Eddie Yanez

Name: Eddie Hunter Yanez
Age: 20
Major: Bachelors in English with a Concentration in 7-12th Teacher Certification
Class: Senior
College: College of Liberal Arts
Hometown: San Juan, TX
High School: Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School, Pharr, TX 

Why UTRGV?
The RGV has influenced my perspective on life as much as my parents—whose blood, sweat, and tears were spent giving me the opportunity to live it out as I saw fit. Recognizing that alone was enough to solidify my choice to stay and build a future here, where I may one day repay their gracious sacrifice a hundredfold.

What made you decide on your current major?
I wish for a life with purpose, where my passion aligns with becoming an innovator of meaningful change. Education shapes the minds of future geniuses and creatives alike, so what career could have a greater impact than that of an aspiring educator or administrator?

What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
Leaders throughout history have been surrounded by rows of influential figures. With the completion of my degree and certification, I hope to be one of them—arming students with the tools to lead and live lives where their confidence and skill are recognized by the world at large.

What do you like most about UTRGV?
Through the scholarship programs offered, UTRGV has singlehandedly provided me with the opportunity to pursue higher education without the burden of debt. In a time when so many students face the overwhelming weight of student loans, UTRGV has gone above and beyond in supporting my journey and meeting my needs as a scholar.

What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero feels like an essential focal point of what it means to be a meaningful, productive member of a family that spans generations. Whether it’s through networking with peers or professors, being a Vaquero carries the importance and cultural value of community and kinship.

What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
UTRGV has strengthened my confidence in becoming an educator and provided vital networking opportunities that would have otherwise left me uncertain in my commitments.

What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing their degrees?
Let your passion guide you in moments when you feel yourself fading. Be proud of your successes, and when life feels bleak, look back on how far you’ve come. Then keep moving—toward tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.