November / December 2018 - RGVision Magazine

N OVE M B E R/DE C E M B E R 2 0 18 | VO LUM E 10 ISSUE 6

THE SPIRIT OF SANTA Local man embodies Christmas joy in role as jolly old elf

REMEMBERING LOVED ONES

GOOD ONLINE ETIQUETTE

THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC

How to cope with grief and loss around the holidays

Customer service in today’s real and virtual business world

The importance of musical self-expression for children

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With every installment of RGVision Magazine, we look to feature people, organizations, events, and topics that

a man who embodies the spirit of Christmas whether he’s wearing Santa’s red suit or not. While it gets colder up north, another article welcomes the return of Winter Texans — and celebrates those “converted Texans” who decide to stay here year round. The Valley is a special place, and with all the excitement happening here — like the CONCACAF women’s soccer tournament at H-E-B Park in Edinburg — this is a community we’re proud to

Adriana Dominguez Bill Martin Dr. Alfonso Mercado Rev. Dr. Leslie Gonzales Leonardo F. Chang

Omar Díaz Jason Garza Dominique Zmuda Jenny Hollis

WRITERS

the holiday season approaches, our cover story profiles

CONTENT CONTRIBUTERS

Our November/December 2018 issue is no different! As

PHOTOGRAPHERS

are having a positive impact on the Rio Grande Valley.

Lori Houston Sofia Aleman Efrén C. Olivares Karla Arredondo Angela M. Insalaco Irene Wazgowska

call home.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12: 10, 13

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 2 0 18

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 RGVISION MAGAZINE

76 ON THE COVER

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THE SPIRIT OF SANTA

Local man embodies Christmas joy in role as jolly old elf.

EDUCATION

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T HE LA NG UAG E OF M U S IC

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G OOD ONLINE ET IQU ET T E

62

REM EM B ERING LOVED ONES

BUSINESS

The importance of musical self-expression for children.

Customer service in today’s real and virtual business world.

How to cope with grief and loss around the holidays.

HEALTH

QUALITY OF LIFE

Character Strong

SEO & Digital Marketing

Nancy Vanaphan, PA-C

Bailing Out?

pg 8

pg 30

pg 50

pg 72

PSJA ISD Longtime Educators

Defanging The VIPER of Stress

Environmental Toxins

‘Amongst Friends’

pg 32

pg 54

pg 74

A Growing Business

The Effects Of Bullying

Winter Texan

pg 34

pg 58

pg 80

Decoding the Tax Code

Keto Christmas Cake

Soccer’s Elite

pg 36

pg 66

pg 82

Succeeding

Making Strides

pg 42

pg 68

pg 10 Red Flags pg 14 Winter Funtime Indoors pg 18 Computer Science Education pg 20 Boys & Girls Club pg 24

Financial Focus pg 44 Home Sweet Harlingen pg 46 Just a Click Away pg 48

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Ki ndness

Ki ndness

Ki ndness

CHARACTER

STRONG Character Programs Spread Kindness Among Middle-Schoolers in HCISD b y A d r i a n a D om i n g u e z

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NOV/DEC 2018

An idea that sparked a movement at Harlingen CISD’s two comprehensive high schools last year has taken root and is spreading to middle schools in a significant push

kindness and compassion among students.

“There’s been a shift in a lot of our kids. I can see that they’re starting to hold each other accountable for their actions,” said David Cavazos, an eighth-grade math teacher at Memorial Middle School. “They’re showing a lot of maturity and responsibility, but more importantly, care for one another. Just the other day, a student dropped something, papers flew everywhere, and everybody just rushed in to help.”

During a kickoff event at Coakley Middle School, students reflected on how Rachel Scott’s example will make them think twice about how they react to confrontation or disagreements with other people. In an essay, Rachel wrote that the first, second, and third impression of a person could be deceiving because they don’t paint the full picture of what kind of person someone is.

“She [Rachel] gave people at least three chances and I barely give people one,” said Isaac Aparicio, a sixth-

toward kindness.

The Character Strong and Rachel’s Challenge programs are both being implemented at their respective feeder campuses this 2018-19 school year. Though they represent two different programs at first glance, their purpose remains the same — to build a positive school community.

Character Strong helps educators infuse character and social-emotional learning into the daily fabric of any classroom or campus focusing on character development. Rachel’s Challenge, which is named after Rachel Scott, one of the students killed at Columbine High School in 1999, provides a sustainable, evidencebased framework for positive climate and culture in schools.

Already, these programs producing moments of

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students will be dared to give compliments throughout the day or reflect on their own character growth.

Ultimately, educators hope to start a “chain reaction” of kindness that will result in a positive school culture for all students.

“I want to be the catalyst for their change,” Cavazos said. “I want my students to do well academically, but I also want to develop them as human beings so that they can become productive members of society.”

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Da v i d C a v a z os , eigh th -grade math teach er at M emorial M iddle Sch ool

NOV/DEC 2018

“There’s been a shift in a lot of our kids. I can see that they’re starting to hold each other accountable for their actions.”

grader at Coakley Middle School.

Each school can put its own spin on the program conducting lessons and activities on any specified day of the week.

“We call it Motivational Mondays,” Cavazos said.

“We run something similar to a pep-rally schedule. We go to first, second, and third period. After that, we have 30 minutes of Character Strong.”

In this day and age, when social media is the preferred method of communication for younger generations, programs like these bring students back to basics by encouraging face-to-face interaction.

“This week we had the webby handshake, which focused on how to give a proper handshake,” Cavazos said. “This activity challenged students to put away their electronic devices and practice face-to-face communication.”

Cavazos said that some lessons will challenge students further compelling them to dig deep. During Daily Dares,

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YOUR PAST DOES NOT DEFINE YOUR FUTURE

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NOV/DEC 2018

Longtime PSJA ISD Educators Earn Their Doctorate Degrees, Inspire Future Generations

Motivated by their desire to continue their education, two longtime Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD educators recently graduated from the Texas A&M University-Kingsville doctoral program in educational leadership in August 2018. Dr. Ruben Borrego and Dr. Rosalina Garcia-Borrego, both high school dropouts and sweethearts, hope their educational journey inspires students to overcome adversity.

After dropping out of PSJA High School to go work in the fields her sophomore year and getting married, Raul Longoria Elementary Principal Garcia-Borrego realized that she had other aspirations for her future.

“I got married at the sweet age of 16, so my only option was to go work in the fields at the time,” she said of her experience as a migrant. “But once I was there, I realized that was not what I wanted to do the rest of my life.”

It was then that, despite not knowing how to drive, Garcia-Borrego managed to drive herself back to school, complete her senior year, and get caught up just in time to graduate with her class from PSJA

High School in 1983.

Inspired by his wife’s determination to continue her education and their constant struggles to make ends meet, Borrego made the decision to go back to school a few years later and earned his GED in 1987 at the age of 24.

“I married a tenacious young lady who wanted to have her high school diploma whether she was married or not,” said Borrego, who is the PSJA Student Services director. “It was then that I realized that I was working so hard as a laborer for such a small check. I was bilingual and knew how to read, so I decided to go back to finish school.”

Soon after, both started working as paraprofessionals at Henry Ford Elementary and Bowie Elementary in PSJA ISD, but their joint desire to better themselves led them to earn their Bachelor's of Arts in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in bilingual education from the then-University of TexasPan American in 1992 and later a master’s in reading from then-UTPA in 2000.

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“To any student or anyone overcoming significant obstacles, your past does not define your future. If you work hard today, know that you will change the lives of your children and grandchildren.”

Dr. Rub en B o r r ego , d i r e cto r o f PSJA Stu den t Services, on recen tly receivin g a doctorate alon gside h is wife

“It was very difficult for me because I had never given myself the opportunity to do the coursework,” said Borrego of the challenges they faced pursuing a postsecondary education. “Once I started applying myself, I realized that I could do it. I still remember how I felt getting an ‘A’ in my very first college class.”

During this time, the couple went on to become teachers at Zeferino Farias Elementary and Cesar Chavez Elementary. Eventually, they both moved on to serve as principals in PSJA ISD. For Garcia-Borrego, being a teacher made her discover her passion for literacy and realize the huge impact educators can have on children.

“I loved teaching kids how to read, especially children like me who were ELL [English Language Learners] and migrants, as I knew it was important for them to have role models,” she said. “With that in mind, I left the classroom to expand my borders and to teach others the value of literacy and reading because it can open doors or it can close doors.”

Having served in leadership roles within the district for several years, the couple decided to embark on one final educational journey in pursuit of a doctorate in educational leadership from Texas A&M University in June 2016. Together, they completed their lifetime milestone when they graduated earlier this month with their doctorate — together once again.

According to the educators, this accomplishment would not have been possible without the endless support of their PSJA family.

“I am so grateful to PSJA Superintendent Dr. King,” Garcia-Borrego said. “He’s a role model for so many of us. He supported me and my husband by allowing us to go to school and grow as leaders.”

Humbled by how far they have come, both longtime educators emphasized that the most valuable takeaway

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from their educational journey has been that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard for it.

“I was the first in a family of 120 cousins to graduate from college and the first now to earn my doctorate,” Borrego said. “To any student or anyone overcoming significant obstacles, your past does not define your future. If you work hard today, know that you will change the lives of your children and grandchildren.”

NOV/DEC 2018

Dr. Ruben Borrego and Dr. Rosalina Garcia-Borrego, receive their doctorate in educational leadership during their August 2018 graduation from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

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E D U C A T I O N

RED FLAGS AND PERSONAL TOUCH BOUNDARIES Teaching Safety and Respecting Children’s Choices about Consent

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b y Ka r l a A r r e d on d o

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Clinginess Crankiness Sleep disturbance Wetting and/or soiling pants when the child is already potty trained Aversion to certain people or places Instances of emotional dysregulation or intense tantrums when going somewhere or with someone

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“Don’t assume that you’re allowed to touch them,” Myers said regarding young children. This is especially applicable in non-verbal children who rely on behavior or other gestures to express their preference or comfort level. This is when parents and others should really tune in to the non-verbal cues a child demonstrates and respect them.

Myers emphasizes that we should allow children to choose whether they want to have physical contact with someone, including greetings, hugging, kissing, or playful tickling. Introducing kids to new people and environments, Myers adds, is an opportunity to teach them about personal touch boundaries and consent.

We also shouldn’t bribe or pressure a child into forced consent.

How can we have those important conversations?

With younger children, Myers suggests that a great way to introduce the subject and begin teaching about personal touch boundaries is through children’s books that address these issues.

“You can also just tell them,” she said. Even when children are not yet speaking, they may comprehend more than we can know. As adults, we sometimes undermine children’s abilities to grasp what we consider more complex concepts, but if we explain safety and personal touch boundaries at the child’s language and comprehension level, it may be a more effective approach than we think.

“Introduce the concept that secrets are not OK,” Myers said. Secrets are tools that child predators sometimes use to lure children in while keeping the family unaware. Teaching kids to eschew secrets is a powerful tool.

What are some red flags to look out for when children have had personal touch violations?

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If a child is hesitating about hugging an aunt he rarely sees, many parents might rush to correct what they perceive to be rudeness. However, a Rio Grande Valley expert is urging parents to reframe their thinking and use the situation as an opportunity to address touching and boundaries.

Personal boundaries are guidelines or limits that a person creates to identify reasonable, safe, and permissible ways for others to behave toward them and how they will respond when someone disregards those limits. Personal touch boundaries are the limits we set and feel comfortable with regarding the physical contact we allow others towards us. Teaching children about personal touch boundaries begins from day one — through modeling, setting examples, and age-appropriate education about safety and healthy relationships.

The conversation about personal touch boundaries begins way before we might think it does, according to Diane Myers, a local licensed professional counselor. It should not wait for middle school health class, and it should definitely be free of cultural biases. Myers says she believes we can and should start teaching children about personal touch boundaries from birth.

It is in the everyday small actions that we get to model and show respect. Myers says the way we act toward children begins teaching them about boundaries and respect, including our actions and behaviors, asking or having their consent to come into their space and before touching their bodies.

In practice, imagine an infant who cannot yet talk.

Observe or remember the ways infants communicate constantly: sounds, facial expressions, or eye contact.

Even if they don’t respond yet, we can, for example, talk to them and let them know what we are about to do. It doesn’t mean you should be on constant commentator mode, but even newborns are learning and processing language as we speak to them. Once there is language comprehension, then communicating and asking for permission should be routine in order to teach children about healthy personal touch boundaries and consent.

This includes family gatherings and, yes, choosing whether they hug their tía.

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Statistically, child predators tend to be someone close, such as a family member. Some red flags to look out for in suspected adults are:

A few children’s books to introduce the concept of consent and personal touch boundaries include:

An adult who prefers the company of children Someone who hovers close to kids and offers to take them for treats like ice cream

> Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell

Adults who are overly interested in spending time with children

> That Uh-oh Feeling: A story About Touch by Kathryn Cole, illustrated by Qin Leng

Perpetrators are usually educated, charming, waiting for moments of isolation such as during parents’ divorce or in a single mother household.

> I Like It When … by Mary Murphy > Baby Dragon by Amy Ehrlich, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand > Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends! by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Nate Wragg

How do we teach children to trust their intuitions when something feels off? For example, when the child predator is someone familiar who is suddenly approaching the child in an inappropriate way, the child may experience confusion and feel unsure of how to interpret the behavior, setting the stage for an unwanted interaction.

Speak to kids at their level and direct them to tune into their body and the sensations they experience when something feels wrong, Myers says. It may be any situation where an encounter made the child uncomfortable or upset.

“You can say, ‘what is your body telling you?’” Myers said. “They know words like ‘yucky,’ or ‘I don’t like it.’”

She also advises adults to pay attention when kids dislike being with others, and to pervasive tantrum-like or negative emotionality.

> Let's Talk about Accepting "No": An Early Social Skills Book

by Joy Wilt Berry, illustrated by Roey Fitzpatrick > Hug Me by Simona Ciraolo > Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect: Teach Children About Body Ownership, Respect, Feelings, Choices and Recognizing Bullying Behaviors by Jayneen Sanders, illustrated by Sarah Jennings

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It is difficult to explain the importance of teaching children about personal touch boundaries and consent, and difficult perhaps to break our own personal or cultural habits that go against instilling safe practices in our children. Invite yourself, your family, and other loved ones to respect your child’s choices about personal touch.

Learn to not take it personally, for example, if your toddler did not want to hug his grandmother today or completely ignored your partner before leaving to work. You may offer alternatives such as a handshake, blowing a kiss, or just a wave, but only accept enthusiastic consent — never force a behavior. Children have the right to give consent and to have their choices respected.

Think about it—if an adult did not want to hug someone, would you make him or her do it? Would you surprise an adult with a tickling attack? These thoughts may sound silly, but teaching, modeling, and respecting our children’s personal touch boundaries and consent is not a responsibility to take lightly, and it begins with us and the examples we set daily.

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WINTER FUNTIME INDOORS! Pace Academy Educators Recommend Craft Activity for Families b y S of i a A l e m a n

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You will be surprised how interested your child will be at the accomplishments and practices of their ancestors. And what a wonderful way to keep the family lineage alive!

MATERIALS:

With wintry weather making an appearance in the Rio

•

Journal or album to place photos on. A great option may be cardstock, solid colored paper, or patterned paper.

Adhesive

young children, especially when everyone is stuck inside

• •

for several days at a time. You don’t have to let your

OPTIONAL MATERIALS:

child’s restlessness get the best of you. Instead, have

• • •

Grande Valley, local families are spending more time indoors. Nothing sounds cozier than snuggling under the covers with a cup of cocoa and a good book.

However, staying still seems nearly impossible for

some fun creating memories with a family activity.

The staff at Pace Academy has taken an activity from one of their favorite books, “Toad Cottages & Shooting

Pens Scissors Embellishments Scrapbook Kits

•

Place 1-2 photos at the top of the page. Underneath, write an interesting story that tells part of your ancestor’s history.

•

Have your little one help sort the pictures, person by person.

•

Allow them to help glue the photos to the top of the paper.

because it requires looking through old photos.

•

If applicable, allow them to place embellishments around the page.

‘FABRIC OF YOUR GRANDCHILD’S PAST’

•

Enjoy story time!

student’s lives at home. Pace educators also recommend purchasing this book for yourself, if possible. It’s an array of crafts and projects that encourage creativity, invention, and critical thinking skills. The activities in the book are also just plain old fun.

This one is exciting for both parents and children

Start the project by looking through family photos from now and generations past. The more comprehensive the

Note: If your child is too young to be handed old family

history, the better. Kids love storytelling, so this project

photos, create a general scrapbook instead. Print photos

provides a perfect way to include narrative history.

of your little one and have them recount the situation

You’ll place a photo of a relative in a journal and write

they were in and write down what they say.

an interesting tidbit of their legacy below. Lovejoy writes

This is one of many activities that can be found in

in her book that she used a photo of her great-great-

Lovejoy’s wonderful book. Encourage your children to

grandfather John Clark riding a horse and accompanied

show these scrapbooks at school once they’re done!

.

the picture with this account: “Here is your great-great-

NOV/DEC 2018

DIRECTIONS:

Stars” by Sharon Lovejoy, to promote togetherness in

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grandpa who was the last of the Arizona Rangers. He rode this horse through the Arizona Territory at the beginning of the twentieth century and searched the Grand Canyon for bandits.” You will be surprised at how interested your child will be at the accomplishments of their ancestors. And what a wonderful way to keep the family lineage alive!

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LET’S CELEBRATE COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION

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b y A n g e l a M . I n s a l a co | p h ot o b y J a s on G a rza

SpaceX isn’t the only technological opportunity being launched in Deep South Texas.

The Rio Grande Valley is taking steps to become a bastion of computer science education for middle and high school students. Computer Science Education Week falls between Dec. 3 and Dec. 9, making now the perfect time to celebrate the area of study and its positive effect on the region.

Computers are all around us, and are significant parts of our everyday lives. We use them for jobs, entertainment, and while we shop. In almost every field, you will find computers.

With technology influencing our routines, one would think that computer science education would be prevalent in American schools, but that hasn’t always been the case. In the past, computer science courses have only been offered in one out of every 10 American

“Since 1991, [Teach For America] is making sure kids have access to educational opportunities that are going to set them up to be successful in the future.”

A na Go nz a l ez , exe cuti v e d i r e cto r o f Te a c h fo r Am e r i ca i n the R i o Gr a nde Val l e y

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So, what exactly does the computer science curriculum include?

Elias Arellano Villanueva is a second-year TFA teacher who teaches ninth-grade computer science. The computer science class that he teaches is an introduction to problem solving. His class at IDEA College Preparatory North Mission serves as a foundation course that sets up students for further computer science study down the road.

“In this class, students learn HTML and basic web design,” Arellano Villanueva said. “They get more into algorithms; abstractions and they get to make their own web page.”

After students learn the basics, they move on to learning programming using Scratch. Scratch is a free programming language designed specifically for children that was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. Scratch is generally used as a first step coding language that can eventually help students as they move onto learning more complex languages like Python and Java.

Kyla McClure, a who has completed her two-year commitment to TFA, currently teaches AP Computer Science Principles at PSJA Southwest High School. The AP curriculum includes six units focusing on the internet,

high schools. Now, Teach For America is working to change that statistic by bringing more computer science classes to students living in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Since 1991, [Teach For America] is making sure kids have access to educational opportunities that are going to set them up to be successful in the future,” said Ana Gonzalez, the executive director of Teach for America in the Rio Grande Valley.

Gonzalez explained that bringing computer science classes to the Rio Grande Valley is part of a plan to help prepare students for the technology-driven workforce. As more people focus on the increasing importance of STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — education for high school students, Teach For America is turning that focus into a reality.

Through a National Science Foundation grant in 2015, Teach for America has been able to launch its Exploring Computer Science fellowship.

“Through this fellowship … corps members advocate for computer science instruction in their school, teach the ECS curriculum, and after teaching the course for two years, become Professional Development Facilitators in the community,” Teach for America information on this program reads. To date, several hundred students in the Rio Grande Valley have benefited from this grant.

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Ana Gonzalez

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data security, programming, and design, McClure said.

Students are required to complete two performancebased tasks in addition to multiple choice tests to pass the class.

Teach For America also has a national partnership with Kode With Klossy. Founded in 2015 by former fashion model Karlie Kloss, Kode With Klossy is a free two-week summer camp that teaches girls ages 13 to 18 how to code. The camps empower girls by teaching them coding and fostering in them an interest to pursue technology fields. This year, camps were held in all 50 states, reaching about 1,000 girls.

Alejandra Rocha is a TFA corps member who was part of the Kode With Klossy initiative. She taught in camps this summer in Omaha and New York City. A seventhgrade math teacher at Alamo Middle School in PSJA ISD, Rocha is passionate about bringing more awareness to STEM education.

“The school where I teach has a robotics team made up of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders that is made up

of nine to 11 girls,” Rocha said. “They are all girls and they go to competitions across the Valley.”

Girls in the RGV seem to be very interested in learning about computer science or participating in robotics teams at their schools.

“We want for girls to also have an opportunity to take these introductory courses to make that sure they are also getting access into the STEM fields that are going to position them to lead in an equitable way alongside what has been for a long time a man’s field,” said Gonzalez, TFA’s executive director.

Knowledge is power, and by bringing computer science classes to children, TFA is setting them up for greater opportunities. In today’s world of websites, apps and cybersecurity issues, coding is a skill set that is in high demand. The dedicated members of TFA are partnering with schools and communities to ensure that the Valley’s students are poised to seize opportunities in this changing dynamic.

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E D U C A T I O N

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF EDINBURG RGV: LEADING POSITIVE CHANGE

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b y Lo r i Ho us to n | p h o t os b y O m a r Dí a z a n d J a s on G a r z a

The youth of today have a number of challenges to face throughout their lives, and that is why Jim Clark, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, believes it is up to us to support them through those challenges.

Clark has been named the honorary chairman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV annual “Steak” In The Community Dinner coming up in January 2019.

“This generation of youth in America, in the history of our country, is the first generation that stands not to do as well as their parents have done in this country,” Clark said.

According to a 2016 McKinsey Global Institute study, there has been a substantial increase in households in developed economies whose incomes have not advanced when compared to their peers in the past. The study details the various reasons for the lack of growth or outright decline between 2005 and 2014 worldwide, but the one that impacts the United States the most are

labor-market shifts. There has been a lower share of the GDP flowing into wages, and decreased demand for lowand medium-skill labor.

Clark isn’t just concerned about the effect of the economy on today’s children.

“It relates to education, and it relates to health,” he said.

“They're not going to be as educated as their parents, they're not going to live as long as their parents.” Studies have shown that rates of obesity and other childhood chronic conditions have increased over recent decades, presenting additional challenges for this generation.

Clark also points out that the United States contains 25 percent of the world’s prison population, even though we only comprise 5 percent of the world’s total population.

The after-school hours between 3 and 6 p.m. are also the time period with the highest crime rate. There is no doubt that the youth of the United States — and especially the youth of the Rio Grande Valley — need a support system if we want to see them succeed in life.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America was founded to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV has played an integral role in the Edinburg community since 1969, providing daily programs and services to over 18,000 young people.

In providing students a safe environment after school, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV has become a home away from home for many of the children it serves, but that is not all.

“We have an opportunity as adults to make sure that the future of this community and the future of this country is one that’s extremely positive.”

Jim C l a r k , p r e s i de nt o f Boy s & Gi r l s C lu b s o f A m e r i ca

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“We're here to support and augment the school day,” Clark said. “We're not a school, but we support learning and academic success. We support them in developing a healthy lifestyle. And we support them in becoming great, great people in this country, and to go on to create a family, earn income, and to support their families.”

Clark believes leadership is key in bringing about the change that is needed to set our community’s children on the right path. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV demonstrates that leadership by forging partnerships with local businesses and government to combat the issues the local children are facing. Clark also stresses the importance of personal leadership and what it means to go above and beyond what you would normally do because of the kids.

“Leadership is all about us understanding, selfreflecting on what we need to do, and then making a change for the better,” he said.

When it comes to thinking about our future, our future is in our community, Clark said. The kids and teens here are a mirror reflection of what tomorrow is going to look like.

“We have an opportunity as adults to make sure that the future of this community and the future of this country is one that's extremely positive,” he said.

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THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC Children’s Musical Education Resonates into Adulthood, RGV Experts Say

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b y So fi a Al em a n | p h ot os b y J a s on G a r z a We listen to hours of our favorite songs through our headphones or stream tunes through our car speakers.

We raise the volume to songs that ignite emotions deep within ourselves because music is the one medium that can help us feel upbeat and pumped, channel our anger, or help heal a broken heart when listening to just the right song. Melodies emphasize emotions we sometimes wouldn’t be able to explain with just words because of the way they stir up emotions. We hold special songs near and dear to our hearts, and most people would agree that music plays a vital role in their lives.

While many enjoy listening to music, Rio Grande Valley music experts extol the benefits for children who learn to play music, as well. Immersing children in musical

expression promotes lifelong value because it connects and promotes what is already ingrained inside of them, including helping them utilize the creative part of the brain and channeling their emotions.

“When children study music, it requires both sides of the brain — it’s both a creative, logical, and analytical activity,” said Debra Perez, owner and director of music education for Valley Keyboards in McAllen. “As children get older, if that creativity muscle isn’t developed, it can get locked away inside of them and it’s hard for them to think outside of the box.”

That could have repercussions for kids down the road.

“The creativity muscle is where they learn how to express themselves,” Perez said. “Kids will learn to be

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“They learn how to listen and work together and as they get older and become adults, these types of skills that they experience at a young age really can transfer into the workplace.”

De b r a Pe r e z , own er an d director of mu sic edu cation for Valley Keyboards in M cAllen

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they experience at a young age really can transfer into the workplace.”

David Rios, owner and instructor at Musicademy McAllen, says he believes in similar benefits and expanded his business of being a private music instructor 10 years ago to promote collaboration in group lessons.

“I wanted to create more opportunities for my students to interact with other students and learn the benefits

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creative in other aspects of school, including math and problem solving, and I think that’s definitely a benefit. If you push the art piece away, that side of the human being isn't being fed.”

A 2017 Scientific American article agreed.

“Learning to play a musical instrument relies on understanding concepts, such as fractions and ratios, that are important for mathematical achievement,” the article read.

In addition to children strengthening their creativity muscle, learning to play side by side with their peers in an ensemble helps them develop a respect for working conditions as they coordinate together, work with one another, and listen.

“We believe in teaching and working in small groups.

Sometimes that’s children’s first experience working with other children their age and creating together,” Perez said.

“They learn how to listen and work together and as they get older and become adults, these types of skills that

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“Music is something that brings people together. It’s a language. It’s a language that describes things that can’t be described in words.”

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Da vid Rio s , o w ne r a nd i ns tr uctor at Mus i ca d e my M cAllen

of music in ensemble and playing with other people,” he said.

And while collaboration with peers is incredibly beneficial, both Perez and Rios said that learning to play an instrument and immersing a child in music helps with much more, including memory, coordination, selfdiscipline, focus and concentration, social skills, selfexpression, and perseverance.

When children take time to practice an instrument and struggle to get it right the first time, it promotes a healthy way to tackle self-determination.

“Making mistakes is normal and you can’t succeed in something unless you make little mistakes or failures here and there. Being able to commit to something and fail from time to time and learn from it is part of the learning process,” Rios said. “It’s continual growth, continual goals, continued successes with failures throughout, and students really learn that in music.”

And through the continual successes and failures of life, pre-teens and teenagers are able to express the depths of their sentiments through the moldable medium of music. Music will help them channel their emotions in a safe and effective way.

“For teenagers and preteens, I guarantee you it’s a beautiful way for them to express their emotions as they go through those years,” Perez said. “If they are feeling bad, they can sit down and play loud and make a bunch of noise, or they can play something beautiful, something sad, or whatever is going on in their life. It’s just a real positive way for them to express themselves.”

Music sometimes expresses things that cannot be communicated with words alone, Rios said.

“It’s love and emotion and personal expression and empathy for others — a lot of these things that are really hard to put into words,” he said.

Sometimes, though, children might clamor to quit music lessons.

“Usually they quit because, concerning music in general, they maybe didn’t have the right teacher,” Rios said.

And connecting kids to the right instructor can be a task in of itself.

“I think it’s important to find teachers for children

that are current and that understand children today,” Perez said.

Rios added that some students choose not to keep learning to play past nervousness at recitals.

“It’s OK to be afraid at recitals — go ahead and do it afraid and if it doesn’t work out, it’s probably going to be fine,” he said. “Kids need to learn that nerves are part of life. The challenges of life never quit and we have to instill that in our kids, that they are good enough and all they have to do is put in the work and energy that is required to step up to the challenge — it’s worth it and you’re worth it.”

In other cases, some children may not enjoy the instrument they are learning to play.

Carlos Echavarria, a 21-year-old student at UTRGV — and drummer and private drum instructor of Carlos Echavarria Drums — said it took him four different tries

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language. It’s a language that describes things that can’t be described in words,” Rios said. “When people do music together, they connect on a very spiritual level that’s hard or sometimes impossible to do in other areas.

“I think everybody should be singing everybody should be listening and appreciating. We’re in a very fast-paced world right now with phones, apps and games, social media, and I really believe music benefits you spiritually.

It gives you a sense of peace and the ability to take on life. You’re more able to take on life when you’re able to disconnect for a moment and get engulfed in music for a while.”

For more information on music classes for students from 4 years old into adulthood, contact Valley Keyboards at (956) 686-4863 or Musicademy McAllen at (956) 266-1194. To enroll in private drum lessons, visit www. carlosechavarriadrums.com.

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to find the instrument he loved to play. At 13 years old, he was introduced to percussion, which he loves and continues to play and teach every day. Echavarria, a former student of Rios, says that music has positively shaped his life in huge ways.

“I fell in love with it. It was a way to escape the daily struggle and it gave me a sense of purpose,” Echavarria said. “If I wasn’t able to play music, I’d probably be out doing bad stuff and getting in trouble. It’s really put me on a good path and given me a good sense of belonging.

It’s kind of saved my life, in that sense.”

Both Rios and Perez advocate the benefits of music for students as young as 4 years old and into adulthood because it shapes students in academic, social, and emotional ways that become indispensable traits and skills in adulthood.

“Music is something that brings people together. It’s a

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B U S I N E S S

SEO & Digital Marketing MADE EASY

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by RGV ision

The topic of SEO is everywhere — popping up in digital ads and filling up your junk mail box. But what is it exactly? SEO — search engine optimization — is nothing new.

“In theory, it serves the same advertising opportunity Yellow Pages had back in the day, as it was the main source for contacting vendors and service providers,” said Gabe Puente, CEO of RGVision Media. “The more you paid, the bigger advertisement you had to attract consumers, and the better chances you had to gain more calls.”

Businesses who needed that visibility snapped up prime advertising spaces.

“Take a competitive field like attorneys, for example,” Puente said. “In the phonebook days, they would buy that $2,000 ad on the back cover of the book because everybody got one. Otherwise, you would just be listed in small black print alphabetically.”

So, how does a business get that “back cover” exposure now?

By improving the search engine optimization of your business’s digital storefront — your website — to make sure your ranking is high on search engines. When people are searching for goods or services in their area, they use a search engine. Google, Bing, and Yahoo are all common examples, though Google’s the most popular. Now the entire internet is the competition, and a common do-ityourself option to boost your ranking is through Google Adwords Express. With Adwords, you can choose your target demographic, based on location and interests.

You can select what you want these potential customers to do: call, visit your website, and other options. Once these steps are completed, Google Adwords will give you a price range based on how much other businesses in the same field are paying.

“A personal injury attorney could end up paying, on the high end, $2,600 a month to get their name to a top ranking in McAllen, Texas,” Puente said. Of course, this can vary from industry to industry and market to market.

For some, it may only be $200 a month, Puente added.

Google Adwords Express is a simple, quick fix.

However, the moment you stop paying for this service, your website’s ranking is completely pulled and is back where it started — at the bottom.

At RGVision Media, we offer a quality, long-term solution. We help our clients’ SEO grow organically, through the backend. We achieve this by regularly posting new content on social media pages, writing and updating blogs, and recording and uploading original videos.

This is all news to Google’s search engine because your website is generating new content on a regular basis, and it’s relevant — getting views and attention on social media pages. This is what will help your website’s presence grow, and boost your SEO. “If you google ‘magazine in the Rio Grande Valley,’ our publication RGVision Magazine is the first result that shows,” Puente said. “We have never paid for Adwords and we are at the top. This is because we have almost nine years of our website constantly publishing new content from our magazine.”

Depending on your field, it can take up to a few years to get your website ranked at the top of Google search pages, but you’ll find the investment is worth it. After all, slow and steady wins the race.

For more information about RGVision Media and our services, give us a call at (210) 618-8930 or email us at info@ rgvisionmedia.com.

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DEFANGING THE V.I.P.E.R.S. OF STRESS Did you know that, according to the World Health Organization, stress is the number one health epidemic of the 21st century? It really should come as no surprise, because research indicates that stress affects individuals on virtually every level. For decades, studies have shown that stress negatively affects individuals on a physical level by leading to such illnesses as neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s, depression, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, but recent studies have demonstrated that it also contributes to the weakening of other aspects of life as well, such as impaired decision-making,

irrational thoughts and behaviors, and diminished religious fervor. Truly, the effects of stress impact individuals all the way around: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

But stress doesn’t only affect individuals; it also affects society. One statistic indicates that between the years of 1988 and 2008, antidepressant use in America rose a whopping 400 percent. Another statistic indicates that in the year 2016, the national suicide rate reached its highest point in nearly 30 years, up 40 percent since 1999. Because of these statistics and others, it has grown increasingly urgent

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While stress can arise from within any area of life and may be triggered by virtually any action, thought, or idea, the reality is that vocation-related stressors far outweigh the rest.

Thankfully, there is an easy way for businesses in the Rio Grande Valley to address this growing epidemic in a manner that suits the needs of both the employee and the employer: a workplace chaplaincy program — WCP. WCPs come alongside and support employees as they experience the various stresses of their lives by providing them with access to onsite chaplains who visit with them during strategic times that do not interfere with their work schedules or productivity. WCPs are personalized, multifaceted, and holistic in nature, addressing the spiritual, emotional, and relational needs of the employees. They are also professional, maintaining strict respect for each individual’s personal, cultural, religious, and spiritual values. For those who are spiritual, the onsite chaplain offers spiritual support. For those who are not spiritual, the chaplain offers secular wisdom based upon his or her training. Most importantly, the chaplain offers empathy, compassion, and active listening.

Companies who have utilized workplace chaplaincy programs have reported reduced workplace conflict, reduced accidents, reduced theft, increased employee morale, increased productivity, and increased bottom-line benefits. If you would like more information on workplace chaplaincy, you can contact Kairos Chaplaincy Services, LLC, at (956) 332-3040.

ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

The Rev. Dr. Leslie Gonzales is lead chaplain of Kairos Chaplaincy Services LLC. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership from Regent University with a focus on stress and burnout, and is an ordained minister through the American Baptist Churches, USA. For more information regarding him and his organization can be found at www.kairoschaplains.com.

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that something be done to address this rising assault on our individual and societal wellbeing.

In my doctoral research, I discovered that there are six primary areas one can address in order to stifle the effects of stress. I call these areas the VIPERS of life.

These VIPERS are so named because they are found within the vocational, intellectual, physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual areas of one’s life. When one or more of these areas are affected by stress, they can potentially lead to impaired health and burnout if left unaddressed. This is one of the reasons I often emphasize the importance of individuals doing stress and burnout inventories, so that they may determine where they fall on the stress and burnout continuums and take appropriate action.

Among those surveyed in my research, stress was found to be present in every one of the aforementioned VIPERS of the participants’ lives to some degree, but there was one area in particular that stood out above the rest: vocation. A staggering 60 percent of the participants’ stress came from vocation-related stressors, while 40 percent came from a distribution of the remaining five areas. And today, long after my doctoral research has been completed, I continue to see these statistics validated as I visit with marketplace professionals across the Rio Grande Valley. As a corporate chaplain, I speak with people on a weekly basis concerning numerous issues in their lives falling within each of the VIPERS life categories, but no topic comes up more than vocation.

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While stress can arise from within any area of life and may be triggered by virtually any action, thought, or idea, the reality is that vocation-related stressors far outweigh the rest.

B U S I N E S S

A GROWING BUSINESS Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce’s Featured Member of the Month, The Grounds Guys in Mission

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b y RGVi s i o n | p h ot o b y J a s on G a r z a

We met with the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce’s Featured Member of the Month, Waleed Kopara, owner and field engineer of The Grounds Guys, a landscape management company in Mission. Kopara shared a little about his company’s services, multiple locations, and the ways in which the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce has helped his business grow in the Mission area and beyond.

more toward commercial at the time, but we also do some exclusive residential properties as well, as far as projects and such.

RGVision: What is your business about? How did it

WK: When it first started, it was maybe three or four of us that actually kicked it off in the first couple of months while we were trying to get all grouped up, but anywhere since the past year we have had between 10 and 19 employees. It depends on how busy the projects are. We do a lot of subcontract work, too, but mainly we keep that workforce involved. We have a core set of crews, but we also do a lot of subcontracting on a project-by-project basis because projects … after a project ends, we pick up another project and we group with the different skill sets that we might need.

R: How long have you been in business for?

WK: We’ve been in business in the Mission area for a little over a year now and steadily ramping up.

R: How many employees do you have and how has it grown from when you first started?

get started?

Waleed Kopara: The business is a national franchise — it’s locally owned. We own the rights from Brownsville, to South Padre, Edinburg, McAllen, Mission and all over the Rio Grande Strip. The main idea here is to try to one-stopshop for landscape management needs. Fertilization, pest control, irrigation systems, design outdoor lighting and … anything that has to do with groundscare of your either your property or commercial property. Mainly we do both commercial and residential. We’re geared

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Kairos Chaplaincy Services, LLC Walking with you through the seasons of lifeTM

“The main idea here is to try to one-stop-shop for landscape management needs. Fertilization, pest control, irrigation systems, design outdoor lighting and … anything that has to do with groundscare of your either your property or commercial property.“ Wa leed Ko pa ra , The Gr o und s Guy s

We build the soul of the people that build your organization.

CORPORATE SERVICES Professional Chaplaincy Instructional Seminars Team Building

we are steadily growing at a decent pace and ramping up in different cities. We’ve got contracts with the City of McAllen. We also do schools. We’re now doing Region One type of facilities in the Edinburg and Brownsville areas, and we do medium size to major size type projects with the Army Corps of Engineers locally — in particular with the Border Patrol. We follow the Army Corps of Engineer specifications to do hydroseeding, hydromulching and installing different landscape needs such as erosion control and erosion control blankets and the works.

It’s not just your “blow, mow, and go” type of shop, it’s really an integrated company where we try to do that across the Valley, from the very southern tip to Rio Grande City.

WK: One of the first things that we did, when we started up in the Mission area was join the [Greater Mission] Chamber of Commerce.

And the Mission Chamber has really helped us in opening doors for us. Not necessarily just for Mission, but outside of Mission as well, but primarily in the Mission area. It’s opened doors for us to try and go in for bids at the city of Mission. We have one bid for the Mission Consolidated Independent School District. We do athletic fields — baseball, soccer fields in the works in the area, and the Mission Chamber really helped us with the networking and finding out who’s who and helping us get our foot in the door.

R: Tell us more about the services you provide to the Rio Grande Valley.

Public Speaking Corporate-focused Holistic Health Assessments

INDIVIDUAL SERVICES Business & Life Coaching Christian Counseling Religious Ceremonies End-of-Life Ethical Consultations Individualized Holistic Health Assessments

Call us today for a consultation!

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Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce?

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WK: We not only work in the Mission area,

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R: What’s your experience working with the

B U S I N E S S ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

Bill MARTIN, CFP® Vice President, Investments 1845 Capital of Raymond James, 1400 N. McColl Road, Suite 101 | McAllen 956-331-2777

DECODING THE TAX CODE

STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Still deductible, but ... capped at $10,000 for most individuals. In the past, it was generally unlimited.

Can You Guess Which Itemized Deductions and Credits Made the Cut?

LARGE CHARITABLE DONATIONS Still deductible ... and the limit for cash contributions has been raised to 60 percent of adjusted gross income.

Remember that this only helps if all your itemized deductions exceed the new, higher standard deduction.

Last December, accountants and taxpayers everywhere got a chance to unwrap the comprehensive and, at times, overwhelming new tax bill — the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. A lot was packed inside, including changes to several itemized deductions as well as some tax credits, and almost all of the individual income tax changes expire at the end of 2025. We also got a higher standard deduction (for 2018, $12,000 for individuals; $18,000 for heads of household; and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly); however, the benefit of the increased standard deduction may, for some taxpayers, be partially or totally offset by the repeal of the personal exemption. Take a look at what did and didn’t make the cut for 2018, then ask your adviser and accountant if you would be able to itemize next year.

MORTGAGE INTEREST PAYMENTS Still deductible, but ... only on loans up to $750,000 that were opened after Dec. 15, 2017. Prior loans are capped at $1 million.

ALIMONY Say goodbye. No longer deductible by the payer spouse or taxable to the payee spouse for agreements inked after 2018. You may want to include a provision that the divorce agreement must be renegotiated if the tax law changes again.

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PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS Say goodbye. In the past, taxpayers were generally allowed to reduce their taxable income by $4,050 per person, but no more.

MEDICAL EXPENSES Still deductible ... once out-of-pocket medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. That threshold will increase to 10 percent in 2019 (except for taxpayers age 65 and older for whom the 7.5 percent floor will remain intact), so it may make sense to move up any known deductible medical expenses to this year. Also, it eliminates the tax penalty for not having health insurance (starting in 2019).

UNREIMBURSED JOB COSTS Say goodbye — at least until 2026, barring any changes.

These job-related moving expenses and certain other job costs are no longer deductible unless you are an active duty military family.

CREDIT FOR DEPENDENTS Still applies ... and the Child Tax Credit has been doubled to $2,000. In addition, the new law allows for a $500 credit for other types of dependents.

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INTEREST ON HOME EQUITY LOANS/LINES OF CREDIT Still deductible, but ... the loan must be used to “buy, build or substantially improve” the home that secured the loan.

Otherwise, no.

Sources: forbes.com; nytimes.com; turbotax.com; Raymond James research.

Please note, changes in tax laws or regulations may occur at any time and could substantially impact your situation. While familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, Raymond James financial advisors are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

As featured in WORTHWHILE, a quarterly periodical dedicated to serving the clients of Raymond James advisers and affiliated advisory firms. © 2018 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC © 2018 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC Investment products are: not deposits, not FDIC/NCUA insured, not insured by any government agency, not bank guaranteed, subject to risk and may lose value. 17-WorthWhile-0022 BS 8/18

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Good

ONLINE ETIQUETTE Customer Service in Today’s Real and Virtual Business World

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b y E fr én C. Ol i v a r e s | p h ot o b y Dom i n i q u e Z m u d a

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Every post or interaction online will be seen by potential customers — whether it’s a restaurant review on Yelp, a complaint about a late delivery; or a Facebook exchange over the difficulties in returning a defective item.

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messages tend to be rather rich. A rich message conveys a lot of verbal and non-verbal information and contains tone and emphasis to help us understand the speaker’s intended meaning. Body language and gesticulation can help contextualize the words being used. By contrast, an online message is limited to the text typed up on a messaging board. These messages often contain typos, incorrect grammar, missing punctuation and incomplete sentences that require the person receiving the message to resort to speculation in order to decipher the intended meaning. Even memes, which are increasingly used as a way to quickly convey a message using imagery in addition to words, contain non-verbal cues. The meaning we glean from the verbal components of a message is around 7 percent, whereas the meaning we derive from its non-verbal elements can be as high as 93 percent, Fuentes said.

When it comes to interacting with customers or potential customers, it is imperative to receive as rich a message as possible. This is particularly challenging when dealing with a customer who has had a negative experience about a particular interaction. A good practice Fuentes recommends is to invite the person to a store location to address their concerns in person. This can be done on the same platform where the message was posted. This approach achieves at least three things right away: First, it transfers the conversation to an inperson context, in which communication is sure to be “richer” and where any emotions will likely be tempered down; second, it quickly responds to the person posting the comment or complaint; and third, it signals to other customers who may read the interaction online that the business has taken concrete steps to address the aggrieved customer’s concerns.

Another consideration is what is known as the

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In today’s hyper-connected, real-time, overflowof-information world, delivering excellent customer service has become challenging, especially for smalland medium-sized businesses. If there is no devoted customer service representative or department, it falls on the owner or manager to oversee and in some cases even handle customer service directly. When you add online presence — whether it be a website or a page on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or other social media — the challenges grow tenfold.

In today’s world, the virtual “suggestion box” is always open, 24/7. Any person can go online and leave a comment on a business’s social media account or website at any time of day or night. This reality makes it necessary to rethink the approach to customer service.

Nonetheless, some basic concepts about interpersonal communications are useful to understand how and why people communicate, and to understand the best way to interact with everyone — from the customer leaving a 5-star review to the ubiquitous “troll.”

The first thing to understand is that online communications is qualitatively different from in-person communication, said Andrea Fuentes, who teaches interpersonal and mass communication at South Texas College. Simply put, when contacting a business or other individuals online, many people are much more willing to saying things that they would never say to someone else face to face. That is due, in part, to the fact that when communicating online, there is a barrier or “buffer” in the form of the device: a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

This explains why an upset customer is more likely to resort to an offensive or aggressive post online.

Messages can be described as “rich” or “lean,” depending on how much information they convey.

Online messages tend to be very lean, whereas in-person

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unusual to delete those messages. Deleting that type of message sends the message that the business will engage with concerned customers, but will not engage with trolls. This practice is very common for businesses and individuals who manage YouTube channels. With time, this practice leads to a reduction in the amount of trolling on the site.

Others opt for a laissez-faire approach — a free for all, where everything is allowed and nothing is deleted. This tactic also sets a norm, namely that anything goes on that particular site. At the end of the day, which of the two approaches to follow is a decision to be made by the business manager.

There is little doubt that the growth of online businesses and the online presence of traditional businesses has led to a paradigm shift in how businesses must conduct customer service in order to be successful. As in many business and other environments, it comes down to survival of the fittest: Those who manage to adapt to the evolving reality will be most likely to not only survive, but thrive.

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permanence of a message or conversation. An interaction or conversation — even a heated discussion — held in person has low permanence. We may remember details for some time, especially if it relates to something particularly memorable, but with time we start to forget the details. By contrast, a message, review, or interaction online has a high degree of permanence—once posted online, it stays there for good. Although we do not always think about the issue of permanence when we engage in online communications as individuals, as a business practice, this issue becomes highly relevant. Every post or interaction online will be seen by potential customers — whether it’s a restaurant review on Yelp, a complaint about a late delivery; or a Facebook exchange over the difficulties in returning a defective item.

Some businesses simply opt to delete negative reviews and messages. This is certainly a strategic decision when it comes to highly aggressive or abusive comments. If the person leaving the abusive or hateful comment is simply “trolling” — making a deliberately offensive or provocative post aimed to upset — it is not

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SUCCEEDING Teach for America Represents a Thriving Tenant at CEED Building

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by Amy Casebier

When business owners are first assessing their company’s headquarters, location is a big consideration.

Will the office be convenient and accessible for customers and employees alike? Does it fulfill the space needs for the company?

One consideration most business owners won’t think about — though maybe they should — is what other businesses are physically in the location and how they can help.

With the Center for Education and Economic Development in Mission, flexible spaces and creative collaboration are just a few of the building’s co-working perks.

Just ask Jon Stevens, managing director of development and strategy at Teach for America-Rio Grande Valley.

“For my work at Teach for America, we’re focused on making sure that all kids here in the region have an excellent education, and to do so takes a lot of partners,” Stevens said. “It is great to be in the same building as organizations that are also developing an educated community, an educated workforce, and growing businesses here in the community. That aligns a lot with the mission at Teach for America.”

Teach for America-RGV is headquartered in the CEED building, a 55,000-square-foot facility that houses a number of business tenants and individual members. The spaces available inside CEED range from private offices for business tenants to a wealth of public seating options

“It is great to be in the same building as organizations that are also developing an educated community, an educated workforce, and growing businesses here in the community.”

J on St e v e n s , man agin g director of developmen t an d strategy at Teach for America-Rio G ran de Valley

for other members. Part of the co-working atmosphere stems from shared resources, including a lecture hall, smart classrooms, conference rooms, and more.

“For someone who hasn’t been to the building, CEED is likely a new type of workplace,” Stevens said. “It’s a workplace where there are many different people and many different organizations but who all are shared in the fact that they are focused on growing Mission, growing the local community through education, through business, through technology, and doing so in a more collaborative, modern environment.”

The primary goal of CEED, managed by Mission EDC, is to create an entrepreneurial, science, technology, engineering, art, and math environment to benefit businesses and the workforce in Mission and beyond.

“We were one of the first tenants — now over two years ago,” Stevens said. “Once we had heard about this vision

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CEED

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Investing is about more than money.

Contact your Edward Jones financial advisor for a one-on-one appointment to discuss what’s really important: your goals.

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Financial Advisor

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At Edward Jones, we stop to ask you the question: “What’s important to you?” Without that insight and a real understanding of your goals, investing holds little meaning.

4500 N 10th St Suite 40 Mcallen, TX 78504 956-630-0241

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for both Teach for America educators and students. Stevens says he learned more about current workforce demands, shaping teacher training and the specific education children are getting to become better trained, more competitive workers.

These collaborations might not have seen fruition without Teach for America’s location in the CEED building.

“I think if you have a need for a flexible workspace, if you are open to being in a creative modern space, and you are an organization that is committed to improving the education in our community, to building small businesses, and to being on the cutting edge on technology so our community can thrive, then I think that CEED is the place for you,” Stevens said.

Become a member at CEED by calling (956) 379-6016 or emailing info@missionedc.com.

Learn more about the CEED building at missionceed.org or on Facebook @ CEEDbuilding. For more information about Teach for America, visit www.teachforamerica. org or on Facebook @teachforamericargv.

MKD-8652B-A

as it was being formed, we thought that this type of space — both the functionality of the space would benefit the needs that we had, but also the synergy, the creativity, the collaboration that would happen in a space like this. We felt like it aligned a lot with our culture at Teach for America.”

That kind of flexibility and collaboration among different people is exactly what the CEED building was designed for.

“One benefit of being in the building is I’ve been able to meet and connect with people who otherwise I might not have come into contact with,” Stevens said.

Those connections can pay off in multiple ways.

“One of the other tenants that was here right from the beginning was RGVision, who puts out a magazine,” Stevens said. “They also are a marketing communications firm and we had worked with them on a couple of different events in the past and we’ve continue to work with them.”

A recent event included a September business mixer honoring an education leader that also raised funds for Teach for America.

Additional collaborations between Teach for America and other business tenants at CEED have included training opportunities

B U S I N E S S ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

Leonardo F. Chang Financial Advisor Edward Jones 4500 N. 10th St. Suite 40 | McAllen 956-630-0241

FINANCIAL

FOCUS

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When Should You See a Financial Professional?

It can be challenging to achieve your financial objectives. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone — but when should you seek help?

Here are some of the key life events in which you might be able to benefit from the services of a financial professional:

While life insurance could help pay for your children’s education, you also should prepare for education costs as if you will be around. So you may want to consider an education savings investment such as a 529 plan. A financial professional can help you with your insurance and education-funding needs.

FIRST PROFESSIONAL JOB: Eventually, you will land that first job, which will offer benefits and a 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plans. Since you may not have any experience with a 401(k), you may have several questions: How much should I contribute? What sorts of investments should I choose? When should I change my investment selections? A financial professional can help you review your plan and explain the aspects that may affect your investment choices.

RETIREMENT: Once you retire, you will face a variety of financial decisions, but here’s one of the most important ones: How much money should you withdraw each year from your retirement accounts? To choose an annual withdrawal rate that’s appropriate for your needs, you should consider several factors: how much you have in your retirement accounts, how much Social Security you’ll receive, what other sources of income (such as part-time work or consulting) you might have, your age at retirement, your spouse’s projected retirement assets, your retirement lifestyle, and so on. It might not be easy for you to consider all these elements and then arrive at a suitable withdrawal rate, but a financial professional has the experience, training and technology to help determine a figure that could work for you.

These aren’t all the life events that may lead you to contact a financial professional, but they should give you a pretty good idea of the type of assistance you could expect over time. So, consider reaching out for the help you need, when you need it. Doing so could help make your life easier as you move toward your financial goals.

MARRIAGE: When you get married, you and your spouse may decide to merge your finances, including your investments. But if each of you brings similar investments to the table, you might create some redundancies. A financial professional can look at your respective portfolios and recommend ways to diversify.

Generally, the more diversified you are, the greater your protection against market downturns that primarily hit one type of asset class. (However, while diversification can help reduce the impact of market volatility, it can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses.)

CHILDREN: Once you have children, you’ll have new responsibilities — and you’ll have some new financial issues that should be addressed. If something happened to you, could your children still have the same lifestyle and educational opportunities? Would they even be able to stay in the same home? To help ensure your children’s security, you may need to add more life and disability insurance.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.

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Home Sweet HARLINGEN Officials Welcome New Businesses to City with Local Benefits, Advantages

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b y Amy Ca s eb i er | p h o t os b y Le on e l M u n oz a n d J oe y C e p e d a

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lower than the average in the United States, and if you really look at the cost of buying groceries, the cost of renting or buying a home, the cost of just turning on the electricity, and the cost of operating a business, you find that Harlingen and South Texas are very competitive.”

Business owners have the chance to cash in on savings when it comes to their operating costs.

“We have a great labor force that is still very affordable at this time for employers because of the affordability of everything else,” Garza said.

Harlingen also has many educational and training resources to help develop that workforce.

“Harlingen has access to one of the best technical colleges in the state. Texas State Technical College has a campus here in Harlingen,” Garza said, adding that Wayland Baptist University and Texas A&M University – Kingsville have campuses there. “We’re also home to the school of medicine for the UT Rio Grande Valley and obviously that opens up a lot of opportunities for healthcare education and a better healthcare environment for the community.”

TSTC also has access to the Texas Workforce Commission’s Skills Development Fund, a special jobtraining program.

“They have access to those funds and will allow companies and help companies go through the process of applying for those funds — and then actually going through the training and implementing training programs for those companies,” Garza said.

Location, training opportunities, and quality of life — all are answers to the question of why Harlingen.

“There’s always something to do in Harlingen,” Garza said. “It’s something that really makes it well worthwhile for people to spend the weekends out there and be outdoors and enjoy Harlingen.”

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When it comes to the question of why Harlingen, some of the best sources for the answer are the people and businesses who have relocated there.

Just ask Michelle Lopez.

“We chose Harlingen to stay permanently once our work days are over because the cost of living here is very desirable,” she said. “People here have been fantastic — very friendly, very approachable, and easy to form relationships with. The overall culture in the community has really hit home for us.”

Lopez, the area director of sales for Courtyard by Marriott Harlingen, said that her hotel has directly benefited by its location in the city.

“The increasing demand of business professionals and visitors keeps our business growing,” she said. “We have a fantastic pool of talent to choose from. We see a variety of skills that come through with each candidate — and dedication and willingness to provide to our community.”

For Raudel Garza, manager and CEO of Harlingen EDC, Harlingen has numerous advantages for businesses that set up shop in city limits.

“Harlingen is located in the center of the Rio Grande Valley,” he said, explaining that businesses can easily access the rest of the region, state, country, and world via Interstates 2 and 69, rail, the Port of Harlingen, Valley International Airport, and the Free Trade International Bridge at Los Indios.

Elizabeth Gonzalez of Texas Plating and Polishing Solutions said that her business is in the process of opening a chrome polish and nickel shop in Harlingen — and that the city’s location was key in the decision to move there.

“We’re 15 minutes from the border and that gives us fast, easy access to go into Mexico, where 90 percent of our job will come from,” she said. Gonzalez also lives in Harlingen. “Harlingen is a nice, tranquil place with honest, hardworking people. We just wanted to contribute to the community by creating employment opportunities.”

In the process of creating those jobs, Gonzalez’s business has also benefited.

“We have 10 employees,” she said. “They’ve been with us for many, many years. They’re hardworking people, honest, coming in every morning willing to work, willing to learn whatever we have new that we want to share with them or any new process that we want to implement.”

The cost of doing business in Harlingen is one of the most attractive things to companies, Harlingen EDC’s Garza said.

“The thing about South Texas and Harlingen specifically is that we have a lower cost of living than most of the country,” he said. “We are at about 20 percent

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Just a

CLICK AWAY Food Delivery Services Accelerate in the RGV

by Lor i H ou s t on

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“There are some days where we get a lot of orders coming in and there are some days that nobody orders,” said Mariela Sepulveda, who works at Buffalo Wild Wings. “It just depends on the people.”

It’s dinner time at the end of what seems like the busiest week of your life. There’s no food in the fridge, but you just can’t seem to get excited about ordering another pizza delivery.

Now, thanks to a new business model, you don’t have to limit yourself and your family to just pizza deliveries.

The last several years has seen a rise in the availability of food delivery services in many metropolitan areas and larger cities throughout the state, such as San Antonio, Austin, and Houston.

In the last few months, though, companies such as DoorDash, GrubHub, and now Favor have started to make their mark in the Rio Grande Valley. Their ease of use makes them perfect for a night when you don’t feel like going out or cooking, or even for delivering food for a birthday or tailgate party. Perhaps the best part about these new services is that many local restaurants are now available at the touch of a button. All you have to do is go to the website or app, choose a restaurant, browse the menu, make your selection, and check out. Before you know it, your order is at your door.

FAVOR

INSTACART If cooking your own food is more of your style and you just don’t have time to go grocery shopping, getting a delivery from Instacart might be right up your alley.

Instacart is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded in 2012. Customers are able to order from some of their favorite stores online or on an app and get sameday delivery from many retailers.

It isn’t just the customers that reap the benefits of this new model. Local restaurants now have the ability to serve more customers than ever before. In today’s world, we are all busier than ever, but with these new services right here in the Rio Grande Valley, we can let go of some of the stress of trying to do it all.

DOORDASH DoorDash is a privately held company based out of San Francisco that was started by a group of Stanford students. They have delivery drivers in more than 800 cities and a website and app that make ordering from your favorite restaurants a breeze.

Employees, called Dashers, are able to utilize DoorDash’s flexibility to set their own schedules and choose how far they are willing to deliver “It works with my other part-time job,” said Juan Rosas, a Dasher. “I’m also a Lyft driver and I’m able to juggle both at the same time, and I am able to stop whenever I want to. It’s broken up into different [geographic] areas and I’m able to choose which ones I want to deliver in depending on when I’m already in that area.”

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GRUBHUB/EAT24 GrubHub is one of the largest online and mobile food ordering and delivery service. They deliver from over 85,000 restaurants in more than 1,600 cities in the United States, as well as in London. In the Rio Grande Valley, GrubHub is in its infancy, and not many people are aware it is available.

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Based out of Austin and founded in June 2013, Favor is a food delivery company that does things a bit differently. While GrubHub and DoorDash strictly deliver from restaurants, Favor will also deliver from stores such as Walgreens or Target. As of February 2018, Favor is officially owned by H-E-B. Favor currently only operates within the state of Texas.

Favor employees, also called Runners, can pick up food, shop for groceries and even pick up or drop off your dry cleaning. The company operates on the premise of being able to complete a favor in an hour or less.

Runners are able to work full or part time and set their own schedules.

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Nancy Vanaphan, PA-C Valley Care Clinics Physician Assistant Specializing in Family Medicine

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b y R GV i s i on

Nancy Vanaphan, PA-C, is a Valley Care Clinics family medicine physician assistant. She practices at 5215 S. McColl Road in Edinburg. Vanaphan is an accomplished practitioner with a passion for helping families and patients of all ages. Our staff had the privilege of meeting with her to learn more about what it means to work in family medicine and the difference she is making in the lives of Rio Grande Valley residents.

a better understanding of their medical conditions.

I also wanted to be able to help them avoid getting confused with medical lingo by fully explaining myself and answering any questions they may have, and not allowing them to walk away from an office visit until they have completely understood their conditions and treatments. I also became a PA to discuss with patients any possible preventive measures that will help them live a healthy lifestyle.

RGVision: How did you become a physician assistant?

Nancy Vanaphan, PA-C: I was born and raised in

R: What is family medicine?

NV, PA-C: Family medicine is being able to treat patients

Houston, Texas. I received my bachelor’s in biology at the University of Houston and I received my master’s in genetics at the University of Houston. I then came to the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg and got my master’s degree in physician assistant studies.

of all ages and being able to take care of numerous conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety, plus giving preventive screenings. In family medicine, we also make sure that our patients are living a healthy lifestyle and treat them whenever an acute condition arises.

R: What drove you to become a PA? NV, PA-C: I wanted to be able to help patients have

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R: Do a lot of people have family medicine providers?

What’s the importance of one?

NV, PA-C: A lot of people have a family medicine provider that will help with prevention care and provide treatments with acute illnesses. It is important to have a family medicine physician who will monitor routine checkups and their treatments for any health conditions they may have.

R: What’s the difference between seeing an MD versus a PA? NV, PA-C: Actually, they are quite similar. A medical doctor and a physician assistant both treat patients.

The method of treating patients is pretty much the same. A physician assistant is able to evaluate patients, diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications for patients just like doctors can.

R: Is it unique for a PA to have his or her own clinic like you do?

NV, PA-C: Yes, it is fairly unique. As a physician assistant, we do have a supervising physician that oversees all of our patients. But we do not need to have the supervising physician with us at all times. We are able to see patients independently at the clinic.

R: How long have you been at this location?

NV, PA-C: I have been at this location for about

courtesy photo

four years.

R: What are your favorite types of patients to treat?

NV, PA-C: All my patients are my favorite. However,

“Many of my patients are part of families. I treat the entire family, which includes the parents and their children. “

compliant patients make my job even more rewarding.

Compliant patients listen to my recommendations as far as taking their medications as directed, coming back for follow-ups, scheduling routine checkups and preventive screenings. Compliant patients also follow through when I recommend that they eat well and exercise to help improve their health conditions.

common cold, pneumonia, and flu. I would like to add that a very common one right now is the flu. Since it is flu season, I highly recommend that all of our patients receive the flu vaccine as a preventive measure.

by educating them. I educate them by informing them and helping them understand the importance of why they have their diagnosis, how it can be treated, how it can be prevented, and making sure they don’t have any comorbidities that will make it worse. Once I educate patients, they will realize the importance of being more compliant.

R: Do you see obstetrics patients?

NV, PA-C: I do treat obstetric patients if they are coming in with an acute condition — for example, a cold, cough, or urinary tract infection. If we diagnose they are pregnant, we then refer them to our VCC Obstetrics/Gynecology practice to monitor the pregnancy. I would like to add that we also do Pap smears and well woman exams, and, if needed, depending on their results, they will be referred out to an OB-GYN.

R: What are common issues you see in the Valley?

NV, PA-C: Common issues I see here are diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Other common issues are acute conditions — for example, stomach infections, bladder infections, skin conditions, respiratory infections,

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How do you deal with patients who are not compliant?

NV, PA-C: I persuade patients to be more compliant

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R: How do you persuade a patient to be more compliant?

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N a n cy Va n a p h a n , PA - C , Valley Care Clin ics family medicin e ph ysician assistan t

H E A L T H

“I hope they would say that I’m easy to talk to and I have made a difference in their health. I want my patients to feel comfortable coming to me and discussing any of their concerns.”

N a ncy Va n a p h a n , PA - C

R: Is there an area of health care throughout your years of experience that you have become more passionate about? What do you love about medicine?

different levels of health literacy. I cannot stress enough the importance of educating patients and their caregivers that treatment of an illness at a beginning stage — before it worsens — can make a difference in the treatment they receive to improve their outcome.

NV, PA-C: It is mostly the versatility of family medicine, which is my passion. I can treat patients of all ages, from newborns to elderly. There are always different types of conditions I see in children that one does not see in adults, which makes for a wide range of conditions that I can treat in family medicine.

R: Who has been influential in your life?

NV, PA-C: My mother and father. They have always been hard workers and have instilled in me their work ethic by teaching me to give it 100 percent and always make sure that I am happy in my line of work. I am grateful for my parents and all that they have taught me, especially for teaching me that work can be a place that is enjoyable even while working hard.

R: Do you get whole families coming in?

NV, PA-C: Many of my patients are part of families. I treat the entire family, which includes the parents and their children. I also have many patients in which the elderly patient is brought in by their son/daughter, and both are my patients.

R: What do your patients say about you?

NV, PA-C: I hope they would say that I’m easy to talk to

R: What do you think are the top things people need to know?

and I have made a difference in their health. I want my patients to feel comfortable coming to me and discussing any of their concerns. I also hope they would say that I explain to them their condition, and the importance of prevention and treatments they are receiving, in a way that they understand.

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NV, PA-C: Early detection, prevention, and education.

Those are the three words I live by as far as preaching to all my patients. Early detection: If we do regular screenings, annual physicals and blood work, and the results are normal, then they will be rechecked in a year.

Prevention: trying to stay away from harmful habits — for example, smoking, drugs, excessive alcohol, and unhealthy foods. Education: so they understand their condition well enough to make sure it does not get worse and that if they are compliant with my recommendations, they can live a longer life.

R: Tell us about some things you like to do outside of the office.

NV, PA-C: I like to practice what I preach. I like to exercise every day and I enjoy lifting weights. I also love to make healthy choices when I cook and prep meals at home.

R: Anything you want readers to know?

NV, PA-C: I want my readers to know that I am here

R: Is that difficult with the health literacy levels in the Valley? Do you find yourself talking more with the children or caregivers?

to help in any way with their health conditions. We are always ready to receive new patients, walk-ins, and welcome patients of all ages. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The clinic also is open at 7 a.m. for lab patients.

NV, PA-C: I find myself talking to both children and their caregivers, depending on their age and/or medical condition. Some patients avoid being seen by us and wait until their illness is very advanced, which reflects the

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H E A L T H

Environmental Toxins IN HOSPITALS b y Ka r l a A r r e d on d o

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Ma r lene Linde r s , p r e s i d e nt and CEO of P hi l de r s G rou p I n tern ation al

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2 + Stephen Stills & Judy Collins: Live in Concert SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3 + José Madero SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4 + Dwight Yoakam TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13 + America Loves The Movies: McAllen Wind Ensemble FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16 + The Sound of Music SAT-SUN DECEMBER 1-2 + Deborah Case presents RGV Ballet the Nutcracker FRIDAY DECEMBER 7 + Valley Symphony III: A Touch of Frost FRIDAY DECEMBER 14 + How the McAllen Wind Ensemble Stole Christmas FRI-SAT DECEMBER 21-22 Shen Yun SUNDAY DECEMBER 23 + Cirque Musica Holiday presents Wonderland SUNDAY DECEMBER 30 + Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker

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“Cross contamination can occur from vectors such as construction dust, which anchors mold spores, or aerosols such as water droplets, which may harbor Legionella species, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (superbug) and others.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

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remains suspended in the air where immunocompromised patients are occupying, walking, or being transported in a wheelchair or stretcher, allows someone to ingest or inhale the spores.

“It can and frequently becomes catastrophic,” Linders said. She adds that out of six primary factors that drive the risk for invasive mold infections, construction is number two — ahead of major natural disasters, contaminated air handling systems, contaminated food and water, composting, gardening, and seasonal factors.

Linders cited a 2007 University of Cincinnati study in identifying the top three steps she considers crucial to keeping toxins and other contaminants under control in the hospital environment when there is work being done. According to this study, unexpected mold infections experienced by patients were all linked to occupancy during a construction project.

“After a root cause analysis was completed, the primary breaches of protocol became (1) lack of contractor training for infection control, (2) lack of or little experience working in the Environment of Care and how exposure to contaminants can escalate and compromise the condition of a patient even more, and (3) loosely audited policy and protocol by the Construction Manager and the hospital team itself,” the study found.

So what are some ways hospitals can prevent contamination from occurring, for example, in natural disasters or terrorism,

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It is common to navigate hospital hallways minding maintenance or some construction along the way, scurrying about to our destination without giving it much thought except to avoid tripping or being hit with something. The fact is that construction, remodeling, or maintenance in a hospital hold many potential hazards and require meticulous planning and execution.

Controlling toxins and harmful germs in a hospital is paramount for the prevention of infections or other negative consequences of contamination. During construction, remodeling, or maintenance, the risk for “superbug” cross contamination increases, which can be fatal if not contained.

“5,000 to 7,500 patients die [each] year from construction-related cross contamination,” said Marlene Linders, president and CEO of Philders Group International. However, she said she believes the number is closer to 15,000. “Cross contamination can occur from vectors such as construction dust, which anchors mold spores, or aerosols such as water droplets, which may harbor Legionella species, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (superbug) and others.”

The window for exposure poses a threat for anyone in a hospital.

“Construction dust settles slowly to a vector,” Linders said. “At a rate of .03 centimeters per second, and released in a patient care area at a height of 6 feet, [it] can stay suspended for two hours.”

This means that the time an organism

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The Linders Health Institute ICRA Bootcamp

when unexpected contaminants spread? It is important to create an environmental map for at-risk populations and possible projected disasters or outbreaks that could occur within that population’s specific demographic region, Linders says. Once this is clearly in place, Linders emphasizes the usefulness of biannual training exercises, as this type of engagement would reduce risk, manage liability, and promote team cohesiveness.

What exactly are superbugs and why are they so dangerous? Some strains of bacteria are deemed the term “superbug” when they become resistant to most common antibiotics. According to verywellhealth.com, superbugs “are the result of the misuse of existing antibiotics.” So if a patient doesn’t finish prescribed antibiotics, the bacteria that remains learns to survive those antibiotics.

Hospitals try to be as sterile — free from harmful organisms — as possible in their cleaning and maintenance protocols to prevent the spread of disease.

However, this practice may also lead to the creation of superbugs.

“The risk for cross contamination and exposure to MDROs or multidrug resistant organisms is greater in the healthcare setting than any other environment,” Linders said. “Because the occupants of the hospital are patients, and because infectious diseases are among the most common reasons for hospitalization, as well as overuse of antibiotics, the Environment of Care has become a greater risk for exposure.”

Linders adds that 53 percent of all hospitals in the nation are reducing staff as a result of budget cuts and waste.

“Nearly 20 percent of hospitals are operating in unhealthy ways, 10 percent of hospitals are at risk for closure, and 62 percent of hospital executives see cost control as their number one priority versus implementing more programs which would increase revenues,” she said.

This poses the questions: Are current hospital practices effective at controlling toxins and contaminants, including superbugs, or are they creating an environment that fosters superbugs?

Perhaps the more pragmatic question to ask is: What can hospitals do now to keep environmental toxins and superbugs under control during construction, remodeling, or maintenance?

“From both my experience and my opinion, the lack of proper training and oversight from both the construction side and the healthcare team is the main gap,” Linders said. “As a part of statement of qualifications, facilities and infection preventionists should require a consistent and current training that is regularly updated before being allowed to work on a healthcare campus.

“After all,” she added, “the healthcare environment is extremely vulnerable and requires skills and expertise significantly more substantial than any other industry.”

For more information about the The Linders Health Institute, visit www.thelindershealthinstitute.com.

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H E A L T H

THE EFFECTS OF BULLYING:

TIPS FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS instances of physical and emotional bullying among youth, other types of bullying exist — many of which can occur in the office or workplace among adults. Bullyingstatistics.org has identified the following types of bullying:

Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior where someone intentionally causes injury or discomfort. This behavior can be repeated, habitual, and can take many varying forms.

The American Society for the Care of Children reported that approximately:

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• • • •

• • •

1 in every 3 children engage in bullying 1 in every 3 have been victims of bullying 7 in every 10 have been bystanders in a bullying situation

•

7 in every 10 school staff has reported to witness bullying instances

Additional reports published by Scientific American indicate that victims of bullying are in particular risk for mental health problems including suicidal ideations and/ or behavior. The article goes on to say that other children involved in bullying, including the perpetrator, are also at risk of mental health issues. While bullying affects the victim in a more acute sense, including a higher risk of suicide, it is paramount to adequately assess bullying situations given that bullying has a global effect.

Verbal bullying: name-calling, teasing, and threats Social bullying: spreading rumors and isolating someone Physical bullying: hitting, pushing, and breaking someone’s possessions Cyber bullying: spreading rumors on social media, and sending hurtful messages via electronic means of communication

Bullying can occur among adult populations and can impact the work environment as well as the mental health of the employees. Roughly 31 percent of adults have been a victim of bullying, a 2017 U.S. News & World Report finds.

Contacting your HR department can become a route of action to address a bullying situation, especially in cases where a higher-ranking employee acts as the perpetrator.

Regardless of the shape bullying takes on, it can cause negative consequences to everyone involved. Often the best way to assist a potential victim is to be able to identify the warning sides, as well to understand the effects it may have on mental health and overall wellbeing.

THE SHAPES AND FORMS OF BULLYING Although the aforementioned numbers may focus on

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THE EFFECTS & WARNING SIGNS OF BULLYING Bullying can be detrimental and lead to psychological effects, possibly hindering school performances. If you believe that someone is being bullied, there are some warning signs that parents, teachers, and friends can look for. This is particularly important for children who are potentially at risk.

AT-RISK CHILDREN: Being able to identify children who could be at risk of being a target of bullying is vital for early intervention. It has been reported that children who are labeled as “different” by their peers tend to be victims of bullying. The at-risk population includes:

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS: There have been numerous studies pertaining to the psychological effects of bullying. It is reported that victims of bullying have experienced:

• • • • •

•

Increased depression symptoms, such as sadness, feeling alone, and worthlessness

•

Anxiety and excessive worry, which may lead to somatic symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches

• •

Shame and low self-esteem

•

Eating disorders (if the bullying is related to the victim’s weight)

SCHOOL EFFECTS: A long-term study published 2017 by the Journal of Educational Psychology that followed children from kindergarten to high school found that children who are chronically bullied exhibit low academic achievement, display a strong dislike of school, and have less confidence in their academic abilities. Victims of bullying also experience: Decreased academic achievement, which includes attaining lower grades and test scores

•

Not wanting to go to school, thus skipping classes and dropping out

Those who wear glasses Children with an accent, lisp, or stutter Those who their peers perceive as less popular Those who their peers perceive as being weak or with low self-esteem

TIPS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS Despite the low intervention from bystanders, the American Society for the Care of Children reports that bystanders’ intervention stops the bullying instance in about two-thirds of the time. Many students do not report bullying as reasons mentioned above. Therefore, fostering an open line of communication between the students and the parents, relatives, teachers and school staff, and members of the community can encourage the child to approach adults and proactively address the situation.

The American Psychological Association strongly recommends that teachers must be observant and acknowledge incidents, involve students and parents, and set positive expectations about behaviors for students and adults. Parents need to observe for signs of children being bullied, teach children how to handle being bullied, and set boundaries with technology. Parents of kids engaged in bullying also must stop bullying before it starts, make homes “bully free,” and look for self-esteem problems.

Possible self-destructive behavior (self-harm and/or suicidal tendencies)

•

Children who are overweight

Unexplainable injuries

•

A drop in academic performance, including refusing to go to school

ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

•

Self-harm and/or running away from home

Valley Psychological Services - assistant professor Department of Psychology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | www.utpa.edu/psychology

Sevilla-Matos, and Stephanie Arellano)

Eating problems, such as bingeing or not eating Sleeping problems, such as nightmares or difficulty with sleep ALFONSO MERCADO, PH.D., LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

Research from 2013 U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education illustrates that children will not notify bullying to adults due to feeling hopeless, fear of retaliation, and rejection, among other reasons.

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Abigail Nunez-Saenz, Andy Torres, Jose Garcia, Paola Salazar, Maria

• •

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(Co-authors include Dr. Mercado’s Mental Health Lab at UTRGV:

Stopbullying.gov highlighted a few warnings signs:

NOV/DEC 2018

WARNING SIGNS:

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H E A L T H

REMEMBERING LOVED ONES During the Holidays b y Ir ene Wa z go w s k a | p h ot os b y D om i n i q u e Z m u d a

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The holidays are a time of festivities and joy in

support when you need it the most.

which we come together to celebrate with family

SELF-CARE:

and friends. But sometimes a holiday can come

overwhelming that we forget the importance of

during a time of grieving and loss of a loved one.

these most basic needs. Prioritize eating, sleeping,

It is in these times that we experience emotions

and physical exercise. Give yourself permission

that are often difficult to grapple with. While it

to engage in activities that reminds you of what it

is not easy, there are helpful solutions that can

feels like to be cared for and feel good.

ease the grieving process and allow one to move

ALLOW YOURSELF TO GRIEVE: Don’t rush the

forward peacefully.

process or try to avoid the pain. Allow yourself to

THE YOUTH EXPERIENCE

feel those emotions without judging yourself or

Sometimes

grief

can

be

so

At the Children's Bereavement Center Rio Grande

thinking about how you “should” or “shouldn’t” feel.

Valley, counselors work with children and their

FIND WAYS TO HONOR YOUR MEMORIES: Create

families to cope with a recent death in the family

special ways to memorialize the person who died.

by providing a comfortable homelike setting. This

CBC-RGV is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit,

environment provides a safe place where children

and its services are free to the Rio Grande

are encouraged to talk about their feelings and

Valley community.

to honor the loved one they have lost. It’s an

SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE:

opportunity for them to talk about these feelings

Private therapy sessions for both the individual

out loud, often together with other family members,

and family members who are experiencing or

and to have these emotions honored.

anticipating the death of a loved one

“We like to tell our families that they have

Specialized peer support group programs

permission to skip out on a holiday, do something

Grief Camps

different, or what feels right,” said Cindy Perez

School crisis services

Waddle, a counselor at CBC-RGV. She likes to

Professional education trainings through the

reiterate that there is no right or wrong way of

Grief Education Institute

approaching the holidays, that it’s okay to do HELPING ADULTS COPE

guilty about making this sort of change. “We want

Robert Marez, a psychiatric mental health NP at

[them] to remember that children are children and

JNC Behavioral Services, believes that individuals

that they like to celebrate.”

who are going through the grieving process should “rely on friends, exercise, take care of themself, and

recommendations to help guide them through the

not be too critical on themself for not grieving fast

grieving process.

enough,” he said. Marez encourages individuals to

SEEK SUPPORT: Find family, friends, a grief

take breaks from the grief, do something, such as

counselor, or support groups that can offer you

watching a positive movie, and enjoy little things

“We believe that each person’s journey through grief is unique and therefore deserving of a distinctive approach to healing.”

Ci nd y Per ez Wa d d l e, a co un selor at CBC-RGV

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Waddle encourages families to use the following

NOV/DEC 2018

something different, and that you shouldn’t feel

H E A L T H

As we approach the end of the year, and the holidays that mark the beginning of a new year, we celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones. For those who have recently lost someone or who are supporting someone in critical care, know that you are not alone.

and not feel guilty about it. He recommends reading

at least 20 minutes of exercise a day to relieve

grief and loss self-help books, watching YouTube

tension, eat and get enough sleep, and not be afraid

videos where people talk about their loss and their

to break down and cry.

grief, and visiting online support groups to help in Marez sees a lack of resources and lack of

and loved ones. He has witnessed how helping

therapists in the RGV as some of the hurdles that

others and volunteering, especially during the

our community faces. He would like to see more

holidays, helps bring joy. Having human interaction

preventive mental health care in school systems,

and making a positive difference in others’ lives can

more support groups, and more opportunities to

be rewarding.

begin therapy before a loved one has died. Support

As we approach the end of the year, and the

groups and group therapy is valuable as individuals

holidays that mark the beginning of a new year,

go through the grieving process.

we celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones.

The most important advice he would give “is to

For those who have recently lost someone or who

explain the importance of grieving and being open

are supporting someone in critical care, know that

about it,” Marez said. “If you suppress that grieving

you are not alone. The grieving process is painful,

process, you’re running away and not dealing with

but there are services and methods of coping that

it.” Feeling upset and crying are a natural part of

are available through local resources and through

the grieving process and Marez wants individuals

online support groups. It is important to embrace

to feel comfortable to express these emotions.

your emotions, and to reach out to loved ones for

Relying on family members can also help. Whether

support. For those who know someone dealing

it’s spending time with family or answering their

with a recent loss, remember that you can play a

calls, the connection to loved ones is valuable.

valuable role in their healing process.

During the grieving process, he advises that

For

more

information

about

the

Children's

individuals postpone major life decisions because

Bereavement Center Rio Grande Valley, visit cbcst.

“you’re not thinking at your best.” He says that it’s

org/rio-grande-valley.

important to wait on these decisions until there is

It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present,

the opportunity to think clearly through them. Also,

hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup

during this time, people should try to avoid alcohol

may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that

and drugs, have a regular routine that includes

every path may lead to peace. - Agnes M. Pharo

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NOV/DEC 2018

While grieving, Marez encourages individuals to embrace spirituality and to draw closer to family

dealing with the pain.

66

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H E A L T H

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H E A L T H

KETO CHRISTMAS CAKE p h ot o b y O m a r DĂ­ a z

INGREDIENTS: CAKE: 1 1/2 cup coconut flour 1 tbsp of cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup pure stevia powder 1 pinch of sea salt 1/4 cup peanut butter 1 egg 1/4 cup coconut milk (unsweetened) 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 oz of melted dark chocolate (sugar free)

FROSTING: 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt 1 tbsp pure stevia powder Red and green sprinkles

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and the sprinkles

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2. In a bowl, mix together all the cake ingredients

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MAKING STRIDES

American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness Event Raises Funds

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Zasha Amar needed to get to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for an appointment to schedule chemotherapy for breast cancer. But the same-day, round-trip flight was exorbitant.

“It’s something that I would not have normally been able to do,” Amar said. “I would’ve had to start chemo really late if I had not been able to get to that appointment.”

She was able to access help for the flight via the American Cancer Society, which has programs in place to assist cancer patients with transportation to their appointments, among other initiatives.

Amar spoke about her experience with breast cancer at a fundraising event for the organization — the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, held Oct. 13 at the Mission Event Center.

“I think it’s awesome,” Amar said. “April [Chapa] really did a great job. The entire American Cancer Society in the Valley did an amazing job. It’s just been amazing how much they do for everybody.”

Chapa, senior community development manager for the American Cancer Society, helmed the fundraising walk, which included giveaways, music, vendors, and even a giant pink inflatable chair for photos. Nearly everyone wore some form of pink — T-shirts, tutus, flower crowns, wigs, and more.

For those who wanted to go all out, booths offered pink hairdye spray. One boy rode a red bicycle festooned with pink curling ribbon on the handlebars, ringing a bell as he wove around participants.

“This is our first Making Strides — I’m saying this is our inaugural event because we’re going to be having this every year,” Chapa said to the crowd of 720 participants amid kickoff festivities. “So next year it’s going to be even bigger and better.”

Since 1993, similar Making Strides events across the country have raised more than $870 million. Organizers for Mission’s event expected to hit their goal of $50,000.

“Our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk helps the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking research into

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b y A m y C a s e b i e r | p h ot os b y J a s on G a r z a

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causes, prevention, and treatments for breast cancer, provide free rides to chemo and places to stay near hospitals, a live 24/7 cancer helpline, and so much more,” Chapa said in a news release.

Patients like Amar are able to take advantage of those services — and to pay it forward.

“It feels really good to be able to raise money for somebody else to be able to use what I had to use,” she said.

Amar was one of three Portraits of Hope honorees for the event.

“I thought it was amazing,” she said of receiving word that she would be honored. “I did cry when April called because it was not something that I had even really thought about. It was just kind of like … I had to push through.”

Amar knew she had to stay strong throughout over the course of her treatment for her daughter — Riley Grace, 3, who had pink hair to mark the occasion.

“It was really exciting to know that other people saw me as hope where I was looking to them for hope,” Amar said. “I guess we don’t really realize the things that we go through or that we push through until somebody else tells you, ‘hey, you’re doing a really good job.’ I think that was the hard part, hearing, ‘you’re doing a great job,’ because it was hard. It was really hard.”

Amar finished therapy Sept. 4, and returns to Houston for the all-clear in November. She’s back at work at McAllen Memorial High School full time, and says she feels good.

“She keeps me on my toes,” Amar said as Riley pointed out everything in the immediate vicinity that was her favorite color: pink. “She was the reason I woke up every day.”

The two other Portrait of Hope honorees, Patricia Almendarez and Naomi Sanchez, spoke alongside Amar

“This is our first Making Strides — I’m saying this is our inaugural event because we’re going to be having this every year.”

A p r i l C h a p a , sen ior commu n ity developmen t man ager for th e American Can cer Society

onstage during the kickoff speeches.

“I am a 19-year cancer survivor,” Almendarez said to loud cheers. “One of my nephews gave me a great title because in 2015, I had a recurrence and now I am a two-time world champion. I’m a two-time cancer survivor.”

Almendarez was accompanied by a large group of supporters who formed Team Pat. “I am an 8-year cancer survivor,” Sanchez said when it was her turn at the microphone. “I just wanted to thank everyone for being here, for all your donations. They do count.”

When it was Amar’s turn to speak, she reminded everyone that they didn’t have to quit raising money after the event.

“Just because we’re here at the fundraiser and this is the walk, it’s not the time to stop donating,” Amar said. “Continue to donate. Every dollar counts every day of the year.”

Learn more about the American Cancer Society — including how to donate — at cancer.org.

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BAILING OUT? McAllen Bail Bondsmen, Edinburg Lawmaker Urge Caution in Bond Reform

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NOV/DEC 2018

by Amy Casebier

Picture it: Your house is broken into, and your valuables stolen. The individual arrested on suspicion of committing the crime can’t afford bail, and is released without having to pay on a personal recognizance bond — a promise to later appear in court. But the individual doesn’t appear, and the crime goes unpunished.

This scenario is more than just a possibility, says Claudia Cantu-Flores, co-owner of A-Cantu Bailbonds in McAllen. Situations like it are already happening across the country as states move to eliminate commercial bail bonds or enact other changes to the system in so-called bail bond reform efforts.

“Bail bondsmen aren’t against personal recognizance bonds or any of these programs,” Flores said. “They just want the appropriate assessments taken prior to individuals given almost these get-out-of-jail-free cards because then how will they learn their lesson?

“At the end of the day, you’re dealing with a crime being committed, so you’ve got to have some kind of accountability to check these people.”

Noe Cantu, co-owner of A-Cantu Bailbonds and Flores’ father, echoed his daughter’s concerns.

“The reason there is commercial bail or bail bonds is

to ensure that they go to court and to ensure that they’re not a menace to the public or a problem to the public or themselves,” Cantu said. “A PR bond just doesn’t do anything except open the doors for them.”

Cantu added that many times, bail bond reform is framed as a “rich versus poor” argument in which people who can afford bail get out of jail, and people who can’t pay languish.

“There’s no assessment of need or being poor” when bails are set, he said. “If you set low bonds, affordable bonds, then we could still supervise people. Then you won’t just be slapping them on the wrist.”

State Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, has been monitoring bail bond reform issues across the nation and as they arise in Texas — especially in his role on the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence as the latest session of the Texas Legislature begins in January.

In the last legislative session, a bill the House didn’t pass would have required judges to determine within two days whether someone accused of a nonviolent crime would be eligible for a personal recognizance bond.

“The idea behind money bail is to provide a financial incentive for a person who has been accused of a

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“Our Texas bail system has existed since the founding of this state, and we need to continue to study the issue and make sure that we cautiously move forward on any kind of reform.”

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“Talk about risk assessment tools in this country has proliferated despite substantial criticisms that the tools depend upon and reinforce racially biased data and that the tools’ accuracy is overblown or unknown,” he said. “Again, more data-driven research and careful analysis should be done when potentially implementing a risk-assessment based bail bond reform.”

Texas has one of the highest incarceration rates in the United States, Canales pointed out, and it’s a costly issue. Fewer people should be jailed for low-level crimes, like possession of small amounts of drugs, he said.

“Jail overcrowding is a huge problem for Hidalgo County, and I know that this problem is not unique to this area and that others are also concerned,” he said. “Many local jurisdictions are looking at solutions to fix their overcrowding problems. Bail reform has been one of the approaches, but there are many other solutions the legislature should be looking at, as well.”

One such solution came in the form of House Bill 351, which Canales passed last session. The legislation aimed at reducing the number of people going to jail for inability to pay fines.

“This is an example of the kinds of smart changes we should be making that will end up with less people behind bars,” he said.

“Running our county jails is expensive, costing us more than $60 a day to house each prisoner. We should be diverting more people from even reaching our jail.”

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crime — but not yet convicted — to attend court hearings at a later date,” Canales said in a written statement. “If we don’t have a financial incentive to attend the court dates, we have to make sure we are still getting people to their court dates.”

In August, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Damon Allen Act, a proposal that would set bond amounts to match the accused’s threat level. Abbott’s plan would have judges and magistrates be informed of defendants’ complete criminal history, take into account the level of threat to law enforcement, and create a statewide management system to access this information.

“Undoubtedly, we need to better ensure that bond amounts better match the threat of the accused,” Canales said. “Right now, many of our judges are flying blind without the full criminal history of the people they are setting bond for.”

That doesn’t mean that lawmakers should rush to pass reform, he said. In fact, Canales says he perceives confusion and apprehension among his peers in the Legislature on what it might mean to release more people from jail in a quicker timeframe.

“Our Texas bail system has existed since the founding of this state, and we need to continue to study the issue and make sure that we cautiously move forward on any kind of reform,” Canales said. “We could create more problems than we seek to solve if we do not get these changes right.”

Canales says he’s looking to avoid problems that other states have run into when trying to pass bail bond reform legislation.

L I F E

‘AMONGST FRIENDS’ Edinburg Veterans Health Education and Benefits Fair Offers Variety of Services b y A m y C a s e b i e r | p h ot os b y O m a r D í a z

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A room full of Rio Grande Valley veterans, their loved ones, veterans’ advocates, healthcare professionals, and other community members watched as Donald Barajas walked across the carpeting while wearing a whirring robotic exoskeleton.

Behind him, a therapist controlled each of his steps with the press of a button.

Barajas suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of a wreck, and couldn’t move his legs. But after working with the Ekso Bionics robotic exoskeleton and the staff at Edinburg’s Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Rehabilitative Services, Barajas was able to walk again.

“We’re the only facility south of San Antonio and Houston that has robotic exoskeleton technology for our patients,” said Dr. Michael Auer, director for DHR Rehabilitative Services. “We’ve had it over a year and it’s shown great success of our patients.”

Felix Rodriguez, an Hidalgo County Veterans Service officer, joked about an alternative purpose for the robotic exoskeleton.

“I overheard a couple of veterans over there in the back discussing this presentation just now,” he said. “They wondered if this innovation and technology is available at the happy hours at the American Legions and the VFW when they leave.”

The technology was on display during the opening ceremony of the fifth annual Veterans Health, Education, and Benefits Fair, held Oct. 20 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance.

DHR, the Renaissance Cares Foundation, and other community partners sponsored the event.

“What a marvelous piece of technology,” said Dr. Carlos Cardenas, DHR board chairman, about the robotic exoskeleton.

“The ability to be able to do what we are doing in our rehab and what we can do for veterans and for others who have suffered spinal injury or suffered from stroke and are recovering — it’s only the beginning.”

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DHR’s Rehabilitative Services currently treats about 12 veterans, Auer said.

“You’ve served us for many years and we want to return that service back to you guys and ladies,” he said. “Our mission is to provide world-class care. That way, you don’t have to leave to San Antonio and Houston. Everything that we provide at our rehab is what you would see in San Antonio and Houston.”

Improving health care and benefits for veterans in the Rio Grande Valley has very much been a group effort.

“It’s amazing what you can do when you get entities to work together and cooperate,” Cardenas said. “We have 38,000 veterans here in South Texas. Our hope and prayers is that we continue to grow our affiliation and at the same time grow our ability to provide the care that is needed for our veterans population.”

Dozens of vendors, including representatives from UTRGV, STC, the Veterans Land Board, insurance companies, and many more, were on hand during the event to provide information on services available to RGV veterans.

The mission behind the event was twofold, said Ron Tupper, DHR senior consultant and project manager for the fair.

“One is to get people who haven’t seen each other for a while together,” said Tupper, who is a veteran himself and director of the Renaissance Cares Foundation. “The other part is getting updates on changes as far as legislation.

We’re having an expert talk today, for example, on the new Mission Act, which affects all veterans.”

Other breakout sessions hosted by mental health experts included information on how people can support veterans and women veterans health programs. DHR phlebotomists were on hand to do blood work for veterans.

“We also have claims counseling, which is the most popular thing,” Tupper said, explaining that veterans could leave their phone number and visit other vendors’ booths.

When it was their turn to meet with a claims counselor, they received a text message.

The opening ceremonies for the event culminated in honoring the 75th anniversary of the infamous Death Railroad. Also known as the Lost Battalion, the group of service members included men from the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, and individuals who swam ashore following the sinking of the USS Houston. The group endured 42 months as prisoners of the Japanese during World War II. “On the 17th of October, there is an anniversary that has been really neglected to be recognized,” said Lupita Perez, VFW District 18 commander. “This is especially true because

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most of the POWs of this crisis were Texas National Guard.

There’s a lot of significance in there because some of those veterans are buried here in our district.”

The Veterans Health Education and Benefits Fair continues to grow. Held the third Saturday of October every year, Tupper says it competes with other local events looking to serve veterans, especial as Veterans Day approaches Nov. 11.

“The way I look at it is if one veteran walks away feeling better about himself or herself, then it’s a home run,” he said.

“You’re amongst friends.”

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Local Man Embodies Christmas Joy in Role as Jolly Old Elf

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THE SPIRIT OF SANTA

b y Amy Ca s eb i e r | p h ot os b y J e n n y H ol l i s

The time a young Gary Della Croce met Santa Claus is something of a family legend.

“I grew up in McAllen,” said Della Croce, now 70. “This was like in the late ’50s. There was a guy in town — he had a three-wheeled motorcycle and a big white beard, and everybody called him Santa Claus.”

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“There was a young lady, maybe sixth-grader, fifth-grader in the hallway,” Della Croce said. “She turned around and looked at me and goes, ‘you’re Santa Claus, right?’ I had a goatee. I didn’t have a beard. It just kind of struck me. I said, ‘no, I’m not, but I think he’s just right outside.’”

The following year, the photography studio hired the same man to play Santa, but he left the position abruptly.

“So my wife calls me and says, ‘we need you to come here and be Santa Claus,’” Della Croce recalled. “And I said, ‘well, how soon?’”

He used a beard and hat that the studio had on hand, and his wife and mother-in-law quickly sewed the rest of the costume to fit his 6-foot-6-inch frame.

“The kids, the older ones — ‘you’re not really Santa because of your beard,’” Della Croce said, miming pulling on his now-full beard. His response to his earliest critics? “You know, I’m not, you’re right, but this is what we’ve got today.”

Which leads to Della Croce’s first piece of advice for anyone looking to fill in as the jolly old elf.

“You gotta grow a beard,” he said. “The fake ones really don’t cut it.”

To this day, Della Croce works with Jenny Hollis Photography for the holidays — all based on the first hurried experience of filling in for Saint Nick and interacting with the children.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said. “It was really special to

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At that point, Della Croce was old enough to know the truth behind the holiday icon, but his sister was still a young believer. Their father told them Santa was coming to their house that night — and the man with the three-wheeled motorcycle delivered. The experience dazzled the siblings.

“I didn’t find out until years later when I asked my mother, ‘how’d you get Santa Claus to come?’” Della Croce remembered. “She said, ‘He was arrested and Daddy went and bailed him out. So he owed him a favor.’”

Della Croce and one of his daughters, Gwyn Zubia, laughed heartily.

“So I heard the first part of the story growing up: ‘We saw Santa Claus,’” said Zubia, who is the content manager for RGVision Magazine. “And then when I grow up, I find out, oh, it’s because he was arrested for intoxication.”

That early experience with Santa Claus — no matter his reason for appearing — could have foreshadowed Della Croce’s current close relationship with Father Christmas.

Because for two months out of the year — and sometimes beyond — Della Croce dons the famous red suit and becomes Santa.

It all started six years ago when his wife, Ann, worked at Jenny Hollis Photography Studio in Mission. The studio hosts holiday photoshoots, and Christmas is no exception.

The studio had someone to play Santa for the photos, and he’d stepped out when Della Croce walked in.

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“My role is all about Jesus. Sometimes I have the opportunity to pray with the child, other times just to hold them, just to be close with them, it’s really fulfilling.”

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G ar y De l l a C r oce, o n h i s r o l e a s Sa n t a C l a u s

it’s, ‘well, we’re studying for finals.’ And I said, ‘can I pray for you all?’ Everybody that I talked to said yes. So that’s the kind of opportunities that are most meaningful to me — just to support kids.”

For Della Croce, being Santa isn’t just a side gig.

“I have to be very responsible,” he said. “It’s not something to take lightly. It’s not about me. I’ve just been so blessed.”

Della Croce recounted being Santa for a group of about 50 Ugandan children who were in the Rio Grande Valley as a part of a choir trip. He found it particularly touching when he discovered the children called Santa “father” and “uncle.”

But perhaps Della Croce’s most meaningful experience happened as a part of McAllen’s annual Christmas posada held in Archer Park.

“When you do a photoshoot at a studio, you ask kids, ‘what do you really want? What’s the number one thing on your list?’” he said. “And they’ll say whatever the latest iPad or iPhone. I learn what’s the hot stuff for that season because kids know it.”

Filling in for a Winter Texan who hadn’t returned that year to play Santa, Della Croce’s posada interaction with one child was different from the norm.

“So many times I’ve said, ‘what do you want for Christmas?’” he said, becoming emotional as he remembered the exchange. “This one said, ‘I’d like to have my mommy and daddy … mommy and daddy back together.’ It just opened my eyes to what all kids go through.”

Some critics decrying holiday commercialism often put Santa squarely in the crosshairs. But for Della Croce, Kris Kringle’s role is more important than that.

“My role is all about Jesus,” he said. “Sometimes I have the opportunity to pray with the child, other times just to hold them, just to be close with them, it’s really fulfilling. I’m just there to be a part of what is a traditional holiday season, and I thoroughly enjoy it.”

Outside of the holiday season, people often still recognize Della Croce as Santa. One such interaction happened at a dealership while he was getting the oil change in his car.

Another man with a full, white beard walked in — and made a

do that stuff.”

Della Croce committed to the role, trading up his stop-gap costume for a professional model.

“I ordered my suit from Santa Suit Express dot com,” he said.

The website offers a variety of Santa suits — from a velour set to an outfit branded as “Regency Plush.”

“The suit is so wonderful but it’s so heavy,” Della Croce said. “It’s so hot.”

It also helps him get in the right mindset to be Santa.

“The only challenge is if I’m working all day, I’m tired,” he said. “But once I get the old suit on, let’s go.”

For Della Croce, the Santa season generally starts the first weekend in November, when he participates in the photoshoots. School, nonprofit, and office events usually begin in the first part of December. All this takes part during the most hectic portion of Della Croce’s day job as a life and health insurance agent — Medicare’s annual enrollment period, which lasts from the middle of October until Dec. 7.

“That’s my busy time, but I still manage to work out whatever ones get worked in,” he said. “I haven’t turned anybody down.”

And as for anyone who’s interested in booking Della Croce for a holiday event?

“They need to talk with my manager,” he said, referring to his wife and laughing at the suggestion that she might be Mrs. Claus. “I can’t get her in a suit, but she would be a great one.”

When they’re not attending official Santa events, they both enjoy surprising people during unofficial appearances.

“We do drop-in stuff sometimes — my wife goes with me,” Della Croce said. “We’ll go to whatever the event or party is and on the way back, we’ll stop in at Starbucks and stuff like that.”

Selfie requests are always a given. But sometimes, Della Croce experiences deeper interactions.

“This one particular time we were in Starbucks,” he said.

“It was in the evening, during finals.” He asked the students he was taking selfies with what they were doing there. “And

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“I’m just secretly bawling in the corner — the way kids look at him and talk to him,” she said. “I think it doesn’t matter their age — everyone is excited to see Santa. They see him coming in a suit and it just kind of makes you want to believe in magic again. It’s really exciting.”

Really exciting for most people, anyway.

“My grandkids, they’re not impressed at all,” Della Croce said, laughing.

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beeline to Della Croce.

“He says, ‘are you a Santa Claus,’ and I say, ‘well, yes, are you?’ And he says, ‘yes, I am,’” Della Croce said.

The other Santa revealed to Della Croce that every year, he’s flown to New York, put up in a hotel, and earns a paycheck in the tens of thousands of dollars for donning the holiday role for six weeks.

“If this angel Santa ever comes back into my life, I gotta find some more information because I would gladly do that,” Della Croce said, chuckling. “But I thought that was interesting that we kind of had an attraction to each other, in that case.”

“Takes one to know one,” Zubia joked.

Though one can make money from doing it, being Santa isn’t really about that for Della Croce. It’s the spirit of Christmas — and Santa — that he embodies.

“No matter what age you are, Santa Claus, it brings you back to a place where there’s joy in your life,” Della Croce said.

“It brings back — I hope for most people — good memories.”

Zubia, one of five children, compares the experience of having a father who plays Santa to having a celebrity father — but without the drama.

“I think he has the perfect personality to do it,” she said.

“He genuinely cares and I think that makes a difference.”

When she gets the opportunity to see Della Croce interact with children, his affinity for the role shines.

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From Winter Texan to Converted Texan

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b y Lo r i Ho us t on | p h ot o b y J a s on G a r z a

Every year, thousands of species of birds migrate south for the winter, in search of warmer weather and food. And every spring, they fly back home. Much like these migratory birds, senior citizens from the Midwest and the North have been “migrating” south to the Rio Grande Valley during the winter months in search of a more tropical climate compared to the frigid seasonal temperatures. Unlike our avian friends, though, who begin their journey home in the spring, more and more Winter Texans are choosing to make this relocation to the Rio Grande Valley permanent, staying year round instead.

The trend of welcoming these visitors from the north really took off in the 1960s, RV parks materializing all over the region to accommodate the seasonal travelers.

Today, there are over 500 of these RV parks in the area.

The Business and Tourism Research Center at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley conducts a survey

on the Winter Texans every two years in an effort to better understand their activities, interests, and impact on the region.

“The promotion of international and retail trade, tourism, and manufacturing is among the most successful along the U.S.-Mexico Border,” reads a market profile from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. This effort has been transforming its historical agriculturalbased economy into a major international trade area. The Winter Texan segment of the retail trade and tourism is significant.

The most recent Winter Texan survey shows they spent approximately $528 million in nominal dollars in the Valley in 2017-18. There were about 106,000 Winter Texans in the Rio Grande Valley living in an estimated 56,700 households. The average expenditure per household is estimated to be $9,314, including routine,

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monthly purchases and major, one-time purchases. The survey administrators believe that knowing how long they stay, why they come, and what they do while in the Valley is crucial to providing for their needs so they will continue to come and significantly impact the region’s economy.

While the climate and relatively lower cost of living are rated as the top two reasons they come to the Valley, the friendliness of the people is the third.

“What’s equally as important as the cost of living and the weather and the proximity to Mexico is that we're friendly here and we want them here,” said Kristi Collier of Welcome Home RGV, an organization dedicated to serving Winter Texans. This can be seen in their name itself. Northern visitors are called “snowbirds” in many other places, but here, they are Winter Texans. They consider themselves and are treated as an integral part of the community — not just as tourists.

The survey indicates that the typical Winter Texan has been coming to the Valley for 11.3 years. Over 95 percent of them plan to return next year. Collier has been working with Winter Texans for 11 years now, and has noted an interesting change among them. More and more of them are becoming what she calls “converted Texans,” meaning that they are choosing to make the Valley their full-time home. She believes this will have a positive impact on the Valley, as well as the traditional Winter Texan.

“They will find their favorite restaurant, and they’ll become repeat customers,” Collier said. “They’re going to find a physician and make it their permanent one instead of a random visit to a clinic.” She points out that the converted Texans are a loyal bunch and are also more likely to become active in local churches and looking for volunteering opportunities.

Jason Billman, the owner of Twin Lakes RV Park in Mission, has noticed a change, as well.

“Now that we have more permanent residents, we have extended some of our activities through the summer for those that are still here then,” he said. The park hosts weekly meetings and organized outings to local restaurants, among other things.

Collier acknowledges the impact the regular Winter Texans have on the local economy, but also highlights the impact of the converted Texans.

“There's no doubt that if we can get more of them to go through what I call the conversion process and become converted Texans, and all of a sudden that economic impact goes through the roof,” she said. “That's something that I don't think has ever been really calculated.”

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Winter Texans like to shop and eat out a lot, in addition to their regular expenses. As converted Texans, there will be an additional six months of local spending that wouldn’t have existed before.

The local community benefits as much as the businesses that sell to both Winter Texas and converted Texans. The sales tax and property taxes they pay are invested in the entire community. This makes them an attractive market for Rio Grande Valley business.

Welcome Home RGV hosted a two-hour workshop last September at the McAllen Public Library called “Marketing to Winter Texans 101,” during which they helped local businesses learn about the Winter Texan Community. Collier’s philosophy is simple. It’s all about friendliness and making them feel welcome. If you treat them well, they will come back. Winter Texans are big on referrals, giving and seeking advice from one another.

Coupons, hosting special events, and advertising in niche publications will also bring in more customers.

The changing demographics of today’s Winter Texans and converted Texans opens up a new market to capitalize on that some businesses never thought they could appeal to. Many of these seasonal visitors and new residents want to get out and do all the things they’ve always dreamed of doing. This newer generation of retirees is more adventurous and looking for more experiential opportunities. For many of them, bingo night isn’t enough anymore, so give them a chance in the laser tag arena or set them up in an escape room and challenge them to get out. They may just surprise you.

For more information on all things Winter Texan, visit www.welcomehomergv.com.

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SOCCER’S

ELITE Hosting CONCACAF Women’s Championship a Boost to Edinburg’s H-E-B Park

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Ana Tyx scrunched down in an orange plastic seat, hiding behind her mother as the Canadian and Cuban national women’s soccer teams warmed up on the field below.

Laura Nikstad took over the interview questions for her daughter after Ana quietly confirmed they were soccer fans.

“Are you a soccer player?” Nikstad asked.

“Yes,” Ana murmured.

“And who’s your coach?”

Nikstad pointed at herself as Ana smiled shyly.

The two sat in the stands Oct. 8 at H-E-B Park in Edinburg to watch the CONCACAF Women’s Championship tournament, held in three doubleheaders over the span of six days. H-E-B Park hosted Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Jamaica’s national women’s soccer teams. Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Park in Cary, North Carolina, hosted Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

“I played high school soccer in Wisconsin and I’m my daughter’s coach now,” Nikstad said. “It’s so inspiring to just watch women athletes and they’re just phenomenal players. It’s so exciting that they’re here in Edinburg.”

Nikstad, her husband, and daughter live in McAllen, where 6-year-old Ana plays U-7 soccer on a McAllen Youth Soccer Association team called the Unicorns, Ana said.

She netted two goals in a recent game while playing wing.

And the team’s jerseys?

“Pink,” Ana said, grinning. “Light pink.”

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“You’re talking high-level, highcaliber soccer, the most elite women in the world playing here. You see a lot of little girls high-fiving the players as they go by. I think it’s just kind of a great way to enhance the sport, continue to show little girls that this is possible.”

Ma rc A . So lis , p r e s i de nt o f H - E- B Pa r k a nd Be r t

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Ogden Arena

Mother and daughter represented just two out of a couple thousand soccer fans who turned out for the six games. Oct. 5’s doubleheader saw a total attendance of 1,379 people.

The Oct. 8 games tallied an attendance of 414, and Oct. 11’s event counted 289 fans in the stands.

“It’s really, really exciting,” said Rene Borrego, CEO of Sports at H-E-B Park. “I hope people realize the magnitude of an event like this. These are world-class athletes here in a very important tournament.”

The teams played to earn a berth in 2019’s World Cup. During the first doubleheader Oct. 5 at H-E-B Park, Costa Rica thumped Cuba 8-0, while Canada overpowered Jamaica 2-0. The next competitions, Oct. 8, recorded Jamaica edging out Costa Rica 1-0 and Canada trouncing Cuba 12-0. The final day of play in Edinburg, Oct. 8, saw Jamaica dominating Cuba 9-0 and Canada easing past Costa Rica 3-1. Canada and Jamaica went on to compete in the semifinals held Oct. 14 in Frisco, Texas. Canada beat Panama 7-0 for a chance in the finals against the United States, which beat Jamaica 6-0.

On Oct. 17 in Frisco, the United States held off Canada 2-0, while Jamaica beat Panama in penalties. First, second, and third place qualified for the World Cup: the United States, Canada, and Jamaica, respectively.

While both Borrego and Marc A. Solis, president of H-E-B Park and Bert Ogden Arena, said they wished the U.S. or Mexican women’s teams could have played in Edinburg, the teams that did compete in the Rio Grande Valley worked hard to win their places.

“You’re talking high-level, high-caliber soccer, the most elite women in the world playing here,” Solis said. “You see a lot of little girls high-fiving the players as they go by. I think it’s just kind of a great way to enhance the sport, continue to show little girls that this is possible. And you can see by the quality of the play — this is just amazing, so, I’m thrilled.”

Rodolfo and Caridad Hernandez’s 7-year-old twin girls have played soccer for about six months, starting out with RGV FC Academy and moving on to MYSA — they scored a goal apiece in a recent game. The family comes to see the RGV Toros play at H-E-B Park, but they wanted to make sure to catch one of the CONCACAF doubleheaders.

“So that the girls could experience professional soccer — female professional soccer,” Rodolfo said.

Plus they were excited for the level of play they witnessed Oct. 8.

“We love it,” Rodolfo said. “We love the idea. We’ve been wanting some kind of either professional or semiprofessional soccer here in the Valley and we finally have it.

The venue’s real nice and now that they’re actually bringing professional teams like these, we’re going to come out and we’re going to support.”

Larry Flores and his two sons, Michael, 11, and Max, 8, were also drawn Oct. 5 to H-E-B Park by the high-level teams.

“It’s our first time to come to a soccer game — a CONCACAF,” said Larry, an Army combat medic who recently returned from Afghanistan. “Because usually the closest you can get is like Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. At least

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Yvette, mother of Jamaican defender Dominique Bondflasza, donned a distinctive yellow, green, and black jersey Oct. 5 to cheer on the team. She came from California to watch the tournament, and admired H-E-B Park.

“It’s beautiful — this is a new facility, right? It’s gorgeous,” she said.

She travels often to see her daughter play, and this was her first time in the Rio Grande Valley.

“It’s hot,” she said. “More than California, but it’s okay.

More humid. It’s good weather for soccer. I’m enjoying it.”

A brisk breeze blew through the stands Oct. 8, the air cooling as sunset approached.

Nikstad — mother and soccer coach — brightened as she talked about recently watching the U.S. women’s national team play and the memories of icon Mia Hamm.

“It’s like, I’m here with my daughter for educational purposes, but —” She punctuated her words with a raucous cheer.

“It’s just amazing,” she continued, looking out across the field, the top female soccer players in the world stretching and running drills. “We’re really excited to be here together, watching soccer.”

Pressed up against her mother, Ana yawned.

“I don’t know how long we’re going to last,” Nikstad said, smiling.

Keep track of upcoming H-E-B Park events at hebparkrgv.com.

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one time it’s here in the Valley, so it’s like, whoa, OK!” The Flores family usually enjoys watching Germany’s Bundesliga professional soccer, but they picked a favorite for the CONCACAF tournament.

“I think we should go with Canada,” Michael said. Max agreed with his brother, pointing out that the half-time score was 1-0 over Jamaica.

H-E-B Park was built to host teams and events just like this tournament, Borrego said.

“It shows you the caliber of the facilities we have, it shows you the reputation we have in our host community, and this is a great opportunity for the Valley to show we have what it takes to host this type of event,” he said. “We did it the right way — it didn’t take very long before we were in all types of conversations. One publication even ranked us as the number one minor league stadium in the country. We’re getting high praise from lots of different sources, and it wasn’t going to take long before we got the attention of an organization like this.”

Borrego said he hopes the success of the CONCACAF tournament opens the door to future chances for big events.

“It’s a really great opportunity for us, so we should take advantage of this and show people that hey, this is the place to come if you really want to have a great event,” Borrego said. “I think you’re going to see a lot more professional teams throughout the region coming here to train because of the facilities we have.”

For now, the event brought more visibility to the Rio Grande Valley.

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L I F E

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