MISSION, TEXAS (March 2, 2026) - From the hallways of O’Grady Elementary to the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, and soon into the ranks of the United States Air Force, Mission CISD alumna Hayley Garza carries with her the lessons of resilience, community, and courage first learned in Mission schools.
A 2021 graduate of Mission Collegiate High School, Garza is set to graduate this May from UT Austin with a bachelor’s degree in geosciences. She has been selected to serve as a weather officer in the United States Air Force and has also been accepted into the Air Force Institute of Technology’s meteorology program, where she will continue her advanced training.
A Foundation of Support
Long before military selection boards and collegiate honors, Garza’s journey was shaped inside Mission CISD classrooms.
“From the day that I attended O’Grady Elementary, I remember being welcomed with open arms,” Garza said. “There were always people by my side able to help in any situation.”
She recalls staying after school when reading did not come easily and credits teachers who consistently made themselves available to support her growth. During her middle school years, she found encouragement in a counselor who provided steady guidance during a formative time in her life.
“Middle school is a tough time. You’re learning who you are as a person, and having someone to talk to was the best,” Garza said.
That culture of support left a lasting impression. Today, Garza says she strives to model the same compassion and leadership she experienced as a student.
“I want to be that person for somebody down the line. I want to be able to help.”
Accelerated Academics, Expanded Opportunities
Garza’s time at Mission Collegiate High School further accelerated her academic and personal development. Through the early college program, she earned an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies while still in high school (an opportunity she says helped her gain confidence and independence before transitioning to a four-year university).
The advanced coursework and exposure to college-level expectations prepared her for success at both UT Rio Grande Valley and later the University of Texas at Austin.
“I wanted a challenge, so I applied, and I ended up getting it,” she said of her decision to transfer to UT Austin and pursue Air Force ROTC.
Grit Forged Through Athletics
Athletics also played a pivotal role in shaping Garza’s character. While in Mission CISD, she participated in multiple sports, ultimately focusing on basketball and swimming. That foundation of discipline and teamwork later led her to discover rugby at UT Austin.
“The first day that they took me out to practice, I just fell in love,” she said.
Rugby quickly became more than a sport. It became a metaphor for resilience. After suffering a broken knuckle during one of her early games, Garza leaned into the mindset she developed growing up in Mission.
“You’re going to get kicked down, you’re going to get some bumps and bruises, but you really got to get back up and show people what you’re made of,” she said.
Answering the Call to Serve
Between her freshman and sophomore years of college, Garza was contacted by an Air Force recruiter. She completed basic military training and committed to the ROTC pathway at UT Austin.
Choosing to major in geosciences was intentional. The field provided a direct pathway to becoming a meteorologist, ultimately leading to her selection as an Air Force weather officer, a highly specialized and competitive role.
Garza credits Mission CISD not only for academic preparation but for instilling the perseverance that carried her through demanding coursework, athletics, and military training.
“Sometimes there’s going to be struggles in life. It’s the way that you get back up is what really counts,” she said. “And I think asking for help is the biggest thing.”
College, Career, and Community
As she prepares to begin her career in the United States Air Force, Garza remains grounded in the community that first supported her ambitions.
“Thank you, Mission CISD, for getting me college and career ready,” she said.
Mission CISD proudly celebrates alumni like Hayley Garza whose journeys reflect the district’s commitment to developing resilient, service-minded leaders prepared to excel in college, careers, and beyond.