Miriam Garcia, a senior at Northbrook High School (NHS), aims for a career in music education and ultimately becoming a band director. Her journey took an important turn when she transferred from a charter school to SBISD, a move she says opened new opportunities she hadn't previously imagined. One of these was participating in the school's RISE College Academy.
After joining the cohort, she quickly found her way, noting that the program honed several skills that would become essential in life after high school.
“I’ve learned a lot about time management and how to prioritize through the RISE Cohort – skills that will inevitably help me as I take the next step forward,” Garcia said. “It’s definitely given me a head start – one that I wouldn’t have otherwise, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
For the past two years, Garcia attended high school classes in the morning and then went to Houston City College in the afternoon to complete her college coursework. She is one of 44 students from the first-ever RISE Cohort set to graduate in May.
Even with a demanding academic schedule, Garcia didn’t miss out on the extracurricular activities she enjoys, including band and National Honor Society. She also successfully held down a job.
“The RISE Cohort program is structured so that participants – if they manage their time well – can meet all of their obligations,” Garcia said. “It showed me that I’m capable of more than I thought, and that discipline can open doors I didn’t even realize were there.”
All her hard work is now paying off in exciting ways. Garcia has been accepted to several four-year universities, including the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Stephen F. Austin University, and the University of North Texas. With so many options ahead, she’s eager to continue pursuing music and shaping her path toward becoming a band director.
As she looks toward the future, Garcia is confident about what lies ahead, equipped with the discipline and valuable experience she gained in the RISE Cohort.
“Learning how to manage my time and stay disciplined has made me feel prepared for college and beyond. I know those still will carry me far,” she said.