July 29, 2010

Despite the risks and sacrifice necessary for the job, Denise Teniente-Moreno is quite pleased with her chosen career as a United States Border Patrol Agent. She says that the satisfaction of protecting our border and bringing criminals to justice outweighs concerns for her personal safety.

The same characteristics which led Moreno to a successful law enforcement career also led her to success as a student-athlete. Moreno's volleyball playing career took her from J.B. Alexander High School to Laredo Community College to Texas A&M International University.

Known then by her maiden name of Denise Teniente, Moreno played two seasons at LCC after graduating from Alexander High School in 2000. She then was one of five LCC student-athletes to transfer to TAMIU to play for the inaugural Dustdevil volleyball team in 2002.

Moreno earned Honorable Mention All-Red River Athletic Conference and RRAC Back Row Specialist of the Year honors as a junior before missing most her senior season due to injury. TAMIU finished with a 14-2 league record in the inaugural season, good for first place in the West Division, and a 23-6 overall record.

In a recent interview, Moreno expounded on topics ranging from when she became interested in a law enforcement career to what she likes best about the Border Patrol to what she misses most about volleyball.

What has been your career path since leaving TAMIU?

When I graduated from the University, like most graduates I found myself thinking, "OK, now what?" At the time of my graduation, the government was on a slight hiring freeze so I knew it was going to be hard trying to pursue a career in my field of study straight out of college, with no experience. So I decided to gain some experience and went the education route; I got certified to teach Special Education and after two months after graduating I landed my first teaching job with the Laredo Independent School District at Christen Middle School; I taught English Language Arts to 6th and 7th grade special education students. This job was by far a huge challenge for me because I was instructing students with behavior and learning disorders.

Within my first month teaching, I was offered to coach as an assistant varsity volleyball coach at Martin High School and I gladly accepted to partake in the coaching aspect of the sport that was my passion, my way of life, and that had a huge role in molding me of who I am today. My coaching career kicked off in the fall of 2004 and it was quite an honor to experience volleyball in a coaching role. It was great sharing the court and competing with coaches that I once played for or played against.

I really enjoyed the challenge that teaching and coaching offered me and knowing that I could have a bright and successful future career in the coaching world; I still longed to follow my heart into the law enforcement world. I continued teaching and coaching until March of 2007; this is when I decided to follow the career path that I had initially always wanted to become a part of and had studied for. In April 2007, I embarked on a new career and joined the United States Border Patrol. I was sent to train in Artesia, N.M., for four months. I successfully completed my training and graduated as a member of the 669th session class. Luckily, I was offered a job within the Laredo Sector Border Patrol; my duty station is in Zapata, Texas. This brings me to where I am right now; I am on my third year as a Border Patrol Agent. I currently live in Laredo and commute to Zapata, Texas, every day. I am currently detailed to the Laredo Sector Prosecutions Office. This is one of the many roles/duties Border Patrol has; this office is in charge of prosecuting all illegal aliens caught within the Laredo Sector Area of Response with misdemeanor and felony offenses. This office currently works hand in hand with the federal courts to make sure criminal aliens get prosecuted. I am currently enjoying learning the prosecutions aspect of the Border Patrol. It has also opened to doors to learn the federal court system and network with many other agencies.

When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement and why the Border Patrol?

It all started as a senior in high school when I was taken to a law enforcement career fair; I instantly was intrigued and found this instant connection. Coincidentally though, I grew up in a law enforcement household; my father had been a local police officer and was a Border Patrol agent for all my childhood (17 yrs). He recently retired as an ICE Special Agent. I am more than certain that my father's career had some influence on my career choice.

I chose the Border Patrol because out of the many agencies I felt it was the most versatile. I felt that by having a career with the Border Patrol there were no limits to your career horizons. As an agent you have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and most importantly they allow you to grow as agent. I knew that by becoming an agent it would offer me diverseness and allow me to perform many duties and tasks.

What do you like best about your job?

Our scope of duties are broad, and you find yourself in different roles and situations. So it's difficult to single out one aspect of being an agent. Overall, the most satisfying feeling for me is seizing narcotics and intercepting the trade of illegal drugs. I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that I have helped take illegal drugs off the streets and out of the hands of our youth. No matter what dangers I have come across while performing my duties-- walking a drug trail by the river at night, patrolling, walking trails in endless ranches on very hot days or cold winter nights; we are out protecting our nation's borders stopping what we can from making entry into our local communities and country. It too is satisfying when we apprehend a convicted aggravated felon from entering our country.

What is the hardest part of your job?

I was always more of a city girl; so aside from the rigorous training I endured throughout four months of training, learning the field/brush was a challenge. Learning how to walk ranch trails during the day or night without a flashlight and not getting lost was challenging too. I had to learn to carry my weight and use the training because it is never guaranteed that you will have a partner working with you. It is very probable you will work by yourself day or night. Shift work and long sometimes 12-hour-days are difficult aspects of the job. We work three different shifts and rotate every month; midnights for me have been the hardest to get accustomed to because it's very unnatural to work when your body feels like sleeping. The hardest part of this job is maintaining a balance between family and work because of our rigorous ever changing work schedules.

What are your long range career goals?

Right now, I am enjoying the experience I am obtaining as a Border Patrol agent. It has made me a more versatile individual and has made me stronger mentally and physically. I do strive to challenge myself to become well rounded in my line of work; there is always something new to learn. Within the Border Patrol there are a lot of possibilities in promoting within the ranks; and as I grow as an agent and become more knowledgeable this might one day become a possibility. I strive and will seek to one day become a leader within the ranks of the U.S. Border Patrol.

What was the most valuable thing you learned at TAMIU in regards to preparing you for your career?

I had the privilege of being a student-athlete. My dual role at TAMIU served as a major foundation in my life. Being a student-athlete taught me about motivation, self discipline, teamwork, and that nothing is attainable without hard work, practice, and having a positive attitude. These life skills that I attained while I was a student in the class and reinforced as an athlete on the court have been very instrumental in my life.

What is the most memorable aspect of your TAMIU volleyball career?

One very honorable moment for me was being selected Back Row Specialist of the Year for our conference along with our team winning first place in our division in our inaugural year of competition. Another memorable moment was bestowing the honor of being one of the first athletes to sign for TAMIU. Overall, it was the friendships I made, the commodity I shared and the opportunity I had to meet different people, travel, and play the sport I love.

Do you miss playing volleyball?

Yes!! I miss the unique spark of adrenaline you would get right before game time, and during the game. I miss every aspect of the game from practices, my teammates, my coach and its competitive nature. It's a part of my life that can never be forgotten.

Anything you would like people to know about your life or future plans?

It's ironic how people and situations cross our pass, and while performing my most recent duties at the federal court, I was very intrigued by the court system. Attending law school is something that has been recently captivating my interests. If I ever made a career move it would be to pursue a law degree.

Denise Teniente-Moreno Facts

Born: Laredo, Texas.

High School: J.B. Alexander High School (2000).

Bachelor's Degree: B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology (2003).

Family: Husband Gilbert Moreno is a history teacher and football coach at J.B. Alexander High School. Son Dylan Ryan Moreno is four years old.