By Jeremy Moore/ reporter
Photos by Christina Feyisetan/The Collegian
Arlington Independent School District’s superintendent gave TCC students the formula for success Oct. 13 during an Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Marcelo Cavazos was the keynote speaker for the district’s sixth annual Abrazando al Exito (Embracing Success) event on SE Campus.
“There is nothing worth attaining that is easy,” Cavazos said. “You should challenge and motivate yourself to do more.”
Cavazos talked about his journey from his childhood to becoming a superintendent. During his childhood, he grew up in extreme poverty. At times, his mother and father struggled to provide a meal for him and his four brothers and one sister.
He began working in the fifth grade picking okra during the summer. He said this experience introduced him to life and hard work.
Although Cavazos said he sometimes wanted to give the money he earned to his mother, she would never take it. She wanted him to save his money for school clothes and supplies. When school started up again, his mother would not let him work anymore. She wanted him to focus solely on school, he said.
“When you receive an education, your life changes,” he said.
As he moved on to high school, he started off his freshman year taking all honors courses. At first, he did not think he could handle them, but eventually he fell in love with them.
“It was challenging, it was rigorous, but I loved it,” he said.
He went on to receive his master’s degree from the University of Texas-Pan American and a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.
“I could see that an education can change our condition as a family, and it wouldn’t take 50 years,” he said.
This realization is what made him want to become a superintendent.
“In order to have success, you have to start with you,” he said. “When things connect in your life, you’re starting to figure things out about yourself.”
Cavazos also emphasized the need for support in whatever it is that one is doing. He said students should encourage each other to be successful.
TR student Asah Rego said he enjoyed Cavazos’ speech.
“It was cool for him to come out and share his story with us,” he said.
