VOL. I, NO. 44
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
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By DANA MILBANK WASHINGTON -- A dozen possible Democratic presidential candidates assembled at a downtown Washington hotel Tuesday for one of the first cattle calls of the 2020 campaign. The good news: There were, on that stage, all of the personal qualities and policy ideas needed to defeat President Trump. The bad news: These qualities and ideas were not in any one person. The perfect candidate to dethrone Trump would have Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (Ohio) blue-collar appeal, the youth of Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.), the looks of Rep. Joe Kennedy (Mass.) and the moral clarity of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). She would have the sensibility of Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), the feminist firepower of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) and the populist fervor of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). He would have Julian Castro’s oratory, Sen. Cory Booker’s (N.J.) facility with data, the earnest wonkery of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, and the wealth of Tom Steyer. That ideal candidate would also be able to harmonize the cacophony of agenda items I heard over several hours: higher minimum wage, huge infrastructure spending, more broadband access, two years of free college, free public universities, universal pre-K, universal health care, fair housing, police reforms, national paid leave, equal pay for equal work, clean air, clean water, climate action, LGBT rights, cracking down on predatory lenders, tax incentives for
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Hey, Democrats, What’s The Big Idea? No, Really. What’s The Big Idea?
poor areas, a federal job guarantee, election protections, as well as criminal-justice, campaign finance and immigration reforms, and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, gun control and more. In fairness, the Center for American Progress’ annual Ideas Conference was structured to cover the full range of progressive ideas. But it also served to highlight the difficulty Democrats will have in developing a coherent alternative to Trump. Many of the ideas advanced have widespread support, and many are big ideas. But the best way to put them all together still bedevils Democrats, just as it did Hillary Clinton, who in 2016 had a proposal for everything but seemed to say nothing. For November’s midterm elections, it may be enough for Democrats to say they are against Trump. Congressional Democratic leaders took a stab at a unified agenda for 2018 -- “A Better Deal” -- and were roundly mocked by progressives. But to beat Trump, they’ll need more. Trump convinced tens of millions of Americans that they are losing ground because of immigrants, racial and religious minorities, and foreigners. What will Democrats advance to counter that grim message? Booker, using a roving microphone to deliver his keynote, auditioned as “one of those senators who, when I shop at my local bodega, I see people using food stamps.” Brown offered his crossover appeal: “Trump won my state by almost nine points.” Klobuchar went for regional appeal: “The Midwest cannot be left behind at the gas station in 2020.” De Blasio let them know New York crime is down four years in a row. “I’m writing a children’s book on the history of suffrage,” Gillibrand announced. “I co-authored a book on clean energy a few years ago,” said Inslee. They also tried out some prospective campaign lines. “If it wasn’t Lehman Brothers, but
Lehman Sisters, we might not have had the financial collapse,” ventured Gillibrand. “Which side are you on?” asked Brown. “Are you on the side of Wall Street or the side of the little guy?” Contributed Klobuchar: “We resist, but we also insist, on a better way forward.” Yes, but which way? The would-be candidates pointed in all directions. Warren spoke of automatic voter registration. “Democrats are the party of ideas -- lots of ideas,” she said, listing a dozen. “Most of these ideas won’t go anywhere until we deal with the defining crisis of this moment in our history. … Democracy is crumbling around us.” Sanders, with one presidential run under his belt, was better than most at articulating a unified theory. He spoke of tuition-free public universi-
ties, ending institutional racism and the war on drugs, reforming criminal justice and immigration, and fighting climate change -- “but there is one issue out there which is so significant and so pervasive that, unless we successfully confront it, it will be impossible for us to succeed on any other of these important issues.” And that is inequality. “The oligarchy in this country, whose greed is insatiable, is destroying Lincoln’s view of America, our vision of America, and is leading us to a government of the few, by the few and for the few.” This is a big idea. Maybe the big idea. Whoever can best make that case should lead the Democrats in 2020. Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @ Milbank. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group.
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More Than 9,600 Students Graduate From Valley Colleges & Universities More than 9,600 students from Valley public colleges and universities graduated this month as Spring commencement activities came to an end for students from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, South Texas College, Texas State Technical College and Texas Southmost College. STC graduated more than 3,700 students, UTRGV graduated more than 3,100 students, TSTC graduated more than 400 students and TSC graduated more than 400 students as well. Growing up in Progreso, Abraham Mora says he has always had to confront misperceptions about life and education near the border. As he prepared to step up to receive his associate degree from South Texas College on May 11, Mora, 18, recalled the challenges he faced, and explained how there is an opportunity to be positive about the future. “The town of Progreso is very small and sometimes we’re looked down upon, mainly due to the education level, but what people don’t know is there is lots of talent here, and when it all comes down to the roots of education, we have great teachers who inspire us,” Mora said. “I have a Hispanic background, both my parents came from Mexico City, so I’m basically the first generation here, and I plan to start a great future.” Mora says STC gave him the opportunity to start planning for his future career while still in high school. He received an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and plans to attain his bachelor’s degree in mathematics so he can pursue a career in teaching. “South Texas College has given me the opportunity to start my career. I really would have no idea what to do in that aspect, so I depend on my counselors,” Mora said. “They have helped me choose
my career path by talking to professors who have the same career path I want to take. Counselors at my high school and at STC have really guided me towards what steps I should take. That is very important.” South Texas College awarded a posthumous degree to Kevin Chavana, who passed away in January 2018. Family were on hand at the 6 p.m. ceremony on May 11 to receive Chavana’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations. “We always knew Kevin was going to reach the sky, he was not even with us today but still received this great accomplishment and left behind a great legacy for the family,” said Chavana’s sister, Mayra Montoyo. “Everything he started he finished. Spiritually, he will always be with us. He was the best sibling anybody could ever hope to have.” Dr. Patricia Alvarez McHatton, executive vice president for Academic Affairs, Student Success, and P-16 Integration at UTRGV, who led the ceremonies, enthusiastically congratulated the Vaqueros on their special day. “UTRGV Class of 2018, congratulations, and ‘Forever Orange,’” she said proudly, holding up her fingers in the university’s spirited “V” formation. “Remember, your contributions will build the future, bring innovation, serve our communities, transform the Rio Grande Valley, the state of Texas, the country and, yes, you will Inspire the World,” she said. Graduate Alyssa De Leon, from San Benito, said she always knew she would graduate with a degree from the UTRGV College of Sciences. She originally was a chemistry major, but it wasn’t until last year that she decided to switch to biology. She said the decision was impulsive, but it was the right thing to do.
De Leon, who plans to pursue a career as a dietician, wants other students, some who are just starting college, to know: “It’s going to be a crazy four years, but do your best. Don’t be scared to ask questions, join organizations, make a lot of friends, make a lot of memories. But never forget, academics is priority.” For graduate Maria Neyra, a Los Fresnos resident, the road to earning her de-
gree had its bumps, but she got it done with perseverance and support from family and friends, who were with her every step of the way, she said. Neyra, who never gave up on her dream of earning a degree, said it took her five years, and now that she is done, she plans to follow her first passion – teaching. Neyra is applying with Teach for America and would like to stay and work in the Rio Grande Valley.
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Leadership Mid Valley Visits State Capitol Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Leadership Mid Valley took their annual class trip to visit the State Capitol on May 1 & 2. The class had the opportunity to meet with top state legislators and officials. The class was hosted by the office of State Representative Mando Martinez. Speakers included Marc Williams, P.E., Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Transportation; Lila Valencia, Legislative and State Agency Liaison for the Texas Demographic Center; Jay Root, investigative reporter for the Texas Tribune; Patricia Shipton, Chief of Staff and Chris Greisel, House Parliamentarian, both from the office of House Speaker Joe Strauss. LMV Class member Patrick Gonzalez called it an “eye-opening” experience, and was encouraged to hear how the Rio Grande Valley is no longer being
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Members of the Leadership Mid Valley are pictured at the Texas Capital, from left, Melissa Saldivar, Dept. of Veteran Affairs; Michael Swartz, Knapp Medical Center; Raquel Limas, Con Cariño Primary Home Care; Patrick Gonzalez, WoodmenLife; Edgar de Anda, Venibra Pest Control; Maricruz Hinojosa, South Texas College and Frank Davila, Lone Star National Bank.
overlooked and is becoming more noticed by leaders across the state. “One thing that was mentioned by
Google, MEDC Grants Expand Mission CISD Computer Science Training Partnership
Thanks to a $20,000 grant from Google and $50,000 from the Mission Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD)will be able to expand a unique partnership that is training teachers to integrate coding and computer science in more of their curriculums. Mission CISD, Mission EDC, and Code/Interactive piloted the unique training partnership this past fall to provide training for technology applications to teachers at each of the district’s four junior high schools and three high schools. The success of that helped spur the development of this new effort to expand upon the training to include all elementary schools and more junior high school teachers. “We are very excited about this new effort,” said Cris Valdez, interim superintendent. “The support we have been receiving from Mission EDC in helping prepare our teachers to prepare their students for their futures has been instrumental in our STEM curriculum development.” Through the innovative partnership, 118 teachers, representing all Mission CISD elementary schools and four junior high schools will be prepared to teach computer science and integrate it across
all core content areas. Rather than teaching students directly, Code/Interactive’s model to train in-district facilitators who provide professional development to teachers will help build local expertise and capacity that will power a more sustainable program capable of training even more teachers in the future. The Mission CISD teachers will be trained in Scratch Jr., and Scratch, MIT-created visual block-based programming languages used to build animations, stories, and games. Junior high schools will also receive memberships for Mouse Create, an online learning platform used to build the skills they need to apply design and technology creatively to the world around them. After the initial trainings are done this summer, four follow up sessions will be held during the school year. Academic counselors will also be provided with the training they need to help guide students and parents.
all the leaders and officials we met with was how the Rio Grande Valley is at the cusp of economic growth,
which we’ll see in the next decade,” remarked Gonzalez. “We’re one of the most important regions in the state right now and they’re finally starting to see the potential that the Rio Grande Valley has.” Leadership Mid Valley would like to think the office of Representative Martinez and Chief of Staff Scott Jenkines for hosting the class and organizing the speakers. In addition, Leadership Mid Valley would like to thank meal sponsors Mario Martinez, Charter Communications, ONEGas, Inc., McGuireWoods Consulting, AEP, El Paso Electric Company, Blackridge, and Texas Cable Association. For more information on Leadership Mid Valley and the Weslaco Chamber, visit www.weslaco.com.
UTRGV-Produced Radio Show ‘Stories from Texas’ Headed To Print, Audio Book By Maria Elena Hernandez Most Texans know “Stories from Texas” – and its signature tagline, “…and some of them are true” – as a radio program and podcast. Now that radio program, produced by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, is being adapted into a book. “I’m excited about it because it’s my first creative work. I’ve done textbooks, academic works before,” said Dr. William F. Strong, the UTRGV communications professor who created the radio program. He called the show “a kind of an accident, really.” “I had this idea that I would like to teach Texans and non-Texans alike with these great stories that a lot of people don’t know, the great literature of Texas that a lot of people aren’t aware of,” he said. He reached out to the staff of the Rio Grande Valley’s NPR-affiliate KMBH-FM, now 88FM, with the idea. The first segments covered fun, pop culture stories, like the history of Whataburger and the 12 words Texans mispronounce most. The show’s popularity grew, and Strong produced more segments. “Other NPR stations started picking them up, and that surprised me,” he said. He gets feedback from listeners, like story suggestions, but he also gets one par-
ticular question about the stories featured – “Which ones are true?” Strong chuckles at that. “Some people take it perhaps a Dr. William F. Strong little too literally, but I guess the inside joke from my perspective is that they are 99 percent true. I work really hard to nail them down and get it nailed down to fact. If there are two interpretations of it, or two possibilities or two understandings, I’ll give you both of them and you choose.” The UTRGV professor said the early stories he shared involved Texas folklore and tall tales. “So I said, well, that’s kind of what we’re known for – stretching things – so I’ll just say that some of them are true,” he said. Strong is excited about wrapping up the book, which he started working on three years ago. He also said he’s fortunate to know several photographers who are giving him photos of Texas landscapes and more to include in it. “I’m doing the audiobook right now. That is quite an ordeal,” he said. “I’m even experienced in doing a lot of recording, and I assumed, ‘Oh, I’ll just go and read the thing.’”
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STC Honors First Distinguished Scholars From Early College High Schools Valley-Wide Breakfast event with superintendents, college leaders brings together the top graduating students from 29 school districts. As part of the first graduating class of distinguished scholars from Sharyland Achieve Early College High School, Isaac Rosa says the program has enabled him to visualize his goals as he transitions into an Ivy League school in the fall. Rosa was among the 49 students honored for their achievements recently by The Early College High School (ECHS) program at South Texas College (STC). The program hosted its 1st Annual Distinguished Scholars event on May 15 and was held to honor distinguished scholars graduating from Early College High Schools across the Valley and who are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 from their respective class. A self-professed “military brat,” Rosa says he arrived in Texas by way of California. When he began high school in Sharyland, he says he jumped at the chance to enter the school district’s first early college program despite feeling some measure of risk, he said. “I am part of the first graduating class from Sharyland Early College High School. I felt it was a risk at first, but I took it, and now I’m here,” Rosa said. “You get used to the groove. While in the early college high school program I feel I found my groove and figured out the best way to learn. I was able to explore that since I was taking more challenging courses.” Rosa graduated with an associate degree in Biology from South Texas College in the spring and will now be attending Yale University to study molecular biology. Hoping to earn his doctorate, Rosa says he wants to enter the field of pathology to study disease and microorganisms. “It’s unreal that I am going to Yale. I am optimistic about it. I feel like I can see my goals and do what I want to do,” he said. STC aimed to highlight students’ dedication to their studies and their accomplishments while obtaining an associate degree from the college. “This is the first time we have hon-
ored the top students from our early college high schools, and you are all incredible,” STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed told students at the event. “It is just amazing how well you have done. It took a tremendous amount of support and leadership from the school districts, and you truly represent the very best, the brightest and most capable of all students in the Valley.” “One of the things that impress me is that when you have dual credit programs like this in the high schools is that it challenges our teachers to become better teachers and become more knowledgeable,” said Superintendent Cavazos from Edcouch Elsa. “I have seen a lot of these teachers from across the Valley step up to the plate, and every summer they are out there going to trainings and doing whatever else they can do to try to learn as much as possible to help prepare kids. “What I would like for students and their families to know is that regardless of whether or not they are still in school, they can still call us and get guidance from our staff,” Cavazos said. “Sometimes they leave and run into obstacles in college, and they don’t feel like the can call us anymore, but one thing I like to tell students is that we are always open, and all of our staff is always willing to help as much as possible.” Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC), the Dual Credit program at STC partners with 24 school districts and 78 high schools across the Valley. More than 200 college faculty and over 400 dual credit faculty support the program, which received a commendation by SACSOC in November 2016 for integrating high school students into the college’s programs. With the first early college high school created in Progreso in 2006, to date, there are now 29 across the Valley with a pipeline of more than 20,000 students and 200 unique dual credit courses. More than 50 percent of ECHS graduating seniors receive an associate degree. By August 2018, STC will have awarded over 1,200 associate degrees and 300 certificates to ECHS graduates alone. “We are together and working to-
wards our mutual commitment with our great partnership with such a large group of school districts that have helped us focus on student success,” said STC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Anahid Petrosian. “In col-
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laboration with our school partners, we have gained a lot successful educational pathways for our students as they transition from high school to college. This has become a great story of success for our region and our state.”
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Three Edinburg CISD Students Win State STEM Competition
Three middle school students from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District recently earned awards during the 2018 State STEM Competition in Anna, Texas, which is an annual event organized by the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME). “We are very excited and proud of the hard work demonstrated by all of our students who participated in this state competition,” said ECISD Fine Arts Director Nelinda Villarreal. “This could not be possible without the support and dedication from all of our sponsors, students and parents.” Approximately 24 students from Edinburg CISD competed with more than 270 other students from across the state in the annual event. According to TAME, the competition is the focus of a year of intense preparation for Texas students in TAME clubs around the state. Students from grades 6-12 qualified to attend the event at one of 14 Divisional STEM Competitions. After spending the morning taking individual math and science tests, stu-
dents came together in groups combining schools and grade levels to practice their collaborative problem-solving skills over the Engineering Design Challenge. During the one-hour challenge, students used a bakery box, a laser beam and six lenses to focus and diffuse a laser beam. The three ECISD students who received awards are as follows: • Barrientes Middle School seventh-grade student Aaron Guerrero, who earned the Judges’ Choice Award for Innovative Switcher in the Engineering Design Challenge. • Longoria Middle School seventh-grade student Andrew Rigney, who received 5th Place in the Engineering Design Challenge. • Harwell Middle School sixth-grade student Ortilia Garcia, who received 3rd Place in the Engineering Design Challenge. TAME is a non-profit organization committed to preparing Texas students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Three Edinburg CISD students earn awards at the 2018 State STEM Competition. Pictured, from left, Barrientes Middle School student Aaron Guerrero, Harwell Middle School student Ortilia Garcia and Longoria Middle School student Andrew Rigney.
VOL. I, NO. 20
National Women’s Health Week is celebrated each year to encourage women to make their health a priority. Take these steps to live a safer and healthier life! Get Recommended Screenings and Preventive Care Protect your health by getting the care you need to prevent disease, disability, and injuries. Regular check-ups are important. Preventive care can keep disease away or detect problems early, when treatment is more effective. Talk to your health care provider to learn more about what screenings and exams you need and when. • Many health insurance plans offer preventive services for women available at no cost. • Learn what you can do before your next appointment, like review your family health history and write down any questions or issues you may have, and take it with you. Get Moving Get out and about and enjoy the spring and summer weather. Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health and has many benefits, including lowering your risk for heart disease—the leading
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cause of death for women. • Adults should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity that requires moderate effort. You don’t have to do it all at once, but get at least 10 minutes of exercise at a time. • Adults should do strengthening activities at least 2 days a week that include all major muscle groups. • More than one out of four older people falls each year and women fall more often than men. Strength and balance training can help reduce falls. Enjoy a Healthy and Balanced Diet Nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Learn the basics and move toward a lifestyle of healthier eating habits. • A healthy eating plan includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat free and low-fat milk and other dairy products, lean meats, and is low in salt, saturated and trans fats, and added sugars. • Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. It’s also important to help prevent major birth defects when pregnant. Women who could become pregnant need 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid each day. Two easy ways you can get enough folic acid are to take a vitamin that has folic acid in
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it every day or eat a bowl of breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid every day. Folic acid pills and most multivitamins sold in the United States have 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid; check the label to be sure. • Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions and can lead to the development of chronic diseases. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation, which is up to 1 drink a day for women. • Get started with a step-by-step guide to weight loss and better health. Prioritize Mental Health Keep your mind and body healthy. Research shows that positive mental health is associated with improved health. • Everyone experiences stress at times. Find healthy ways to cope with stress. • Learn some of the symptoms of depression, which include a loss of energy, or a lasting sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. See CDC’s depression treatment to learn about seeking treatment for depression. Practice Healthy Behaviors Daily decisions influence overall health. Small actions can help keep you
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safe and healthy and set a good example for others. • Stay up-to-date on cancer screening tests and protect your skin from the sun when outdoors. Visit Cancer and Women for more tips for lowering your cancer risk. • Getting enough sleep is important for overall health. It impacts how you feel and perform during the day. Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep each night. • Avoid distracted driving, which is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from the road. Each day in the U.S., approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. • Only take prescription medicine as directed by a health care provider. More than 7,000 women died from overdose of prescription opioids in 2016. • Be smoke free. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and affects a person’s overall health. If you are ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1800-784-8669) or 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1855-335-3569 for Spanish speakers) or visit Smokefree Women for free resources, including quit coaching, a quit plan, educational materials, and referrals to other resources where you live. Get tips from former smokers.
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Most Swimming-related Disease Outbreaks Occur At Hotels Crypto parasite continues to cause most outbreaks and illnesses linked to pools and water playgrounds A third of treated recreational waterborne disease outbreaks during 2000 through 2014 occurred in hotel pools or hot tubs, according to a report published recently in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”), Pseudomonas, and Legionella caused most of the outbreaks in swimming venues in the United States during this time period. Crypto is a parasite tough enough to survive even in properly maintained pools. Pseudomonas and Legionella are bacteria that can survive disinfectants in slimy areas of hot tubs, pools, and water playgrounds. The report describes mixed progress in preventing outbreaks caused by germs spread through treated recreational water. The 493 outbreaks reported during this period resulted in at least 27,219 illnesses and eight deaths. The number of respiratory disease outbreaks caused by Legionella increased over time and skin infection outbreaks caused by Pseudomonas decreased over time. Diarrheal disease outbreaks caused by Cryptosporidium leveled off during 2008 through 2014. More than half of outbreaks started in the summer, the peak season for swimming. Common parasite remains the leading cause of illness from pools Crypto causes 58 percent of outbreaks where a germ was identified linked to pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds and 89 percent of the illnesses. Crypto spreads in pools when someone sick with the parasite has diarrhea in the water and other swimmers swallow that contaminated wa-
ter. Swimmers and parents of young swimmers play an essential role in preventing Crypto outbreaks. “Swallowing just a mouthful of water with Crypto in it can make otherwise healthy kids and adults sick for weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting,” said Michele Hlavsa, R.N., M.P.H., chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. “Chlorine cannot kill Crypto quickly. We need to keep it out of the water in the first place. Don’t go into the water, and don’t let your kids go into the water, if sick with diarrhea.” Bacteria cause respiratory illness and skin rashes The bacteria Legionella and Pseudomonas are the next most leading causes of these outbreaks, with 16 percent of outbreaks caused by Legionella and 13 percent caused by Pseudomonas. Legionella can cause severe pneumonia and symptoms similar to the flu. Pseudomonas can cause hot tub rash and swimmer’s ear. If a pool, hot tub, or water playground is not cleaned properly, bacteria can grow and form a slime called biofilm on wet surfaces. Legionella and Pseudomonas can live in this biofilm. It is harder for disinfectants to kill these bacteria when they are protected by biofilm. Pool operators need to maintain proper cleaning practices and disinfectant levels to prevent bacteria from growing and causing illnesses in swimmers. Some people are more likely to get sick from Legionella, including people 50 years or older, current or former smokers, people with chronic lung disease, and people with a weakened immune system. These people should see a doctor right away if they develop pneumonia symptoms and let the doctor know about any possible exposures to Legionella, including recent hot tub use.
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