By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez

On June 1, 2023, the Pharr Edc Foundation marked its third annual scholarship awards celebration. This initiative, has been in place since 2021, aims to increase both education and job opportunities for students in Pharr.

Victor Pérez M. ED., who serves as President and CEO of Pharr Economic Development Corp. and head of the Pharr Edc Foundation, expressed his dedication to forging stronger connections with schools, businesses, and the community. He believes that these partnerships are vital to the success of the students.

During the memorable evening, 129 students, accompanied by their parents, excitedly received their scholarships. Pérez emphasized the importance of enhancing and expanding the skills that students need for today’s job market. The Pharr EDC Foundation’s main goal is to improve job-focused education, open up new possibilities, and provide financial support via its scholarship program.

The foundation’s success, according to Pérez, owes much to its members, the team at PEDC, and most importantly, to stakeholders whose efforts and commitment make these scholarships possible. He highlighted that the initiative is a shared achievement, a testament to the collective effort.

Pérez recounted how, three years prior, he had proposed the concept of this foundation to Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez. The mayor immediately backed the idea and pledged a $500,000 donation from the city to jump-start the project. With the mayor’s unwavering support and a dedicated team, they began awarding scholarships that very year. The success of this endeavor is a tribute to everyone in the City of Pharr.

Looking ahead, Pérez is hopeful that the foundation will soon be able to fund full four-year college scholarships. While he acknowledged that this would require significant effort and funding, he firmly believes that the benefits for the students will make it all worthwhile.

Arcelia “Shelly” Sánchez, a member in the community as the Deputy Director of Community Engagement for the local Workforce Solutions, participated in the event. Her presence, not just as an attendee but as a key speaker, added significant value and provided substantial insight to everyone gathered.

In her speech, she imparted wisdom about the importance of investing in the young workforce of the Rio Grande Valley. She affirmed the significance of the region’s youth as they represent the future of the state of Texas and applauded the dedication and effort that the community’s leaders have invested in fostering their growth.

Shelly further highlighted the positive impact of overcoming the challenges posed by poverty in the region. She outlined the importance of community efforts in paving the way forward and emphasized the significance of the graduating students acknowledging these efforts.

Through her lens of economic development, Shelly underscored the benefits of investing in human capital, which she identified as a real economic development driver. She stressed the importance of equipping the youth with the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to prepare them for future jobs, making the case that such an investment is a win for everyone. Shelly concluded her speech with an inspiring message about the potential of the youth as not just the workforce of tomorrow but as the leaders of today. She encouraged them to lead with compassion, serve with humility, and strive for excellence. 

The same night, Pharr EDC Foundation introduced a powerful guest speaker, Mr. Eden Ramirez, an attorney from O’Hanlon, Demerath, & Castillo PC, who shared his life journey with students and parents to inspire and motivate the younger generation. He emphasized the importance of living in the moment and appreciating those who surround us, extending gratitude and respect to everyone, regardless of their role.

Growing up, Mr. Ramirez balanced studies and a job at his family’s tortilla factory, and later juggled multiple jobs while attending college and law school. His story wasn’t shared to invoke sympathy, but to stress the significance of hard work. As you step into adulthood, you’ll shoulder responsibilities and make tough choices, and you’ll need to work hard and rely on the support of your community.

Mr. Ramirez underscored the need to give back to your community, as business leaders here have believed in and invested in you. His story is a testament to the fact that hard work can outshine richness or intelligence. He urged everyone to honor their roots and cherish their identities.

Mr. Ramirez captured the student’s attention and said, “Moving forward, the expectation is not just about success but about carrying a legacy. The legacy that believes in hard work, respect, and appreciation for everyone, regardless of their roles. The legacy that believes in giving back to the community that invested so much in us. The legacy stems from the roots of the Valley.

Mr. Ramirez’s journey from a student juggling multiple jobs to an attorney was not an easy one, but it was driven by a belief in hard work and perseverance. As he pursued his dreams, he continuously supported his family’s tortilla business. His story is a powerful reminder that obstacles and hardships are not barriers, but steppingstones to success.

His message to the scholarship recipients was strong and clear. “As you move on to your next chapter, embrace the challenges and opportunities. Navigate them with hard work and dedication. Respect and value everyone, from those serving your food to those in suits. Show gratitude for your opportunities and blessings, and never forget to give back.”

He reminded them, “Most importantly, be proud of your roots and heritage. Your journey from here will be marked by encounters with diverse people and cultures. Embrace them, learn from them, but never lose sight of your roots. Carry forward the values of the Valley, the values of hard work, respect, and gratitude.”

Finally, he said, “As you step out into the world, stay proud of your heritage, and carry it with you wherever you go. Because the Valley isn’t just a place, it’s a way of life, a mindset, a testament to resilience, hard work, and community. You are the next generation, the torchbearers of this legacy. Step up, lead, and contribute. Prove that the Valley doesn’t just breed hard workers but leaders who make a difference. Will you rise to this challenge? Only time will tell. But remember, no matter where you go, never forget that you’re from the 956. Always be proud of that. Thank you all.”

At the close of this extraordinary evening, during which bright young students were awarded scholarships Pharr EDC Foundation, the final speaker addressed the crowd. “Good evening, everyone,” he began, “Before anything else, can we show our appreciation to our school board members and superintendent? They’ve played an integral role in making tonight possible, so thank you.”

He continued, “I am Michael Pacheco, proudly representing the City Commission at Place One. It’s truly an honor to have you all here tonight for Pharr’s third annual award ceremony. On behalf of Mayor Dr. Hernandez and the rest of the City Commission, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Mr. Pérez for his relentless effort and dedication. His incredible work has facilitated over $1 million in investments toward the students at the Pharr school district over the past three years—an amazing job.” 

He finalized by saying, “Let’s give a round of applause to Mr. Pérez, as his exceptional leadership has been instrumental in this accomplishment. Investing in our students signifies an investment in our future, a principle strongly believed by us at the City Commission. We are determined to keep the future as our highest priority and continue supporting Mr. Pérez in his excellent work. We anticipate the impact these students will make on the city of Pharr. A huge congratulations and well done to all our scholarship recipients. Thank you.”

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