2025-2026 WHS CTE Students of the Month
Waco High School
December 2025-2026 Senior CTE Student of the Month
Business Marketing Academy
Business Marketing Senior - Lucius Luna
Choosing business as my path was a pretty simple decision for me, and that is because of an old story that involves my grandparents and my parents. In McGregor, there is a little restaurant called Papi Taco, and that same building used to be where my dad’s parents had their restaurant. My parents told me about it ever since I was little; how my dad would be in the back cutting up vegetables with his siblings, and my mom would be a waitress.
The place used to be called Luna’s Burritos, and they would explain how people all over McGregor loved that small restaurant. My grandparents’ old story seemed so fascinating to me, with the idea of being able to open and run a business with the people you love. From then on, I’ve always had an interest in business, how the entire process works to run one, and especially how to be successful in one. I like how you have many options when it comes to creating a business, such as having the choice of being the boss or having a team, what products you’ll sell, and how you’ll promote or advertise your product. There are so many aspects to a business that can be successful if you simply have the passion and discipline to make it successful, not if you follow the rule book step by step. Just like how Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.” This quote connects with me and can be enlightening to others when it comes to starting a business and making it a successful one.
The business pathway will, without a doubt, be helpful to me in the future of my life. I have retained knowledge of what kind of businesses there are and how to tell what kind of people come with each business. Even as I may end up pursuing a different career, such as medical, I can still use this knowledge for the benefit of others and my own. I believe helping others goes a long way, and a business can be made out of that kind of service, so I always have the opportunity to start something new and try to have an impact because of it. As my ultimate goal in my career life is to be able to help others with the services and skills I have gained throughout the years I’ve lived.
November 2025-2026 Senior CTE Student of the Month
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications Academy
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications Senior - August Zimmerman
Through AV, I explored many real-world applications of my knowledge. In Sports Media, I started off as a camera operator but was then promoted to technical director. In this role, I learned technical skills such as setting up equipment, editing footage, and making promos for both AV and Sports Media. Additionally, I have exercised my creative talents by working on multiple short films. Last year, I co-wrote, directed, and edited a short film with my film partner, Marcoantonio Gayton. We combined technical ability with creative passion, blending our skills to create a film we could be proud of.
My skill, knowledge, and ambition for storytelling have been amplified during my time in Video Production. I joined AV late in my sophomore year, but my education was fast-tracked to match the passion I held for storytelling. I always knew I wanted to be a screenwriter, but AV exposed me to the larger world of film. This pathway has cemented my love for filmmaking and screenwriting, reaffirming my lifelong aspiration of being a screenwriter. The technical proficiency and artistic craftsmanship I have learned have prepared me for film school and reinforced my interest in the film industry.
October 2025-2026 Senior CTE Student of the Month
GWAHCA Health Science Academy
GWAHCA Health Science Senior - Maria Carrillo Martinez
I never thought that these 4 years in high school would change my way of being and feeling towards others, especially by being in the Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy (GWAHCA) program, which has definitely helped me pursue my dreams and aspirations in the healthcare field. In this program, I’ve been able to connect with many people, and I recently got my CNA certification, which I’m glad about because it took me more than just time and dedication to get certified. This wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t have the help and support from all my current and past teachers from both Waco High School and GWAHCA, who all showed dedication to all of their students by teaching us how to be compassionate and understanding with every patient that needs our help. Those teachers know who they are and the immense impact they’ve made in my life, and I’m blessed to still have them here. My experience with patients in nursing homes has confirmed that the Health Science pathway is adequate for me. My goal this year is to get my CCMA certification and soon begin my career in college!
September 2025-2026 Senior CTE Student of the Month
Automotive
Automotive Senior - Kelvin Gilmore
Hello, my name is Kelvin Gilmore Jr., and I am thankful for the automotive program because it has taught me valuable lessons in life and cars. After high school, I want to be a full-time minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This means that I would receive the privilege to preach and teach people about the bible all around the world; however, my dream won’t come true unless I’m able to financially support myself because it’s all volunteer work. That’s where the automotive program has proved to be a blessing. Every day when I walk into class, I know that I’m going to learn something that’ll benefit me forever, like tearing apart and rebuilding an engine, changing tires, bleeding the brakes, changing the oil, working on alignments, and much more. Every day, my understanding of how cars work deepens thanks to the aid of the automotive teachers. Their guidance has enabled me to apply what I've learned in ways that have benefited me and my family. In addition, they’ve prepared me to take what I know to the professional level. This will allow me to find a job anywhere in the world. Without a doubt, this program will set you up for life.
Even though I’m young, I’m already using what I’ve learned in my personal life. For instance, when my family gets a flat tire, needs their headlights changed, or needs their battery to be jumped, I’m able to perform these tasks without a problem. Although examples like the ones listed above seem small, having someone in the family who knows how to maintain a vehicle in such a way has saved us a lot of money.
In conclusion, you will learn almost everything you need to know about cars. I’m glad I joined this program and hope to continue to take full advantage of this course throughout the year. In addition, I hope to further my knowledge at T.S.T.C. Waco to gain a broader understanding of how to work in the automotive industry.