By Victoria Brito Morales

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MAY 19, 2025 – Pride and excitement were on full display Sunday, May 18, as 117 students from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Mathematics and Science Academy (MSA) celebrated a major milestone: their high school graduation.

The event marked MSA’s first independent commencement ceremony, held at the Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory. In previous years, MSA students graduated alongside university students during UTRGV’s Spring Commencement.

Students donned new regalia featuring white, gray and Vaquero orange – another first for the program. The ceremony included a slideshow of class memories and congratulatory messages, set to music selected by students, including the class song, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. Graduates also carried lotus flowers, the class flower, and participated in a symbolic passing of the Student Council banner to incoming officers for the 2025–2026 academic year. 

Alias Ortega, MSA director, congratulated the Class of 2025 and encouraged them to carry forward the values of education and integrity.

“You are a shining example of what can be achieved through determination, resilience and a commitment to excellence,” Ortega said. “As you continue your journey, remember the lessons learned here and know that you are part of the MSA family.” 

Families and friends cheer for MSA graduates as they walk to their seats for the commencement ceremony on Sunday. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

UTRGV Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Luis Zayas also addressed the graduates, commending them for completing both high school and significant college coursework. 

“You have reached a significant milestone – graduating not only from high school but as young scholars with upwards of 80 college credit hours,” Zayas said. “You’ve stepped into college classrooms, collaborated with professors, conducted research and built friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Zayas noted that the graduates joined an alumni network of more than 1,280 MSA alumni, with many planning to continue their studies at UTRGV.

MSA is an accelerated program for motivated high school juniors and seniors interested in math, science and engineering. Students participate as both high school upperclassmen and university undergraduates, taking classes with UTRGV students taught by university professors. By graduation, they earn 60 to 80 college credits. Since its founding in 2007, the academy has helped thousands of students get a head start on higher education.

THE CLASS OF 2025 

Gloria Marroquin of Harlingen shared that she struggled academically before enrolling at MSA but soon discovered she needed more challenging coursework.

“I thought I was the problem, but I just wasn’t being challenged,” she said. “MSA pushed me, and I excelled. These have been the best two years of my life.”

An MSA graduate displays her school pride and excitement by flashing a "V's Up" as she exits the graduation ceremony. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

Marroquin plans to attend UTRGV for her undergraduate degree and later apply to UTRGV’s School of Medicine.

Kapil Manohar, a Luminary Scholar from McAllen, said he transferred schools specifically to attend MSA for the academic opportunities.

“I remember thinking in ninth grade, ‘Wow, four years from now I’ll be walking the stage,’ and now it’s here,” Manohar said.

He plans to complete his bachelor’s degree in Biology at UTRGV and eventually attend medical school. UTRGV’s Luminary Scholars is a merit-based scholarship that enables selected students to complete their education debt-free. It covers all expenses for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, including those at the UTRGV School of Medicine and the School of Podiatric Medicine.

“MSA allows us to take college courses early, which prepares us for medical school sooner and gets us closer to graduating as doctors earlier.” 

Ana Pacheco of Brownsville, who learned about MSA from her sister, said the academy helped her connect with college students and prepare for a future in speech therapy.

“It’s been one of the best decisions of my life,” Pacheco said. “I got accepted into UTRGV’s speech therapy program and hope to earn my bachelor’s degree in two years.”

For more information about MSA or to apply for Fall 2025, visit utrgv.edu/msa. 

Graduates celebrate their big day in new regalia of white, gray and Vaquero orange for this historic ceremony. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)