Alexa Garcia
PSJA Early College High School, Class of 2026
Plans to Attend: UTRGV,
Major: Finance
Awards/Honors
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Business Professionals of America: National Leadership Conference Finalist 3rd Place in Administration
Tell us your story! What hardships or challenges have you overcome to get to where you are today? How have these experiences motivated you to pursue your educational dreams?
I was everything my mother wished she could have been. She wanted me to become a doctor, so I dedicated myself to it. My universe revolved around my mother—until it didn’t. People pointed out how strict and controlling my relationship with my mother was, but I never thought much of it. It wasn’t until she sat me down at the dinner table and said, “If anything were to happen to your dad and I, you would be the one responsible for everything. Including your little brother, Mateo.” That’s when I began to see my mother beyond the rose-tinted glasses. I was immediately overwhelmed with confusion and pressure. I could not understand why she trusted in me with such responsibility at an early age. I had to cut my childhood short and grow up quicker. I felt pressured into helping around the house more and went beyond my designated responsibilities. I began to help my mother out more with Mateo. My mother did not notice how quickly her daughter grew up. During my freshman and sophomore years, I had difficulty making friends since I switched school. I had to keep up with my schoolwork and watch my little brother. I rarely had time for myself. As I learned to manage my schedule wisely to find time for myself, my mother saw it as me slacking, so she piled more responsibilities on me. I was sitting in my room doing homework when my mother came in and began to get after me. I had been caught up in many things to the point where I stopped helping around the house. Suddenly, I snapped. I realized the way I was going on with my life gave me no time to live for myself. I was confused—why did she put so much pressure and responsibility on me? I was mad—why did she not notice how her words affected me? She listened to me explain how tiring it was to try and live up to her expectations. I told her that no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect version of her, I couldn’t. I am my own person. She never realized the effect her words had on me. She apologized for placing pressure on me to care for my little brother when it was something she shouldn’t of done. Looking back, I know she felt overwhelmed too. As time went on, I began to place boundaries so I could focus on finding myself and who I wanted to be. I began with courses I enjoyed, researched different careers, and worked my way toward finding what I want to do with my life. I started taking business classes to see if it was something I would be interested in, and it was. I realized I want to become a financial advisor. This gave me a better sense of what being independent feels like. The only lesson I was missing was that becoming myself was the most important responsibility of all.
How have the opportunities offered at PSJA ISD, including the PSJA Early College Program, impacted your life?
The opportunities offered at PSJA ISD have impacted my life in many ways. The Early College Program offered through PSJA with STC has been a great program which has allowed me to earn college credit and earn my associates degree before graduating high school. PSJA also offers courses that allows students to earn a college certificate or an industry-based certification. Thanks to PSJA, I will be graduating from STC with my associate’s degree in business administration and be certified as an EKG Technician. The Early College Program has also allowed me to earn my associates degree without financially burdening my parents for the first two years of my college career. My family does not qualify for FAFSA due to my father’s income, but through PSJA, my parents are able to save half of what would’ve gone to college on my education and use it towards other expenditures, such as paying off their mortgage, groceries, and car payments. It also has allowed me the opportunity to get ahead of my studies and grow accustomed to how college functions in the real-world, rather than having a difficult time transition from high school to college. My industry-based certification will also allow me to work as an EKG technician after I graduate high school, which I believe is a great opportunity to have as a back-up plan. All the PSJA programs are incredibly helpful, and the best part about being a PSJA student is that I can take advantage of the many opportunities available to us at no cost.
What, if anything, would you say to your PSJA Family?
I would like to thank my PSJA family for everything that they have been able to do for me and all the students. Thank you for being able to offer many opportunities to the student in your district, along with our parents as well. Ever since I moved to PSJA, I have felt extremely welcomed and appreciated. All the 2 teachers and staff are friendly and are willing to help the students and parents with anything. I thank my PSJA family for always being there for me and believing in me even when I did not believe in myself.
