TAMIU's Julieta and Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies to Graduate 37 Friday

A cohort of 37 students are schedule to graduate from Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) Julieta and Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies during graduation ceremonies Friday, May 15 at 10 a.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Located on the TAMIU campus, the Staggs Academy is an innovative early college high school located on TAMIU's campus. Established through legislation authored by Senator Judith Zaffirini and approved by the 79th Texas Legislature in 2005, the Academy opened in August 2014 to provide high-achieving students with a rigorous, university-level educational experience.

Dr. Mayra Peña, Staggs Academy principal and superintendent, congratulated the Class of 2026.

“This graduating class has demonstrated remarkable resilience, leadership, and academic excellence throughout their journey at Staggs Academy," she said, "They embraced challenges with courage and determination, and I am incredibly proud of all they have accomplished. I encourage them to continue pursuing opportunities that challenge them, lead with purpose, and use their knowledge to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.”

Isaias Valadez is the Academy Class of 2026 Valedictorian. Throughout high school, Valadez distinguished himself through exceptional academic achievement, leadership, research, and service.

As a senior at the Academy, Valadez earned a 4.0 University GPA while completing 70 college credit hours through the dual-credit program with TAMIU. He successfully completed multiple AP, Honors, and college-level courses during his academic career.

He served as president of the National Honor Society, where he led the organization in completing more than five community service projects during the senior year. Across his high school experiences, he contributed more than 300 hours of community service.

He has actively participated in FIRST Tech Challenge and VEX Robotics, FIRST LEGO League Robotics, HOSA, and TAMIU Rotaract. In addition, he is one of the youngest members of an undergraduate research team led by Dr. Mohammed Davachi, contributing to research focused on anticancer and cellular-regenerative biomaterial scaffolds.

Last summer, Valadez participated in the Summer Science Program at Purdue University, where he completed a biochemistry research project focused on developing an antifungal enzyme inhibitor.

In recognition of his academic accomplishments, he was named a College Board National Recognition Program Commended Scholar and was accepted to Harvard University as a QuestBridge Match Scholar, where he plans to study Biomedical Engineering. Outside the classroom, Valadez is also a poet with nearly 300 original poems across three personal collections, reflecting both his creativity and intellectual curiosity.

Isaias Valadez

Taylor Jazz Salinas is the Academy's Class of 2026 Salutatorian.

Salinas has distinguished herself through academic excellence, leadership, and service throughout her time at the Academy. As a student in the dual-credit partnership program with TAMIU, she completed a rigorous STEM-focused curriculum while earning a 102.761 GPA and 72 semester credit hours.

Salinas demonstrated a strong passion for Mathematics and Computer Science, exploring advanced topics such as algorithms and problem-solving while supporting her peers through tutoring in both mathematics and programming.

Her academic accomplishments earned her recognition from the College Board through the Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award and the National Recognition Program.

Beyond academics, Salinas has exemplified leadership and community involvement as an active member of the National Honor Society. She was also honored as a Princess Pocahontas titleholder in the Society of Martha Washington Colonial Ceremony, proudly representing her community through service and tradition.

Salinas plans to continue her education in Computer Science and hopes to apply her skills toward innovative technologies that improve everyday life.

Taylor Jazz Salinas

About the Academy’s Namesakes

Frank Staggs, was born in July 1927 in Laredo to Frank W. and Gertrude Frizzel Staggs. His career spans teaching, insurance, coaching, ranching, refereeing and even bus driving. He studied at Texas A&M University for a short time before enlisting in the United States Armed Services. His assignment was to the U.S. Army Hospital Ship Mercy, which sailed across the Pacific Theatre of operations. After finishing his extended tour of duty in 1947, he continued his education at Texas A&I University-Kingsville, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. He has taught in San Benito, Mirando City and Laredo and served as an assistant principal at M.B. Lamar Junior High School. When Milton Elementary School opened, he became its first principal and returned to Lamar as its principal in 1969. During that time, he began ranching with his wife, Julie’s uncle, Dr. Raúl de la Garza, at the family ranch near Oilton. Then, the Central Office came calling in 1972, and he was named Director of Special programs. Eight years later, he retired from education to pursue a career in the insurance business.

María Julieta Farías Staggs was born to Francisco F. Farías and María Julieta de la Garza Farías in July 1925. She graduated with honors from Martin High School in 1942. She studied Education and Spanish at what is now Texas State University in San Marcos. She taught school in D’Hanis, Texas one year and returned to Laredo teach at Martin High School, and then Bruni School. She met Frank Staggs in August 1951 and they were married May 28 the following year. They moved to Greely, Colorado that summer and returned to teaching in Frank’s hometown of Mirando City. She taught third grade while awaiting the birth of Frank, Jr. who was born February 1953. That summer, the Staggs returned to Colorado where Frank completed his Masters in School Administration. They welcomed their second son, Raúl C., in August 1957.

Laredo became their permanent home that fall and Julie began a 30+ year teaching career at the new M. S. Ryan Elementary where she made many lifelong friends doing what she enjoyed most: teaching. In 1987, Julie was selected to portray Martha Washington as part of Laredo’s Washington’s Birthday Celebration. Frank was her “George.” Julie was beset by Alzheimer’s in 2003 and passed in October of 2015.

The Academy is accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. More information is available at go.tamiu.edu/staggs or at 956.326.2860.