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VOL 11 No. 6

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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2018

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Jordan Ranch Feb. 10

The good times will roll at Jordan Ranch with music, food and lagniappe during a Mardi Gras Bash, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 10, at The Shed, 30757 Jordan Crossing Boulevard.

The free event will feature live zydeco music by the Rue Bourbon Band, food trucks, a bounce house and lawn games such as giant jenga and bowling.

“We’re breaking out the pur-

ple, green and gold beads at Jordan Ranch,” said Solomon Delaney, lifestyle director for the community. “Not everyone can make it to New Orleans, but we can still channel that spirit of the occasion with a day of revelry that the entire family can enjoy.”

Children will have an opportunity to decorate their own Mardi Gras masks. Princess Tiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog will meet with

young revelers for storytelling, singing and photo opportunities.

Food trucks will be on hand with Cajun food and desserts available for purchase. The community also will be handing out slices of traditional King’s Cake.

Jordan Ranch is located in Fulshear one mile south of Interstate 10. Homes in the community are priced from the $230,000s. For more information visit www. jordanranchtexas.com.

‘Starting pumps early would not have saved Sugar Land homes from flooding’

By SESHADRI KUMAR Starting the pumps earlier than it did would not have prevented flood waters from entering homes in Sugar Land during Hurricane Harvey, according to Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 2, the entity responsible for flood protection in the area.

A Sugar Land resident had previously pointed out that the LID management did not operate the pumps several hours earlier than they actually did and that would have left sufficient holding space for rainwater to be stored in the ditches instead of flooding homes.

The pump station is less efficient at removing water than gravitational flow when the gates are open, but the pump is completely essential for removing water when the gates close.

That is why the pumps are only turned on after the flood gates are completely sealed, the LID said in a press release on Monday.

FBC LID No. 2 engaged engineering consultant Freese & Nichols which evaluated the District’s pump operations during Harvey.

Although the pumps were

turned on early Monday morning, by Sunday enough water had collected in FBC LID 2 ditches to potentially operate the pumps, even though the flood gates were still open with water flowing out of the levee.

The two small pumps could have started 10.5 hours earlier and the large pumps 5.5 hours earlier due to a higher water elevation requirement. However, water flows out of the levee eight to ten times faster through the flood gates than the pump station.

While the flood gates are still open the pump station is far less efficient at removing water and is not essential for continued drainage. However, once the gates close, the pump station is the only way water can leave FBC LID 2.

The third-party study confirmed that pump operations during Harvey reduced flood levels inside FBC LID 2 as much as possible.

While pumping 10.5 and 5.5 hours earlier produced a temporary decrease in ditch levels Sunday afternoon, any additional storage capacity created by See FLOOD, PAGE 3

Dulles High School Coach Andrew Hartman, Logan House, The Elkins High School Academic Decathlon team includes students Kyuri Baag, Angella Baby, Samuel Lewis Steinman-Friedman, Sophy Yangyi, Vani Vellore, Divya Aaloori, Janah Dela Cueva, Jet Situ, Paul Nguyen, Kedar Pandya, Nathanael Tan, and Peter Coach Kelsey Halfen, along with Jeffrey Zhang, Leighton NylMartin. The team is coached by Bonnie Bonnette and Will Corrington. ander, Moeez Tariq, Matthew Gabino.

Varsity Category Academic Decathlon vance to the state competition, & 5th Highest Score in Texas Honors Category •Kyuri Baag – 1 Medal (4th •Divya Aaloori – 6 Medals (2nd Dulles and Elkins high schools several students also earned in- History in Scholastic Category) Overall in Division) Overall in Division) •Moeez Tariq – 3 Medals (3rd will be sending teams to the dividual honors.

•Jet Situ – 9 Medals (1st Overall •Janah Dela Cueva – 2 Medals Overall in Division) state Academic Decathlon com- Dulles High School in Division) •Peter Martin – 4 Medals (4th •Vani Vellore – 4 Medals petition, to be held in San Anto- Honors Category Scholastic Category Overall in Division) •Matthew Gabino – 1 Medal Varsity Category nio in February.

•Paul Nguyen – 3 Medals (5th The Academic Decathlon is •Logan House – 2 Medals The Dulles team will be com- •Jeffrey Zhang – 3 Medals Overall in Division) a series of individual subject peting in the Large School Di- •Sophy Yangyi – 7 Medals (2nd •Leighton Nylander – 7 Medals •Kedar Pandya – 4 Medals (2nd area exams, including science, (1st Overall in Division) vision, and Elkins will be com- Overall in Division) Overall in Division) art and mathematics, focused on Elkins High School – peting in the Medium School Scholastic Category •Nathanael Tan – 2 Medals a single issue.

Visit www.usad.

•Sam Steinman-Friedman – 7 Earned 2nd Place Overall in ReDivision. org to learn more.

Not only did the teams ad- Medals (1st Overall in Division gional Competition

Fort Bend County DA Republican Primary Race See Page 4

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 7, 2018

NEWS

FBISD announces Teacher of the Year finalists

Fort Bend ISD is proud to announce the finalists for the 2018 District Teacher of the Year Program.

The FBISD Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year Judging Committees reviewed all campus entries and selected 11 finalists.

FBISD’s finalists for Elemen-

FBISD TOY Elementary finalists GiGi Shadid, Alicia Garcia, Leigha Bishop, Abraham Martinez, Laura Hicks and Michele Janke.

•Hannah Enad, Elkins High tary and Secondary Teacher of Meadows Elementary School the Year include: •Laura Hicks, •Edwina Breaux, Hightower 2018 Elementary Finalists Patterson Elementary High School •GiGi Shadid, •Michele Janke, •Katie Anselmo, Kempner High Colony Meadows Elementary Sienna Crossing Elementary School •Alicia Garcia, 2018 Secondary Finalists Each finalist will complete a Cornerstone Elementary •Jeremiah Pojah, classroom observation and in•Leigha Bishop, Crockett Middle School terview phase. The finalists will Lakeview Elementary •Shaughn Thomas, be honored on April 19 at the •Abraham Martinez, Lake Olympia Middle School District’s annual TOY Banquet, along with all FBISD Campus TOYs, where the 2018 District Teachers of the Year for elementary and secondary will be announced.

Edwina Breaux and Katie Anselmo

Shown from left are FBISD TOY Secondary finalists Jeremiah Pojah, Shaughn Thomas, Hannah Enad

Inspiration Stage debuts on the iTheatrics Junior Theatre Festival Stage in Atlanta

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Inspiration Stage company performs a 15-minute cut of Xanadu, Jr. for festival adjudicators, winning an award for Excellence in Dance.— Photo by Erika Waldorf Sugar Land’s national award-winning community theatre, Inspiration Stage, was honored to debut three songs from the new junior version of Children of Eden at the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) in Atlanta Jan. 13.

The full, adult version of Children of Eden is a two-act musical with music and lyrics

by Stephen Schwartz and a

book by John Caird. The musical is based on the Book of Genesis.

The Children of Eden, JR. performance was the finale in the festival’s New Works Showcase, where new and updated junior shows were debuted to the festival’s almost 6,000 attendees.

Broadway legend Schwartz himself introduced the Inspi-

ration Stage performance and the company had the chance to meet and take photos with him backstage after the performance.

Mya Bryant (Eve in Children of Eden, JR.), 16, was also asked to perform a solo of “Spark of Creation” from Children of Eden on stage for See STAGE, Page 3

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 7, 2018 • Page 3

NEWS

Gumbo Fest set for Feb. 9 at Rosenberg KC Hall

Rosenberg Rotary Club members preparing for the upcoming Gumbo Fest are, from left, President Billy Guerrero III, Riley Feldman, Brian Ellis, Tom Stavinoha, Rose Pickens (front), Don Demel (in back), Mary Servantes, Enrique Ramon, Bob Inspiration Stage’s Mya Bryant performs Children of Eden’s Vogelsang and Hugh Conway.

“Spark of Creation” for 6,000 Junior Theatre Festival attendees and Broadway legend and show composer Stephen The Rotary Club of music and Mardi Gras fun. is involved in supporting ranging from $100 to $1,500, Schwartz.— JW Barker Photography Rosenberg is ready for its The event also will feature international projects. are available. Single tickets annual Gumbo Festival, live and silent auctions Most recently, the club are $25 each and will provide adjudicators, alongside fellow scheduled for 6 p.m.

Friday, featuring plenty of great buys. purchased equipment for all-you-can-eat gumbo. youth theaters from the U.S., from Page 2 Feb. 9 in the Rosenberg KC Funds from this event the YMCA’s Camp Cloud For tickets or sponsorships Mr Schwartz and the full the U.K., Australia and New Hall, located 2007 Kay Cee enable the club to present in Bates-Allen Park near or to donate an item toward Zealand. The Xanadu, JR. comJTF audience.

Dr. in Rosenberg (off of numerous scholarships to Kendleton.

The club also the live or silent auction, call “I had so much fun during pany brought home an award Highway 36).

Lamar CISD and Needville recently sent financial aid for Tom Stavinoha at 979-793the performance and perform- for Excellence in Dance.

The festival features some ISD students as well as a water project in a village in 4313 or Ginger Johnson at “Xanadu, JR. is a show that ing with my fellow cast memof the best gumbo this side of other projects within the Nicaragua.

832-526-2726. bers,” says Bryant. “Getting to will always have a special Gumbo Fest sponsorships, meet and perform for Stephen place in my heart. It is a show Louisiana along with Cajun community. The club also Schwartz was such a surreal that this cast grabbed onto and experience! I never imagined embraced — a show that is difsomething like that would hap- ficult in the fact that it makes in the FBC LID 2 levee begin second landfall in Cameron, an initial evaluation, the capen to me and I am so grate- fun of itself,” says Seymoreto close, and eventually the LA, the FBC LID 2 pump sta- pacity of the new pump station from Page 1 ful that it did! I could not have Sensat. “We had a blast playing the early pumping would have flood gates are sealed shut by tion removed enough water to could be up to 3 times greater asked for a better weekend at it over the top and loved every been filled by a band of in- water pressure when the Bra- make most local streets pas- than the existing facility in ormoment of the process. This tense rainfall Sunday night zos River water level outside sible again. By Thursday, the der to handle future flood levJTF.” In a career spanning over group of actors inspires me at from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. the levee is higher than the FBC LID 2 drainage system els and meet modern design four decades, Schwartz has every rehearsal and their perIn both scenarios, with or ditch water level inside the was emptied and the pump requirements. A new pump written such hit musicals as formance at JTF left me in tears without early pumping, the levee. The flood gates are not station turned off. At the same station design will be comGodspell (1970), Pippin (1972) of joy and laughter.”

District is still filled with the operated by a person or com- time the Brazos River crested, plete and ready for bidding by For the Xanadu, JR. per- same amount of water, over puter, but instead rely on grav- setting a modern flood record the start of 2019. At the same and Wicked (2003). He has contributed lyrics for a num- formance, Davis Underwood 900 million gallons, at 1:25 ity and water pressure to keep at the Richmond, TX river time, the District will also enber of successful films, includ- (Sonny Malone), 17, was rec- a.m on Monday when the out the rising river. However, gage of 55.19 feet. The pre- gage another engineering firm ing Pocahontas (1995), The ognized for Excellent Individu- pumps turned on. Even with after the flood gates close the vious record occurred only to evaluate any other drainage Hunchback of Notre Dame al Performance by a Male. Un- earlier pumping flood water protection provided by the le- a year prior during the 2016 system improvements, besides (1996), The Prince of Egypt derwood and Rayevin Johnson would still have reached the vee can also be compared to a Memorial Day flood (54.74 additional pump capacity, that (1998; music and lyrics) and (Melpomene), 16, also received same elevation of 66.4 feet on bathtub with the drain plugged feet - June 2, 2016). Following can reasonably reduce future Enchanted (2007). Schwartz All-Star Awards, while troupe Tuesday. that will be filled up by any Harvey, Brazos River flood flood risks. This study will has won the Drama Desk member Akari Emi (CompaAs stated by Freese & Nich- water that falls inside. This re- waters reached an elevation examine the feasibility of addAward for Outstanding Lyr- ny), 14, was chosen to perform ols, “The earlier pump opera- striction on water easily flow- of 72.3 feet above sea level ing storage capacity to hold ics, three Grammy Awards, in a special musical SLAM tions resulted in reductions in ing out of the District started on the FBC LID 2 levees. The more runoff by making ditchthree Academy Awards and has performance as a featured vo- water surface elevations of up to occur during the day Sun- lowest segment of the levee is es larger or by lowering parks, been nominated for six Tony cal soloist. to 0.5 feet on Monday but did day, and the flood gates closed 80 feet above sea level, leav- golf courses, and other green Eight Inspiration Stage not reduce the peak water sur- for the duration of Harvey just ing almost 8 feet of freeboard space.

Awards. He received the 2015 Isabelle Stevenson Award, a youth received Golden Tickets face elevation at midnight on after midnight early Monday for additional flood protection The District will continue special Tony Award, for his — special invitations to audi- Tuesday.” morning. When gravity can no when the Brazos crested. For to engage the public throughcommitment to serving artists tion for the opportunity to apHurricane Harvey produced longer move rainfall outside a few days during Harvey the out the Hurricane Harvey repear in MTI instructional guide more than 31 inches of rain in the levee and FBC LID 2 be- Brazos River was forecasted covery process. The impact and fostering new talent.

“It was such an honor to choreography DVDs distribut- the areas of Sugar Land, pro- comes a plugged bathtub, then to reach an even higher crest of even an inch of water in be asked to showcase such an ed with its Broadway Jr. series tected by Fort Bend County every drop of rain that falls in- of 59 feet at the Richmond any home is devastating, and awe-inspiring piece from one of shows. Six iStagers received Levee Improvement District side the levee must be pumped river gage, which still would FBC LID 2 is evaluating all of Broadway’s best. Children callbacks for second round au- No. 2 (FBC LID 2), flooding out. At 1:25 a.m early Monday leave 3-4 feet of freeboard as options to keep that from ocof Eden, JR. features music and ditions, while company mem- over 200 homes and coming morning FBC LID 2 turned on flood protection for FBC LID curring again. A follow-up storytelling that transforms its bers Kate Henry (Company), within inches of flooding hun- the 250,000 gallon per minute 2. Although over 200 homes public meeting will occur in viewers and the cast. It is also a 13, and Addy McMillen (Com- dreds more.

Bill Little Pump Station and experienced flooding from April 2018 to update residents director/choreographers dream pany), 14, advanced to the Harvey also produced a started removing water from Harvey’s persistent rainfall on the status of the District’s to work on. The sky is the limit. ultra-competitive third round. modern flood record on the behind the levee. inside the levee, thousands of response.

It is pure, magical and inspired Final winners will be contacted Brazos River, and thousands Monday, August 28/Tues- structures were still protected For additional informastorytelling. I’m beyond proud during March if they are invited of homes were protected from day, August 29 from the flood waters of the tion or to provide comments, of my cast and their ability to to film in New York City.

As Monday started, Harvey Brazos River. For comparison please contact the FBC LID even deeper flood waters by In February, Inspiration FBC LID 2. Harvey produced had already produced 22 inch- the highest Brazos River el- 2 General Manager (gm1@ latch on to the piece and portray it so beautifully,” says In- Stage will take a different two different floods for the es of rain in Sugar Land over evation outside the levee (72.3 fbclid2.com) and Board of Dispiration Stage’s artistic direc- company to JTF West in Sac- residents of FBC LID 2, and just three days. While some of feet), was almost 6 feet higher rectors (board@fbclid2.com) ramento to perform Annie, JR. any attempt to prevent future this rainfall flowed out of the than that worst water eleva- or visit the District’s website tor, Mandy Seymore-Sensat.

“It is rare that a cast gets to for adjudicators. It will be the home flooding starts with a levee under gravity flow, the tions inside the District (66.4 at www.fbclid2.com . meet the person responsible for first appearance for Inspiration close look at what happened remaining runoff filled almost feet).

Despite the LID’s justificathe vision of a show. It was a Stage at JTF West.

Hurricane Harvey Re- tion for installing a new pump, during the last week of August 70% of drainage storage inInspiration Stage is a na- 2017. moment I’ll cherish forever, side the levee when the pump sponse according to one of the critics watching my cast take pictures tional award-winning perforImmediately following Har- of the project, the district is Friday, August 25 /Satur- station was turned on. Nine with and being introduced by mance arts studio located in day, August 26 more inches of rain would fall vey, FBC LID2 partnered with “over reacting.”

Stephen Schwartz,” she contin- the historic Sugar Land AuThe consultant Freesee & Harvey made landfall in on Monday and early Tuesday the City of Sugar Land and enditorium at 226 Lakeview Dr. Rockport, TX on Friday eve- after the flood gates closed, gaged a third-party engineer- Nichols calculated that all the ues.

Together with Music Direc- The 2017/2018 season includes ning and produced a little requiring more than a billion ing firm, Freese & Nichols, district would have needed tor Sarah Patterson, Seymore- both youth and adult produc- more than 2 inches of rainfall gallons of water to ultimately to analyze drainage system was an additional 110,000 Sensat directed iStage’s audi- tions, as well as acting and inside FBC LID 2 throughout be pumped out of the levee. performance during the flood. Gallons Per Minute in pump tion-only youth company in production classes. For more the day. At the same time the The continued, persistent rain- The study included both City capacity to avoid flooding. its performance of a 15-minute information, visit www.inspira- Brazos River was also flow- fall and full drainage system streets and storm sewers and That would be one large pump cut of Xanadu, JR. for festival tionstage.com. ing at a typical level, far be- far exceeded the capacity of FBC LID 2 ditches and pump or two smaller pumps.

However, the levee district low flood stage. Under these the pump station and late on stations. The study focused normal conditions rainfall Monday night water began on the neighborhoods where is talking about a pump starunoff within FBC LID 2 entering homes. Flood wa- homes flooded to determine tion that is three times greater Six Fort Bend ISD students were recently named candidates flows through City streets and ters remained inside homes the cause and identify possible than the existing station. This for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, up to storm sewers, into FBC LID 2 for 12-18 hours until Tues- solutions to eliminate future would be 750,000 GPM which 161 students are selected for this prestigious title. In honoring ditches, and out of the District day afternoon, at an average flooding. The report states would be a total of 1,000,000 the Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States through large flood gates in depth of 1-2 inches. During that, “[t]he only scenario that GPM of pump capacity.

According to the source, symbolically honors all the graduating high school seniors of the levee en route to the Bra- this same period, hundreds of would result in a reduction of more homes were also within the peak water surface elevawho prefers anonymity, “This zos River.

This normal gravity high potential. inches of flooding and most tion involves additional pump capacity isn’t based on the drainage continued throughout Congratulations to the following FBISD students: Freese and Nichols study. city streets were impassible. capacity.”

For FBC LID 2 to Saturday as another 8 inches Austin High School – Jackson Neal; Clements High School This large pump station is be– Brandon K. Wang and Faye H. Wang ; Dulles High School – of rain fell on Sugar Land and The rain finally slowed to a keep water out of homes during driven by fear of losing stop on Tuesday allowing the ing the next storm like Harvey, Harvey slowly moved inland Kadriye S. Almus, Amsal A. Kassam and Star J. Ni FEMA accreditation. In realpump station to catch up and a new pump station will need 100 miles to the south.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was ity it’s the Fort Bend County water to recede out of homes to be constructed.

The District Sunday, August 27 established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President to Drainage District that is now by Tuesday afternoon. is already working with an On Sunday 12 more inches recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished increasing the pump capacity Wednesday, August 30/ engineering firm to produce a of persistent rainfall caused graduating high school seniors standards.”

Thursday, August 31 preliminary engineering report the Brazos River to begin risIn 1979, the Program was extended to recognize students On Wednesday, while Hurregarding the construction of a ing towards flood levels.

As who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again the river rises the flood gates ricane Harvey has made its new pump station. Based on

Stage

Flood

Presidential scholars

extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

M Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 7, 2018

NEWS

Fort Bend Republican candidates for District Attorney primary race

The Fort Bend County Republican Party has introduced a “Primary Primer” on its Facebook page for voters to hear from the candidates so they become familiar with them and get a feel about who they will vote for in the upcoming March 6 Primary.

Each week the party will highlight a specific race.

There is no question of bias, all the candidates are asked two questions and their answers are published in their own words. The latest in this series covers the District Attorney race. The two Republican Primary candidates are Shawn McDonald and Cliff Vacek.

Shawn McDonald I am honored to share my background and experience as I fight to become the next District Attorney of Fort Bend County.

As the father of an incredible 4-year-old little girl, a husband and a Board Certified Criminal Lawyer, I pledge to run a principled office, adhere to my lifelong conservative values, and work tirelessly to protect our community. Our community deserves a wellrespected, driven, and disciplined leader with actual experience in criminal litigation and criminal appellate work experience to lead the chief law enforcement agency in the county. I humbly ask for your vote in the March 6, 2018 Republican primary.

“How are you different from your opponent?”

First and foremost, I will bring unmatched criminal litigation and appellate experience to the District Attorney’s Office. I am the only candidate who has served as an Assistant District Attorney and I spent several years prosecuting criminal offenses, including time in the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office as a felony prosecutor. I am the only candidate who is Board Certified in Criminal Law with far less than 1% of attorneys in Texas attaining this designation, and I have handled thousands of criminal cases in my career. For the last thirteen years I have been in the Fort Bend County Courthouse on a daily basis and I know exactly how the District Attorney’s office operates and I am personally acquainted with most of the prosecutors, investigators, and staff. I am intimately familiar with how the court system functions. I have been a law school professor teaching criminal law and trial advoca-

cy, a law enforcement instructor, as well as mentoring and training countless Assistant District Attorneys. The citizens of Fort Bend County and the District Attorney’s Office deserve longevity and stability in their District Attorney. I will serve the citizens of Fort Bend County as their District Attorney for decades to come.

“What do you want voters to consider when voting for your election?”

The District Attorney’s Office is the chief law enforcement office in the county and I want voters to consider that I am the only candidate that has law enforcement experience in that I served as an Assistant District Attorney here In Fort Bend County. With my extensive hands on experience, including clerking for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, aggressively prosecuting crimes against our children, years as a law school professor, and decades as a law enforcement instructor, I know exactly how the system works and the improvements that need to be made. My broad criminal litigation, teaching, and appellate experience guide my decision making and gives me the knowledge to ensure we make strong and just decisions that are in the best interest of our community.

My opponent retired in 2014 and has essentially ceased to practice law. We need a District Attorney that can serve for years to come, build and foster relationships with law enforcement, and provide the stability and longevity to the attorneys and staff of the office, and citizens of Fort Bend County. My opponent’s past is in Fort Bend County, but my family and I view Fort Bend County as our future.

Cliff Vacek I am Cliff Vacek. I was born in Sugar Land. I graduated from Needville High School as valedictorian. I worked my way through college and have a B.S. degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston.

I am a paratrooper honorably discharged from the Texas National Guard as a sergeant. I have two years teaching experience at Needville High School. I have forty-one years legal experience as a board certified trial lawyer, a managing partner of a law firm and as a state district judge.

My wife Carole and I have been married for 34 years.

from your opponent?”

I am a lifelong resident of Fort Bend County. I am a veteran. I am a retired state district judge who tried hundreds of felony criminal jury cases, and none have been reversed on appeal. I have heard thousands of criminal pleas, nonjury trials, probation revocation hearings and bond revocation hearings. I have impaneled grand juries and guided them in their duties. I have considered and issued search and arrest warrants and set bonds. I am a conservative Republican and have been voting Republican for more than 30 years.

I have experience in management and supervision of lawyers and support staff, having been a managing partner of two law firms, one which consisted of eighteen lawyers and a staff of more than fifty secretaries and paralegals. I have been a good steward of the taxpayers’ money when setting the budget of the district court. I will enforce all the laws of this state.

“What do you want voters to consider when voting for your election?”

The district attorney’s office is the largest law firm in the county. It must be headed by someone who has management and administrative experience, who can make difficult decisions, who can train and supervise attorneys, who can implement efficient policies and procedures and who can Interact with defense attorneys, judges, commissioners, law enforcement and the public to resolve issues that arise.

I have been a teacher, a military sergeant, a managing partner at successful law firms and a state district judge.

I have a proven record of having good judgment and making the right decisions. The decisions made by the district attorney can have tremendous consequences on the lives of people involved. I have first hand knowledge of the criminal justice system and have specific plans to improve the system by reducing the time from filing of charges to final disposition, reducing the number of resets and reducing the number of times that witnesses are subpoenaed to the courthouse, thereby saving the taxpayers money. I have a proven record of public service, fiscal responsibility and work ethic. I would appreciate your support and vote in the upcoming primary election.

“How are you different

Sugar Creek Country Club donates to FBEF

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

12551 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

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Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 12551, Emily Court, Texas 77478.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

The Fort Bend Education Foundation was proud to partner with Sugar Creek Country Club to give back to FBISD Schools in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Sugar Creek Country Club donated $8,135 dollars towards the effort to purchase a new library for Juan Sequin Elementary.

A portion of every New Member initiation fee was donated in an effort to be a strong community partner.

Pictured l to R: Gordon Wagner, SCCC General Manager; Jill Stickels, SCCC Membership Director; Brenna Cosby, Fort Bend Education Foundation, Executive Director; and Harvey Zinn, SCCC Board President

Sugar Land invests in state-ofthe-art mobility solutions

Sugar Land City Council recently approved more than $846,000 to expand existing adaptive signal control and wireless vehicle detection at intersections throughout Sugar Land.

The project is part of an ongoing effort to improve mobility along major thoroughfares through Sugar Land, including State Highway 6, U.S. Highway 90A. and University Boulevard.

The technology enables traffic engineers at the stateof-the-art Sugar Land Traffic Management Center to capture real-time traffic data at signalized intersections and automatically optimize traffic signal timing cycles at identified intersections in an effort to increase traffic flow through the city based on current traffic conditions. This data, which measures current traffic conditions, is used by adaptive software to continuously optimize traffic signal timings in an effort to increase traffic flow (or decrease travel times) on some of the city’s busiest roadways.

The project builds on past efforts and provides a foundation for future traffic initiatives

identified in Sugar Land’s Intelligent Transportation System Operations Plan.

Wireless detection devices called pods are installed in the pavement at intersections to measure traffic volumes and allow adaptive signal control equipment to make real time adjustment to traffic signals based on traffic demand.

“The data being collected is building the foundation for a more reliable and smarter data-driven Intelligent Transportation System,” said Director of Public Works Robert Valenzuela. “This ongoing project builds on two previous projects. We plan to expand the technology to another 25 major intersections along two more corridors and install 590 more pods to help improve detection reliability, traffic operations and help plan and design a better traffic network.”

Sugar Land updates the Intelligent Transportation System Operations Plan every four to five years to identify opportunities to improve mobility. The 2014 plan outlined a four-year capital improvement program and subsequent projects for each fiscal year

starting in fiscal year 2015.

Since the inception of the capital program, completed projects have included: *improved traffic signal detection; *added essential traffic data gathering capabilities; *upgraded school beacon system; *improved ITS website at www.sugarlandtx.gov/its to help motorists with travel information; *signal timing optimization of major corridors within the city; *upgraded traffic controllers with latest hardware/software; and *implemented adaptive signal control on State Highway 6.

“All these projects have brought benefits such as improved travel times on major corridors, real-time/historic traffic data which assists staff in making operation decisions, better sharing of traffic information to motorists and a more reliable/self-reporting school beacon system,” explained Valenzuela.

For more, visit http://www. sugarlandtx.gov/1131/TrafficManagement-Systems.

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OakBend Medical Center adds new board member

OakBend Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of Abby King as the newest member of its Board of Directors.

Abby is a native of Wharton, Texas and is very active in the community.

In addition to her new role on the Board of Directors of OakBend Medical Center, she also serves as Past Chairman of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce Board and as Secretary of the Wharton Country Club Board. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the

Boys & Girls Club of Wharton.

King is the Executive Director of the Mary Louise Dobson Foundation, which provides funding support for youth organizations in Wharton County, and is a Managing Partner of K-Mana, LLC, located in Wharton.

“OakBend is excited to have Abby King as the newest member of its Board of Directors,” expressed Joe Freudenberger, OakBend Medical Center’s CEO, “With OakBend’s expansion into Whar-

ton, we felt it was imperative that we add a member to our board from that area. We wanted to add someone who had a pulse on the community, and Abby is a great addition.”

2018 Board of Directors: Bob Douds, left, Dr. Ed Uthman, Jeff Haley, Melissa Martin, Dr. Mae Tape, Norma Petrociewz, Jeff Council, Joe Freudenberger, Abby King, Tom Crayton, and Dr. John Zerwas (Not pictured: Ruthanne Mefford, Dr. C. Funsho Fagbohun and Dr. Amirali Popatia)

Best of Bunch Challenge

For the third consecutive year, the Lamar CISD Food Service Department is being honored by the Texas Department of Agriculture in the Best of Bunch Local Products Challenge.

Less than 10 percent of school district in Texas reach this plateau.

The recognition is based on Lamar CISD’s Food Services Department efforts to serve Texas products in the District’s cafeterias.

Matt Antignolo is the Director of Food Services in Lamar CISD. Left top, Food Service 1, Food Service Director Matt Antignolo and assistant Director Stacie E. Bean-Johnson.

Left, Food Service 2, Dietician Kassandra Davis and Food Service Coordinator Chef Marray S. Mbayo.

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 7, 2018 • Page 5

NEWS

Spaghetti dinner on April 21

Ready for Spaghetti 2018! Sugar Land Councilman Himesh Gandhi, left, Lynn Krauss and Greg Kramer enjoying themselves at the Spaghetti event 2017. The Exchange Club of Sugar Land’s 31st Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser will be on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Join The Exchange Club of Sugar Land’s 31st Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 5:308:30 p.m at Fluor Corporation Cafeteria, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land. Local law enforcement agencies and fire departments prepare a variety of spaghetti sauces, competing to win the cook-off trophy. This family oriented dinner features great raffle prizes, a live auction, silent auction and kids area with fun and games.

The funds raised allow The Exchange Club of Sugar Land to continue supporting local non-profits including Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Fort Bend County Women’s

Center, Texana Center for Autistic Children, Fort Bend Council on Substance Abuse, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, Crime Stoppers, YMCA, Literacy Council of Fort Bend, The ESCAPE Family Resource Center and many others.

These funds also supports our community service projects.

•Santa’s Exchange distributes over 10,000 toys annually to needy children.

•The Light of Hope ceremony raises awareness for Child Abuse Prevention.

•Back to School Bash provides backpacks, school supplies and new shoes.

•Give a Kid a Flag to Wave distributes over 30,000 Amer-

ican flags along the Fort Bend County Fair and Houston Rodeo parade routes.

•Service to Seniors provides a monthly birthday party for Seniors Meals on Wheels.

•Youth of the Month recognizes FBISD students for outstanding performance.

•One Nation Under God breakfast honors our veterans and active military.

Help us support the Fort Bend Community by purchasing a dinner ticket for $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 7-12 or a raffle ticket for $100 which includes 2 adult and 2 children’s spaghetti dinners.

For more information visit www. ecsl.org

“All in the family” set for Feb. 18

Thanks to a performance support grant from the Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy, FBSO features the works of musical families Schumann, Mendelssohn and ColeridgeTaylor in its first concert of 2018, on Sunday, February 18 at the Stafford Centre.

In “All in the Family”, the audience will explore compositions from both men and women in notable musical families. Sometimes siblings, sometimes spouses, you’ll find that the composers share more than a last name – they also share immense musical talent.

Concertgoers will get a feeling for the creative styles of these talented musicians, and how their music is similar in some ways and very, very different in others.

The program includes Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel’s Overture, her only known orchestral work. Though she originally showed the greater musical promise, her brother Felix was the name remembered for generations. FBSO honors him with a performance of Hebridies. Robert and Clara Schumann were 19th century husband and wife composers.

Clara’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 7 and Robert’s Manfred Overture gives the audience a taste of each one’s unique style. Avril Coleridge-Taylor was an English composer, the daughter of composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Avril’s Golden Ballet Suite (Excerpt) stands with her father’s Three Dream Dances.

The program will also fea-

L-R: Elyssa Munden, Joe Freilich, Dan Patterson. Photo credit – Susan Lynch ture Nickolas Warwick, winner of the Marielle Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition, and the winners of the HTMA’s concerto competition, William Hua (7th grade), performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, 1st mvt and Stephan Xie (10th grade) with Chopin’s Piano Concerto in F minor, 3rd mvt.

Musicologist Alicia Levin, who specializes in 19th century women composers, will provide the pre-concert lecture and the children’s activities during intermission. We encourage you to bring your family to this intriguing, en-

tertaining performance.

There will be more details available about the concert as time draws near at www.fbso. org.

More information about special season ticket pricing and performances is online at www.fbso.org. Single tickets begin at $15 for adults. Children 12 and under are $5 each, and teens are $10 per ticket.

Discounts are available for college students, seniors 55 and over, military personnel, and groups of 10 or more.

Tickets are available online at www.fbso.org or by calling 281.276.9642.

Suburban Sugar Land Women honors women in the community during Women’s History Month Celebration

Tran Pham Rich Ammie Blahuta

Manuela Arroyos

Lupe Uresti

Cynthia Ginyard

The National Women’s History Project recognizes and celebrates the diverse and historic accomplishments of women. History helps us learn who we are, but when we don’t know our own history, our power and dreams are immediately diminished.

Multicultural American women are overlooked in most mainstream approaches to U.S. history, so the National Women’s History Project champions their accomplishments and leads the drive to write women back into history.

Recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life – science, community, government, literature, art, sports, medicine – has a huge impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women.

their commitment to serving the Suburban Houston, Missouri City, and Fort Bend County area.

Cynthia Ginyard – Fort Bend County Supporter Cynthia Ginyard has a passion for helping others and has worked in the Fort Bend County community for many years. She is described as a passionate leader and public servant. As a retired educator, Cynthia works to promote literacy with our children.

Ammie Blahuta – President of Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers.

GiGi’s Playhouse is a unique Down syndrome organization offering direct educational and therapeutic programs to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.

Tran Pham Rich – President of Cookie Joe’s Dancin’ School, Sugar Land, TX. Cookie Joe’s made a positive impact on our community by offering a place for students to dance out their frustration after Hurricane Harvey.

Manuela Arroyos – Chief Executive Officer, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels The Fort Bend Seniors

Meals on Wheels program includes three types of meal services: home-delivered meals, emergency shelf-stable meals and congregate meals. They also provide activities, recreation, and transportation for our seniors.

Lupe Uresti – Rosenberg Housing Authority Director and Treasurer for the Board of Directors of Fort Bend Hispanic Heritage Forum.

As a previous mayor of Rosenberg (1992 – 1995), Mrs. Uresti has dedicated her life to helping friends, neighbors, and the community.

Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) has made a lifetime commitment to affect a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Its mission is to design, implement, and evaluate educational, civic, economic, and cultural programs that build self-confidence and expand knowledge and skills to succeed in school and life. A perfect example of the mission into action is honoring women who have positively impacted our community. This year, SSLW honors six women who have made lives in our community better.

The 2018 honorees are: Evelyn Peters Dean – President of Suburban Houston Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For the past 40 years, the members of Suburban Houston-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter have demonstrated

Evelyn Peters Dean

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 7, 2018

AUTOMOBILE: Hyundai Sonata

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The new 2018 Sonata sedan sports new features, technology and hardware. And blind spot dectection and rear cross traffic alert are now standard equipment.

The redesigned 2018 Sonata entered the market with a new look from the front, side and rear thanks to a cascading grill, a more assertive profile and an entirely new rear which showcases a clean and handsome approach.

Supplementing the bodywork, the 2018 Sonata now lights the way with LED daytime running lights. LED headlamps with dynamic bending light are an option. The same winning style continues in the rear with sharp taillight design and enlarged Hyundai badge, which houses the trunk release button. Fresh wheel designs cap off its new look.

The new Sonata has a refined chassis with improved ride and handling. Torsion bar stiffness was increased in the steering PUBLIC ONLINE AUCTION FORT BEND COUNTY 9110 Long Street, Needville, TX. PREVIEW: By Appt.

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system by 12 percent and engineers also enhanced that improvement with new steering calibration that provided improved responsiveness and on-center steering feel.

In addition to these steering changes, the Sonata received an updated rear suspension.

New bushings work with the new suspension arms for a more compliant ride and quicker response time to control all other wheel motions. The result is a communicative, nimble and comfortable sedan.

The 2018 Sonata Limited, which was the test car, has a 2.4-liter four cylinder direct injection engine that makes 185 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 lb.-ft. torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with drive mode select.

Miles to the gallon are 25 in town and 35 on the highway.

Annual fuel cost is estimated to be $1,300.

The Hyundai Sonata features a standard seven-inch color display audio touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Drivers and passengers with smartphones can keep them charged by using the available Qi standard wireless charging pad.

The Sonata also got a second row USB charge port as a nod to today’s connected rear-seat passengers. Available navigation systems now come with a bird’s eye view feature as well as traffic flow and incident data, without ever having to pay a subscription for the service.

The Sonata also offers more safety features in 2018. They include vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, traction control system, anti-lock braking system,

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Iris Orean Mayshack Probate Deceased were issued on January 29, 2018, in Cause No. 17-CPR-031103, pending in the County Court at Law No. THREE (3), Fort Bend County, Texas, to: JAMES ANTHONY MAYSHACK. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: JAMES ANTHONY MAYSHACK 4821 EAST COUMBARY DRIVE ROSENBERG, TEXAS 77471 DATED the 29th day of January, 2018.

Carolyn McDaniel Attorney for James Anthony Mayshack State Bar No.: 13514300 911 Front Street Richmond, Texas 77469-4439 Telephone: (281) 342-6541 Facsimile: (281) 940-8567 E-mail: cmcdaniellawfirm@gmail.com

City of Missouri City LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS A MANDATED PUBLICATION OF THE LEGAL NOTICE ******* OPENING DATE OF February 20, 2018 AT 2:00 pm. ******* Invitation for Bid for the provision of Services in the Remediation and On-Going Maintenance of Various Plant Life and Water Quality in City Lakes and Waterways IFB # 18-152 Services in the Remediation and On-Going Maintenance of Various Plant Life and Water Quality in City Lakes and Waterways Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the IFB name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Responses must be delivered to the attention of the Sealed Bid Box, City of Missouri City Purchasing Office, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489, prior to the acceptance deadline. Responses marked improperly and therefore mis-directed may be disqualified. Responses are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers on February 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

Until final award of the Contract, the OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Responses, to waive irregularities or technicalities, to re-advertise, or proceed to do the Work otherwise when in the best interests of the OWNER. No bid may be withdrawn during the 60 days following the bid opening date.

electronic brakeforce distribution, braking assist and tire pressure monitoring. And now the additional blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert makes the Sonata the only midsize car sold with all this safety technology as standard equipment.

While some drivers may think blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert isn’t necessary it’s a safety feature that keeps us from moving into the next lane when a vehicle you can’t see is there. Rear cross traffic alert keeps drivers backing up from hitting a pedestrian or vehicle that’s behind them.

Both keep the road safer for drivers, passengers, walkers, bicyclists, etc.

Despite drivers spending a small amount of time in reverse, one-quarter of all accidents happen when someone is backing up. Another safety addition Hyundai now offers on the Sonata as an option is a new lane departure warning system with an enhanced lane keep assist function available.

The all-new 2018 Hyundai Sonata earned the highest safety rating by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) with a Top Safety Pick+ rating when equipped with optional automatic emergency braking and LED headlights with dynamic bending lights on vehicles built after September 2017.

The Sonata Limited is an extremely comfortable and good looking sedan. The MSRP is $27,400. The test drive model topped out at $31,310 with added options and a freight and handling fee.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE of PUBLIC SALE of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien. Online sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com on February 16, 2018 at 9:00a.m. Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale . Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenant - Venkata Maganti: shopping bags and storage totes.

FILM REVIEW

This is a classic creation of Houston-born Richard Linklater who co-wrote and directed “Last Flag Flying” set in December 2003.

Quick: how many Oscars has Linklater won? Answer: None. But, he has been nominated five times; three noms for “Boyhood” (2014) alone which was filmed primarily in the San Marcos area.

You will like this film if you are patriotic and like great acting. Ok, I know that covers everyone, but Linklater picked a cast of “characters” that fit his script perfectly which means there was a good script and the actors performed marvelously.

The movie opens with Larry “Doc” Shepard (Steve Carell) going into a bar to reunite with one of his old buddies (Bryan Cranston) who served with him in the Vietnam War. Those two then locate the third member (Laurence Fishburne) of the group in the pulpit of a small church.

The Reverend Richard Mueller (Fishburne) walks with a cane as a result of his war injury, but he no longer drinks and swears; unlike his raunchy reputation duly earned in Vietnam.

Sal the barkeep (Cranston) and drinker of many drinks that begins before lunch and the preacher unite their efforts to support their old friend, Doc, of 30 years in his quest to bury his son who was killed in action.

The US military, through the actions of a hard-nose Colonel, wants to dictate to Doc on how and when he can bury his son and initially will not surrender custody of the casket.

These three old war buddies do not like to be told what to do and they are willing to push back to help a grieving father who happens to be their brother in arms from a war in a vastly different era than today’s bythe-book military establishment of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Steve Carell as Doc is the

sad, quiet parent who is only trying to do the right thing by loving and honoring his son.

But, he’s not 100% sure how to do that.

Sal, the one who thinks most clearly when he’s about half drunk, is the person least changed from their days in Vietnam and is the magic piece of the trio to help them think outof-the-box. Reverend Mueller is the opposite of Sal and is the perfect balancing act to Cranston’s big mouth and beer breath.

And it is very clear that they love and respect each other.

The portrayal of these characters by Carell, Cranston, and Fishburne is a thing of beauty.

Stunning performances.

I almost let this flick slip by me, but I’m so glad I had the privilege to watch Linklater do his thing again. Someday he will win the gold. Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 91. Larry H. www.larryhmoviereviews.com

Perseverance pays for recently graduated working mom

It took Missouri City resident Patricia Landa-Hernandez a long time to walk across the stage to collect her Master of Arts in Humanities from University of Houston-Clear Lake. For students juggling work and family responsibilities, staying focused on an academic goal can be almost impossibly difficult. With the help of her family and some key professors in UH-Clear Lake’s Department of Humanities, she achieved her goal in December 2017.

“I’m the first person in my family to graduate from college and I wanted to go even further by being the first person to get a graduate degree,” said Landa-Hernandez, a manager in radiology and oncology business services at MD Anderson Cancer Center. “It took me 13 years to get my master’s degree, but I kept going. I took one course at a time and I never stopped trying to get to my goal.”

Taking graduate courses while working full time, caring for her mother, and raising a son was not easy. “I wanted my son to have a better life,” she said. “It was stop and go. Sometimes I was only able to take one or two classes in a year.

My mother had surgery and there were other setbacks along the way.

City of Missouri City

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On Monday, February 19, 2018, there will be held, during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City of Missouri City City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas, a public hearing relating to the creation of Reinvestment Zone No. 19 for tax abatement purposes. The proposed Reinvestment Zone No. 17 is located within the Park 8Ninety commercial subdivision and north of Buffalo Run Park, south of U.S. Highway 90A, east of South Cravens Road, and west of Beltway 8 in Missouri City, Texas. The proposed Reinvestment Zone No. 19 is depicted below. Any interested person is entitled to speak and present evidence for or against the creation of Reinvestment Zone No. 19.

Landa-Hernandez Financially, it’s difficult.”

The key, said Landa-Hernandez, was never to lose sight of what she wanted to accomplish.

“The professors at UHCL are extraordinary,” she said. “Life will happen no matter what. I know that without my professor, (Department Chair of Liberal Arts and Associate Professor of Humanities) Shreerekha Subramanian, I would not have made it. She took the time to help me and gave me hope to not give up.”

Subramanian said that LandaHernandez was emblematic of UH-Clear Lake’s Humanities students. “Pat is exactly the student that gives us our identity as a designated Hispanic Serving Institution. She is a working mom who came to the degree later and took a bit longer, but stayed the course and reached the finish line.

Patricia’s dedication and focus gives us the evidence that we need to stay and course and keep doing what we do for our students.”

Academic, emotional support Landa-Hernandez came to Subramanian for extra help to prepare for her Capstone examination.

“I was her Capstone committee chair and along with (Assistant Professor of Art History) Sarah Costello, we helped her get ready for her exam.”

As much as the academic support, Landa-Hernandez said that she received plenty of emotional reinforcement from Subramanian and Costello as well. “Dr. Subramanian was my adviser and she took the time to spend one-on-one with me last summer,” she said.

“During this summer class session, she provided various daily

assignments. It was just the two of us, studying together every day for the exam, but it was more than that. She helped me have the discipline to keep studying the given assignments and it was intense. I had a lot of reading to do – I mean, a lot! Through this hard work and preparation, she helped me bring out the best in myself.”

Despite Subramanian’s trip to India last summer, she and LandaHernandez kept their regular appointments via video chats.

During their sessions, they went over questions, clarified complicated theoretical ideas, and Subramanian ensured her student was showing the appropriate level of mastery of the texts.

“I told her, distance will not be a problem. She sent me her reading assignments and she did more extra work than any average graduate student I ever had,” she said.

Subramanian added that she felt her connection to Landa-Hernandez reminded her of the reason she has chosen teaching as her profession. “Her success brings home why we teach, and it shows what kind of university we are,” she said. “These are our hardworking, shining stars who are managing work and home life. They’re in school and it might take them a little longer, but they get there.” That support, said Landa-Hernandez, made her feel doubly determined to do well on her capstone exam.

“Dr. Subramanian got behind me, and I didn’t want to let her down,” she said. “It’s not often you find someone who will help you out this way; someone who believes in you. She gave me the daily work and I took it very seriously.”

In addition, Landa-Hernandez said that (Associate Professor of Humanities) Daniel Silvermintz, (Professor of Philosophy) Keith Parsons, and (Assistant Professor of Art History) Beth Merfish were instrumental in her success.

Subramanian said that she felt that Landa-Hernandez had taken every possible opportunity offered to her by her professors. “She showed such perseverance,” she said. “It was a long time for her, but we threw her a lifeline and she grabbed it and swam ashore on her own merits. She made me so proud.”

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 7, 2018 • Page 7

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At the Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic at Sugar Land, we’re expanding our services and hours to better serve the needs of Fort Bend County and surrounding communities. When you need immediate orthopedic care, count on our knowledgeable doctors and staff to quickly evaluate and treat your injury, and get you back to your active life.

Monday – Thursday | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The clinic provides treatment for:

Major insurance plans accepted

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• Sports injuries

• Concussions

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Chronic conditions, spine injuries motor vehicle accidents and workers’ compensation injuries are not treated at the injury clinic. Please call 281.201.0396 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate physician for those conditions.

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Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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