TSC float debuts at Charro Days Parade

Texas Southmost College’s float debuted at the Charro Days Parade on Feb. 27, 2016 in Brownsville. Weeks earlier, the TSC students, faculty and staff decorated the float in a new college-wide tradition.

For this year's Charro Days celebrations, the Texas Southmost College family began festivities with the inception of a new college-wide tradition, the decoration of the TSC float, that culminated with its debut on Feb. 27, 2016 at the Charro Days Parade in downtown Brownsville.

Festooned with a large wooden sculpture of the Gorgas Hall exterior, skirted with blue and white paper mache flowers, and Grupo Ezzencia jamming out Tejano tunes, the TSC float cruised down Elizabeth Street during its maiden voyage. The float was escorted by students, faculty and staff, and cheered on by hundreds of spectators that lined both sides of the street.

"Charro Days has been going on for a long time and Texas Southmost College is very happy to be part of that history and tradition," said Vicenta Fernandez, TSC Director of Student Life. "This tradition is one more way to bring the TSC community closer together and show our spirit."

The TSC float was led by a white convertible that seated the College's Bougainvillea King and Queen waving to spectators. They were followed by students from the Campus Activities Board and the Student Government Association, all wearing traditional Charro Days outfits.

"It's part of our community crossing from the border," said TSC Spanish Club member Margareta Ramirez. "My family likes the parades and all the festivities. I would see every single parade when I was younger."

Weeks earlier, the TSC family came together at the ITEC Center to build and decorate the parade float in a new tradition at the College.

From cutting the blue and white strips of paper mache to carefully folding them to create the flowers, everyone that participated had their task and enjoyed a growing sense of comradery with their fellow Scorpions.

"This is really good, it's for our community," said Claudio Sandoval, a TSC Automotive Technology student. "It can only help spread awareness about TSC and attract more students."

In addition to TSC students, faculty and staff, several student organizations were involved in the float's construction and creation.

"Students from our construction, architecture and electrician programs, as well as the Spanish Club and our Student Government Association all helped make this possible," said Fernandez. "A lot of people participated. The whole College came together to lend a hand and be a part of this new tradition."

About Texas Southmost College
Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College currently offers the first two years toward a bachelor's degree, along with career and technical education leading to certificates and associate degrees, college preparatory studies to prepare students for college-level work, workforce training, and continuing education. Recently selected as a Bright Spot by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, TSC offers 53 programs of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.