Juan Elizondo
Vocational Department Chair, Furr High School
Founder, Director of Partnerships and Grant Implementation
Website: Amigotonytx.com
Facebook: Maestro Verde
Email: JuanElizondo@UTexas.edu
Juan Elizondo is a passionate vocational educator at Furr High School in Houston, Texas, where for over a decade has led the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career pathway. As the supervisor and site host for the ForUsTree initiative, Juan collaborates with two interns from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to implement transformative environmental projects that benefit over 300 students in the four-year career pathway and the broader community.
A proud native of Houston's East End, Juan is deeply committed to sustainability and environmental justice. He holds certifications in permaculture design and organic agriculture, which complement his role as Department Lead and Partnership Coordinator. His educational background includes studies with the focus of documentary and journalism in Radio-Television-Film at The University of Texas at Austin, and experience as an Intern at the Houston Chronicle’s Photography Department and International documentary work with Students of the World in Kosovo and India. In addition, coupled with over nine years of international agricultural experience with The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, working in countries such as Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
"Transforming our community from a food desert to a food forest addresses critical needs like limited access to fresh food and excessive heat," said Elizondo. "Through sustainable practices, we nourish wildlife, support pollinators, and provide students with hands-on conservation experience and career training—empowering the next generation to lead and steward their communities for a resilient future."
Under Juan's leadership, Furr High School has achieved remarkable milestones, including the creation of the largest community garden in the city and state at Herman Brown Park. This garden serves as a living classroom, providing students with hands-on experiences in sustainable agriculture, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Juan received the 2015 Abraham Lincoln Honor Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach — one of the United States Department of Agriculture’s highest honors. In addition, 2016 the U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Awards “Making a Difference Award.” In 2017, the Green Ambassadors program he created received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Partnership from Texas A&M AgriLife, underscoring leadership in enhancing educational programs through collaborative efforts.
Juan’s commitment to innovative education is exemplified by his role as Director of Partnerships and Grant Implementation for the XQ America Super School Project (2016–2023) at Furr High School. This national initiative aimed to redesign the American high school experience, and under Juan's guidance, the school became a model for forward-thinking education that equips students with the tools to meet 21st-century challenges. In 2024, his commitment and passion for education, he was awarded “Teacher of the Year.”
In addition to his transformative work at Furr High School and the opportunities provided through previous XQ funding, Juan Elizondo founded HTX Voices, a groundbreaking initiative that began as a summer youth internship program. The program is dedicated to empowering young people to amplify untold stories of community members and youth, presenting them in a positive light that celebrates resilience, diversity, and strength.
HTX Voices focuses on storytelling as a tool for fostering leadership, responsibility, and creativity. Through multimedia projects, interns learn how to capture and share narratives that uplift their communities, highlighting personal journeys, cultural heritage, and the power of collective action.
"Storytelling is the bridge that connects knowledge to understanding, giving voice to experiences and inspiring positive action that shapes our communities," Elizondo explained. "HTX Voices is about creating a platform where every story matters—honoring, preserving, and uplifting the rich histories and voices of our community."
Juan’s holistic approach to education integrates academic learning with real-world application, empowering students with valuable skills and the confidence to enact meaningful change. His unwavering commitment to cultivating homegrown leaders ensures that his students are not only prepared for success but also inspired to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Rocio Puente
Furr High School Vocational Education Agricultural Food and Natural Resources Intern
Rocio Puente is a passionate advocate for building stronger, more connected communities through education, environmental stewardship, and empathy-driven action. With a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and a deep love for Latin American culture, Rocio has dedicated her career to empowering individuals by linking them to the resources they need to thrive.
Rocio’s journey has been defined by a deep commitment to serving others. As a Community Engagement Environmental Education Intern at Furr High School, she has created transformative programs that teach the value of sustainable agriculture, address urban environmental challenges, and cultivate a shared sense of purpose. In her role as a Wraparound Resource Specialist for Houston ISD, she fostered partnerships that connected families to essential resources, organized impactful community events, and championed opportunities for personal and collective growth. Rocio envisions a future where education, environmental justice, and community well-being work hand in hand to create a better world for all.
Above all, Rocio’s work is fueled by a heartfelt dedication to uplifting others, particularly those from underserved and at-risk communities. Her leadership, from securing grants to mentoring youth, reflects her belief that every person has the potential to grow when given the right support and opportunities. Through her work, Rocio continues to inspire hope, connection, and positive change in the communities she serves.
Luis Angel Cruz
Furr High School Vocational Education Agricultural Food and Natural Resources Intern
Luis, a proud native of Houston, Texas, hails from the vibrant east side of the city. From a young age, he was known for his knack for getting into trouble, but he prefers to call it "good trouble." One of his favorite childhood memories, as his mother likes to tell it, involves him disassembling a brand-new CD player in an attempt to repair an old stereo. Needless to say, he ended up with neither device functioning!
Despite this early mishap, Luis's curiosity for technology and the arts never faded. As soon as he got his hands on a computer, he dove headfirst into editing software, experimenting with adding cartoons to pictures and exploring his creative side. High school marked a turning point in his life, as he discovered the power of media to tell stories and express ideas.
As a first-generation American with Mexican roots, Luis is deeply passionate about supporting people of color. He’s committed to using his skills in visual media and film to break down language barriers and share important, often underrepresented, stories.
After high school, Luis secured an internship at Houston Community College, where he honed his skills in graphic design and marketing. It was there that his love for the technical side of media grew even stronger.
Over the years, one of Luis’s most significant achievements has been working with Furr High School, his alma mater, on the implementation of a $10 million grant through XQ America (2018-2023). This initiative led to the creation of HTX Voices under the Career Technical Education Media Pathway. The program established paid multimedia internships and training for youth, teaching them the ins and outs of production and using storytelling to capture the essence of their community.
Luis’s work extends beyond this initiative. He has partnered with a variety of organizations at the local, state, and federal levels, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Student Conservation Association, HISD Schools (such as Holland Middle School and Pleasantville Elementary), R.P. Harris, Texas A&M University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. He is also a founding member and ongoing collaborator with HTX Voices and continues his work with Furr High School.
At the core of Luis’s mission is a commitment to using media for positive change. Whether through design, film, or community projects, his goal has always been clear: to make a meaningful difference and create lasting impact.
