ate Rudolph “Rudy” Anderson, III helped provide a funeral escort for former United States
President Jimmy Carter as a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, according to a story on the Fort Bend ISD website.
Only one member from each branch of the service was selected as a casket bearer. Anderson was selected to represent the U.S. Navy.
Anderson, who holds the rank of airman, completed an intensive 10-week training program last year to become a U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guardsman.
Sailors are chosen to serve in this duty while they attending boot camp. They are experts in the art of close order drill, coordination and timing.
According to the Navy’s website, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official honor guard of the U.S. Navy and is based in Washington, D.C. Their primary mission is to represent the naval branch of service in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy and public ceremonies in and around the nation’s capital.
The Navy’s Ceremonial Guard is comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers and firing party.
Anderson attended Austin Parkway Elementary and First Colony Middle School before graduating from in 2018 from Elkins High School, where he played football and baseball.
He continued playing football at the collegiate level for Blinn Junior College, North Texas University and Texas Southern University before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The breach of contract lawsuit by former Fort Bend ISD superintendent Christie Whitbeck against the district has been set for a jury trial next January, more than a year after it was filed.
On January 23, 434th District Court Associate Judge Angie Brame signed a docket control order in the case setting a trial date of January 20, 2026. Whitbeck’s Houston-based attorney, Christopher Tritico, had earlier requested that 434th District Judge Christian Becerra grant a jury trial in the case.
In the lawsuit, filed December 3. Whitbeck alleges that the district and three trustees – Sonya Jones, David Hamilton and former trustee and board president Judy Dae – made numerous disparaging public and social media comments about her, in
violation of the voluntary retirement agreement which ended Whitbeck’s two-year tenure in December 2022.
The agreement includes a clause stating that the district and board members would refer all third-party inquiries to a press release that praised Whitbeck’s accomplishments during her tenure, which began in September 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But beginning almost immediately after the agreement was signed, the three trustees made numerous disparaging remarks about Whitbeck and her performance in public, social media, and media appearances, the lawsuit alleges.
Since the lawsuit was first filed, Whitbeck and Tritico filed a motion of non-suit dropping the defamation claims against Jones, Hamilton and Dae. The motion stated that the district, in its own motion to dismiss Whitbeck’s claims, had effectively
admitted those claims under Texas tort law.
In the district’s official answer to the lawsuit, filed December 30, it makes a general denial of all of Whitbeck’s claims against both the district and the individual trustees. It also offers several affirmative defenses against the allegations, including governmental immunity, professional immunity, and that Whitbeck failed to exhaust some of her claims.
The docket control order has a December 12 deadline for mediation in the case.
Should the case go to trial, the status of the parties may be very different. Dae, the board president at the time of Whitbeck’s departure, chose not to seek reelection in 2024. Hamilton, the current board secretary, has not publicly indicated whether he plans to file for election to a second term by the February 16
deadline. And Jones, who was elected in 2023 and whose term expires in 2026, has stated in social media postings that she may be ready to move on to other things.
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office and a local nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking on Monday announced the formation of a new task force to combat the problem in the county.
The effort, called the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, is being funded by a $600,000 grant (with a matching grant of $300,000) from the
Community Reports
The Fort Bend County Fair recently named Robert “Bobby” Poncik as its new President. Poncik is a longtime supporter of the Fair, which is now celebrating its 89th year, according to a press release.
“For over 30 years, Bobby has been a constant presence at the fair, volunteering and taking on leadership roles across multiple committees,” the release states. “From his involvement in the Creative Arts, Culinary, and Livestock Committees to his time as Livestock Superintendent, Bobby’s contributions span the fair’s entire scope. In 2014, he joined the board,
U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and will address what participants called the “scourge” of human trafficking from both the law enforcement and victims’ assistance ends, Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton said at the press conference at the Fort Bend County Justice Center. Traci Bennett, special victims division chief with the prosecutor’s office, said that there are currently 21 defendants with pending felony cases
and since then, he’s played a pivotal role in Livestock and areas like Credentials, Beer Ticket Sales, PRCA Rodeo, and Livestock Auctions, among many others. “Being part of the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo has been a rewarding journey for me and my family. This fair isn’t just an event; it’s a tradition that brings people together and gives back to our youth, our families, and our community,” Poncik, a former bareback rider and youth rodeo participant, said in the release. His wife, Jana, a Life Member of the fair, has volunteered on numerous committees, and their sons, Trebor and
related to human trafficking. The alleged offenses include compelling prostitution of adults and children, sexual assault of a child, aggravated kidnapping, trafficking from a shelter, and aggravated promotion of prostitution. There are also approximately 30 pending solicitation of prostitution cases, she said. That number is expected to double in upcoming days as a result of local law enforcement operations, she said. She said the fel-
Taylor have exhibited lambs, steers, broilers, turkeys, scramble heifers, and open heifers. His sons now have been active on the Livestock Committee for more than 20 years. The family’s legacy at the fair continues with Poncik’s granddaughters, including Trulee, who has been participating in the Bucket Calf Show for several years; and Avery Mae in open or prospect shows. Poncik has also been involved in the Boots and Buckles Fishing Tournament alongside his sons, Go Tejano Valentines Dance, Summer
ony solicitation offenders are the ones that create the demand for trafficking, “which perpetuates the problem in our county and in our state and in our country,” she said. Bennett noted that Fort Bend County is “growing exponentially. This grant from the Department of Justice will make it possible to take the fight against trafficking to the next level.” She said that any person under the age
County District Attorney's Office, at podium, speaks at
tion, which she will co-lead. Also present are Missouri City Police Assistant Chief Jazton Heard, left, Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan, Kellye Turner from Gov. Gregg Abbott's office, FBCDA special victims division chief Traci Bennett, District Attorney Brian Middleton, Timeka Walker, CEO of United Against Human Trafficking, and Elaine Andino, also of UAHT. Photo by Ken Fountain
U.S. Navy Seaman Rudolph “Rudy” Anderson, III, a 2018 graduate of Elkins High School, was a member of the elite military funeral guard for the late President Jimmy Carter. Courtesy U.S. Navy
The breach of contract lawsuit by former Fort Bend ISD superintendent Christie Whitbeck has been set for a January 2026 trial. File photo
Sugar Land library to host Lunar
New Year Festival on Feb. 1
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries will host a Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, February 1, from 2-3 p.m. at the Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge.
Activities and crafts celebrating the Year of the Snake are planned for families with children of all ages.
Attendees will enjoy the pageantry and excitement
of the dancing lions from the Katy Kung Fu Lion Dance Team (USA Shaolin Xiu Culture Center), who will perform at 2 p.m.. The dancing lions have been a very popular part of the celebration for many years. In addition to the performance, the dancers will explain the traditions and significance of the lion dance for the peoples of the Asian communities.
This event is made possible by the Friends of the Sugar Land Branch Library.
The Lunar New Year activities are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www. fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Sugar Land Branch Library (281-238-2140) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Gala and has been involved in all aspects of the rodeo, from the Ranch Rodeo to the ProRodeo weekend.
The Fort Bend County Fair recently named Robert “Bobby” Poncik as its new President. Poncik is a longtime supporter of the Fair, which is now celebrating its 89th year, according to a press release.
“For over 30 years, Bobby has been a constant presence at the fair, volunteering and taking on leadership roles across multiple committees,” the release states. “From his involvement in the Creative Arts, Culinary, and Livestock Committees to his time as Livestock Superintendent, Bobby’s contributions span the fair’s entire scope. In 2014, he joined the board, and since then, he’s played a pivotal role in Livestock and areas like Credentials, Beer Ticket Sales, PRCA Rodeo, and Livestock Auctions, among many others.
“Being part of the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo has been a rewarding journey for me and my family. This fair isn’t just an event; it’s a
tradition that brings people together and gives back to our youth, our families, and our community,” Poncik, a former bareback rider and youth rodeo participant, said in the release.
His wife, Jana, a Life Member of the fair, has volunteered on numerous committees, and their sons, Trebor and Taylor have exhibited lambs, steers, broilers, turkeys, scramble heifers, and open heifers. His sons now have been active on the Livestock Committee for more
than 20 years.
The family’s legacy at the fair continues with Poncik’s granddaughters, including Trulee, who has been participating in the Bucket Calf Show for several years; and Avery Mae in open or prospect shows. Poncik has also been involved in the Boots and Buckles Fishing Tournament alongside his sons, Go Tejano Valentines Dance, Summer Gala and has been involved in all aspects of the rodeo, from the Ranch Rodeo to the ProRodeo weekend.
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
who is coerced into engaging in a sex act is considered to be trafficked under the law.
Rhonda Kuykendall, a member of the prosecutor’s office who previously led its Human Trafficking Community Awareness Team, will co-lead the task force from the law enforcement side, alongside the regional nonprofit United Against Human Trafficking.
“The task force is designed to identify victims of all forms of human trafficking,” she said. Those include sex trafficking, trafficking of minors, and trafficking of people who are forced to labor in the domestic or otherwise legal industries such as agriculture, hospitality, and transportation,” Kuykendall said.
The collaboration will also work to create “victimcentered approaches that are tailored to the unique needs of survivors.”
Kuykendall said the Fort Bend initiative is an “enhanced collaborative model” that has found success across the county. In Texas, the model has been used most recently in Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth., Middleton said.
Kuydendall said the program would include a focus “inward-facing training that would provide training about the issues related to trafficking to law enforcement members, prosecutors, service providers, judges and defense attorneys. An “outward-facing awareness” component would focus on educating the broader community about the realities of human trafficking, she said, as well providing information to people who suspect they may be being victimized.
Before a group of reporters, Kuydendall related how she is very familiar with the problem.
“Many years ago, a 10-year-
old girl met a trafficker in Pasadena, Texas. That trafficker would come to Fort Bend County, pick her up, take her to Houston, and after several visits into Houston, she was eventually flown” she said. “She was flown out of Intercontinental Airport out to Lubbock. She would be flown out on Friday, returned on Sunday, and sitting in her seat at an elementary school right here in Fort Bend County. The year was 1981, and that little girl was me,” she said.
“I am a testament that human trafficking has always been in Fort Bend County. But now that we have awareness, we have action,” she said. “Today, despite these drastic advancements in technologies, we know that the methods these traffickers use are disturbingly familiar.”
She said traffickers prey on potential victims’ vulnerabilities, which can include emotional, financial, and societal vulnerabilities.
While anyone can fall prey to being trafficked, people who are most vulnerable are the ones who are most often victimized.
“So our collective focus must turn to marginalized, underserved communities. We are including communities of color, male survivors, LGTBQ, and also youth in the child welfare system,” she said.
Kuykendall said the Fort Bend initiative is an “enhanced collaborative model” that has found success across the county. In Texas, the model has been used most recently in Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth.
Timeka Walker, CEO of United Against Human Trafficking, the co-lead of the collaborative, said the organization and its coalition partners are focused on enhancing the voices of trafficking survivors of all types.
“I think another piece that is really critical is the diver-
sity, equity, and inclusion of all folks,” she said. “No matter where you come from, who you love, at the end of the day, all folks can be survivors of human trafficking. We’re all impacted, it’s in all our neighborhoods. It’s happening down the street. It’s happening at restaurants and other service providers as well.”
“So how do we continue to make sure it’s not such a myth that it’s happening somewhere else in another part of the country or another part of the world, but it’s happening right here,” she said. Walker said her organization would focus on “trauma-informed care,” meaning that survivors would be met “where they are” so that their voices are heard.
“We want our community to be safe and for traffickers and criminals in the community who may want to come to Fort Bend County - we’ve drawn the line, don’t cross it,” Middleton said in closing remarks.
The DOJ grant is for a multiphase program over three years, and can be renewed at the end of that period, officials said. Middleton said that combatting human trafficking is an issue that has broad, bipartisan support and that he did not expect that to change.
Terri Stuart, the grant coordinator for the prosecutor’s office, said the budgeted funds are primarily for the salary of the task force coordinator for program’s full three years, and for a task force director in the second and third years. Since the prosecutor’s office and UAHT applied jointly for the grant, the total available funding is approximately $1.2 million, officials said.
Elaine Andino, chief external affairs director for UAHT, said that the agency’s budget is directed primarily toward the salaries of case managers and direct assistance for survivors.
The Katy Kung Fu Lion Dance Team will be the featured performers during the Lunar New Year Festival at the Sugar Land Branch Library on February 1. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries
EDITORIAL
No joke, the woke is broke
“Hell no,”
Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X. What upset our Guv? Was it a response to Dr. Peter Hotez trying to save Texans from dying of bird flu? Or did someone suggest that, as the elected leader of Texas, he should work non-stop to make our public schools the best in America. Or perhaps Abbott should stop trying to replace the Alamo with a likeness of Mar-a-Lago. No. It seems some students at Texas A&M were invited to attend a conference put on by the PhD Project, which promotes minorities seeking a doctorate in business. Only minority students need apply.
Ah, remember that in 2023 the Guv signed a law banning diversity hiring programs, DEI training and DEI offices in public higher education. When asked if he approved of the invitation, the Guv replied: “Hell no. It’s against Texas law and violates the U.S. Constitution. It will be fixed immediately or the president will soon be gone.” Texas governors cannot directly fire a university
president, but the governor appoints the university regents who answer to him, and the president answers to the regents.
Threatening to fire a the head of a university if he or she allows students to attend a conference on promoting minority Ph.Ds – and only minority students need apply – is pretty drastic, but it is further evidence that the woke is broke. We are seeing the tide turning against DEI (that’s diversity, equity and inclusion), LGBTQIA+ and female high school athletes with beards. In politics, Donald Trump was elected promising to revoke (or rewoke) all of Joe Biden’s wokeness. He did so immediately after his inauguration. Trump’s victory speaks volumes about Americans’ changing opinions.
Yes, the pendulum is swinging back. The signs are all around, most noticeably, but not exclusivity, at our universities. Here in Texas, the Guv’s abolishment of universities’ DEI programs found grudging acceptance at UT, but the Aggies had already paid a briefly-hired journalism prof a cool $1million just to go away because, among her other sins, she had once worked at that bastion of liberal sedition, The New York Times. Businesses are taking notice, too. McDonald’s is “retiring” some of its diversity, equity and inclusion goals and the diversity team was renamed the “Global Inclusion Team.” Incidentally, McCustomers, Houston has the most McDonald’s locations of any city in the country, according to Yahoo. There are 126 restaurants in the greater Houston area.
McDonald’s is only one of a stream of American companies which are going with this redirected flow. Amazon, Boeing and Ford, John Deere, Harley-Davidson, Meta, Walmart, Toyota and many more have abandoned or rolled back their programs of DEI. Even Jack Daniel’s will drink to that. A major reason for this about-face of major
corporations – often not mentioned – is that shareholders have objected. Mentions of “diversity equity and inclusion” in earnings calls have dropped roughly 82 percent since 2021. But there are still holdouts. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Delta, Costco and Apple among others are sticking with their DEI programs. Still, it’s clear. Most business tycoons know which way the wind, or smoke, is blowing. Elon Musk has charged that the California wildfires are the fault of that state’s leaders because “they prioritized DEI over saving lives and homes.” I’m not sure I get the connection. Maybe Smokey the Bear is gay. Have you been following the U.S. Senate hearings on Trump’s choices for the cabinet and other top-level posts in his new administration? Probably not. My sock drawer needs rearranging. But the nominees’ woke quotient is under review, no matter other such minor qualifications. Pete Hegseth was on the firing line, so to speak, to be Secretary of Defense. His grilling was the time to ask him about China’s warshipbuilding capacity. Ukraine is fighting for its life. Gaza is a
wasteland and Syria is tottering. So what were the incisive and penetrating questions shot at him? Democrats zeroed in on LGBTQIA+ rights, climate change and wokeness in the military. And to think that not so long ago the DEI movement was all the rage. Businesses took action. A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 52 percent of employed adults said they had DEI trainings or meetings at work, and 33 percent said they had a designated staff member who promoted DEI. We changed military bases named for Confederate generals. Even the Houston ISD changed names of schools bearing the handle of Lee, Jackson and Lanier. I especially like the latter. Sydney Lanier was a poet who briefly served in the Confederacy. That name, Lanier, was kept but was changed to honor a former Houston mayor. Quaker Oats rebranded Aunt Jemima. The companies that make Uncle Ben’s, Mrs. Butterworth’s and Cream of Wheat reviewed their products’ labels and branding. Land O’Lakes removed a Native American woman from its products. The Dixie Chicks are now just the
Chicks. Lady Antebellum is Lady A. Disney changed its theme park ride, Song of the South, based on its movie of that name, to Splash Mountain. We needed racial parity. The fact that 71.8 percent of NBA players are Black as are 57.5 percent of footballers in the NFL was not mentioned. Now are we going to restore all those bronze statues of Confederate leaders? Most have been cut up but could be recast to honor others. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé spring to mind. We must ask ourselves why this monumental change in our attitudes towards woke. I think it’s because many Americans just got tired of being told they are a bunch of bigots and racists and everyone else is a victim. If you are of the Caucasian persuasion, especially if you are successful, you were made to feel guilty. But it appears many among of us are getting fed up with this woke diet and, when asked if we were going to continue as targets of organized outrage, replied in the immortal words of some guy in Austin: “Hell no.” Ashby woked up at ashby2@comcast.net
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries will host a “Chinese Calligraphy for Beginners” workshop on Wednesday, February 5, beginning at 6 p.m., in the Conference Room of the Mission Bend Branch Library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Road. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about Chinese calligraphy, practice writing Chinese characters, and use brush and ink to create a calligraphy design. The program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, however, and reservations are required. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Mission Bend Branch Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library (832-471-5900), or by visiting the library.
Fort Bend libraries to host tax assistance in February
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries will again host representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), who will provide free income-tax-preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers at several locations in the Fort Bend County library system from February 1 through April 15. Income-tax forms are not available at the libraries,
but the libraries' computers and printers can be used to download and print out the forms from the IRS website, www.irs.gov, during regular library hours. A library card (which is free) is needed to use the printers, and the cost to print is 10¢ per black-andwhite page.
The following information should be brought to the session if possible: a photo ID; Social Security card(s) for self, spouse, and all dependents;
last year's tax return; W-2, 1099s, and any other compensation received in 2024; unemployment compensation statements; and any other documents that are necessary to complete your return. February's schedules are as follows:
· George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview, Richmond; Room 2A (Appointment required: 281-342-4455):
§ Saturdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
§ Mondays, February 3, 10, 17, 24; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
§ Thursdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
§ Wednesdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26; noon to 4 p.m. The income-tax-preparation assistance is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the library system's Communications Office (281-633-4734).
and
Fort Bend libraries and AARP representatives will host tax preparation assistance at several locations in February. Wiki image
Support Harrison Yu: A gifted pianist’s journey to college auditions
Editor’s note: This piece is a personal appeal by Fort Bend Star contributing artsand-culture writer Janet Sue Reid. It is about the subject of one of her previous columns.
Nearly a year ago, we introduced you to a young, resilient high school student, Harrison Yu, a piano prodigy whose inspiring story touched hearts across our community. Harrison’s exceptional talent, unwavering work ethic, and remarkable resilience have brought him this far. Now, he’s on the brink of realizing his dream, but he needs our help.
Harrison is no stranger to adversity. After losing his father to cancer in 2018, he found solace and strength at the piano, playing tirelessly to keep climbing the mountain of his ambitions. His mother, avsingle parent, has worked relentlessly to support Harrison and his sister, but the financial strain is real.
Despite these challenges, Harrison has excelled. He won the prestigious Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra Marielle Ogletree Young Artists Piano Concerto Competition, performed with the symphony, and studied at Rice University’s Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program on scholarship.
Today, Harrison is preparing for the next chapter: college. He has been invited to audition at some of the most esteemed music schools in the world, including the Manhattan School of Music, Eastman School of Music, and New England Conservatory.
REIDFEED.COM
These auditions require inperson performances, and Harrison is determined to showcase his skills at every opportunity. However, the cost of travel, flights, accommodations, and related expenses is more than his family can bear alone.
Harrison is only seeking $2,500 through his GoFundMe campaign to cover travel expenses for his auditions. The deadline is tight: his first audition is on January 31, and the others follow closely in February. Time is of the essence, and we have a chance to make a real difference in this talented young man’s life.
Here’s why your support matters: Harrison isn’t just an extraordinary pianist; he’s a symbol of resilience, dedication, and hope. He practices daily at 5 a.m. before school and works tirelessly to perfect his craft.
He dreams of combining his passion for music with a career in medicine, inspired by his father’s battle with cancer. Harrison embodies the kind of grit and grace that makes our community proud, and investing in his future is an investment in all the lives he will touch through his music and beyond.
Every dollar counts, and donating to Harrison’s GoFundMe is tax-deductible. Whether you contribute $5 or $500, your generosity will help Harrison take this crucial step toward his dreams. And if you can’t donate, sharing his story with your friends, family, and social networks can make all the difference.
Harrison’s journey reminds
Community Reports
Forty-nine Fort Bend ISD students recently were named 2025 All-State Musicians in band, choir and orchestra, the highest honor given to student musicians in the state of Texas.
Two band students from Crawford High School were selected from the district’s newest secondary campus which opened last school year. Additionally, Crawford High School and Willowridge High School each celebrated their first-ever All-State choir students.
These musicians were chosen out of more than 70,000 students who initially auditioned and only the top 2.6 percent of musicians who initially audition become AllState musicians.
FBISD students will join their peers from across the state to perform in one of 18 ensembles during the annual Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Clinic/
Convention in February in San Antonio, Texas, FBISD students named to the 2025 All-State Musicians lists include:
Band
• Austin High School –Michael Sanders
• Clements High School –Vitaliy Ashcheulov, Yash Ayar, Ava Cobb, Jonathan Le, Alexander Qiu Crawford High School –Joseph Candler, Christy Chung
• Dulles High School –Katherine Hwang
• Elkins High School –Matthew Riggan
• Kempner High School –Angelica Lopez, Tariq Zaman
• Travis High School –Amantio Racelis
These students are supported by the following educators: Adrian Caswell, Jay Lopez and Lee Willis (Austin High School); Jeff Johnson, Leslie Flynn, Bryan Waites and Kyle Emiliani
us of the power of perseverance and the importance of community. Let’s come together to give this talented young man the opportunity he’s worked so hard to earn. Together, we can ensure that Harrison’s music continues to inspire—and that his father’s memory lives on in every note he plays. Let’s show Harrison what Fort Bend pride looks like.
(Clements High School); Jason Finnels and Scott Aldridge (Crawford High School); Arnel Dayrit, Spencer Clayton and Zachary Gutierrez (Dulles High School); Joseph Chen, William Phi and Christopher Dial (Elkins High School); Paul Brodt, Steven Dratler and Cameron Robillard (Kempner High School); and Kyle Baragas, Zachary Reynolds, Danielle Jaundoo and Garrett Tagliabue (Travis High School).
Choir
• Bush High School – Angel Rodriguez
• Clements High School –
Sarah Gentle, Angelina Smith, Kallin Wheatley
• Crawford High School –Jenova Tran
• Elkins High School –Zynah Basaria, Devyani Dayal, Davide Gucciardi, Zofia Harrell, Jai Joshi, Salima Muhammad, Brett Rosner, Emma Szeto
• Ridge Point High School –Meghan Davis
• Willowridge High School
– Heaven Abu
These students are supported by the following educators: Marina Monsivais (Bush High School); Jade Blakey and Justin Shen
Visit Harrison’s GoFundMe page and donate today. tinyurl.com/Help-Harrison Watch Harrison perform with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. tinyurl.com/ Watch-Harrison-Perform
Read our previous feature about Harrison at https://www.fortbendstar.com/culture/ harrison-yu-17-year-old-piano-virtuoso-and-overcomerof-obstacles-to-perform-with-the/ article_badeda36-c441-11ee9398-4358ee25b3a0.html.
(Clements High School); Jared Dees (Crawford High School); John Richardson and Zoey Simonson (Elkins High School); Chelsea Berner and Stewart Gaitan-Garcia (Ridge Point High School); and Warren Holmon (Willowridge High School).
Orchestra
• Austin High School Kevin Chen, Dezhou Gao, Andrew Nan, Reagan Panjaitan, Felicity Sun
• Clements High School – Hannah Guo, Aeris Jones, Amanda Li, Guanfa (Felix) Shen, Julie Song, Henry Xu, Julia Xu, Sophie Xu, Andy Zhou, Lorena Zou
• Dulles High School –Oluseun Ayadi, Joshua Cheng, Gavin LaPointe, Liv Yang
• Elkins High School Lawrence Feng, Laurence Moung
These students are supported by the following educators: Matthew Madonia and Judy
Janet Sue Reid lives in Sugar Land. She shares the stories of local Texas artists, entrepreneurs, dreamers, advocates, and underdogs to inspire creativity, kindness, and connections in our community. Contact her through ReidFeed.com.
Chung (Austin High School); Neal Springer and Sally Kirk (Clements High School); Michael Isadore and Peter Pomajevich (Dulles High School); Joe Garcia (Elkins High School); and district harp specialists Margaret Davis and Stephanie Gustafson Amfahr.
The TMEA sponsors the annual Texas All-State Competition. The competitive process begins throughout the state in auditions hosted by 33 TMEA regions. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part.
From this ranking, a select group of musicians advance to compete against musicians from other areas in eight TMEA area competitions. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA area competitions qualify to perform in a TMEA All-State music group. For more information, visit www.tmea.org/convention.
Infographic by Janet Sue Reid
Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com
ONGOING
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC will offer ESL classes on Tuesday nights from mid August 2024 through May 2025. We are located at 12000 FM 1464 Richmond across from Austin HS. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org
EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HOLDING AUDITIONS
The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www.fbbctx.org or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and self-confidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!
AMERICAN LEGION POST 942
311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.
LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION
Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718 For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.
QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB
The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.
FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS
We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com
THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES
We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org
ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264
Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/ Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281-785-7372 for more information.
SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB
Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-4193, dean7351@gmail.com We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more info.
FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB
Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at:
CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public!
We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com.
LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY
We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org.
GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE
Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events.
DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED
Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195
EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time
and see what we are all about!
MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801
Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-8595920 or 281-499-3345.
RICHMOND/ROSENBERG ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
Please join us on Thursday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m. for our monthly meeting. We will be meeting in Room 105, the
