McALLEN — Nervousness, excitement and new opportunities filled the air for students at the new UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy where about 300 students started their first day of school.
Read the full story here.
Photo Gallery: Students enter the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Job Summary
Location: McAllen, Tx. (In Person, Not Remote)
The Digital Marketing Coordinator is responsible for supporting the sales team in the
development of digital advertising plans, results analysis, and sales calls. This position requires
an individual to strategically think and problem solve while paying meticulous attention to detail.
The Digital Marketing Coordinator is expected to show integrity, a thirst for learning, drive and
initiative, along with overall communication and organization skills to succeed in a fast-paced
work environment.
What You’ll Do
• Assist with day-to-day account maintenance tasks inclusive of fulfillment and campaign
analysis
• Schedule, attend, and participate in client meetings; capture and distribute meeting recap
notes to clients and internal team members, summarizing all deliverables and next steps
• Keep team updated on the status and timing of deliverables
• Collaborate with team to identify campaign discrepancies and recommend solutions
• Analyze competitive research to inform media strategy
• Pull and manipulate large performance-based datasets that inform the overall media approach
and strategy
• Engage and effectively interact with clients and other AIM Media departments internally
• Knowledge and learn about the digital advertising
• Pulls Digital Advertising Reports for Sales team (May take up to 2 business days)
• During down time; sets up appointments for Retails Sales Staff by cold calling
• Assist with sales research
• Helps rep schedule digital advertising properly on Frequence
• Sends out a daily list to Sales Rep of pending information to set campaigns live
• Help strategize and optimize on accounts
• Turn around time for proposal will be 3 business days
• Assist with co-op opportunities
Who You Are
• Hungry to advance your knowledge of advertising, marketing, and media principles
• Willing to take initiative, be an active participant in team discussions
• An effective communicator who thinks strategically
• A problem solver with the ability to develop creative solutions
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills
• Comfortable working with multiple timelines and deliverables; able to effectively manage your
time
• Someone who thrives working both independently and within a team
• Successful in a fast paced environment
• Results and solutions oriented; consistently motivated, proactive, and resourceful
TSTC student hopes to help expand his father’s HVAC business
HARLINGEN — Eliseo Alcala III had a goal in mind when he enrolled at Texas State Technical College: to help grow his father’s heating and air conditioning business in Rio Hondo.
Now Alcala is on track to receive a certificate of completion in HVAC Technician at TSTC’s Summer 2024 Commencement on Aug. 21, and he recently accepted a full-time job as an apprentice at his father’s company.
“We service commercial and residential clients,” Alcala said. “Our goal is to expand this family business.”
Frank Medina, a TSTC HVAC Technology instructor in Harlingen, said Alcala demonstrated potential from the start.
“Eliseo has shown great growth and maturity as a student,” he said. “We are proud to see him enter the Texas workforce and utilize the skills he gained to his full potential.”
Alcala developed an interest in the HVAC field after his father, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from TSTC in 2011 and became an independent contractor last November, asked him if he would like to join his business venture.
“I thought it was a great idea to start a family business,” Alcala said. “I decided to enroll (at TSTC) and made sure I finished the program. I want to master my father’s techniques and become an independent contractor as well.”
In Texas, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn an average annual salary of $50,190, according to onetonline.org, which forecast the number of such positions to grow 21% in the state from 2020 to 2030.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates of completion in HVAC Technology at its East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, North Texas and Waco campuses.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
Letters to the Editor | Week of Aug. 19-24, 2024
Presidential candidates and campaigns continues to dominate our forums, but other topics include state standardized tests, contributions of a local natural gas company and global warming. The most recent Tu Salud Si Cuenta column offers tips for healthier living. Comment also addressed workplace dissatisfaction, volunteer contributions and immigrants’ contributions.
As always, we welcome contributions to our public discourse, and thank those who have sent theirs.
Coronation of anarchy
Milwaukee, July 18, 2024: the beginning of the GOP presidential convention — and the day that began the coronation of anarchy. A day that will defy the infamy of its degree of separation from tradition and normalcy. A day that will far exceed the chaotic and traumatic assassination attempt on the United States 83 years earlier at Pearl Harbor.
This time, July 18 was a celebration, instead of bombers in the air. This time, no exploding bombs, slaughtered sailors or sinking ships. Instead, simply the madness and pandemonium of elation at the very thought of power, of distortion, of disruption. And the balloons rained down on the convention hall, while outside the rain fell like streaming tears and the clouds darkened like mourning veils.
A nation divided. A country without a soul. And in the background, the Star Spangled Banner, the dirge that adds insult to injury, as counterfeit patriots dance on the graves of heroes, warriors and champions of dreams once thought invulnerable, indomitable.
The coronation of anarchy in America almost complete. The crown, the scepter, the golden carriage in place. All that is missing: the sarcophagus that holds the shattered and crushed ashes of the virtues of America’s promise and greatness, draped in a torn and tattered flag that no longer waves through the dawn’s early light and no longer is hailed as the symbol of the free and the brave. And as the eagle flies one last time through what remains of the beautiful spacious skies, and over the smoldering ruins of once majestic purple mountains and fruited plains, God sheds his tears and grace on thee.
The GOP convention — the coronation of anarchy and the requiem for America, and for a dream.
And the blood-stained face of the GOP führer, captured in all his glory and delight, but the beginning of the end of America’s legacy of hope and of dreams.
And the nightmare begins.
Al Garcia-Wiltse
San Juan
Harris bashed
There I was, a cultish fanboy mental-tethered to my party’s news within my air-tight echo chamber, outsourcing my critical thinking and then — poof! — my candidate suddenly got yanked from the stage (by the “grassroots”) to nominate Kamala Harris.
Being facetious of course, in my leftist imitation.
It’s as if, at the height of Beatlemania, the Fab Four completely retired away and pushed Billy Preston (“the fifth Beatle”) to the fore under the same moniker. This feels like that.
Kamala, voted by leftist GovTrack as a liberal Democrat senator, is now a “centrist. Like Joe the “unifier” manufactured narrative, it’s wash, rinse, repeat.
Media fangirls are doing backflips in impossible feats of mental gymnastics, gushing over the VP with garish, disingenuous, flowery language.
Considering this woman’s dubious political history and icy reception even by Democrat voters, this is the fakest, lamest media campaign I think I’ve ever witnessed, though to the barking seals on here, it’s just a new variety of mackerel to approvingly flap their flippers to. Puffing up Kamala will stretch their intellectual dishonesty to unseen, unimaginable levels. Yet the Kamala puff pieces are a-coming. Pull your sleeves up, leftists, it’s homework time.
Jamey Honaker
Combes
Release handcuffs
I recently heard of one one person retiring after 30 years from a public service job proclaiming, “I hated every day of my job,” More concerning was a teacher counting nearby years to retire when I asked him if he would return as a sub-teacher. A quick middle finger raised with no language was his no-joking answer.
These two define a perfect definition of “golden handcuffs.” This 71-year-old begs you, if you hate your current work please release your golden handcuffs, especially if working with our young minds.
Mike Sawyer
Denver, Colo.
LNG company garners praise
Empowering students to obtain the knowledge and skills that make a difference in their lives is one of the greatest services we as educators can provide to the next generation. As a long-time resident of the Rio Grande Valley community, I’ve seen firsthand what meaningful empowerment looks like; I’ve sat in the classroom and absorbed insights from some incredible teachers and mentors.
And while lessons learned in the classroom are worth their weight in gold, plenty more can be done in partnership with community members like Rio Grande LNG to cultivate the next wave of Valley leaders and difference makers. Since joining our community, we’ve seen NextDecade Corporation’s Rio Grande LNG invest in RGV youth education in local schools and through programs at events like the Greater Brownsville Incentive Corporation’s Rally in the Valley with the intent of raising industry awareness for future opportunities to position the next generation for long-term success.
Throughout my 20 years with Brownsville Independent School District and as our Career & Technical Education director, I’ve witnessed the significance of young students receiving early career guidance as it can steer them toward high-quality opportunities. Rio Grande LNG’s partnership with BISD further educates students about the region’s energy economy and their facility’s future operations, which will absolutely play a pivotal role in piquing new interest and growing prosperity across the RGV.
In the vein of growth and setting our students up for success, BISD reevaluated its curriculum alongside Rio Grande LNG’s experts to inform industry-oriented educational tracks and CTE programs geared toward post-graduation career opportunities. The direct benefits of our collaboration can already be seen with our Pipefitter Program, which helps students learn the skills needed for high-demand construction-related jobs, with more engineering skills and other industry-related programs on the way.
Brownsville has the potential to be a global economic powerhouse, and Rio Grande LNG is helping drive this status by bringing job opportunities to our community. I am deeply excited about the growth potential that stems from this project’s development and can’t wait to see what’s next.
Benita E. Becerra-Villareal
Brownsville ISD director of Career & Technical Education
Brownsville
Election changes
We are less than two months away from electing a president and the stakes cannot be higher. The sudden change of a candidate dropping from the race due to low support because of his age turned this election on its head. Most were surprised and confused by this sudden change so close to election day. This changed the tone by confusing the voter. This is a game changer for the Democrats who knew they had a weak candidate, yet continued to support him considering his age and mental instability.
Now we begin at square one once again, and Donald Trump is worried for good reason. He has two months to figure out how he can get ready to challenge his new opponent. The newcomer has the edge this November. No debate with Trump will increase the chances of a Democrat win this November.
Trump’s weakness is his mouth. The less he says, the better off he is. Will he behave and act more presidential or go all out for the jugular and give the appearance of being a bully and lose votes from Republicans, swing voters and some Democrats?
At this point in time it is hard to predict the outcome. Only time will tell. It can go either way. We cannot be optimists or pessimists and just sit and do nothing just because we expect a dilutional outcome. We need to meet in the middle to make a rational decision or accept the outcome by a toss of a coin.
Rafael Madrigal
Pharr
Immigration antagonism
Republicans hate foreigners who show up at our borders and are granted “immigration parole” here. Many of these, according to popular Republican propaganda, are felons who have been emptied out of prisons so they can find fertile new ground for committing crime in America.
Republicans must hate our own country and its history. America was populated by many parolees from England during colonial days. Social misdemeanants, criminal felons and religious misfits were shipped off to the New World both to punish them and get them out of the hair of the motherland. There are numerous stories about how the rigors of surviving life in rugged North America turned them into upstanding, landholding, and faithful Americans.
At the same time Republican Marco Rubio is sermonizing about how earlier immigrants like his own family “could not achieve God’s purpose for their lives in the country of their birth,” Donald Trump and his platform writers are clamoring for mass deportation of millions of undocumented who have found temporary shelter here.
Mass deportation makes a rousing, emotionally satisfying platform plank. However, mindful observers, including a former Homeland Security official interviewed the second day of the convention, mention the extreme difficulty of first locating and then rounding up migrants from God knows wherever they have landed in this very big country. Deportation officials must then learn their legal stories, house them and transport them back to where they came from. In other words, this particular platform plank is a great big load of hooey, and real Republicans know it.
Kimball Shinkoskey
Woods Cross, Utah
Yes, it can happen here
Mass deportations? Look up Project 2025.
My mind recalls my student days in Madrid, Spain, when the fascist Generalisimo Francisco Franco was still in power. I saw him propped up in a convertible during the annual “victory parade” in 1974. There was no free speech back then and journalism was reduced to pictures of the royal family in magazines.
I studied Spanish history. In 1492 the Moors were defeated in Granada and deported to Africa and the end of a golden age of theological pluralism. It was the same year that began the persecution of the Jews, who either had to convert or experience “mass deportations” to the Americas. A pejorative term was developed to describe them. Sound familiar? Good ole queen Isabella wanted a theocracy and got it, even sanctioned the cruel Inquisition because in her mind the unjust suffering of the innocent justified the means to and end, a theocratic monarchy.
Spain under Franco was much like that as I remember it. Religious fascism justified the dropping of bombs on Guernica and a whole city of innocents was destroyed. Just ask Picasso.
Let’s move it closer to our shores and 2025. Much will depend on what happens in November. The “what can possibly happen” is currently talked about in the abstract. I know better. November will reveal “what will happen.”
Mass deportations, you ask? They happened before in this country in the 1950s with “Operation Wetback.” Look it up. Ask the Japanese and the Native Americans if they have any experience to recall.
As my good friend and mentor Dr. Justo Gonzalez used to teach, “Don’t be seduced by an innocent view of history!” Critically examine it for yourself and see if a “nationalist Christian political theocracy” cannot happen here to justify mass deportations in our own country.
Let’s hope our families and our congregants are not among them! And let’s hope that a form of religion is not used to justify the means to a political end.
Javier Alanis
San Juan
Volunteers draw thanks
High schoolers and college students in the RGV are making our community a better place for everyone! In July the Rio Grande Valley Down Syndrome Association and Team Mario partnered to host an ICanBike camp to help individuals with disabilities learn how to ride a traditional two-wheeled bicycle.
At least 75 volunteers were needed to provide support to riders as they practiced pedaling and steering. More than 90 young people from the RGV signed up to help. We had volunteers from PSJA ISD, Edinburg CISD, South Texas ISD, South Texas College, Palm Valley Church, South Texas Cotillion and more.
It was wonderful to see the riders putting in the hard work to learn a new skill and the volunteers building relationships and supporting riders in their efforts.
The RGV and our local educators can be proud of creating a community and climate where everyone is encouraged to do their best. Thank you to everyone who volunteered! And thank you to the brave riders and parents who showed up every day to work, persevere, learn and try new things. We are excited to see you keep riding this year!
Deborah Tomai
Edinburg
Water meters draw complaint
Calling the new water meters “smart” is a psychological play on words to make you feel stupid for protesting what in reality are air-polluting, privacy-invading water meters! Please beware of word-trickery! Words have power and the new water meters being shoved down the throats of McAllen residents are best called ‘evil’ water meters. These horrible devices bring up three major concerns that must be placed for discussion and approval by the people living in McAllen who will be the victims of this administrative invasion into our lives.
First, when I take a bath, use my washing machine, water my garden, clean my car, fill my pool or do not use water at all because I am on vacation with my family is no concern of the city of McAllen. This is invasion of privacy and voyeurism hidden under the costume of technology.
Second, there is nothing smart about a water meter that emits radiation poisoning consisting of electromagnetic pulsations 24/7. This may result in serious health problems to human beings and pets walking by the continuously transmitting demons.
Third, this technology is anti-green energy. The carbon dioxide emission of the MPU trucks gathering data from the meters once a month is minuscule compared to the 24/7 continuous water meter radiation poisoning forced upon citizens by MPU — an administrative agency gone wild.
Marelyn Medina
McAllen
Trump said it
I hope no one disagrees with me that Donald Trump is one self-centered, egotistical, blustering piece of work who knows little about the real world except how to make money. Please note I did not say earn. His lack of morals and ethics would be the envy of any 18th century Russian czar or other despot. So, to illustrate this I am providing a compendium of his quotes, all quickly verifiable with appropriate sources by a quick search under “trumps quotes.”
About himself:
“The beauty of me is that I’m very rich.”
“When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p—-y.”
“I’m intelligent. Some people would say I’m very, very, very intelligent.”
“You know, I’m, like, a smart person.”
“I could stand in the middle Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters.”
“(Kim Jong-Un) speaks and his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same.”
About women:
“Do you believe in punishment for abortion — yes or no — as a principle?” “The answer is there has to be some form of punishment.” “For the woman?” “Yeah, there has to be some form.”
“If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?”
“I would never buy Ivana any decent jewels or pictures. Why give her negotiable assets?”
About politics:
“Climate change is a big scam for a lot of people to make a lot of money.”
“I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”
“They’re (Mexico) sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us.” “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
About COVID:
“We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China. It’s going to be just fine.”
“It’s going to disappear. One day, it’s like a miracle, it will disappear”
After digesting the above evidence of a lack of morals, ethics and lack of understanding of the real world, do you still believe he should ever have been or should again be the president of anything? If you do, don’t cry for the America you are creating — real Americans will do that for you.
Ned Sheats
Mission
Editor’s note: We welcome your letters and commentary. Submissions must include the writer’s full name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters of 200 words or fewer will be given preference. Submissions may be edited for length, grammar and clarity. Letters may be mailed to P.O Box 3267, McAllen, Texas 78502-3267, or emailed to [email protected].
Los Fresnos opens at No. 7 in RGVSports.com 5A/6A preseason poll
LOS FRESNOS — The Los Fresnos Falcons are no strangers to the postseason. Since the arrival of head coach David Cantu in 2021, the Falcons have qualified for the playoffs three straight times, earning two postseason games during that span, as well.
One thing missing, however, is a district title.
With a star-studded group of returners, this season could be the year Los Fresnos breaks through and captures the gold ball. The Falcons are the No. 7 team in the RGVSports.com 5A/6A preseason poll.
“We, for sure, have pressure this season,” Los Fresnos quarterback Robert Pineda said. “We know what we did all offseason though and spring ball. We’re all competitive. We all have the same ambition. We’re chasing that gold ball. Every day we come in with that mindset. We want it really bad not just for us, but for the community.”
The Falcons return a solid core on both sides of the ball, bringing back a total of 11 starters from last year’s bi-district finalist squad.
One of the biggest returning pieces is Pineda, the third year starting signal caller. The junior has started 23 games since stepping onto the field in 2021, leading the Falcons to back-to-back playoff appearances and one postseason win.
Pineda has established himself as one of the RGV’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks since his freshman year, throwing for 3,254 yards and 35 touchdowns and rushing for 1,567 yards and 16 scores in two years.
Year 3 could bring even more success for the quarterback, with Pineda’s experience allowing coaches to open the playbook even more on offense.
“I feel really comfortable in this offense going into this year,” Pineda said. “I feel like my offensive line trusts me. My receivers and coaches trust me. I just feel really good going into this one.”
The Falcons also bring back a pair of playmakers at wideout in junior Lucky Perales and senior Josh Limon. The receiver duo earned their quarterback’s trust last season, combining for 737 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
A new face will start alongside Pineda in the backfield in 2024, with junior running back JC Fuentes stepping into the starting role. Fuentes showed flashes of his potential despite a limited role last year, averaging 9.4 yards per carry en route to 347 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Junior middle linebacker Juan Sanchez returns to command the offense, racking up 82 tackles and three tackles for loss as a sophomore, while versatile safety Cade Stumbaugh (61 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception) gives the Falcons another weapon against the pass and run.
Junior defensive back Abraham Elizondo’s return from injury should help solidify the Falcons secondary, displaying his lockdown potential last year after racking up 30 tackles, 10 passes deflected and one interception in nine games played.
“We’re feeling great going into this year,” Pineda said. “We’ve had a good spring ball. Everyone on our team is competitive. We’re all looking forward to having a good season this year.”
The road to a district championship won’t be as long as years past, with realignment knocking 32-6A down from six teams to five in 2024.
That won’t make it any easier, however, with the already loaded district, which features RGV powerhouses Harlingen High and San Benito, adding Brownsville Veterans into the mix.
“It is going to take a lot of hard work to come out on top of this district,” Pineda said. “We’re ready though. We are going to take on anyone. We’re excited for the challenge.”
Los Fresnos opens the season with non-district games against a pair of McAllen ISD schools in McHi and Rowe. A home tilt against Laredo United South follows in Week 3, followed by back-to-back road games against PSJA High and Edinburg High before closing out their non-district slate at home against Sharyland High.
The Falcons won’t waste any time taking on the top dawgs in their district, kicking off 32-6A play against San Benito on Oct. 18, followed by tilts against Brownsville Veterans and Harlingen High before closing out the year against Brownsville Hanna.
McAllen Rowe football player injured in ‘tragic accident’
McAllen Rowe student and football player Adan De La Cruz has been injured in what the McAllen school district is calling a “tragic accident.”
McAllen ISD spokesman Mark May texted RGVSports.com at 4:20 p.m., saying: “Still waiting for family to give us permission to say anything publicly. Will share with you when once that is in place.”
Later, when asked about Cruz’s status, May responded, “Not yet, you might try McAllen Police.”
A vigil initially planned for 7 p.m. on Sunday was canceled, May said in a text.
“The group prayer for tonight is being canceled out of respect for the family. It won’t take place this evening but I will let you know if one is scheduled later on,” May said.
The spokesman added that counselors will be at the Nikki Row campus on Monday for the first day of school.
He referred all other questions to the McAllen Police Department.
De La Cruz is a three-year letterman at linebacker and one of Rowe’s top returning senior starters in 2024. He was named a First Team All-District 15-5A DI selection as a junior last season after posting a team-leading 82 total tackles and five tackles for loss in 10 games.
Here’s the latest update:
McAllen Rowe football player remains hospitalized, 2 in custody
Driscoll: New children’s hospital already treated thousands since opening in May
EDINBURG — Matt Wolthoff, president of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, knelt down next to 8-year-old Eduardo Campirano and together they snipped one of the many ribbons cut Saturday morning to symbolize the opening of the hospital.
“It was awesome cutting the ribbon!” Eduardo said with a smile across his face.
The moment was a tender one, drawing smiles from all who witnessed it.
For Marinda Campirano, Eduardo’s mom, having a Driscoll hospital in the Valley opens doors to those who cannot travel to receive the necessary care.
“[It] gives access to care for children in our area,” Marinda said. “Instead of having to travel to other places we can have adequate care here for our children.”
Marinda explained that she previously had to travel with her son to Houston in order to get treatment for Eduardo, who was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) at an early age.
“It’s nice that they have a hospital here for them,” Marinda said, adding that her son was now in remission and doing better.
While Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley opened its doors here in May, hospital representatives and community members gathered Saturday for a ceremonial ribbon cutting marking its opening, and also took time to honor state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa.
Hinojosa has recently been awarded the “Children’s Health Care Award” from the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas. And he was present at Saturday’s event not just to receive the accolades but recognize the hospital’s opening already impacting the region.
At the event, red, yellow and blue balloons adorned the sides of a tent showing off Driscoll’s colors as attendees gathered. Cupcakes, coins, Lego-shaped toys all with the Driscoll logo were handed to guests as memorabilia of the momentous occasion.
Attendees even penned letters of support and best wishes that would later be tucked away in a time capsule that will be opened in 2049.
Matt Wolthoff, the hospital president, feels the attendance at Saturday’s event only emphasized the need for a hospital like Driscoll in the Valley.
“The feedback from our community has been overwhelmingly positive,” Wolthoff said. “The first three months have been more than successful; we’ve exceeded the volumes that we even projected.
“We’ve been a lot busier than what we thought over the first three months so it validates to us why we do what we do.”
Wolthoff explained that the goal of the hospital is to address the need for care in the Valley, a need that was evident from day one of the facility’s opening.
“We’ve seen hundreds of patients in the hospital, we’ve done hundreds of surgeries, we’ve seen over a thousand patients through our emergency department,” Wolthoff said, adding that they are anticipating an even busier next few months due to school classes resuming.
The health system hopes to continue to improve care for Valley children through its hospital, health plan and clinics across the region.
Driscoll is the Valley’s first freestanding, designated children’s hospital. Officials first broke ground on the hospital Nov. 16, 2021, and opened its doors to the public nearly three years later on May 1.
The $105 million facility brought state-of-the-art equipment, which fills the eighth-floor building with digital whiteboards and signs, a language line translation machine, medical booms that allow patients more movement, a CT scan machine that has a 560-slice count, a pneumatic tube system that runs underneath McColl Road, and other high tech equipment.
Hinojosa has already gone on record praising the facility and its staff for increasing healthcare accessibility in the area, but he also found himself the point of praise.
“I’m very honored to be given the Children’s Hero Award, but the reality is that it’s all teamwork in focusing on the issues that many of our children have,” Hinojosa said, noting that the Legislature is also focusing on addressing mental health care for children.
The goal is to provide early intervention and prevention through the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium in which they’ve allocated approximately half a billion dollars.
“For us children are very special; they are a gift from God so they require a hospital and healthcare providers that are devoted only to children, and this is what’s happening today,” Hinojosa said.
In April, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced it was awarding the STAR and CHIP subsidized care contracts to Aetna, a for-profit organization.
If awarded the contracts, Aetna would then replace the Driscoll Health Plan, a nonprofit organization. The change has drawn concern from hospital officials and legislators who fear a negative impact on low-income residents in the region as well as jeopardize nearly 500 Driscoll jobs.
Hinojosa along with 19 fellow South Texas legislators — state Sens. Judith Zaffirini, Roland Gutierrez and Morgan La Mantia, as well as state Reps. Todd Hunter, Abel Herrero, Genie W. Morrison, Ryan Guillen, Oscar Longoria, Sergio Munoz Jr., Janie Lopez, Erin Gamez, Armando “Mando” Martinez, Terry Canales, R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, Richard Pena Raymond, J.M. Lozano, Eddie Morales and Tracy King — wrote to Gov. Greg Abbott asking him to advocate for the Driscoll Health Plan in hopes of stopping the state from finalizing the contracts.
The Driscoll Health Plan has served 24 counties across South Texas including Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy and Starr for about 26 years.
Throughout that time it has provided coverage for about 89,000 STAR and CHIP recipients in the Nueces service area and about 336,000 recipients in the Hidalgo service area.
Currently, DHP insures 180,000 children and expecting mothers, which makes up 54% of recipients.
If the contracts are awarded to Aetna it would have an impact on not only South Texas but other areas across the state, affecting approximately 1.8 million people statewide who would be forced to change health plans and providers as a result.
But although the state plans to move forward with awarding the contracts to Aetna, local efforts remain focused on keeping DHP.
“My take is that it will be moved and postponed until we meet in January so that the Legislature can address and make proper changes to make sure that our community children’s hospitals and community health plans are included,” Hinojosa said.
Hinojosa also expressed confidence that DHP will continue serving South Texas.
“We are working together statewide from the different regions to make sure that our children’s hospitals are not left out of the MCO (managed care organization) program for the healthcare plans,” he added.
Wolthoff, meanwhile, hailed Driscoll’s work in the Valley as pivotal for a region that has historically lacked access to health care.
“Today we are celebrating a new standard of care in the Rio Grande Valley,” Wolthoff said.
To see more, view staff photographer Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: Officials hold ceremonial ribbon cutting for Driscoll Children’s Hospital
Mission Vets wins Donna tourney; Pioneer third at Spikefest
Mission Veterans freshman Mady Perez was named MVP as the Patriots defeated city rival
Mission High 25-21, 16-25, 15-12 to capture the Donna ISD tournament Saturday Donna High School.
The Patriots defeated Edinburg Economedes before downing Laredo Martin to set up their rivalry matchup. Meanwhile, Mission defeated Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Pace to reach the title match.
Edcouch-Elsa won the Silver Bracket, while Weslaco East captured the bronze and Donna North the Ruby title.
Along with Perez being named MVP, teammate Sophia Pacheco was named to the all-tournament team. Also
named to the all-tournament team was Mission’s Joslyn Rodriguez and Vanessa Espinosa, Laredo Martin’s Camila Ontiveros, Pace’s Natalie Sosa and Edcouch-Elsa’s Tamara Leal.
Local teams fare well at Spikefest
Sharyland Pioneer won all three of its matches during the first day of the Corpus Christi ISD Spikefest tournament and advanced to the championship bracket semifinals before falling Corpus Christi London in the semifinals.
The Diamondbacks then won the third-place match against SA Sotomayor 25-21, 25-16. Pioneer finished third overall out of 32 schools. CC Veterans Memorial defeated London for the championship.
Palmview advanced to the Gold Bracket as well after defeating San Antonio Lee and CC Ray but fell to CC Veterans and Gregory Portland during bracket play.
Brownsville Lopez won the Bronze Bracket, defeating San Antonio Lee after downing Corpus Christi Moody in the semifinals. Jasmine Cortinas was named to the Bronze all tournament team.
TSTC student strives for excellence in welding
HARLINGEN — In a roundabout way, Gabriel Garcia’s path to Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program started with a barbecue pit.
When he was a teenager, Garcia became fascinated with welding while watching his uncle use welding to build a barbecue pit. Later, his cousin convinced Garcia to join him in the welding program at Edcouch-Elsa High School.
“I did it all four years and earned a certificate when I graduated,” Garcia said. “Then my cousin enrolled in Welding Technology at TSTC and spoke highly about the program. So I enrolled.”
Now Garcia is studying for a certificate of completion in Welding Advanced Pipe Specialization.
“I’ve enjoyed learning about the fundamentals and real-world experiences from the instructors,” he said. “With welding, you have to consider the mathematics, reading blueprints, knowing about safety and learning the various types of welds.”
Garcia said his instructors motivate him to strive for excellence.
“They keep the learning process strict by telling us to do a weld a certain way and explain why it has to be done that way,” he said.
Raul Saldivar, a TSTC Welding Technology instructor, said Garcia’s passion for welding is evident in his meticulous attention to detail.
“Gabriel strives for excellence in every weld he produces,” he said. “His commitment is not just about technical proficiency, but also about understanding the principles of welding techniques.”
Garcia said TSTC has given him a new outlook.
“I’ve learned that there are endless possibilities to be creative in welding,” he said. “I use that as motivation to improve my skills.”
According to onetonline.org, welders, cutters, solderers and brazers earn a yearly median salary of more than $48,500 in Texas. These jobs were expected to increase in the state by 23% between 2020 and 2030, according to the website.
TSTC offers Welding Technology at all 11 of its campuses across the state. An Associate of Applied Science degree and several certificates of completion are available, depending on campus location. The program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee, which refunds a participating graduate’s tuition if he or she has not found a job in their field within six months after graduation.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
Commentary: STAAR scores addressed
The July 9 article by reporter Omar Zapata on the 2024 STAAR end-of-course results was no doubt accurate and contains a massive amount of detail. However, understanding its meaning to the students and the future of Hidalgo County education is not presented and difficult to deduce. In fact, if we reach a correct understanding of it without adding too many additional facts and taking it out of its present context of “Texas only,” the results will be business as usual and a dismal future for Hidalgo County students. We need to condense the results by using only the eighth-grade results since those indicate their readiness for high school. They, like ACT and SAT nationally recognized tests, test readiness for future education.
First and most importantly is that the STAAR results are based on Texas students only. I will repeat what Mr. Zapata points out in his first paragraph: some Hidalgo County school districts were “close to, on par or surpassing state averages only in some categories” while others were totally under.
When we get specific it gets worse. There are 23 ISDs in Hidalgo County. The article had incomplete information for mathematics. It states that the majority was above average. So, being generous we will say that 14 (60%) exceeded average. In reading, three (13%) were above the state average. The science portion resulted in even poorer performance at two (11%) exceeding average. Finally, in social studies, again three (13%) made it over just average. Summing it up, only in mathematics did two or more of the 23 ISDs make it over average. In all other categories the vast majority barely met or failed to meet the Texas STAAR standard for average.
Remember, we are comparing our county schools to Texas STAAR that is given nowhere else in the country. So, let’s take a statistically similar state, California: Dollars expended per student in California is $17,000; in Texas $13,000. The U.S. average is $16,000. State revenue as a portion of ISDs’ budgets for California is 54.5%, ranking it 14th; for Texas it’s 35%, ranking it 31st.
Now let’s measure the educational results of the real numbers. The average SAT score for California is 1083, a B- and 24th place; for Texas it’s 978 and a C-, one above Puerto Rico. For the ACT California posts 25.7 for 4th place and Texas stumbles in with a 23 for 36th position, plus US News & World Report puts us at 34th in high school graduate college readiness. So, what all the data mean is that “Texas average” students are being cheated since their “average” is in the bottom third of the nation. Can you imagine where our majority of below “Texas Average” ISDs are? I don’t want to!
No, folks, this time I don’t have a solution, but it would help if Gov. Greg Abbott contributed more funds to public schools instead of spending them on his charter schools and rewriting history. Also, he should take advantage of federal grants instead of refusing them due to a political snit. Plus, locally we should find some non-political local administrators and reward scholastic accomplishment as much as sports.
Ned Sheats lives in Mission.