STEAMx Keynote Address

Valeria Contreras, Founder of Valcon Comics, presented the keynote address to an audience of over 250 middle/high school students and family members for the STEAMx Awards Ceremony at the El Paso Community College. The event was hosted by the STTE Foundation, a local organization that aims to discover, develop and deploy entrepreneurship and technology education content for middle school, high school, and college students to support a thriving entrepreneurial culture in the Borderplex region. The keynote address focused on the ways in which Valeria has applied the ideals of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) to her career in comics and publishing.

Photos by Christ Chavez

“Today, I want to encourage you to dream big. Use your experience and knowledge of everything that you’ve learned through the STEAM model to turn ideas and concepts into reality. And when you grow up, I hope each of you will create that painting. Build that robot. Go to Mars. Change the world. Bring all of your bright ideas and each one of your greatest dreams, to life.”

VALERIA CONTRERAS
FOUNDER OF VALCON COMICS

STEAMx Comics Workshops

One year after presenting the keynote address, Valeria returned to STEAMx to lead a series of comics workshops. STEAMx featured 30 STEAM-focused workshops delivered by local higher education and community partners, including Valcon Comics. Over the course of two days, Valeria taught middle and high school students how to create their own 4-panel comics.

The following schools participated in STEAMx

Middle Schools

Alderete Middle School
Alpine Middle School
Ann Garcia Enriquez Middle School
Anthony Middle School
Captain Walter E. Clarke Middle School
Ernesto Serna Middle School
Garcia Enriquez Middle School
Fabens Middle School
Dr. Hornedo Middle School
SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School
Ross Middle School
Socorro Middle School
Spc. Rafael Hernando III Middle School
Sun Ridge Middle School
Harmony Science Academy
Jane A. Hambric Middle School
Montwood Middle School
Paso del Norte Middle School
Puente Middle School
Sanchez Middle School
St. Patrick Cathedral School
Tornillo Junior High School

High Schools

Del Valle High School
Eastwood High School
Harmony School of Innovation
Jefferson High School
Northwest Early College High School
Presidio High School
Marfa High School
Burges High School
Canutillo High School
Cathedral High School
Chapin High School
Coronado High School
Eastlake High School
El Dorado High School
El Paso High School
Franklin High School
Horizon High School
Irvin High School
J.M. Hanks High School
Parkland High School
Riverside High School
Valle Verde Early College High School
Ysleta High School