Dolores Ramirez, a Jimmy Carter Early College High School sophomore, has qualified for the Texas State Cross Country Championships after a strong showing in the Region IV-5A meet. On Monday at Dr. Dugan Soccer & Track Stadium, Ramirez placed 7th in a field of 187 runners, securing her spot at the state competition, which is set for Round Rock.

Ramirez, a member of the Lobos XC team, has achieved standout success this season, earning titles as District Champion and Most Valuable Runner. Her efforts have been instrumental in the Lobos’ success, as the team clinched the Region IV-5A Championship and established themselves as one of the top cross-country teams in South Texas. The Lobos are currently ranked 8th among 5A teams in the region, which spans Laredo, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley, and hold the position of 2nd best team in the Rio Grande Valley.

The state competition in Round Rock will allow Ramirez and her team to showcase their skills on one of Texas’ largest stages for high school athletics.

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.