VC student Ivan Ramirez to compete on HACU's Hispanic College Quiz series

This fall, Victoria College student Ivan Ramirez will be a contestant on the Hispanic Association of Colleges and University’s “Hispanic College Quiz” series. The series will air during Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins in mid-September.

Ramirez was chosen as a contestant after VC’s Title V Director Kim Smith submitted his name as a candidate.

“Since last semester, Ivan has served as one of VC’s Campus Ambassadors, and I know what kind of student he is,” said Smith. “I asked him if he’d allow me to submit his name because I knew he’d make a great contestant and serve as an excellent representative of Victoria College.”

The quiz show series focuses on historical Hispanic firsts. Contestants may be asked questions from any of several categories including art and design, performing arts, music, theater, film and media. For instance, Ramirez might be asked which pop singer was the first Puerto Rican artist to win a Grammy Award in 1968. Answer: Jose Feliciano.

To prepare for the quiz, Ramirez spent weeks throughout the summer going through flashcards, and memorizing facts, dates and names with Paul Janda, Title V assistant tutor coordinator.

“Studying is what I do best,” said Ramirez, who aspires to be a doctor.  His preparation has prompted him to remain focused and disciplined with his studies. He added that his intensive preparation for the quiz show is a small taste of things to come as he gets closer to entering medical school.

While completing his basic courses at VC, Ramirez is an intern helping with office work at a local medical clinic. After he finishes at VC, he plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin.

As the oldest of seven, Ramirez has a family of proud parents, brothers and sisters.

“My parents are thrilled, and my sisters have helped keep me humble,” said Ramirez. “But this has also given me the opportunity to show my sisters and my brother that nothing is out of their reach. As the oldest, it’s my job to set the bar high for all of them.”

Through his exploration of Hispanic firsts in preparation for the quiz show series, Ramirez now has a much deeper appreciation of Hispanic history and culture.

“As I’ve learned about so many Hispanic people who have done such incredible things even in the face of adversity, not only has it made me proud to be Hispanic, it’s also give me a sense of responsibility to do more with my own life,” said Ramirez.