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Pharr recognizes 20 interns from competitive city program; PSJA Pathways partnership highlighted
Summary
Pharr’s HR director recognized 20 interns chosen from 114 applicants for a four‑week municipal internship across more than a dozen departments; staff showed a video and PSJA Pathways partners were recognized for transition‑to‑work placements for students with special needs.
Pharr Human Resources Director Laura Parra told the commission the city is recognizing 20 interns selected from 114 applicants for a four‑week program that placed students across multiple departments.
“My name is Laura Parra for the record, HR director and so today we are recognizing 20 interns,” Parra said, describing discovery days and departmental rotations that included the Avocado Fest, trolley operations, Fire Connect, public utilities and the international bridge.
A short video highlighted that the internship program gives young people hands‑on municipal experience, with staff emphasizing workforce pathways and the hope interns will return to serve the community. Parra also recognized a PSJA Pathways Toward Independence partnership supporting adults with special needs by placing three interns with city departments and assigning mentors.
Numerous interns introduced themselves on the record, describing their home towns and host departments: Jonathan Stewart (Edinburg) — building safety; Rodrigo Rosales (The Valley) — police; Isabella Varela (Pharr) — office of the city manager; Leah Munoz (Alamo) — library; Jacob Via (Weslaco) — parks and recreation; and others who reported experience in IT, public health, finance, media and court services. Staff and commissioners praised the experience as a meaningful step toward career opportunities.
