Avalos P-TECH Students Elected to Houstons Youth Council, With Aspirations of Change

Disponible en: Español

Students from across the City of Houston submitted applications to be selected for seats on the Mayor’s Youth Council. Out of more than 100 applicants, only 22 students were elected to participate in the youth council. Of the 22 students, two chosen students from Avalos Pathways in Technology Early College High (P-TECH) School were accepted into the program. Jonathan Mata and Jason Coreas, in the school’s Paralegal Studies program, submitted their applications after a bit of nudging from their teacher. Jason and Jonathan learned the news earlier this month.

Jason Coreas described his emotions as “overwhelming,” but he is very proud of himself after being named to the youth council as the secretary. As secretary, Coreas’s duties are to document each meeting, oversee essential documents and maintain minutes. Coreas, a senior at Avalos Early College, will be graduating with his associate’s degree in paralegal studies this upcoming spring, with plans to attend Yale University. Growing up in the Gulf Bank area of Houston’s northwest side, Coreas was raised by his mother, who is his inspiration to one day achieve his goal of being a civil rights attorney. Coreas stated, “I grew up witnessing many of the downsides of our judicial system with my mom being an immigrant and a small business owner. Seeing her struggle and not having anyone to defend her inspired me to be that person for thousands of other minorities, women, and immigrants in the Houston area.”

Not only is this accomplishment vital for him, but Coreas sees this as an opportunity to open the door for the Aldine community, as he wants a student from Aldine to replace him as a secretary or higher as president once his term finishes. “I’m hoping to broadcast this opportunity to high schoolers all over the district. So often, our students aren’t aware of the opportunities available, and I’m hoping with my position on the council, I can expose those opportunities.”

Coreas is determined to create change; being elected to the youth city council is just the start of creating change with representation. Coreas knows Houston has a sizeable Hispanic population, but that population isn’t adequately reflected on the council. “Seeing the power of my community makes me want to use that power to get change. I also believe that leaders should represent our community. Leadership should include Latino leadership that we currently do not have.”

Being elected to the youth council, representing his community and heritage, and vying for change all lead to one overall objective: “fighting to make Aldine a better place to live in.”

Jonathan Mata aspires to change his community differently from Jason; however, he also sees being elected to the youth council as a way to begin his process of becoming a politician and making environmental change. “I applied to help my community get involved in some of the things going on in Harris County and to help them become aware of how our water and environment are affected.”

His main goal right now is working with the Mayor to network and to learn information on issues that may negatively impact his community and how to provide that knowledge to the community members who may not have the resources to find out.

Entering his senior year at Avalos P-TECH, Mata is interested in focusing on personal injury whenever he becomes a lawyer. “I want to learn how we can avoid environmental issues affecting our community,” said Mata. Before being elected to the Youth Council, Mata received an internship with the Harris County attorney’s office. During his internship, he learned how to analyze a case and worked alongside different lawyers.

Christopher Kerr, the paralegal studies teacher at Avalos, speaks highly of his two students, describing them as self-motivated and capable of achieving any goal they set their minds to. Kerr stated, “I have had the honor and privilege of having both as students, and I quickly discovered that.”

Each of the students will represent distinctive districts of over 100,000 Houstonians. On the council, they will:

make policy proposals to the city council and the Mayor of Houston
encourage citywide civic engagement
serve as ambassadors for our districts
organize events to promote their committees’ policy focus
complete monthly community service

There were five at-large positions and 11 district positions.

About Avalos P-TECH School

Avalos Pathways in Technology Early College High (P-TECH) School is a career and college readiness experience for students in Grades 9-12. Avalos P-TECH, located within Lone Star College-East Aldine Center campus, prepares students for their future through academic, technical, and workplace skills. In addition, students can earn up to an Associate degree and recognized industry certificates.