Odessa Will Honor Steve and Aurora Tercero
The community will celebrate the couple for their decades of service at a ceremony on September 23, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Hispanic
LISTOS West Texas and Hispanic Heritage of Odessa have named Steve and Aurora Tercero as the 2026 Ventanas del Pasado honorees. A local ceremony will celebrate the couple on September 23, 2026.
Why it matters
The award recognizes the couple's lifelong dedication to education, faith, family, and community service. This recognition honors their long-standing contributions to the Odessa area.
Steve Tercero spent 40 years in education with Ector County ISD, while Aurora Tercero served the district for 27 years. Aurora previously received the Hispanic Heritage Excellence in Education Award in 2001.
The players
Steve Tercero
He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who spent 40 years working in education for Ector County ISD.
Aurora Tercero
She is a career educator who worked for Ector County ISD for 27 years and earned an excellence award in 2001.
LISTOS West Texas
This is a local organization involved in the selection of the annual Ventanas del Pasado honorees.
The details
The upcoming event at the Ector County Library highlights the couple's extensive service to the community. Steve is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who also served on the City of Odessa Planning and Zoning Commission.
Timeline
Aurora Tercero received the Excellence in Education Award in 2001.
The community will celebrate the honorees on September 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
This award ceremony reflects a broader societal movement to preserve local history through the recognition of multigenerational community leaders. By honoring long-term residents, the event reinforces the cultural legacy and historical identity of Hispanic families in West Texas.
Residents planning to attend the event should head to the Ector County Library on September 23, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. This public gathering provides an opportunity for neighbors to participate in the local tradition of honoring longstanding community members.
The takeaway
Honoring local figures with decades of service helps maintain a strong sense of continuity and shared values within a community. Residents can implement this practice by identifying and supporting local leaders who contribute to the long-term enrichment of their own neighborhoods.
Further reading
For more information on regional cultural celebrations, visit the Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Odessa American.
