BOEING Encourages Edinburg CISD Students to Go the Distance
by Emi Zuñiga

EDINBURG, TX - If you had been through the halls of any Edinburg CISD middle school campus on Thursday October 1, you would think rock stars had invaded the district. Eighth graders were in line waiting anxiously while the buzz of their excited chatter filled the air. They were all waiting patiently to have a chance of getting their posters autographed and to take advantage of the opportunity to ask for advice on how to make it in the business. So who were these superstars able to get the attention of hundreds of eighth graders? It was none other than the amazing engineers, scientists and business executives from the BOEING Company.

ENCORE was pleased to work with the people at Boeing to bring them to Edinburg CISD. People from all facets of the company took the time to give back to the community by inspiring our children. When discussing why inspiring students outside her home community of West Los Angeles was important, Mina Martinez commented on how when volunteering we need to understand it's not just us anymore. We are all part of a global society now and these children are our future. They will be the doctors, research scientists, and engineers when we retire; "it's our obligation to insure they're ready for the challenge." Various members of the Boeing family from Engineering to Subcontracts Managers were here doing two things: Inspiring our youth and answering there questions. The students were eager to ask questions and find out what it takes to be an Engineer or Scientist including questions on their collage experience and how they paid for it. During a meeting between the Boeing representatives, College Readiness Coordinator Arminda Martinez, and Texas Valley Communities Foundation they discussed aspects of the visit which they enjoyed the most. Arturo Rosales, Boeing Executive, who is the first in his family to attend college, is in charge of several outreach programs for Latino students. Arturo's approach to reach the students was great because he let them know that his neighborhood was like theirs, and that he didn't grow up rich or privileged but he still went to the esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering and Master of Science degree.

Senior Scientist Peter Jupiter and Patricia Miyoshi a Financial Planning Analyst for Boeing Spoke with the students at BL Garza Middle School and shared not only their experiences but there wisdom as well. "Students, all of you can achieve anything that you want in life. You just have to work hard and stay focused to accomplish it," Dr. Jupiter told middle school students. Dr. Jupiter told the students how he worked in a gas station to be able to afford to go to college and he admits that it was worth it every step of the way.

Patricia Miyoshi inspired them by saying "Students, create a goals poster with pictures and put it in your room's wall. This will remind you everyday what your immediate goals in life are. This exercise really helps you achieve those goals" Every student who got a poster signed had it addressed to them with the title that they wish to receive, one student said "It makes me feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I mean if these people from Boeing took the time to come talk to us and they have similar backgrounds as us, then it makes me realize that I can be where they are someday."

At Brewster Middle School, young girls were amazed that Rosy Rodriguez subcontracts manager for Boeing has so much contact with the satellites in her position and travels all over the world. "I just got back from Germany where I had to oversee the construction of the dishes that go on the satellite I am in charge of. I had to know what they cost on average to make sure I negotiate a good and fair price for our client." Ms. Rodriguez told the group of Eighth graders.

"To see a girl in a position of power is cool and makes me think I can do it too," said one girl after getting her Boeing Satellite poster signed by Ms. Rodriguez. "Without her the satellite couldn't be built and that's pretty cool." All the students were greatly inspired and so was the Edinburg CISD administration, "We are grateful that you took the time to come and talk to our students and inspired them towards careers in the Math and Sciences, we look forward to having you return again next year," was Arminda Martinez comment to the group after they returned from the various schools.