Graduate Spotlight: John Ramirez

Hard working and passionate about life, John Ramirez was born and raised in rural Central Texas. The oldest of three children, John grew up knowing the importance of working hard and of taking care of his family; two things he has never failed to do in his life. 

John Ramirez , 2007 Power Technician Graduate

At the age of five, John started working in the cotton fields with his father, and by the age of 16, he was supporting his entire family by working full-time at night and attending high school during the day. Ultimately, he had to make the difficult decision to leave school in 10th grade so that he could see his family provided for. Though he continued to work, he managed to study on his off-hours, obtaining a GED and ultimately an associate degree in mathematics, almost 20 years after dropping out of high school.

John’s diligence and hard work seemed to pay off.  The math degree helped him land a job at Motorola where he worked for the next five and a half years, taking college level courses at UT in his spare time. But the job market turned and John was laid off.  Though he managed to find work here and there, he couldn’t afford to keep going to school. With his wife and a new daughter, he found himself barely making it by each month, and struggling against impending poverty.  

In 2005, John saw a news report about Austin Energy and the demand for workers in the Power Utility field.  He’d always liked electronics and was excited about a job that would offer permanent stability for his family.  Excited about his new prospects, John started applying for scholarships, and was awarded enough to help him pay his way through his first semester at ACC. But, because of his need to keep down a full time job, John was running on as little as three hours of sleep some nights.  Even with he and his wife both working, they were barely making ends meet.  That is when John overheard another student talking about Capital IDEA. 

“Capital IDEA tied all of my loose ends together.” John says.  “I needed to earn money to provide for my family, but to do that, I needed to go back to school.”  John had worked hard his whole life, and was more likely than most to finish his education without Capital IDEA, but “we would have struggled so much more and I don’t know how many years it would have taken.”  The easing of the burden on John and his family has “earned my eternal gratitude.  Capital IDEA is a precious gem to me.  [Counselors] Suzanne and Marshall are wonderful human beings--they are both the type of person I aspire to be.”

John received his certification from ACC in December 2007, just three semesters after enrolling in Capital IDEA. In the spring of 2008 he’ll finish up an internship and make his final presentation to receive his Associate degree in Power Utility Technology.  

Gifts Received from Private Donors
September 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007

Donations to support Capital IDEA’s mission are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The Stakeholders Society recognizes all gifts of $1,000 or more.  Gifts at all levels are greatly needed and deeply appreciated.  Thank you to all who help us lift working families out of poverty. Please email or call Cheryl Newcomb at 512.457.8610, ext. 124 for information.

Gifts Under $1,000
Mr. Howard Carey
Mr. Thomas G. Chmielewski
Ms. Margaret Keaton Clark
Mr. Justin R. Cooper
Ms. Cheryl Crawford
Ms. Haydee S. Denis
Mr. Shawn Dinwiddie
Ms. Christina C. Dodds
Mr. Drew Dodson
Ms. Jennifer Grogono
Ms. Wanda Jackson
Ms. Kathryn Kihle
Ms. Carrie J. Laughlin
Mr. Kip McClanahan
Ms. Felicia Reed*
Mr. James N. Sink
The Sunshine Lady Foundation
Mr. Bruno Teuber
United Way of the Capital Area
Ms. Denise White

*  Denotes Alumnus
** Denotes Board Member gift
†  Denotes Whitlow Education Fund for
    Williamson County gift
‡  Denotes New Stakeholders Society
    Member