Tyler Junior College’s spring commencement on Friday was a family affair, with Eduardo Lesser and his sons Juan and Pedro all walking the stage to collect their diplomas.
Natives of Argentina, the Lesser family relocated to Tyler in 2002, and Juan and Pedro graduated from Tyler Legacy High School.
Eduardo and Pedro both earned certificates in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC), while Juan earned his associate degree in visual communications, with certificates in graphic design and photography.
“It’s a unique opportunity and I’m glad to have them here with me,” Eduardo said. “Pedro and I started a construction business, Noonday General Contractors, and we wanted to add the contractor license for air conditioning, too.”
Pedro said, “I started out taking classes on the main campus, but I was more into hands-on work, and I would say that I really thrived at TJC West. This was great. I found something that I enjoy doing.”
Juan has held a more active role on the TJC main campus, where he has worked as an assistant in the Center for Student Life and Involvement, helping to plan student events.
“I started at TJC back in Fall 2018 and was vice president of Hispanic Student Organization and vice president of Student Senate,” Juan said, “and then I started working in the student life office.”
He continued, “I’m in love with TJC. Basically, TJC taught me how to come out of my shell and be more social. In high school, I mostly kept to myself and didn’t really get involved. But here, seeing how everyone was so outgoing, I decided I wanted to be more like that and put myself out there. It has been the best place for me.”