University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey is the 2019 Border Texan of the Year. He will be honored at a dinner and reception Nov. 21 at the McAllen Convention Center. “I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected as 2019 Border Texan of the Year. This is easily the highest honor I have ever received, and I am particularly pleased because it comes from my colleagues in the Rio Grande…
UTRGV veterans are the recent recipients of the inaugural Texas Cook’Em High Steaks in Edinburg Veteran Scholarships. During the planning of the 14th annual Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks, the Edinburg Chamber made the decision to award five $1,000 scholarships. When H-E-B heard of this endeavor, they quickly and generously chose to match that amount. Recipients are Juan Cerda, John Garcia, Gabriel Carrizales, Juan Gonzalez, Carla Blevins, Hector Villanueva, Brandon Bunch, Rosa…
After a successful pilot program in the spring providing free transit service to all Texas Southmost College students, TSC has expanded the free service citywide via Brownsville Metro to its students. The free citywide transit service for TSC students began Aug. 26 with the start of the college’s fall 2019 semester. It will continue through Aug. 2020. The program is a partnership between TSC, Brownsville Metro and the City of…
South Texas College is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education for a High School Equivalency Program grant. One hundred percent of the $1,919,976 grant comes via federal dollars. The grant will implement a five-year project assisting 500 Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers and eligible family members. The grants will help them obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and to enroll in a post secondary Industry Recognized Certification Career…
Rebecca Marie De Leon was an aspiring student and high school athlete at Mission Veterans Memorial High School when she enrolled in a dual enrollment program in the early 2000s. The future collegiate golfer was pressed for time in balancing academics and athletics. Dual enrollment, which blends college and high school courses, then grounded her in the need for effective time management. “It set the foundation for me,” said De…
For nearly four years, the Elks Lodge #1889 in Harlingen has supported Texas State Technical College student veterans with contributions for scholarships. This year is no different. TSTC was recently presented with a check for $2,500, the first of two contributions for 2019. The total amount the Elks Lodge is expected to give toward veteran scholarships this year is $5,000. “The Elks Lodge is an organization that invests in helping…
On Aug. 8, I received this Facebook message from Susan Valverde, a close friend who lives in McAllen but is the chief franchise operations officer for Sylvan Learning’s corporate offices in Maryland: “Hey Chris – are you familiar with clear the list Texas? It is an effort to help teachers with their back-to-school supplies list and has gained a lot of traction. A teacher can set up an Amazon wish…
Eighty years ago, the Rio Grande Valley was a rural, agriculturally based economy with little growth happening. Fast forward to 10 years ago, and the RGV was quickly becoming a thriving metropolitan area as development intensified. Today, the region has completely transformed economically. It has become an area developed by improving and increasing commercial, retail, industrial, entertainment, medical and higher education institutions. Education In 2013, the transformation of the RGV’s…
AMIkids Rio Grande Valley is a one-of-a-kind program rehabilitating young felons. At the same time, it gives them the chance to become certified welders. The program has been in operation in eastern Cameron County for quite some time. AMIkids Rio Grande Valley is the only one in the Lone Star State and one of 44 AMIkids programs nationally. The organization works with at-risk youngsters ages 15 through 18. With roots in…
McAllen native Rafael Sepulveda received his bachelor’s in advertising from Boston University then attended photography school in Atlanta. Upon completing those courses and receiving Professional Photographers of America certification, he opened up two destination photography businesses. During his time as a destination wedding photographer in Atlanta, he discovered that he really enjoyed teaching other photographers that assisted him on his shoots. Establishing direction Sepulveda established RGV Photography Workshops in McAllen…