Student completes high school and college in 3 ½ years!November 07, 2017

The sky is NOT the limit for Ashley Raudales because there are footprints on the moon.  The 18-year-old engineering major may one day be involved with those moon footprints since she plans to become an aerospace engineer.

Roudales immigrated to Midland from Chihuahua City, Mexico, when she was 5 years old.  Although she couldn’t speak English when she moved to the U.S., she learned quickly through the Midland Independent School District’s bilingual program at Bunche Early Childhood Center.  She attended elementary school at Crockett and later was part of the Gifted & Talented program at Carver Elementary School.  Her middle school years were spent at San Jacinto Junior High, and then during the spring of her eighth-grade year, she decided to apply to Early College High School (ECHS) at Midland College (MC).

“I knew that ECHS would be a great opportunity to start taking college courses early,” said Raudales.  “My cousin had been in the first class at ECHS, so I was aware of the opportunities it provided and also the rigors of taking high school and college courses at the same time.  Deciding to go to ECHS rather than attend Midland High with my friends was a difficult decision, but I knew that my true friends would always be there for me.  Academics have always been a priority for me.  I guess you might say that I’m a bit of a ‘bookworm.’”

Once Raudales decided to enroll in ECHS@MC, she pursued her coursework with a vengeance.  Like other students in the program, she chose to forego many traditional high school opportunities in order to take advantage of an accelerated curriculum and enroll in MC courses.  By the time they graduate from high school, many ECHS@MC students have earned an associate degree.  However, Raudales took her pursuits one step further—she took additional college courses during the summers and interim semesters.  So, instead of graduating in May 2018 with her peers, she will graduate in December 2017, having earned both a high school diploma and an Associate of Science degree.

“I’ve taken all my lower-level college core classes, and I’ll be able to start taking upper-level engineering courses at UTPB [the University of Texas of the Permian Basin] in January,” explained Raudales.  “I’ve already been accepted to UTPB and will receive a Freshman Merit Scholarship.  I’ve also applied for the Presidential Scholarship and am waiting to hear whether or not I’ll get it.”

The young woman who could neither speak nor understand English just 13 years ago currently has a 3.94 grade point average at MC.  She will be not only the first in her immediate family to earn a college degree, but also the first to graduate from high school.  Her parents only completed middle school in Mexico. 

“My family and I had no knowledge about college and how to apply to college,” said Raudales.  “Thankfully, the teachers and counselors at ECHS helped me every step of the way.  I asked a lot of questions, and they were very gracious and willing to answer all of them.  At ECHS, there is a personal connection between teachers and students.  The teachers are passionate about what they do.  From the first day, they believed in my ability to succeed, even though they didn’t know me.”

Raudales also fondly recalls several of her Midland College professors. 

“History with Dr. [Todd] Houck was one of my favorite courses,” said Raudales.  “I didn’t like History at first, but Dr. Houck made it interesting.  He explains things very simply, tells funny stories and is very organized.

“I also loved everything about my Calculus courses with Sarah Hildebrand,” continued Raudales.  “I took Calculus I, II and III from her.  She is amazing!”

Ashley Raudales is passionate about pursuing a baccalaureate degree in engineering, and she is thankful to have the opportunity to stay in the Permian Basin and attend UTPB. 

“I love being able to go home at the end of a rough day and have dinner with my family, said Raudales.  “It’s calming to know that there is someone I love and who loves me at home.”

Ashley is the daughter of Edith and Juan Raudales.  Juan works in the Permian Basin oil industry, and Edith cleans stores and makes tamales.  When she is able, Ashley helps her mother at both jobs.  She has two younger sisters, Gabby, age 16, and Noely, age 11.  The other member of the close-knit family is a white teacup poodle named Bonnie, who is expecting puppies.

“I’m not sure what the future holds, but I never want to stop learning,” said Raudales.  “ECHS and Midland College have taken me so far.  I don’t know where I’d be without the wonderful opportunities I’ve had over the past 3 ½ years!”