Hector Casas, Jr. 2000 graduate of Nikki Rowe High School

March, 2002
Hector Casas, Jr., recipient of a $5,000 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Scholarship in May 2000. Hector Casas, Jr., ranked 13h in a class of 480, graduated from McAllen's Nikki Rowe High School in May 2000 as a Tech Prep Texas Scholar. Casas has now completed his freshman year at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, with a long-term goal of becoming a cardiologist. He was placed on St. Mary's Dean's List for his first two semesters. In a letter to Tech Prep, Casas stated: "Thanks to Tech Prep, many students all over the Rio Grande Valley were able to discover and experience their career goals, as I have throughout my entire high school career; . . . as a product of Tech Prep, I will represent you through my hard work and dedication to the fullest. Someday, after I become a specialized physician, I wish to sit amongst you and have the honor to tell students that I once sat where they are now, and that Tech Prep fulfills many dreams and aspirations . . . my dream is to come back to my community and repay it by awarding educational scholarships like Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. This son of Mr. and Mrs. Hector Casas, Sr., has completed two summer internships and received numerous honors. He will be entering his senior year at St. Mary's University in the fall.