STEPHENVILLE, Texas — In a story that illustrates the importance of educators in the lives of students, America Ramirez credits one of her high school coaches, a Tarleton State University alumnus, for helping her choose where to attend college.
That coach will be in the audience Friday when Ramirez makes the student commencement speech and collects a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at the 10 a.m. ceremony in Stephenville.
Her path to Tarleton State began with a simple conversation that changed everything.
“One of my coaches, Micah Broughton, told me about Tarleton State’s athletic training program,” Ramirez said. “She brought me on a tour and I fell in love with the campus and the faculty.”
So much so, she’s already begun working toward her master’s degree.
“Tarleton State is home,” she said. “I didn’t see myself going anywhere else.”
Ramirez, valedictorian in the Class of 2022 at Meridian High School, built an educational resume that allowed her options as to where she’d to go to college. She was a member of the National Honor Society, she competed in University Interscholastic League academics, played volleyball, basketball, softball, ran track and played in the band.
Plus, drawing inspiration from a Meridian High School athletic trainer, she came up with a plan to work in the highest levels of sports.
“I want to be an athletic trainer at a Division I university or a professional sports league,” she said. “Hopefully, in a venue like basketball, soccer or football. Maybe overseas working in Spain. I have that small town connection, but I want to go get experience in a major national or international sports market.”
During her time on campus, she has been involved in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program and the Tarleton Athletic Training Student Association, where she currently serves as an officer. Additionally, she worked in a President Excellence in Research Scholar (PERS) project with the new Department of Physical Therapy program last summer and was an intern with Tarleton Athletic Performance.
She has also participated in intramural sports and volunteered with Tarleton State Round Up.
“I enjoy volunteering at events at Tarleton State but also love going back to my hometown and volunteering there,” Ramirez said. “It allows me to maintain my hometown connection and give back to a community who supported and gave me so much.”
Besides her academic and athletic pursuits, she heads home weekends to work in her family’s restaurant.
“I’m kind of the manager, the back-office person, I make the schedules and do basically a little of everything,” she said. “I like to work over there because it helps me keep in touch with my hometown.”
A first-generation college student, Ramirez said she learned the value of hard work by watching her parents’ commitment and determination. They taught her through their example to never give up, to work tirelessly toward her goals, and to approach every challenge with resilience and gratitude.
“I’m so thankful for them,” she said, “because they gave me opportunities they didn’t have.”
Her speech, which will include a shout out to other first-generation students in the crowd and graduating class, will highlight the value of taking risks.
“You’ll never know what might have happened if you hadn’t taken a chance,” she said. “We can’t be afraid to make mistakes because that’s how we learn.”
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 21,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For over 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.