Category Archives: Community

TIFT Volunteers Reel In Scholarships

TIFT volunteers wait for fishing boats to arrive at the dock at the Port Isabel Marina.

The 80th Texas International Fishing Tournament is now in the books. This annual event is much more than going after shallow or deep-water fish. In fact, it’s a family event in which everyone from toddlers to grandparents in their 90s get together for a weekend of fun. Rewarding volunteers TIFT gives out tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to students from throughout the Rio Grande Valley and the state as well. This…

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Pharr Dancer Going Pro

Erick Perales, UTRGV dance performance graduate from Pharr, at the Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. (Photo Paul Chouy, UTRGV)

UTRGV Dance Program alumnus Erick Perales is off to the Big Apple to begin his professional dance career. The Pharr native was hired recently by Ballet Nepantla, a dance company known for fusing contemporary dance with Mexican folklórico to showcase its culture and history. Perales already was familiar with the company after having seen them perform and was in awe of their performance. Now, he gets to join them on stage in New…

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TSTC Father and Son Bond Over Welding

TSTC Welding Technology instructor Jose Salas and his son Jesse Salas, who is a student in the program. (photo TSTC)

Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor Jose Salas and Welding Technology student Jesse Salas have a father and son relationship that you could say is as strong as a good weld.  A skill passed down through generations, Jesse is now a student in TSTC’s Welding Technology program. It is a program his father has been an instructor in for 37 years. Coincidentally, both men began their journeys at TSTC at…

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Grants Fund Numerous Partnerships, Apprenticeships

The Texas Workforce Commission presents more than $300,000 in grant funding to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board. The funds support projects in the board's partnership with STC, Edinburg EDC and Pharr EDC. (photo STC)

With more than $300,000 in funding, South Texas College is partnering with local workforce agencies and municipalities to bring numerous education and training opportunities to the Rio Grande Valley. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board now has more than $300,000 in grant funding from the Texas Workforce Commission. The board is in now in a partnership with STC, Edinburg Economic Development and Pharr Economic Development. Earlier this month,…

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Jubilee Academies Impressive at Each Turn

Principal Tanya Perez cuts the ribbon as school administrators, area dignitaries, teachers and students celebrate the opening of the new Jubilee Harlingen campus.

Some teachers, parents and students waited eight years for this. On Aug. 9, three days before the official first school day, they beamed with pride and happiness as they walked through the halls of their brand new 43,000-square-foot Jubilee Academies Harlingen. “This is the best-built facility at Jubilee,” said Daniel Amador, Jubilee Academies RGV district superintendent. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the parents who stayed with us.…

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“Fill the Bus” Accepting Donations Today

Setting up "Fill the Bus" are Mike Bigelow of Schlitterbahn, School Tools manager Erica Lechuga and RGV Food Bank Agency Referral Specialist Lynda Galvan.

The eighth annual “Fill the Bus” is going on today, Aug. 8, at the Shary H-E-B until 6:30 p.m. The one-day event accepts donations of school supplies and backpacks, with those making donations of a value of $25 receiving a free Schlitterbahn ticket. Donations of a value of $40 receive two free Schlitterbahn tickets. All donations benefit the school tools program through the RGV Food Bank. Channel 4 is serving…

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It Truly Takes a Community to Inspire Students

Judge JoAnne Garcia presides over the Hidalgo County Probate Court. When she was asked to serve on the PSJA ISD Pre-Law Institute Advisory Board, she readily agreed.  As she looks back on its first year, she identifies three aspects of the Institute that stand out for her. “Number one,” Garcia said, “is it’s a great opportunity for the kids, at a minimum, to be exposed to professionals in the legal…

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Jubilee Academies Opens Harlingen Campus

The front entrance of the new 43,000-square-foot Jubilee Harlingen

Just one day before the Back-To-School Jamboree and three days before the official first day of school, Jubilee Harlingen will have one of its biggest celebrations of all. After months of construction, the state-of-the-art facility is ready for its debut to administrators, teachers and community members. The campus celebrates with a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting Aug. 9. The event will be the official merging of the Jubilee-Harlingen and Jubilee-Destiny campuses.…

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STC Nursing Receives Equipment Grant

South Texas College will be the recipient of a $75,000 grant by Texas Workforce Commission for its Associate Degree of Nursing program. South Texas College is one of 27 institutions to receive the JET grant totaling $5,718,073.

South Texas College is the recipient of a $75,000 grant by Texas Workforce Commission for high-demand job training in its Associate Degree of Nursing program. The grant provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for developing programs. These programs can be career and technical, leading to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree. The Jobs and Education for Texans grant is part of an initiative by TWC. It supports TWC’s efforts…

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McAllen ISD Hosts Educator Event

TECHnovate

McAllen ISD will be at the center of the fifth annual TECHnovate Aug. 9. The all-day event for educators focuses on creativity, social collaboration and engagement. It also explores compelling ways schools integrate technology into their classrooms. The event is open to all teachers, not just McAllen ISD. There will be presentations on 100 topics. This includes15 Tools for Digital Readers, Deepening Learning with Digital Portfolios and Promoting Engagement and Classroom Culture through…

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