At least she's in college....
Mercedes valedictorian finding further success at TSTC
February 02,2005
David Place
Mid Valley Town Crier
Lorena Peña is proving she can make the grade. The 18-year-old student at the Harlingen campus of Texas State Technical College was valedictorian of Mercedes High School in 2004. Her academic success is continuing at the college level.
Peña is enrolled in her second semester in the legal secretary program at TSTC and recently was named student of the month for January.
A lifelong resident of Mercedes, Peña both studies and works in Harlingen. Working part-time as a telemarketer for West Corp., she diligently stays the course for self-improvement, although her future plans are flexible.
Peña said she chose the legal secretary program at TSTC after discussing her education plans with her family. She had other college plans, but her parents persuaded her to take another course of study.
"I chose the legal secretary program because it was either that or culinary arts. My parents thought that I should use my brain more. I didn?t have a set plan."
Peña?s grades continue to stand out in college. TSTC officials had tried to name her student of the month during her first semester, but a miscommunication delayed the award.
"Dave Ralph (TSTC communications writer) tried to contact me at the beginning of my first semester. He e-mailed me but I didn?t get it. At the start of my second semester, he e-mailed me again," Peña said.
Peña still hasn?t made up her mind about the future, but her interest in law may be cultivated over the course of her program of study enough to encourage her to move on with her education.
"By the time I graduate, I might consider going for a bachelor?s in paralegal, but I?m not sure," she said.
Peña said she works hard and hopes some day to get an internship with a law firm. But those are not her prime concerns in life. She derives strength from her religious convictions and has chosen to devote herself to a higher cause.
"As a Jehovah?s Witness, education isn?t my priority. It?s not going to be the most important part of my life," Peña said.