Students in the Inspection Technology program at Lone Star College-East Aldine Center have earned a prestigious recognition for their achievements.
The Greater Houston ASNT (American Society of Non-Destructive Testing) recognized graduates of the program for their outstanding accomplishments in Nondestructive Testing (NDT).
Nondestructive testing is the process of analyzing properties or flaws in materials or structures without causing damage and ensuring quality standards are met. It’s often used in industries such as aerospace, manufacturing and petroleum.
GHASNT is the largest and most active local ASNT section in the U.S. with more than 1,000 nondestructive testing professionals as members.
During the May 14th ceremony at LSC-East Aldine Center, alumnus Emiliano Paz was honored for his individual accomplishments. He was awarded the distinguished Technician of the Year award for his exceptional work in NDT.
“My inspiration to pursue this field came from my desire to build a stable career with long-term growth,” stated Paz. “NDT is a field with endless opportunities and multiple paths to specialize, which motivated me to push forward and continue developing my skills. That's another reason why I always try to get more students into this field.”
Paz began taking classes during his sophomore year of high school with the Avalos P-TECH Early College High School program. That opportunity allowed him to save time and transition directly into the workforce after high school with his Lone Star College inspection certifications already completed.
Inspection Technology/NDT Instructor Eddie Pompa said the award was well-deserved.
“Emiliano is a perfect example of perseverance, dedication, and hard work. He will go far in Non-Destructive Testing.”
Representatives from GHASNT also presented a $1,500 Charles E. Smith scholarship to Dual Credit Avalos P-TECH graduate Tomas Lopez.
“Being awarded the scholarship felt surreal because I didn’t even know that I got the scholarship until the day of the ceremony. After I got back home, I thanked God because it made me realize that there are many people out there who genuinely want others to succeed and grow together.”
Lopez will transfer to Virginia Tech to continue his education in mechanical engineering.
Both Lopez and Paz praised their instructors for their leadership and guidance throughout the program.
“From my early days as a high school student to now, nearly four years later, Professor Pompa has always guided me, encouraged me, and pushed me to improve,” Paz remarked. “His support has made a significant difference in my growth both personally and professionally.”
“I would like to like to deeply thank my NDT instructors, John Reid, and especially Anthony Priddy,” said Lopez. “Mr. Priddy has been there for us, all 4 years of our program. I am grateful to my teachers because they have taught us many things that all of us will carry for the rest of our lives and not just in NDT. All of us became a family and are the best pathway in Avalos.”
For more information on the Inspection Technology program at LSC-East Aldine Center, click here.
Lone Star College System enrolls over 90,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSCS is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D. serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area. LSC has been named a 2025 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSCS consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit Lonestar.edu.
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