplies on the first day of school.
As students grow older, they need to start to think about a career choice. Each student will prepare to for a career such as being a “firefighter, police officer, lawyer or dentist.”
Students have an option of going to college.
“San Antonio College is here for you,” he said.
This colleges’ staff members are here to help students enroll in college, he said.
Vela encouraged each student to enjoy their school supplies. Each student should “read, listen and be good” because teachers care about them. He also encouraged them to read and learn because “learning is fun.”
Martinez said the supply drive was a success, and the goal was to reach out to a school in which 99 percent of students are disadvantaged.