Category Archives: Community

“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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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.…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

STC Receives More Than $1 Million in Grants

Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez, Workforce Solutions Strategy and Engagement Director Arcelia Sanchez, Workforce Solutions Boardmember Sonia Falcon, Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and South Texas College President Shirley A. Reed at the formal check signing ceremony Aug. 1.

Ceremonies took place at South Texas College Aug. 1 to announce a $1 million Skills Development Fund from Texas Workforce Commission and DHR Health. The funds marked the 27th SDF grant for STC from TWC. It also marks the second grant in partnership with DHR. The grant will provide customized training through a variety of healthcare areas. Additionally, it will benefit an estimate of 4,000 new and existing employees of DHR Health.…

Read More

Using Science to Craft Beer

Steve Padilla, UTRGV legacy alum, and owner of Big River Brewery. (photo, Paul Chouy, UTRGV)

It’s not about the type of beer that fills your glass; it’s all about the process. Just ask Steve Padilla. Owner of Big River Brewery in Pharr and alumnus of UTRGV legacy institution UT Pan American, Padilla says that whether you prefer stouts, lagers or seasonal sours, his authentic Valley brews came from ideas fermented in the science classroom. Padilla got a degree in nursing in 2008. As a nurse and anesthetist,…

Read More

When Passion Becomes Business

Very Artsy owner, Veronica Cerda-Ayala, stands at her checkout counter, which used to be an old restaurant cashier stand that she transformed by added the molding details on the front and painted in a trendy ombre pattern.

Whether writing, playing a sport, dancing or creating something new, our hobbies are a labor of love and enjoyment. Every once in a while, we are lucky enough to turn our hobbies into something more. This is exactly what Veronica Cerda-Ayala did.  After 18 years of being a teacher, Ayala decided she was ready to pursue her true passion … home decor. She began several years ago in her very…

Read More

Mission EDA Scholarship Lightens Load

The Mission EDA scholarship program gives residents from the city access to STC's many programs.

Belinda Knoblach took a three-decade-long break between high school and college. When deciding to return for further education she turned to South Texas College – and discovered a unique scholarship program. As a Mission resident, Knoblach was eligible to receive scholarship funds at STC specifically for students from Mission. Since its inception in 2013, the Mission EDA Scholarship Fund has disbursed more than $700,000 to 400-plus STC students from Mission.…

Read More

Giving Back: McAllen Artist Mitch D’Arte

Mitch D'Arte with villagers from one of the remote communities in San Luis Potosi. (courtesy Mitch D'Arte)

The works of Mcallen artist Mitch D’Arte are very much inspired by the multi-colors and textures of Mexican art. Her paintings are very representative of the heavy local Mexican influence.  But D’Arte’s connection to Mexico goes deeper than the vibrant colors and culture found in her artwork. At least twice a year, D’Arte travels to San Luis Potosi, Mexico and into the very remote parts of the city to give…

Read More