Former Jimmy Carter Early College High School student Ivan Cavazos visited E.B. Reyna Elementary School on Tuesday to inspire kindergartners during their annual career day. Now serving as an engineer with the Palmview Fire Department and also working as an emergency medical technician (EMT), Cavazos shared his journey with the young students.

“I’m doing big things both on the fire department side and EMS side,” Cavazos said. He posed for photos with the class, accompanied by Sparky, the fire station’s new mascot.

The event aimed to show students a variety of career paths, with Cavazos serving as a local role model for the community.

Ivan Silva serves as the advisor for RedGold News Student Publications, where he mentors student journalists and oversees all aspects of the publication. In addition to his work with RGN, Silva teaches Dual Enrollment courses in Speech Communication and Interpersonal Communication, helping students bridge the gap between high school and college-level academics.

He is also an adjunct instructor at South Texas College (STC), where he brings his expertise in communication studies into higher education classrooms. On campus, Silva is actively involved as the UIL Coordinator and UIL Journalism Coach, guiding students to success in academic competitions at the district, regional, and state levels.

Through his combined roles as Journalism Advisor, RGN Advisor, and educator, Silva is dedicated to fostering student voice, leadership, and excellence in communication, both in print and beyond.