(HUTTO, Texas) – Raya Rabold was recognized by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during his State of the State address on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Rabold, a Welding Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus, attended the event with her parents. Abbott recognized her for her work as a welder at Bloomer Trailers, a horse trailer manufacturing company in Salado.
“My parents were so excited and so proud,” she said. “I felt like I was out of my body, it was so surreal.”
Rochelle Rabold, Raya Rabold’s mother, said it was exciting to be there and that the TSTC Government Relations team made the event comfortable for their family.
“I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time,” she said. “The TSTC people guided us around and helped us the whole time too.”
Jarrod Rabold, Raya Rabold’s father, echoed the delight of his family.
“It was an honor to go to the event,” he said. “I was doing everything I could to hold it together. I was so proud. Raya has always been my best friend.”
Raya Rabold said her favorite parts were meeting Abbott and TSTC Chancellor and CEO Mike Reeser.
“Gov. Abbott is so sweet,” she said. “Chancellor Reeser sat with us. We really did have a good time. It was awesome, but it was also like ‘whoa.’ I never thought that would happen.”
Welding Technology is available at all 11 TSTC campuses. It is one of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee programs. The college’s commitment to participating students is simple: If they do not have a job in their field within six months after graduation, they will receive a full refund of their tuition. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
