Poster advertising for a MIRA workshop

The goal of the Alumni Team was to find a way to keep the alumni of the Edcouch-Elsa High School connect with each other and their community once they have graduated. The team felt that this would be important because many graduates of Edcouch-Elsa leave the area after graduation and may have a hard time returning once they have left.

The team decided to accomplish this goal by establishing an electronic network. This network not connects the alumni of Edcouch-Elsa High School nationwide through email and an internet listserv. Through this listserv, the Team keeps past graduates informed of events in their hometown and attempts to make connections for the future community and economic development in South Texas. The team is now able to bring the graduate back to the community without the graduates physically being there.

Alumni team members at a MIRA workshop

The benefits of this network have been numerous. Thanks to emails graduates are now aware of the high school student's yearly trip to East Coast Ivy League Schools sponsored by the Llano Grande Center. Alumni are now able to supply the teens with lodging, airfare, and other expenses when they are visiting an area near to an Edcouch-Elso alumn. The network also allows alumni too keep each other informed about job opportunities in their areas and in the communities of Edcouch and Elsa.

Alumni team member present at a MIRA workshop

The Alumni group has begun a series of the workshops named after the Llano Grande Center, which brings the alumni home to discuss community problems and solutions. These twice yearly seminars have led to the revitalization of the local chamber of commerce under the assistance of the Llano Grande Center.