STEPHENVILLE, Texas \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That coach will be in the audience Friday when Ramirez makes the student commencement speech and collects a bachelor\u2019s degree in kinesiology at the 10 a.m. ceremony in Stephenville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her path to Tarleton State began with a simple conversation that changed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of my coaches, Micah Broughton, told me about Tarleton State\u2019s athletic training program,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cShe brought me on a tour and I fell in love with the campus and the faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So much so, she\u2019s already begun working toward her master\u2019s degree.\u2002<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTarleton State is home,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t see myself going anywhere else.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramirez, valedictorian in the Class of 2022 at Meridian High School, built an educational resume that allowed her options as to where she\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus, drawing inspiration from a Meridian High School athletic trainer, she came up with a plan to work in the highest levels of sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to be an athletic trainer at a Division I university or a professional sports league,\u201d she said. \u201cHopefully, 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She has also participated in intramural sports and volunteered with Tarleton State Round Up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI enjoy volunteering at events at Tarleton State but also love going back to my hometown and volunteering there,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cIt allows me to maintain my hometown connection and give back to a community who supported and gave me so much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides her academic and athletic pursuits, she heads home weekends to work in her family\u2019s restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m kind of the manager, the back-office person, I make the schedules and do basically a little of everything,\u201d she said. “I like to work over there because it helps me keep in touch with my hometown.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A first-generation college student, Ramirez said she learned the value of hard work by watching her parents\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m so thankful for them,\u201d she said, \u201cbecause they gave me opportunities they didn\u2019t have.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll never know what might have happened if you hadn\u2019t taken a chance,\u201d she said. \u201cWe can\u2019t be afraid to make mistakes because that\u2019s how we learn.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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