Progression of Education
Maria “Dora” Mejia was a widow and illiterate. Luckily, neither of those obstacles hindered her instinct to seek a better life for herself and her children. In 1972, she moved the family from California to Texas hoping that the endless horizons of the Texas panhandle would bring endless opportunities for her ten sons and two daughters. Even though she never earned a diploma, she knew that education was the key to success.
Jose Mejia (Joe) was son number six. His first lesson in education was in 1972 when he and his brother, Pete, strolled into the principal’s office at Friona High School and met John Raymond Cook. The two young sons of Dora had just arrived from California and in the early 70s that meant they had hair to their shoulders and an air of nonconformity. Mr. Cook informed them that Friona High School had a dress code and that their ears would have to be seen. Joe would relent and cut his hair and in May of 1973 became the first high school graduate in the family. His brother chose not to cut his, but later joined the Marines and you know what happened to his hair.
Joe’s second lesson in education was in 1974 when Robert Neelley and Gary Brown took a chance on the young high school graduate and hired him to work at Friona State Bank. The job gave Joe a steady income and in 1988 the bank helped him earn a banking degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Joe worked at the bank for 21 years and that experience gave him the skills necessary to later own and operate his own businesses.
Joe’s third lesson education was from the school of life. In 1979, his first daughter Rachel was born premature. Joe was having to drive back and forth from Friona to Amarillo every day and the bills were piling up. Then someone stepped up. W.D. Buske was that someone who helped pay the bills so Joe could concentrate on his daughter. Joe received that honorary “degree” in compassion in the classroom of real life.
Joe’s fourth and ongoing lesson in education has been the passing of the “educational torch” to his two daughters and three grandkids. Joe’s first daughter, Rachel (Mejia) Ramirez, attended Friona schools from kindergarten through 2nd grade and she also attended Friona High School her freshman, sophomore, and junior year. She graduated from Hereford High School in 1997. She earned a BS Degree in 2003, and a ME Degree from WTAMU in 2017. She is currently a principal at Hereford High School. Rachel is married to Michael Ramirez and their children are Gabriel and Angela.
Rachel’s son, Gabriel Ramirez is a 2015 graduate from Hereford High School and a 2019 graduate of the University of Texas with a BS Liberal Arts Degree in Government. Rachel’s daughter, Angela Ramirez, is a 2019 graduate of Hereford High School and will attend Texas Tech University in the Fall. Angela was also the Hereford High School mascot this past year and won the Fan Favorite: Best Mascot Award at the “Best of the Panhandle” Sports Awards banquet held in Amarillo, Texas in June.
Joe’s second daughter, Jessica Mejia, is a 1999 high school graduate and earned a BS Degree in 2003. Jessica’s son, Jonis Nava, is a 2015 graduate of San Marcos High School and a 2019 graduate of Texas State University with a BS Liberal Arts Degree in Geography. Jonis was also a C/Col Cadet Wing Commander with the Air Force ROTC Detachment 840 at Texas State University.
Joe Mejia knows that education has played an important role in his life and in the life of his family. Known as “dad” to his two daughters and “abuelito” to his grandkids, he appreciates the hard work and commitment of teachers and administrators. He has fond memories of Friona High School and people like Cecil Maddox, Tom Jarboe, and Baker Duggins. Joe would like to encourage everyone to support and pursue education for themselves and their family. Like everyone else on the planet, Joe has made his share of mistakes in life, but to not learn from them is an even bigger mistake. One of his favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:13 which states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Joe remembers a couple of slogans the Chamber of Commerce used back in the 70s when he first arrived in town. One was “Visit Friona...Stay Awhile” and the other was “If you lived in Friona, you would be home”. Joe thought that neither of those would apply to him. Well, 47 years later, he has definitely stayed awhile and, yes, Friona is home.
Jose Mejia (Joe) and Jonis Nava
