Michael A. Vargas ’09

Michael A. Vargas ’09, of San Benito, Tex.; Jan. 4. After Brown he continued to the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where he earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. His commitment to community and public service was evident during his tenure as a Congressional intern under the mentorship of former Congressman Solomon Ortiz of South Texas. In addition, he furthered his experience by interning with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C. His federal career reached its culmination as he assumed the role of Congressional Affairs Assistant for the Presidential Classroom Program. In this capacity, he was instrumental in organizing and facilitating student visits to federal agencies and Capitol Hill and shared his knowledge about domestic and foreign policy with the students, family, and friends who visited. He went on to be selected by Teach for America, becoming an educational ambassador committed to uplifting impoverished communities such as St. Louis, where he taught in the Hazelwood School District. Returning to San Benito, he embarked on a distinguished career in public service, serving as an elected trustee on the San Benito CISD School Board. At the time, he was their youngest board president at the age of 31. As president, he implemented groundbreaking policies, including the creation of the district’s Dr. Raul Garza, Jr. STEAM Academy and Early College Academy. He played key roles in various campaigns and was a member of the Texas Association of School Boards’ Legislative Committee, working toward positive changes in state education policies. Additionally, he served as the executive secretary of the Mexican American School Board Association, which awarded him the Héroes de MASBA award for the district’s five consecutive years of MASBA membership. He later became the assistant director of public affairs with the City of Pharr and cofounded School Board Leaders for Safe Schools. He is survived by his partner, Mario Cortez; his mother; two brothers; and nieces and nephews.