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Northwest Vista College (NVC) is proud to announce that student Lindsey Botello's design has been selected to represent the college as a finalist in the competition to create the official Fiesta 2026 poster. The competition issued a call to all students across the five Alamo Colleges, requesting submissions based on the 2026 theme, "Fiesta Together." Botello, who is a nursing student, shared the inspiration behind his winning submission: “My design for the Fiesta poster was inspired by the wildcat, a symbol of strength, pride, and community spirit. I wanted the bold energy of the wildcat to capture the excitement of our Fiesta celebration here in San Antonio, while also representing resilience, which is something I value as a nursing student preparing for a career of care and dedication.” The Selection Process Botello's design was unveiled alongside finalists from the four Alamo Colleges at the Fiesta San Antonio Commission's '5 to 1' Unveiling Event at the SA Garden Center on Sept. 25. Members of the Fiesta Commission met to choose their favorite design as the next official poster for Fiesta 2026. The poster winner and the unveiling of the final poster will take place on Jan. 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the 2026 Official Fiesta Poster Unveiling and Miss Fiesta San Antonio Selection Event at The Rosenberg Skyroom at the University of the Incarnate Word. The NVC Fine and Performing Arts department also recognized four other NVC students who submitted top entries: Clarissa Tovar, Christine Teran, Laith Halum, and Rebecca Garcia. 2026 - Fiesta Poster Finalists

When Michael Longoria began attending Northwest Vista College (NVC) in 2014, he knew he wanted a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Longoria’s enthusiasm for STEM led to what could be described as a light-bulb moment that changed his life. That monumental moment occurred when he was walking to class one day and spotted a poster for NVC’s nanotechnology program. Nanotechnology, a field of science and engineering that focuses on the design and manufacture of extremely small devices and structures, had piqued his interest in a big way. Longoria would go on to earn a Certificate in Nanotechnology in 2017. “I instantly fell in love with nanotechnology and all its applications across multiple fields: medical, automotive, cell phones, and computers,” he said. “I want to work with novel materials and hopefully change the world in some way, from new types of medicines to 3D-printed homes.” Longoria said attending Northwest Vista College has impacted his life immensely. Some of his best memories of campus life include witnessing the passion his professors had for their subjects and going on class trips where he watched Ph.D. students conduct lab work. He added that the labs, class projects, and instrumentation classes at NVC gave him the foundation, hands-on experience, and essential skills required to acquire jobs in the STEM field. Since earning his Technical Certificate in Nanotechnology, Longoria has worked as a laboratory and chemical technician. He’s now a particle technician at Southwest Research Institute in a particle science and technology group that runs emissions testing and soot analysis on commercial vehicles. “We can do various tests with anything that has to do with particulate matter,” he said. “During COVID, for example, clients reached out to us to test N95 masks for their efficacy on filtering particulate matter.” In the spring, he plans to head back to the classroom to earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering/material science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Michael Longoria is among the graduates whose stories are being highlighted as part of NVC’s 30th anniversary celebration. If you have a story to share, please email NVC-News@alamo.edu VISIT NVC'S 30 YEAR CELEBRATION WEBPAGE

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Growing up in San Antonio, Magdalena Yznaga was surrounded by family stories of Mexican American history. “It wasn’t really the schools I attended but mainly my family,” she recalls. “Whether it was Texas history, U.S. history, or our own family history, those stories were always around me.” Her passion for the stories of her culture crystallized as a freshman at UTSA when she enrolled in a Latino Culture Expressions class. The course opened her eyes to the arts, history, and culture of the Mexican American experience. By the time the class ended, Yznaga knew she wanted to teach Mexican American Studies, even if she wasn’t yet sure how to get there. Her journey included earning a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Peru, graduate studies at UTSA, and hands-on experience mentoring teachers and developing after-school programs. In 2015, she joined Palo Alto College as an instructor, teaching Introduction to Mexican American Studies. “It felt like everything in my life had been preparing me for that moment,” she says. Now celebrating her 10th year at PAC, Yznaga serves as Coordinator for the Center of Mexican American Studies, overseeing programs that include Latinx Heritage Month, the MAS (Mexican American Studies) academic program, and student organizations such as Somos MAS and BESOS (Bilingual Education Student Organization). Under her leadership, the Center has grown into a vibrant hub for student life, cultural celebration, and academic exploration. One of her proudest accomplishments has been launching the annual Latinx Heritage Month book discussion series in collaboration with the PAC Library. Faculty, staff, students, and community members come together to explore literature that amplifies Latinx voices. “Seeing students, faculty, and staff all reading and discussing the same book has been one of the most rewarding things we’ve done,” she says. For Yznaga, Mexican American Studies are vital not only for Latino students but for everyone. “If you live in Texas or the Southwest, this history is part of your story, too,” she explains. You cannot teach Mexican American history without acknowledging our indigenous ancestors, our culture, and our shared histories.” Her students often leave her classes with a mixture of joy at discovering new knowledge and frustration that they had never been taught these histories before. She always encourages them to continue learning: “Now that you know this information, what will you do?” Looking ahead, Yznaga dreams of expanding MAS at Palo Alto College and continuing to build strong partnerships across campus. She is also deeply invested in the growth of student organizations like Somos MAS, BESOS, and Palomino Pride. “I let the students guide me,” she says. “They bring creative ideas, events, and advocacy that inspire the entire campus.” Her message is simple yet powerful: “Mexican American Studies is here to educate. It transformed my life, and I want to do the same for others, no matter their background.” Through her teaching, mentorship, and leadership, Magdalena Yznaga ensures that PAC’s MAS program honors the past and builds a more inclusive and informed future.      

Alma Navarro, originally from Venezuela, knew she needed better career opportunities to provide a brighter future for herself and her 10-year-old son. However, she was concerned about balancing her busy life with her academic pursuits.  Palo Alto College (PAC) offered a convenient location that allowed Alma to remain an active parent while studying in the Dental Hygiene Program. “At the beginning, it was a little overwhelming because I didn't know how I was going to manage my time and schedule with my son, but I found that it was a perfect fit for me.” The Dental Hygiene Program’s faculty and staff fostered a supportive network, making Alma's sometimes challenging coursework more manageable.  “I could feel that they care about our learning and success. They were always there to support us, whether it was with a kind word,sitting with us to study or review challenging material,” said Alma.  During Alma's time in the program, Mel Treviño, a Palo Alto Dental Hygiene Instructor, witnessed the program's positive impact on Alma.  “Alma grew immensely during the two years we were together. I saw her confidence increase, particularly in patient care. It has been wonderful to see her accomplish her dreams and how much she has grown since she first started the program,” said Trevino.  In addition to the support Alma received in the classroom, she was also connected with resources that helped her overcome challenges, allowing her to focus on her family and academics.  “The Alamo Colleges District has been incredibly helpful. They provide students with various resources, from the S.H.A.R.E. Center to financial aid. They are always willing to assist, whether I was asking for help or not,” said Alma.  Having experienced the powerful impact of Alamo Colleges' quality education, affordability, and personalized support, Alma feels grateful for her journey. “Alamo Colleges is the best place for a student because they help you improve your career, enhance your life, and simultaneously support your family.”Alma is now a dental hygienist at a local dental office, but her journey at ACD is not over yet. She plans to enroll in a Bachelor's degree program later this year.    Watch Alma's Story