Alberto Vargas, Valedictorian at the Hector J. Garcia Early College High School (GECHS) dreams of getting a PHD in Information Technology to hopefully impact technology in the future by revolutionizing Artificial Intelligence (AI). Vargas has been chosen as an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipient and will receive $40,000 over four years to pursue a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.
Alberto is among 200 students nationwide selected for the award, along with a paid internship offer at Amazon after his freshman year of college to gain hands-on work experience with mentorship from Amazon leaders.
Vargas, who almost didn’t apply for the Amazon Scholarship, was shocked and very thankful for this award.
“I can’t believe I got this. I’m super exhilarated, excited, and all the words that I can imagine. I’m now able to get my bachelor’s degree and have some money left over for my master’s degree,” said Vargas. “I applied back in January and I’m glad I tried. Something in me told me, no submit it. And that voice was from God. All this would not be possible if it wasn’t from God.”
Vargas received the scholarship during a surprise presentation at his school, where his classmates, friends, teachers, administrators, and parents celebrated his achievement.
“We all are very proud of Albert at GECHS. He is a very hard working and humble young man that works diligently at anything that he does. Albert’s selection as an Amazon Future Engineer is also a reflection of the strength of our programs here at GECHS,” said Maggie Taboada, GECHS Principal. “The reason we held this presentation for our students is to show them that anything is possible. With hard work and dedication, they can do it to, just like Albert.”
According to Alberto he was facing some financial obstacles, but now this seals the deal for him. “I was worried about the loans I was going to have to take out and getting in debt with my undergraduate degree as well as the financial burden being lifted off my parents,’ said Vargas. “But now with this scholarship from Amazon it just makes me realize that what I have done was worth it, for something meaningful.”
Alberto is a committed and dedicated student who has a passion for learning and a desire to make a difference in the world. He wants to be a professor of Information Technology and he knows this opportunity from Amazon is going to be something tremendous.
“I hope in the future I do something impactful in technology revolutionizing Artificial Intelligence (AI). In today’s community AI is something that is not accepted by the education community,” said Vargas. “But I want to make sure to change that sentiment that AI is something that can impact everyone and I want to help revolutionize the path to technology.”
Vargas credits his time at Garcia Early College for being able to get out of his comfort zone and allowed him to gain the confidence to succeed.
“By getting dual enrollment courses at TAMIU I have been able to do a wide variety of research and will be presenting my research on Climate Education,” said Vargas. “We also get the rigor of a university and when I get to the University of Texas at Austin, I will be more prepared and with a little less fear.”
Alberto tells his peers it matters who you want to be in the future and upholding that mindset.
“It’s all about the dedication you put into it. You need to develop confidence, make friends and communicate with your peers because it all makes a difference. No matter what your dream is, you never know, because it’s up to you to challenge yourself,” said Vargas. “I hope this is an inspiration to my classmates and I’m very thankful, but I don’t do it for myself. I do it for them so they can see that these opportunities are possible. Whether it be a scholarship, an application they have in the future, or you just want to share your voice for something you strongly believe in, you make that difference.”
At school, Alberto is the President of the National Honor Society, Student Council Secretary, Co-Editor of the Phoenix Quarterly Newsletter. He also is an active member of UIL Math, UIL Ready Writing, UIL One Act Play, UIL Current Events, HART Ambassador, Robotics team, Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, Youth Leadership Laredo, and was a Martin High School Band Assistant.
Alberto holds Microsoft Office Specialist Certification in Microsoft Word 2016, Microsoft Word Expert 2016, Microsoft PowerPoint 2016. He also is certified in Google Analytics Beginner and Advanced.
He has been actively involved in community service throughout his high school career, volunteering at the Rio Grande International Study Center where he is part of the Laredo Climate Cohort, our local public library, and helping serve those less fortunate at our community’s soup kitchen. Alberto is also a Technology Services volunteer at Laredo College, and San Luis Rey Church and a GED Math Teacher volunteer at San Luis Rey Church. In his free time, Alberto enjoys teaching technology, creating his own Artificial Intelligence, hanging out with his friends, jogging and playing Chess.
Alberto plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to obtain a Management Information Systems degree. His goal is getting a PHD in Information Technology and hopefully revolutionizing AI by either being a Chief Information Officer or Director of Instructional Technology.
Alberto attended Gallego Elementary School and Memorial Middle School. He is the son of Alberto and Gretta Vargas.