Yesterday’s Wheeless-Tarango Agricultural Science Complex dedication was a testament to the impact of two remarkable educators—Bailey Wheeless & Gaston Tarango. From classrooms to FFA competitions, their passion shaped countless students and strengthened the agricultural community in Pecos. Their legacy of hard work, leadership, and commitment will live on through this facility and the students who walk its halls.
Read the speech here:
Good evening, everyone. Today is a great day for the school district. We are here today to celebrate the legacy of two remarkable educators who shaped the lives of countless students in our community.
I am honored to welcome you to the Wheeless-Tarango Agricultural Science Facility, also known as the Ag Barn. This space will serve as a foundation for future generations of students who share a passion for agriculture, hands-on learning, and leadership.
This facility is a tribute to two men whose dedication, knowledge, and love for education have had a lasting impact on Pecos High School and the entire PBTISD family: Mr. Bailey Wheeless and Mr. Manuel Gaston Tarango.
This Ag Barn is more than just a building. It represents commitment, passion, and the power of hands-on learning—values that Mr. Wheeless and Mr. Tarango embodied every day in their classrooms and their students' lives.
The Wheeless-Tarango Agricultural Science Facility will serve students interested in agriculture, FFA, and livestock programs. It includes livestock pens, washing stations, a sheep and goat run, a grazing area, an arena, and classroom space where students will learn, lead, and build skills that will carry them into their futures—whether in agriculture, education, or beyond.
For 44 years, Bailey Wheeless dedicated himself to education, most of which was spent here in Pecos. Mr. Wheeless was more than just an agriculture teacher—he was a mentor, a role model, and a leader in the community. He earned numerous awards for his craft and unwavering commitment to his students, including Teacher of the Year, the Honorary State FFA Degree, and Outstanding Agriculture Teacher.
Beyond the classroom, Bailey was a man of many talents. Whether ranching, barbecuing, or serving on various committees, he poured his heart into everything he did. His impact reached far beyond the walls of a school building, as he played a crucial role in shaping the agricultural landscape of our district. His influence, wisdom, and passion for teaching will live on in every student entering this facility.
A Pecos native through and through, Manuel Gaston Tarango dedicated 16 years of his life to education—all within PBTISD. A Pecos High School graduate, he furthered his studies at Howard College and Tarleton State University, bringing his love for science and agriculture back home to inspire the next generation. Known affectionately as "The Pig Guru," Mr. Tarango was a champion of FFA and youth agriculture. His deep knowledge and unwavering dedication made him a trusted mentor to his students, and his encouragement helped them reach new heights in agricultural education.
The Wheeless-Tarango Agricultural Science Facility is more than bricks and mortar—it is a living tribute to the passion, hard work, and love for education that these two men embodied. Every student who walks through these doors will learn the same values of dedication, perseverance, and leadership that Bailey Wheeless and Gaston Tarango instilled in their students.
May this barn be a place where future FFA leaders, ranchers, scientists, and agricultural professionals take their first steps toward greatness.
Today, we dedicate this facility in honor of two extraordinary educators, mentors, and leaders. Their legacies will forever be part of the fabric of PBTISD and the Pecos community.
On behalf of PBTISD, the School Board, and our entire community—thank you, Mr. Wheeless. Thank you, Mr. Tarango.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Wheeless-Tarango Agricultural Science Facility—where tradition meets the future.