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VOL 4 No 13
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2011
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
FBISD student Sivateja wins Houston PBS Spelling Bee title
Classic Chevrolet’s Chili Cook-off Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land held its first annual chili cook-off on March 24 and more than 500 people attended the four-hour fun and entertaining event. Mark Kolon, general sales manager of Classic Chevrolet described the event as a well rounded success and the event raised some good money for the benefit of the Sugar Land Police Officers Association. This will be a yearly event, Kolon said. Top, Classic Chevrolet Owner Don Kerstetter, left, Fort Bend County Commissioner James Patterson and Kolon. Above Left, Chris Panos and Jim Boike of Classic Chevrolet’s service department were among the 13 teams which participated in the chili cook-off. Left, the Oasis Senior Living team won the grand championship at the chili cook-off. The winning team included Ray Aguilar, Carrie Boisen, Steve Smith and Tony Perez. —Photos by SESHADRI KUMAR
By spelling the word “feijoada”, Sivateja Tangirala from Sugar Land, a 7th grader at Fort Settlement Middle School in Fort Bend ISD, won the 2011 HoustonPBS Spelling Bee. Tangirala was one of 55 spellers from 42 counties competing in the bee which was televised live on HoustonPBS/ Channel 8 on Saturday, March 26, 2011. He advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the nation’s highest-profile academic event. “I have many people to thank for their help and support, including my family and my teachers, Miss O’Brien, Miss Cairns and Miss Bakus” says Tangirala. By winning the HoustonPBS Spelling Bee, Tangirala won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to represent Houston at the Scripps National Spelling Bee during Bee Week, which runs from May 29 – June 3, 2011. He will compete against 274 fellow spellers from all over the country for over $35,000 in cash and prizes. The HoustonPBS Spelling Bee is the third largest Bee in the country with 1,070 schools participating. This is the third year the station has served as
CASA volunteer King gets national award On March 20, the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association honored Pat King with the 2011 National CASA Board Member of the Year award during the 30th Annual National CASA Conference in Chicago, IL. King is a volunteer with the Child Advocates of Fort Bend. He was an inaugural member of the organization and aided with its establishment in 1991. For the past 20 years, he has advocated for children as a volunteer, helping to speak for children in the foster system, and looking out for their best interests. Additionally, King is a board member, a role he has
FBISD candidates spell out their platforms By SESHADRI KUMAR Seven of the eight candidates on the Fort Bend ISD ballot for three trustee positions attended a forum hosted by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce in Sugar Land last week. The candidates briefly explained their credentials and beliefs on the education system. They also answered two questions posed by the moderator Chris Breaux, one on the most critical issuing facing FBISD and the other on maintaining academic success despite the drastic changes in demography. Susan Hohnbaum, a former teacher and incumbent trustee, for west side position 1, described the past three years as a trustee as “stressful, rewarding and productive.” She was also proud of the academic achievements of the school district.
Stressing budget, re-zoning and reduction in force were very challenging issues, Hohnbaum said she had done her best and she would continue to do so. She also said her objectivity enabled her to always think about students. Wade A. Watassek, who is running against Hohnbaum, is a former resident of Quail Valley and he graduated from Dulles High School. “I value education. I am proud of the school district,” said Watassek. His wife is a teacher at Austin High School. As a businessman, Watassek said he will look at school district issues from a business perspective. “I will not be afraid to ask tough questions and will make hard decisions,” he said. Watassek also said he believed in “open and honest
communication.” For at large position 4, incumbent Daniel Menendez and three others, Bruce Albright, Rodrigo Carreon and Kevin Daniels, have filed. Menendez said the public school system should be strong. He alluded to his qualification as a West Point graduate. Menendez said he had the “leadership and fiscal responsibility” required in these trying times. Menendez also said he would represent the entire community with integrity. Albright said the district has not been a good steward of fiances. The district needs to be more transparent and needs to work on retaining teachers, he said. The district should be more receptive to public input and listen to the citizens, Albright said.
The state of Texas alone is not at fault for all the problems of the district, though that is partly true, he said. If elected, Albright said, he would seek common sense solutions and think outside the box. Carreon, who is running for the school board for the fourth time, called for proper zoning of schools and proper use of space in school buildings. “Race had no place in schools,” he said. Anglos, low-income people, minorities, all must unite and work, Carreon said. Do we need more schools or more prisons, Carreon asked. “You voters decide,” he said. Daniels described himself as a career educator and wanted to provide the best ideas for teachers, parents and students. “ I am very concerned about
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Sivateja Tangirala (Photo Courtesy Houston PBS) the local sponsor of the bee. people in Southeast Texas. We Channel 8 is the only PBS sta- want to wish Sivateja the best tion in the nation to serve as of luck as he heads to Washa local Scripps Spelling Bee ington for Bee Week,” says John Hesse, General Manager Sponsor. “We feel the Spelling Bee at HoustonPBS. For more infits perfectly with our educa- formation on the HoustonPBS tional mission to empower, en- Spelling Bee, visit www.housgage and enrich the lives of the tonpbs.org/spellingbee.
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Pat King and National CASA spokesperson and child welfare activist Judge Glenda Hatchett who received the National CASA President’s Award. successfully held since 2001; serving in a variety of capaci-
ties including treasurer, president, and vice president.
the direction of the FBISD. It should work for all students involved,” Daniels said. Jonita Reynolds is a candidate for the east side position 5 seat, which is open. Patsy Taylor, who has also filed for the position, did not attend the forum. Reynolds described herself as a “passionate professional who believes in effecting change.”
A former director of strategic management and quality improvement in Houston ISD, Reynolds said “I believe in flying into the storm.” She wanted the businesses, school board, employers, parents and students to join the team to effect the change. The candidates were then asked to cite the most critical issue facing FBISD. See PLATFORM, Page 2
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