(HUTTO, Texas) – Alfonso Juarez was surprised to learn that his father had attended Texas State Technical College, and now he plans to surprise his father in return.
Juarez, a Brownsville native, first went to TSTC in Harlingen for Welding Technology.
“My dad is a tool and die worker,” Juarez said. “When I told him I was going to TSTC in Harlingen, he told me that he’d gone there too. I always knew he went to school for his skills, but I didn’t know where.”
Juarez now lives in north Austin with his wife and their dog, Oreo. He is enrolled at TSTC’s Williamson County campus and pursuing his Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology.
“I didn’t finish the program in Harlingen,” Juarez said. “I was too cocky, didn’t practice enough, and it caught up with me. When I moved to Austin and found out TSTC was here, I decided to try again.”
Juarez said he learned from his mistakes and that his wife is his biggest supporter.
”My wife is always top of her class and focused on school,” he said. “She doesn’t let me slack off. Last semester I got a C and she got mad at me.”
Samara Flener, a Welding Technology instructor at the Williamson County campus, said Juarez’s academic performance is consistent.
“He’s doing really well,” Flener said. “He did do some of this (welding) before at Harlingen, but he’s really picking it up and refining his skills.”
Juarez is proud of his development and is looking forward to eventually bringing his parents to graduation.
“I got a 90 on a weld test recently, and I want to keep that up,” Juarez said. “I haven’t told my parents I’m back in school yet. When I graduate, I’ll invite them to Austin for a weekend and take them to the ceremony as a surprise.”
Welding Technology is available at all 11 TSTC campuses and is one of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee programs. For more information, visit tstc.edu/welding.
Registration for TSTC’s summer and fall semesters begins March 24.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
