The history they made Monday night won’t become apparent for several years. But the Mineola High School Class of 2025 opened a new chapter in higher education in the community.

Thanks to the partnership between Mineola ISD and Tyler Junior College, any MHS graduate who follows the TJC Promise requirements can attend college for two years without paying a cent for tuition and fees.

With the click of their smart phones or laptops, many were on hand to make their pledge official. And there was free pizza.

School district officials have targeted 100% participation in the program, announced earlier this year by the district and the junior college.

Superintendent Cody Mize explained to the freshmen that they live in a blessed community. Those who have gone before them have given back generously so that they can attend two years of college without concern for the cost.

Mize, who helped establish the Promise program while superintendent at Winona, is also a TJC grad and recently was named a TJC distinguished alumnus.

The promise focuses on three areas – perseverance, academic achievement and community service.

TJC President Juan Mejia told the students that TJC believes in the program and wants the students to be successful.

Mitch Andrews, TJC vice president for institutional advancement said, “No matter your educational goals, TJC has something for you.”

Matthew Ramirez, director of the TJC Promise program, outlined the requirements.

Perseverance includes attendance goals, (no more than 10 unexcused absences per year – five in the second semester as freshmen), discipline (only one mandatory disciplinary action), advancing and graduating with the class and attending TJC the fall after graduation.

Academic achievement includes a 2.5 grade-point average and becoming college ready as defined by the state.

Community service must be volunteer, outside of school and at least five hours as a sophomore and 10 hours each year as a junior and senior.

Ramirez noted that the standards are what students should be doing to get ready for college anyway.

TJC also offers students assistance through coaching, to help prepare them in high school to be successful in college, he said.