Luis Garza:
CLASS OF 1989
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School Class of 1989
Pharr, TX
University of MassachusettsClass of 2001
Amherst, MA
Smith CollegeClass of 2001
Northampton, MA
South Texas Community CollegeClass of 1999
Mcallen, TX
Luis's Story
Before we start, if want to contact me, please send an e mail to luis dot garza at alumni dot umass dot edu
Life
Everything is going great... I'm married to a beautiful and loving woman (Sophia). We have three kids, Alex (16), Bella(13), both from Sophie's previous marriage and a 2 1/2 year old daughter named Lilia. We also have 3 dogs, 2 chihuahuas and 1 miniature dachshund + 2 outdoor cats (all our animals have been neutered). Sophie recently adopted a Southern Flying Squirrel (legal to own in Texas). We moved in to our house over 4 years ago, everyone loves it! It's spacious and beautiful, enough room for the kids and the dogs to play.
School
As most people who remember me know, I dropped out of school in the 10th grade. I hated school, especially because of the classes I was assigned to (counselors were horrible, didn't take the time to look at my files, etc. and put me in remedial classes because I was absent for the state tests). While in High School, my best friend was Billy Zruebec. I had a huge crush on Vilma Garza for several years. She, on the other hand, didn't return the feelings. Oh well, better for both of us in the long run.
I think of these experiences as a formative phase in my life... without it, I most definitely wouldn't have done what I've done (look at my other bios) or met the people I've met (including Kurt Vonnegut jr.)
College
I started out at STCC back in 1997 (Liberal Arts Major). While there, one of my profs was very helpful which led to my transferring to an out of state university (UMass-Amherst). At UMass, I met several people who became close friends, most of whom I still remain in contact with. While at UMass, I was chosen to be one of approximately thirty one students to study at the ann...Expand for more
ual Summer study abroad program to the University of Oxford, England (Summer 2000), and received one of only seven scholarships to attend the study abroad program, where I met one of my fondest friends I've ever had. I also took 2 classes at an all-girl's college (Smith College, Northampton, MA-2001) as part of the 5 colleges intra-college transfer plan (basically, anyone who's a full time student at any of the 5 colleges in the area can take classes and transfer the credits to your college without any problem.) I graduated with Honors from UMass 2001 and also received Departmental Honors for my Thesis Project/Paper on Medieval Friendship.
Workplace
My first real job was working at the Circle K in Hidalgo (1991). After that, I worked as an automotive tech at my grandfather's garage in San Juan for several years. I got tired of that and went back to school (BA University of Massachusetts-Amherst). I then started on my next career, teaching... I'm into my 6th year teaching high school English, hope to get a Masters and then a Ph.D. in English.
Military
No military experience
** Update July 2016 **
13th anniversary with my beautiful wile is coming up in early August. I'm set to start my 16th year as an English teacher, teaching mostly juniors in Eng III CP and AP Lang & Comp. I will also be teaching a new course (mainly for seniors) - AP Capstone: Research. Very cool class, I have high expectations for the class/students, having gotten back from a week long training in Long Beach California to get ready for it.
Other personal stuff: I tested for and was awarded a Sandan (3rd degree black belt) rank in Aikido last year, and hopefully will be testing in a few months for the same rank in Iaido.
I'll update this with more info soon.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions