July / August 2015 - RGVision Magazine

FIVE PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Get inspired by these outstanding Valley residents who are making a difference

NERDS, GEEKS AND FANS UNITE at COMICON

MCALLEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Take a look inside the newest development in McAllen

EJUCOMM

Teacher/entreprenuer connects parents and students to the classroom

Illuminate

your everyday.

LIGHTING & HOME DÉCOR ( 9 5 6 ) 6 8 2 - 6 9 8 6 | 4 8 0 1 N . 1 0 t h S t . M c A ll e n w w w. i l l u m i n a ti o n s r g v. c o m

FAMILY MEDICINE One team dedicated to your family’s health in the Rio Grande Valley.

Valley Care Clinics continues to enhance services to meet the needs of the community, providing high quality, comprehensive patient and family-focused care, including: • Adult care • Geriatric care • Pediatric care • Family counseling • General dermatology • Gynecology services • Physical exams • Preventive medicine • Urgent care • Wellness visits

Our team is here for you … throughout the Rio Grande Valley Martha Cano, MD 2017 W. Expressway 83 Suite 1 and 2 Weslaco, TX 78596

Juan Castillo, MD 306 E. Main Avenue Suite 5 and 6 Alton, TX 78574

Alberto Ruiz, MD 1800 S. 5th Street McAllen, TX 78503

Rolando Yarritu, MD 1200 S. 10th Avenue Edinburg, TX 78539

Call for an appointment – or just walk in – to get the medical care you need.

1-855-VCC-APPT 956-969-5995

Estela Cedillo, FNP 1800 S. 5th Street McAllen, TX 78503

Convenient hours • Convenient Location Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Medicare, Medicaid and most medical insurance plans accepted

Learn more at www.valleycareclinics.com

Raven Chavez, PA-C 1200 S. 10th Avenue Edinburg, TX 78539

Margo Momplaisir, FNP 107 S. Gardner Street Falfurrias, TX 78355

PHARR-SAN JUAN-ALAMO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Leading the way in Early College Education 8 Early College High Schools Earn 2 Years of College FREE Dual Language Enrichment Program Quality Fine Arts & Athletics

Register Today!

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GABE PUENTE

PUBLISHER/CEO

STAY INFORMED, EDUCATED, AND INSPIRED. It's not what you do, or even how you do it... It is WHY you do it that makes a difference.

As the "why" resonates within us, we begin to answer the true question behind the purpose of our daily lives and what we do.

In Rgvision magazine you will read the many profiles of individuals who have found success in what they do to make their world a better place.

I am a firm believer that if you don't like your environment... you have the full capacity to change it!

From the EJUCOMM entrepreneur - who found a solution in the challenges faced daily in her previous line of work prior to the local legislator who is helping increase the chances for students to

get accepted into college. Rgvision shares content that is pertinent to the positive impact in the Rio Grande Valley.

We thank you for picking up this issue and ask that you share the information.

Stay informed, educated, and inspired! Find us online at www.rgvisionmagazine.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for our upcoming events and more information.

Copyright by rgVision Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

The opinions and views expressed in the magazine don’t necessarily reflect those of our advertisers or collaborators. rgVision magazine is published bi-monthly and circulates 12,000 copies across the Rio Grande Valley in 389 locations with a direct mail distribution to major hospitals and Superintendents within Region 1. The rgVision office is located at 1100 E. Jasmine McAllen, TX 78501 ste 201.

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STAFF

EDITORIAL INTERN

NIDIA CAVAZOS

GRAPHIC DESIGNER /ILLUSTRATOR MARIELA PEÑA

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

ANNIE SYKES

JOHN FAULK

GRAPHIC DESIGNER /ILLUSTRATOR DOMINIQUE Y. ZMUDA

IVAN RAMIREZ

RACHEL ZANARDI

CLARK TERRELL

LAURI REVILLA

JOHNNY QUIROZ

MARCOS SOLIS

JAMES HORD

ADRIANA DOMINGUEZ MARITZA GALLAGA LETTY FERNANDEZ AUDREY OCAÑAS ANNE PRADO JOE LILLI

BUSINESS CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR BILL MARTIN, CFP

For editorial comments and suggestions, please send e-mails to info@rgvisionmagazine.com.

For advertising information, please call us at 210.618.8930 or e-mail us at info@rgvisionmagazine.com.

HEALTH CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR ALFONSO MERCADO, PH.D.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER KEVIN MARTINEZ

HEALTH CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR DAVID SAUCEDA, M.D.

EDUCATION

ON THE

COVER South Texas College

22

Ashley Wheeler: A teacher in the making at STC

Access Granted

38

Juvenile Diabetes

46

Dalinda A. the creator of eJucomm, improves communication among parents, teachers, and students

The South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association supports both diabetic children and their families

Jennifer Garza

The CEO of Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Children’s Hospital

Louie Alamia

Louie’s story of how he helps himself by helping others

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12

Schools of Choice

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Hands-on Engineering

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San Benito ISD

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Hidalgo County and Sylvan Learning Center partner to offer world-class test prep at no cost

ACT Attack

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HCISD Schools of Choice are now accepting students across the Rio Grande Valley

Science Academy students benefit from hands-on engineering experience

Students have the opportunity to get ahead in the workforce with the Health Science program at San Benito ISD

PSJA 26 The school district congratulates the class of 2015 graduates

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2015

BUSINESS JHK Equestrian Country Club

HEALTH 3O

Bringing the joy of horsemanship to the Rio Grande Valley

Market Timing

Market Timing is explained to be a losing game

36

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 4 July/August

QUALITY OF LIFE

The Many Faces of Trauma

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It’s Not Just Cosmetic

50

Dr. Butler and Mercado tell us about the different conditions of trauma

The Center for Pain Management uses Botox to treat pain

Valley Grande Institute

62

VGI offers high school graduates a career choice benefiting themselves and their community

Days of Summer at IMAS

68

Performing Arts Center

70

MyResponse

74

Plan a summer of fun and discovery at McAllen’s International Museum of Art and Science

McAllen Performing Arts Center will enrich cultural life for Valley residents

Keep your cool without losing your cash: Magic Valley’s MyResponseTM Electricity Conservation Program

Comic Con

78

The Rio Grandew Valley’s convention for comics, video games and animation

Plaza Sports Complex

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A new level of soccer in the Rio Grande Valley is here

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EDUCATION

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By: Annie Sykes

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EDUCATION

W

hen it comes to standardized tests, higher scores mean admission into better schools and more scholarship opportunities. It’s a fact every high school student knows. It’s also the lifeblood of the multi-million dollar test prep industry, where shelling out hefty fees for those extra points is a common practice. Doing well on a test like the

ACT takes preparedness, as well as intelligence. In fact, knowing how to take the exam can be just as important as knowing the answers. This is where test prep companies come in - they show students how to “crack the test” with a slew of strategies, skills, and stamina-building practice tests. But what about students who can’t afford private test prep? Is it fair that when two students of equal intelligence take the test, the one who paid for a Princeton Review course does better? Hidalgo County Commissioner, Eddie Cantu, doesn’t think so. That’s why he launched ACT Attack, a program that brings high-quality ACT test prep

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to local high school students for free. Cantu kicked off ACT Attack by forging a partnership between Sylvan Learning Centers and several local high schools in his community. The Sylvan side of things is run by Susan Valverde, Executive Director of Sylvan’s Rio Grande Valley Region.

Together, Valverde and Cantu are working to even the playing field for all students.

Since its launch as a pilot program this January, ACT Attack has helped many students in Hidalgo County. The first “wave” of the program offered 240 class slots to local school districts, including PSJA, Hidalgo, Valley View, Sharyland, and

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McAllen. Participating students received personalized tutoring that fit their schedules, as well as their academic needs. “We wanted the program to be convenient and efficient while still offering a real advantage” said Valverde.

ACT Attack is founded on the idea that even a small increase in ACT scores can have a big payoff.

Take Mario, one of ACT Attack’s first applicants, as a example. Mario is a straight-A student with an impressive resumé. He recently found out that by earning just two more points on the ACT, he’ll be eligible for a full ride to college. But Mario can’t afford pricey test prep classes, let alone the college tuition he’d owe without the scholarship. He felt stuck. Then, he heard that Sylvan Learning Center - which usually affords its student a three-to-five point increase on their ACT score - was offering free prep courses through a program called ACT Attack. Mario was overjoyed at this chance to secure the future he’d imagined for himself.

Cantu knew that successfully launching ACT Attack would require a team effort. He found a ready partner in Valverde, who has dedicated her career to helping the students in her community reach their academic (and thus college-going) potential. Cantu describes Valverde as an “educational superhero,” and credits much of the program’s success to her efforts.

Valverde in turn lauds the Commissioner for giving more than lip service to the idea of sending more low-income students to college. “He brought all these administrators and school board members from multiple local districts to our first meeting,” Valverde recalls. “I’ve been in this business for 13 years, and I’ve never seen such a successful collaboration.”

That first meeting was a critical launching point for ACT Attack. A corporate representative from Sylvan Learning Center happened to be visiting that day, caught wind of the ACT Attack initiative and got the ball rolling on a $20,000 donation of services.

That amount is a great start, but there is a long way to go before ACT Attack can claim a permanent place in Hidalgo County’s educational landscape. Rest assured, however, that the ACT Attack team is working hard to get there. Valverde and her team of teachers are pouring over data from the pilot in an effort to make the program even better. Commissioner Cantu is doing what it takes to find long-term funding so that even more students can benefit from ACT prep courses. Together, they are making sure that all students get the highest ACT scores they can - no matter what their background is.

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EDUCATION

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s approved during the Trustees regular meeting in March, students will now be able to apply to these innovative campuses, regardless of designated school district. Nonresident students may attend these campuses after participating in the campus’ application process, if applicable, and meeting the exceptional standards required in academics, attendance, and behavior.

“Our Schools of Choice offer students a unique learning experience and the opportunity to further their chances for global success after receiving their high school diploma,” said Superintendent, Dr. Art Cavazos. “That opportunity is now available for students across the Rio Grande Valley as they now have the chance to apply for acceptance to our Harlingen School of Health Professions, Early College High School or KEYS Academy. With the offerings provided by each campus, there is no doubt that each student will find something to meet their needs and goals. We encourage students who are interested in attending to contact their prospective campus and learn more about how they can engage in a transformational learning experience.”

HCISD’s Schools of Choice offer students the unique opportunity to obtain their high school diploma while participating in additional educational offerings. These offerings include an accelerated start toward receiving college hours at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) by attending ECHS, a medically-focused curriculum and opportunities to work with medical professionals at HSHP or access to expedited credit accumulation programs at KEYS Academy.

Currently, ECHS serves students from 9th – 12th grade, HSHP serves 8th – 10th grade, with plans to add an additional grade level until 12th is reached. KEYS, enrolls students from 9th – 12th grade.

The policy is an addition to the FDA (Local) exemptions adopted by the Board of Trustees, which allows any employee of a business within HCISD’s boundaries or any property

owner within the boundaries, to send their child to HCISD schools.

The policy also allows any student who has attended any school, public or private, within the district’s boundaries, to attend HCISD schools.

“Our mission is to offer all students the best education possible, and now we can say that all students, regardless of location, will have the chance to experience the worldclass Schools of Choice at HCISD,” said Board President Greg Powers. “Our Schools of Choice offer students a head

Our mission is to offer all students the best education possible, and now we can say that all students, regardless of location, will have the chance to experience the world-class Schools of Choice at HCISD,” said Board President Greg Powers start to a college education, medical career or high school diploma. We encourage all those interested to apply. This is a great moment for our district and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on students across the Rio Grande Valley.”

For more information on how to apply for HCISD’s Schools of Choice or to enroll, please call the prospective campus or visit www.hcisd.org. For more information on HCISD’s FDA Local policy, please visit www.hcisd.org/enroll.

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EDUCATION

By: Nidia Cavazos

W

hen seniors at The Science Academy of South Texas throw their hats in the air on graduation day, they know they’re ready for college and career success. Their high school made sure of that, exposing them to real-life challenges like the engineering department’s senior project conference.

This year marked the second time engineering-track seniors presented their projects, and it was an exciting event. The room was packed with parents, teachers, students, and even some local university professors. According to Irma Castillo, Assistant Principal of the Science Academy, the school is hoping for an even larger turnout next year. “Students used to present their projects in their classrooms, but we recognized that more attention was needed,” Castillo says. “We want the conference to reflect all the hard work our seniors have put in.”

All of this year’s projects were outstanding. First place went to a team who invented a product that prevents painful cuts and tears caused by braces.

They presented their creation, a layer of protection placed directly over the bracket, as an alternative to dental wax.

Other project creations included water transportation tanks for children in third world countries and rodent-killing compounds that won’t harm pets.

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Jihyn Byun

Michelle Gonzalez J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

Alan Le Grice

Mathew Farias

Isabella Gomez

Hannah Clark

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EDUCATION

UPCOMING EVENTS SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2015 + Copa de Oro

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015 + Gilberto Gless

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2015 + Teo Gonzalez 2015

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 + North American Jewelry & Gift Show

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015 + Wedding Fair 2015

According to Nellie Houston, the Science Academy instructor who oversees the projects, seniors get to choose their own topics. The only stipulation is that they create a solution (in the form of a product) to an existing problem. “We don’t tell them what to do, and that is powerful,” Houston says. “Their topic can be anything from race cars to bridges to micro-technology as long as they’re interested in it. This creates the power of ownership – students hold themselves accountable for a great final product.”

Senior projects are the culmination of everything Science Academy engineering students have learned since freshman year. They let students apply the physical skills they’ve learned in classes like 3-D modeling and 3-D printing. They also make use of the knowledge students gained from courses such as civil engineering, architecture, and aerospace engineering.

The projects were first created as a way to distinguish Science Academy students from other high school students – to actually develop them as engineers rather than engineering students. Indeed, the

senior project experience gives students a taste of engineering life. The process helps them develop critical field skills, such as identifying an opportunity to build something useful, perfecting their creation, and then sharing their work with peers.

“The projects directly support their future engineering careers. Students are able to apply the knowledge and skills they’ve learned to the creation of a product,” Castillo says. “Plus, they learn other important lessons: how to work as a team, how to see a long-term project through to the end, how to take feedback, and much more.”

Completing a yearlong project is hard for anyone, let alone a senior in high school.

But the engineering students at The Science Academy of South Texas get the job done. Senior projects not only add to the tradition of excellence at The Science Academy – they benefit the Rio Grande Valley at large by ensuring our younger generation is prepared for lifelong success.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015 + Saxet Gun Show

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 + Pokemon Fest 2015

SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 3-4, 2015 + Palm Fest

For More Info:

F AC

EB OO

K . C OM / S T C A

F

MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER

700 Convention Center B McAllen, Texas 78501 Phone: (956) 681-3800 Fax: (956) 681-3840

Marlo Johnson

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Madeline Gonzalez

Laura Cornwall

From Left: JoAnn Gama, IDEA Co-Founder and Superintendent, Abby Lopez, College Prep Teacher of the Year, Luana Hernandez, Co-Teacher of the Year, Elizabeth Garcia, Academy Teacher of the Year, and Tom Torkelson, IDEA Founder and CEO.

Congratulations to IDEA’s Rio Grande Valley Teachers of the Year You’re ensuring college is possible for all!

www.ideapublicschools.org

Does Your Hand Shake When You… Drink a glass of water? Write a note? Dial a phone number?

If so, you may be suffering from Essential Tremor. Dr. Miguel Gutierrez from the Neurology Institute at Renaissance Medpoint in McAllen, TX, has successfully helped treat many patients using Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy.

Drawing sample before treatment

Drawing sample after treatment

Learn more about Essential Tremor and find out if Medtronic DBS treatment is right for you.

Dr. Miguel Gutierrez MD. PA.

Neurology Institute at Renaissance Medpoint 2108 South “M” St., McAllen, TX 78503 (956)686-8100

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EDUCATION

A TEACHER IN THE MAKING AT SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE B Y ANNIE SYK E S

A

shley Wheeler is a go-getter. She has big dreams and the drive she needs to reach them. She also has a husband, three young children, and a full-time job. For years, balancing family, work, and career advancement seemed like a pipe dream. Then Ashley heard about South Texas College. STC turned out to be the solution she was looking for: a quality education that worked for her schedule and her budget.

Thanks to STC, Ashley is well on her way to a dream career in education - with her family and her wallet intact.

Ashley has wanted to work in a school for as long as she can remember. Her parents had deep faith in the power of education, and the apple didn’t fall far from the tree - Ashley reminds her own kids every day about the opportunities that come with a college degree. A Minnesota native, Ashley earned her first associate’s degree in her home state, planning to return for her bachelor’s after working for a while. As often happens, life trumps our best laid plans.

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Ashley met her husband, got married, and focused her considerable talents on working and raising a family.

Several years and three children later, Ashley’s husband got a job in law enforcement in the Rio Grande Valley. They packed up the family and headed down to the border. Ashley got a job at Teaching and Mentoring J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

Communities, a program that provides Head Start services to the children of migrant workers. There, she manages 14 teachers and ensures that the needs of all her students are met. Ashley loved her work (and still does), but something began to nag at her. She started to feel that when it came to prioritizing education, she was talking the talk more than walking the walk.

Every college-related chat she had with her kids made her reflect on her own education. Soon, Ashley made the decision to go back to school and earn the degrees she needed to realize her d r e a m career.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t as easy as Ashley hoped it might be. Many local colleges and universities were too expensive, or held classes at inconvenient times, or made her feel like she was just another face in the crowd. Ashley related these frustrations at a family gathering one night, which is how she learned about South Texas College. Her husband’s cousins had all attended and gave the college rave reviews. Their enthusiasm intrigued Ashley. Her preliminary research was promising, and after a visit to the campus, she was convinced that STC was the place for her.

During her first year at STC, Ashley earned not one but two associate’s degrees, one in elementary education (for her career) and one in sociology (because she loves learning about it).

How did she finish what normally takes four years in just four semesters? With STC’s unique approach to secondary education. At STC, incoming students have the option to take pre-tests for each of their classes. If they pass at 80% or higher, they can move straight to the post-test. This allows students to invest time and money in the classes they truly need. STC also offers mini-semesters, summer courses, and distance learning options. With this flexible approach to scheduling, STC helps busy students like Ashley complete degrees on their own time.

Ashley, now boasting three associate’s degrees, went to meet with her advisor to discuss her next steps. Knowing all about Ashley’s ultimate goal of a career in education, the advisor recommended STC’s Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Science of Organizational Leadership. This kind of exchange is typical of Ashley’s STC experience. She feels valued and known by her professors.

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Once, Ashley had to miss a sociology class due to a work obligation, and her professor called her personally to make sure everything was alright. STC’s flexible schedule and high-quality staff seem even more amazing to Ashley when she considers the pricetag. Her bachelor’s degree, for example, is $750 per semester By contrast, the national average semester for in-state residents at a public college costs over $4,500. With that kind of affordability, enrolling in more classes was a no-brainer.

Today, Ashley is on track to earn her

bachelor’s degree this October. Even more exciting, she has been hired to teach at a local elementary school next year. She accomplished all of this in under two years, on her own schedule, and at an extremely reasonable price point thanks to STC. At South Texas College, Ashley Wheeler went from teacher in the making to teacher in the classroom, fulfilling a lifelong dream along the way.

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EDUCATION

The Health Science Program at San Benito High School

By: Audry Ocanas High schools students interested in the medical field need not worry too much about their future in San Benito. San Benito High School has offered the Health Science Program to their students for over 10 years now. While enrolled in this program, students can enter the work force immediately after high school or have a leg up on the competition in the pre-med program at the university level.

According to Hector Rendon, Career and Technical Education Director, the program offers students a chance to try their hand at Medical Assisting, Medical Office Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, or become a Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, or an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

“Within those choices, [the students] have the opportunity to get their certification,” said Rendon.

“In the Emergency Medical Technician and Pharmacy Technician categories, the requirement is they must graduate from high school first in order for students to take their certification exam. So we test them in June, after graduation.”

Rendon continued on to say that this year was the first time the students had a 100% passing rate in all categories excluding the EMT and Pharmacy Technician categories. This is simply because the school district hasn’t received those scores yet and is waiting with baited breath. San Benito High School

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is also the only recognized high school south of the Houston/San Antonio area that is a certified EMT training facility. This means less travel for students and less strain on parents.

The curriculum entails students beginning their 9th grade year with Principles of Health Science followed by Medical Terminology, their 10th grade year taking Health Science and in 11th grade, students take Practicum I in conjunction with Anatomy and Physiology. The spring semester of their 11th grade year, however, students begin clinical rotations of their desired field. As they progress into their 12th grade year, students branch out from the high school and log hours at different facilities. For example, students enrolled in the EMT category of the program achieve their ambulance clinical rotations with South Texas Emergency Care Foundation, Inc. (STEC). Students ride in the ambulance with certified EMTs and aid in whatever call comes in. One student recently even helped deliver a baby! This in-field training allows the students to realize whether or not they made the right decision in joining the program.

Other facilities San Benito High School has affiliation agreements with are Valley Baptist Medical Center, La Hacienda Healthcare Rehabilitation Center and Windsor Atrium Nursing and Rehab Center. While the high school

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Health Science Technology graduates are Front row (left to right): Mirta Martinez, Cynthia Gamboa, Samantha M. Perez, Jeremy A. Perez, Jennifer Garcia, Reyna Garcia, Vanessa Moreno, Jennifer Torres, Janette Torres; middle row, Amy Mares, Samantha Reyna, Natalia Peña, Maria Martinez, Iliana Montemayor, Eleasar Esquivel, Mariela Sanchez, Anna L. Vidal, Illiana L. Hernandez, Yoselin Y. Manzanares, Salma V. Rodriguez Espinoza; and back, Nallely Martinez, Karina P. Garcia, Elycia Esquivel, Thalia T. Rocha, Fernando Sanchez, Roberto Cruz, Kimberly Morales, Veronica Gonzalez, Cindy M. Peña, Angie Villagomez and Malerie Ramos. Not Shown: Eloisa Arellaño, Roman Garza, Jasmin Guillen, Gerardo Sanchez, Casandra Vasquez, Sarah Vasquez and Luis Selvera.

strongly encourages students to start the program their freshman year in order to obtain the full benefits of the Health Science Program, not all is lost if a student decides to join the program a little late.

“When the student doesn’t begin immediately in the 9th grade, we give them the opportunity to catch up in the 10th grade,” explained Rendon.

“But after that, we try to direct them into Medical Billing & Coding, Anatomy and Physiology, and the Pharmacy Technician program because the others require more intense/specific health care training.”

One benefit available to students in the program is the opportunity to participate with HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) which allows students to compete in their designated fields either

locally, regionally, statewide or nationally. According to Rendon, one young lady will be participating in a national competition in Anaheim, California for Medical Assisting.

Rendon and many other faculty members of San Benito High School are proud of their students in the Health Science program. So much so, each year, the school honors those students who have passed their certification exams with a formal ceremony.

“We have a culminating activity which is our ‘pinning’. We pin the students for the areas they become certified in,” explained Rendon. “If we know ahead of time, the ones that test early, we’re able to order their pins and do a formal ceremony.

We invite the parents, teachers, everyone! We recognize the achievements they’ve made after a long road and couldn’t be prouder.”

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n behalf of the PSJA Board of Trustees, and Administration I congratulate all of our graduates from the Class of 2015! Your commitment and dedication has paid off. We are proud of your accomplishments throughout your high school years and wish you many more accolades in years to come. I am happy to announce that out of approximately 1,900 graduates, 215 received their Associate Degree from South Texas College two weeks prior to their high school graduation, and 270 more graduated with certificates

in various fields. Approximately 1,200 have already earned some college credit.

PSJA ISD’s Early College High School Program offers more than just two years of college credit. These students graduate with two years of successful experience in higher education that puts them above most of their peers when they enter the university. This ambitious plan has many PSJA graduates completing their Bachelor’s Degree in as little as two years. Many go on to graduate work or professional schools at a younger age; saving time and money. At PSJA, our message is Start College Now! Complete Early! Go Far! PSJA ISD thanks the staff, parents and public/private funders for their support and dedication to the PSJA family and the district’s College3 initiative that is focused on College Ready, College Connected and College CompleteTM. I also thank our graduates for taking the opportunities provided by our school district. Starting your college career while in high school is not easy, but now you have the experience to succeed in college and beyond. Congratulations!

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(956) 664-0106

Valley Grande Institute

NOW IN

INNOVATIVE NEW PROGRAM Medical Clinical Healthcare Technician

One program, 5

career paths

It starts with enrollment and ends with employment (956) 973-1945

• www.vgi.edu

700 FM 3168, Suite #4, Raymondville, TX 78580 This program is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Valley Grande Institute: Weslaco Location 7 Programs: •Vocational Nursing •Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist/ Electrocardiogram Tech •Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist/ Phlebotomy Technician •Medical Assistant •Patient Care Technician •Medical Insurance Coder and Billing Technician

IS

(956) 973-1945

• www.vgi.edu

345 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco, Texas 78596 Valley Grande Institute’s programs are approved by Texas Department of State Health Services, Massage Therapy License #MS1004; Texas Department of State health Services, Radiology; Texas Board of Nursing;Department of Aging and Disability Services.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please view our disclosures at www.VGI.edu/disclosures.

BUSINESS

By Annie Sykes

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Bringing the joy of horsemanship to the Rio Grande Valley

little girl looks up at her horse. The big chestnut towers over her, but she isn’t afraid. Slipping her foot into the stirrup, she hoists herself up into the saddle in one fluid motion. The horse twitches his soft ears forward and waits for the first command. A year ago, this girl wouldn’t have even approached an animal so big, let alone ask it to move for her. Now, she’s as confident on horseback as she is on the ground, all thanks to her time at JHK Equestrian Country Club.

JHK is a family-run business bringing the world of horsemanship to the Rio Grande Valley. Established in 2002, it provides an array of horse-related programs to beginners and advanced riders alike. The facility sits on a green expanse complete with big white barn and friendly stable pets. Inside the barn live JHK’s certified lesson horses who, in addition to being extremely

safe, have fabulous names like Kwanzaa, S’mores, and Mariachi.

JHK was founded by Jami Ricks, a lifelong rider with over 35 years of experience and numerous national show championships under her belt. She and her daughter Nacole, a winner of numerous championships and scholarships, operate the business together. The Ricks run a tight ship at JHK: the stables are clean, the horses are healthy, and the safety rules are strictly observed. “We take the safety of our clients and horses very seriously,” says Nacole.

The Ricks family started JHK with a simple mission in mind: to engage their community in the world of horseback riding. “It doesn’t matter if you ride as a hobby or for your career,” Nacole explains. “Horseback riding teaches people so many critical life skills.” At JHK, riders develop discipline, respect,

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and responsibility. They learn to tune in to the animals so they can ride with precision. They learn to take responsibility for their horses - no one leaves a JHK lesson until the horse is properly unsaddled, watered, and fed, and all the equipment has been neatly put away. And they learn to have confidence. In Nacole’s words, “knowing you can control a 1,000-pound-plus animal gives you confidence in other areas of life.” Judging from the loyalty of JHK’s students - some have been there for almost seven years - horseback riding is bringing something special into their lives.

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Countless individuals have blossomed at JHK, and the Ricks wanted to offer that experience to even more people. That’s why JHK has recently expanded its list of services to include birthday parties, team-building events, summer camps, family rides, and more. People from all over the Valley are enjoying the new programs. Recently, CAMP University, a non-profit organization serving young adults with special needs, brought some students out for an afternoon with the horses. “Seeing those students light up around the animals was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen,” Nacole smiles. Children love JHK’s “paint the pony” parties where they can gently press a handprint of washable paint onto the white-coated Kwanzaa. And UTPA’s women’s basketball team had a blast at the pre-season team building workshop they held at JHK. Many of these programs are surprisingly affordable. Moms n’ Tots, a class where parents can bring their youngsters to interact with the horses, is only $10 per session. JHK also offers a half-off discount on riding programs to people who come to volunteer with them. Furthermore, the club has a history of donating lessons to community

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and non-profit organizations. “Experiencing horses shouldn’t just be limited to those who can afford more,” says Nacole.

Young and old, beginner or advanced, aspiring professional or casual hobbyist - JHK Equestrian Country Club has something for the horse lover in everyone. And who among us hasn’t daydreamed at least once about flying across the grassy plains on our trusted pony? Make the dream come true throw on your boots and head over to JHK.

"Seeing those students light up around the animals was one of the most inspiring things I've ever seen," J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

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DISCOVER HISTORY EXPERIENCE THE MOSTHISTORY

FIND IT ALL ...

Discover the blended history of two countries through state-of-the-art facilities, educational programs and special events. Since 1970 we have preserved and presented the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through our collections, archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century.

To learn more call +1-956-383-6911 or visit MOSTHistory.org Museum of South Texas History H 200 N Closner Blvd H Edinburg, TX 78541 H USA

BUSINESS

Market

s i ng

i im

T a Losing Gam e By: Wealth Management Systems I nc.

Courtesy of: Bill Mar tin, CFP® Financial Advisor, 1845 Group Branch Name: Morgan Stanley, McAllen, Tx

M

arket timing seems so easy, in theory. Buy when prices are low and sell when they are at a high. Anyone who diligently follows the market and stays abreast of economic news can anticipate, and capitalize of these

movements, right?

Wrong, at least not over the long term. As history has shown repeatedly, market timing is a losing game. Volumes of research critical of the practice have been written, and some of the greatest investment minds – William Sharpe, a Nobel laureate, Benjamin Graham, considered the father of value investing and John Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group – have all counseled against it.

Experts are right a fraction of the time Even so-called market timing experts can’t consistently predict when to move in and out of the market. A study by CXO Advisory Group tracked more than 4,500 forecasts by 28 self-described market timers, between 2000 and 2012. Only 10 were able to accurately forecast equity returns (as measured by the S&P 500®) over 50% of the time, and none were able to predict accurately enough to outperform the market.1 40

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Certainly, some investors have made accurate market calls, and others have predicted a market bottom or top. But over the long run, the law of averages usually wins out, effectively rendering a market timing strategy a game of chance.

As difficult as market timing is for professional investors, they are typically guided by a buy and sell discipline. Nonprofessional, individual investors tend to sell in a panic at or near a bottom, and buy in a flush of confidence at or close to a market top. Behaviors such as loss aversion, overconfidence, anchoring and avoidance often overtake rational decision making, resulting in losses.

Market timing your way out of money Perhaps the most significant deterrent to market timing is the cost of being out of the market. For example, the chart that follows shows the effect of missing the 12 top-performing months for stocks (as measured by the S&P 500®) during the 10-, 20-, and 30-year periods ended September 30, 2014. Investors who remained invested for the entire period would have achieved higher returns for each holding period than those who tried to time the market and missed.2

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The Effect of Missing Top Performance Periods for Stocks, Past 30 Years So if you are considering a market timing strategy, think again. There are other choices, such as tactical asset allocation, that may allow you to take advantage of market opportunities, yet remain fully, or substantially invested. Let me work with you to pursue a strategy that suits your unique needs and long-term goals.

Index Fund Advisors, Inc. (IFA.com), 2014. Based on a study by CXO Advisory, copyright: CXO Advisory Group LLC. http://www.ifa.com/12steps/step4.

Source: Wealth Management Systems Inc. For the period from October 1, 1984, through September 30, 2014. Based on the total returns of the S&P 500® index. Copyright © 2015, Wealth Management Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions.

The S&P 500® is a market-value-weighted index of 500 large capitalization stocks traded on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. For illustrative purposes only and does not reflect any specific product. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and do not reflect any fees or expenses. Indexes are unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index.

If you’d like to learn more, please contact Bill Martin, CFP®.

Article by Wealth Management Systems Inc. and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.

The author(s) are not employees of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC ("Morgan Stanley"). The opinions expressed by the authors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and data in the article or publication has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by Morgan Stanley with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, investment, strategy or product that may be mentioned.

Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor(s) engaged RGVision Magazine to feature this article.

1 2

Bill Martin, CFP® may only transact business in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration http://www.morganstanleyfa.com/1845group/. Transacting business, followup and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Bill Martin, CFP® is not registered or excluded or exempt from registration. © 2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1186975 [05/15]

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By Nidia Cavazos

In a poor South Texas town ranked the lowest in the nation for internet access, a teacher worked for four years on a mobile app that would improve communication among parents, teachers and students.

McAllen is ranked as the American metro area with the lowest percentage of broadband subscribers, according to statistics from The Center for Public Integrity. Only 37 percent of McAllen residents have access to the internet.

Dalinda Alcantar, a McAllen resident and director of the AVID college program in Edinburg, saw this reality in her own classroom only a small percentage of her students had internet access at home. But Alcantar also saw something else.

Although few students had computers at home, nearly all of them had smart phones. She surveyed her students and their parents, and found that they overwhelmingly preferred using a mobile device to access the internet.

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Alcantar’s students and families aren’t the only ones “going mobile.” A 2013 Pew Research Center report found that smart phone ownership was on the rise. In the United States, over half (56%) of the population had one. Owning a smart phone was especially prevalent in the younger crowd, despite their lower annual income: 77 percent of 18-29 year olds owned a smart phone while earning less than $30,000 a year.

Alcantar saw an opportunity. Previously, the lack of Internet access at home made it difficult to connect teachers, parents, and students with school matters. But, Alcantar thought, what about a smart phone app? Her students were on their phones all the time – why not leverage that behavior to reduce communication barriers? Driven by the vision of a connected school community, Alcantar worked for four years to develop the app now known as eJucomm.

The eJucomm app gives a comprehensive picture of students’ records, including grades, schedules, teacher contact information, and class assignments.

Parents can send emails to teachers and counselors via the app with only a few clicks. eJucomm can be customized to every school and is also available in Spanish.

From the start, Alcantar was convinced that her app was the solution she’d been looking for. “We needed this app,” she says. “The communication system we were using required computer and internet access at home, which less than half of our students have. Everyone else had no easy way to check their assignments or email their teachers.”

There was one problem though - Alcantar had no background in technology, much less in creating an application. She was intimidated at first, but decided to give it a try. “I was willing to weather a challenge if it connected my families to our school.”

In the end, Alcantar was successful. She credits learning to code to a strong faith in God, the support of her husband and two children, and the hours upon hours she spent on YouTube and online coding communities. And, of course, to the endless cups of coffee provided by her local Moonbeans.

“I wanted to beat the computer,” Alcantar says. “I wanted it to stop giving me an error and just run. I would search how to fix my errors and not give up until I did, even if it took 100 tries.”

Teaching herself to code showed Alcantar that the internet is an incredibly powerful tool for self-improvement. This, in turn, convinced her that too many Valley citizens were being robbed of a chance at prosperity.

“The reality is that the majority of the Valley can’t even connect to the internet because there are no access points,” Alcantar said. “I think it is the community leaders’ responsibility to create that utility.

Without internet access, we’re denying people the ability to educate themselves and seize opportunities like the one I did.”

Alcantar hopes that her app will close the gap between wealthier families with internet access and families from low-income backgrounds, at least in the school setting. “Many of our students’ parents

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56% of the US population own a mobile phone

77%

18-29 year olds owned a smart phone

While earning less than

30,000 a month.

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The more I learn to code, the more I feel responsible for teaching others to do so. Plus, teaching the younger generation to code could bring incredible economic development in the Valley. are labor workers. They don’t work in an office setting with wi-fi access,” Alcantar explains. “But with a 30 dollar device and Ejucomm, they can be connected to our school. Smart phones are an incredible piece of technology.”

These days, Ejucomm is in the process of being acquired. Alcantar believes one reason for the app’s success is its custom features. “We create buttons and features based on what we’re asked for,” Alcantar said. “That’s what makes us different. Every school is unique, so we fit the app for every campus individually.”

California-based Campusorb creates university apps and has discussed buying eJucomm and hiring Alcantar as the on staff K-12 expert.

“They wanted a K-12 division,” Alcantar said. “That’s why they wanted to buy us out. I get to blog about it and be the face of it. I’ll be establishing partnerships nationwide. It’s very exciting to bring this technology to more schools like mine.”

Giving back to her community has always been Alcantar’s

life goal. She continues to serve her community by teaching coding and showing students the endless possibilities that internet access provides. Alcantar also helped establish Border Kids Code in partnership with the Mission Economic Development Corporation and Sylvan Learning Centers. Border Kids Code teaches students to code and increases their exposure to computer science, setting them up for success in that fast-growing field.

“Border Kids Code is an incredible movement here in the Valley. It exposes kids to the fundamentals of Computer Science,” Alcantar said. “The more I learn to code, the more I feel responsible for teaching others to do so. Plus, teaching the younger generation to code could bring incredible economic development in the Valley.”

Building Ejucomm has taught Alcantar many life lessons.

There is one that she always keeps in mind: “It’s always going to be tough, but I really try to find any opportunity to say ‘God is amazing.’ It’s just the absolute most important thing to me.”

HEALTH

The Many Faces of Trauma By: Dr. Butler and Mercado

ike any medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and even the flu, effective preventative and treatment interventions exist like mental health conditions, such as, anxiety and depression. Anxiety is the most diagnosed mental health condition in the United States. One reason is that there are various anxiety related disorders. Another reason is that anxiety follows many life events, including trauma.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event, like an accident, rape or natural disaster�.

Common symptoms and behaviors include:

Immediately after the event,

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shock and denial are typical.

Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks of traumatic events Avoidance of trauma reminders Hypervigilance and sleep disturbances Physical symptoms like headaches or nausea may be present (APA,2015) J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

While these feelings are normal, some people have a difficult time moving on with their lives. These symptoms can be highly distressing and substantially impair social, occupational, and interpersonal functioning. For example, strained relationships and decreased work productivity are common example. The intensely distressing and impairing symptoms of traumatic stress are highly prevalent immediately following the traumatic exposure and dissipate over the following days and weeks in most people. Nonetheless, if the symptoms continue beyond a month, this may be suggestive of PTSD. It is at this point where mental health treatment is imperative and where mental health professionals can aid these individuals find constructive ways of managing their emotions.

According to the National Center of PTSD, about 60% of men and 50% of women in the United States have experienced a traumatic event. However, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops in 10% to 20% of those exposed to trauma. “Populations at risk for PTSD includes refugee victims of torture combat and veterans, persons released from incarceration, victims of sexual assault, and adults who endured repeated sexual or physical abuse as children” (Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, 2015).

Trauma can look different for everyone. Particularly, emotional responses to traumatic events can vary from person to person.

Two individuals can experience the same life-threatening event (e.g., war) and have completely separate emotional responses to the event. On the other hand, two individuals can experience completely separate traumatic events (e.g, war and rape) and experience many of the same post-trauma symptoms (e.g., fear, avoidance, hypervigilance, and sleep difficulties). These varying responses are indicators of the complexities of trauma.

As previously mentioned, examples of traumatic events are natural disasters, like the recent floods in central Texas, being in a combat zone, motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, and experiencing a terrorist attack – to name a few.

Responses to these events will vary and not everyone will develop PTSD. However, because each individual and experience is unique, we must be careful not to minimize someone’s experience and response based on our own ideas of what should and should not cause post-traumatic distress.

There are several factors that can impact an individual’s response to a traumatic event and influence the onset of post-traumatic distress symptoms. Coping skills, family support, social support, and response to disclosure of a traumatic event are all factors that can impact how an individual responds to and recovers from trauma. Research has shown that individuals with good coping skills and sense of social support have a greater chance of recovering from trauma and a lower chance of developing PTSD than individuals without coping skills and social support.

Additionally, positive and affirming responses after someone discloses a traumatic event can increase the likelihood of recovery and decreased symptoms of PTSD. Although experiences of traumatic events can impact one’s life greatly, it is important to remember that recovery from trauma and PTSD is possible! If someone is experiencing difficulties coping with trauma, mental health professionals can assist with coping and recovery. Treatments that have been proven effective for trauma and PTSD are available;

Treatments range from taking a close look at how someone is thinking about the traumatic event to confronting a fearful situation.

Treatments can be individualized and tailored to each individual’s unique needs Specialized group therapy programs are also available for supplemental support Family members, friends, and spouses can also help! Being a listening ear, non-judgmental, and encouraging to the trauma survivor can be really helpful.

Helping trauma survivors to include more positive events (e.g., exercising, self-care, gardening, reading, and hanging out with friends and family) in their daily schedules can also be helpful to recovery.

Helping trauma survivors to include more positive events (e.g., exercising, self-care, gardening, reading, and hanging out with friends and family) in their daily schedules can also be helpful to recovery.

Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with trauma and\or PTSD, you are not alone, help is available and things can get better! Please contact your local mental health provider. For psychiatric emergency assistance please contact 1-877-289-7199 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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Dr. Ebony Butler, Licensed Psychologist Trauma Specialist

Alfonso Mercado, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Valley Psychological Services Assistant Professor-Department of Psychology At The University of Texas-Pan American 1201 West University Drive Edinburg, Texas 78539 www.utpa.edu/psychology

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by Annie Sykes

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SOUTH TEXAS JUVENILE DIABETES ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS BOTH DIABETIC CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

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ix-year-old Zeina Qubbaj had been rapidly losing weight for weeks. She complained of extreme thirst and painful stomach cramps. Her parents were at a loss - what were these strange symptoms? They took their daughter to the hospital where she was promptly diagnosed with type one diabetes. Dr. and Mrs. Qubbaj still marvel at how much a single sentence - Your daughter has juvenile diabetes, and it will be with her for life - changed their lives.

Type one diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disorder in which the body does not produce its own insulin. Insulin, normally shunted into the bloodstream by the pancreas, converts sugars and starches from our food into energy. The diabetic pancreas doesn’t produce insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels and major health consequences. That’s why diabetic patients rely on synthetic insulin, which is both a miracle of modern science (it saves lives) and a hassle (it has to be injected with each meal in the correct amount and within the proper timeframe).

All of this was news to Zeina (pronounced ZAYnah) and her family. Like many parents with a newly-diagnosed child, they felt overwhelmed, isolated, and unprepared. Luckily, one of Dr. Qubbaj’s colleagues at UTPA referred the family to the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association (STJDA). The STJDA is a support network for children with diabetes and their families. The organization was originally founded to support children with juvenile diabetes, but has since expanded to include type two diabetes as well. The STJDA provides free wraparound services for diabetes management, from support groups to medical supplies to education and more. Debra Franco, STJDA’s president and co-founder, reached out to the Qubbajs personally. The mother of a type one diabetic child herself, Franco knew just what they were going through and how to help.

Since its founding in 2011, the STJDA has worked to make the Rio Grande Valley a place where children with diabetes can thrive. One notable accomplishment is their successful effort to bring four pediatric endocrinologists - doctors who

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specialize in childhood diabetes - to local hospitals. Previously, families would have to travel as far as Corpus Christi to get help. Now, several medical centers throughout the Valley are equipped to treat children like Zeina.

STJDA’s education outreach has also made the RGV more diabetes-friendly.

For instance, they train school nurses and teachers on basic safety protocols, like recognizing abnormal blood sugar levels and what to do in a diabetic emergency. This is a huge relief for parents; they can rest assured that their children are in good hands should they experience a diabetic emergency at school. STDJA also aims to reduce the incidence of type two diabetes - a version of the disorder that usually appears later in life and is often linked to diet and lifestyle.

By educating at-risk populations on preventative measures - how to stop smoking, eat better, and maintain a workout routine- they help curb the rate of type two diabetes.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION TYPE 1 DIABETES IS NOT...

1. Cured by insulin 2. Contagious 3. Just for kids 4. Caused by an unhealthy diet 5. Something you outgrow 6. Preventable

ONE NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT IS THEIR SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO BRING FOUR PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGISTSDOCTORS WHO SPECIALIZE IN CHILDHOOD DIABETES TO LOCAL HOSPITALS.

For the Qubbajs, the STJDA’s focus on advocacy has been the greatest comfort. As much as they want to, Dr. and Mrs. Qubbaj know they can’t watch over their daughter 24/7, just as Debra Franco knew she couldn’t always be there for her son. The solution, Franco realized, was to teach the children to be their own keepers. Through the STJDA, children with diabetes learn to independently manage their insulin and blood sugar levels. They also learn how 52

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to talk about diabetes - especially how to ask for help if they need it. Now, when Zeina wants to sleep at a friend’s house or go to a summer camp, the Qubbajs aren’t so worried about her. Self-advocacy skills give children with diabetes - and their families - a sense of safety.

These days, the sickly six-year-old version of Zeina is long gone. A rising seventh grader, Zeina gets good grades, plays sports, and hangs out with her friends like any typical pre-teen. She is also an excellent public speaker, even winning a school-wide award for her communication skills, which she puts to good use raising awareness for juvenile diabetes. Last year, she shared her story with a Texas congressman. This summer, she’s been chosen from hundreds of applicants to testify before Congress about life with type one diabetes. Zeina knows she’s been lucky with her early diagnosis, supportive family, and caring community. She believes everyone should be so lucky, at least before a cure is found. Until then, Zeina plans to keep using her voice to bring juvenile diabetes to the nation’s attention.

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HEALTH

BOTOX:

It's Not Just Cosmetic By: Lauri Revilla When we hear the word Botox, we immediately think “wrinkle eraser.” What began as a treatment for twitching eye muscles, has become one of the most widely used non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the world. Although Botox became an overnight sensation as the “new fountain of youth,” it continues to be very effective for the same conditions it was first approved to treat.

Botox was first licensed by the FDA in 1989 for the treatment of Benign Essential Blepharospasm, a condition that causes involuntary muscle spasms around the eye and other symptoms like ocular pain, dry or watery eyes, and increased blinking. Although most people will suffer from stress-related eye twitching at some point in their lives, BEB sufferers seek treatment because they find that it interferes with their daily activities. Most are surprised to find that their doctor will recommend Botox to relieve their symptoms. “Once it is recommended, the patient is told that Botox will be used as the medication that will paralyze the muscles and stop the unwanted contractions,” explains Araceli Gaona, Clinic Supervisor at The Center for Pain Management. “Their initial reaction is, ‘I thought that was only cosmetic!’ ” The Center for Pain Management uses Botox to treat many of their patients that come in with painful and debilitating conditions. “We can use Botox for spasticity, cervical dystonia – a neurological condition that is caused by muscle contractions that twist the muscles -, chronic migraines, blepharospasm, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy,” explains Gaona. “In our office, we use it mostly for cases of severe spasticity and chronic headaches.”

Botox, or Botulinum Toxin, is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum that paralyzes 54

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a specific muscle or groups of muscles by blocking chemical changes on nerve endings. “For chronic headaches, it is injected into muscles of the forehead, the side and back of the head, and the neck and shoulders, to produce a partial temporary chemical ‘denervation’ of the muscle,” explains Araceli Gaona. “This causes the muscles to become too weak to be able to contract.” Because Botox is injected directly into the muscle group, there is very little absorption of this toxin in the bloodstream. The effects of the injection last anywhere from 6-9 months and then it needs to be reapplied.

The Center for Pain Management has been providing innovative pain management treatments like this one for over 20 years. After completing an M.B.B.S. from Rajshahi Medical College in Bangladesh and receiving additional training in anesthesiology and pain management from Boston University and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Tajul Chowdhury established this interdisciplinary pain management facility in the Rio Grande Valley. The clinic quickly became one of the leading treatment centers for nerve pain, arthritis, cancer-related pain, migraines, shingles, herniated discs, injuries, and many other types of pain. Although CFPM is located in Edinburg, Texas, patients travel from all over the state to find relief for their conditions.

Dr. Chowdhury’s mission of bringing new options to replace more traditional and invasive treatments is being fulfilled in this area. From Botox and Kyphoplasty to Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD), The Center for Pain Management is proud to help patients manage their pain using the least invasive and safest procedures available in the industry. Pair that with excellent and compassionate care and you’ll find out why people keep coming back.

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For chronic headaches, it is injected into muscles of the forehead, the side and back of the head, and the neck and shoulders, to produce a partial temporary chemical ‘denervation’ of the muscle.

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Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Children’s Hospital Jennifer Garza CEO

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By: Annie Sykes Photography: Johnny Quiroz

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‘m old school!” laughs Jennifer Garza. She’s talking about her preference for face-toface discussion even in today’s digital world.

As a conversationalist, Garza is disarming and accessible -- not what you’d expect from the CEO overseeing 213 hospital beds at Edinburg Regional Medical Center, Edinburg Children’s Hospital and Edinburg Regional Rehab Center. Add communication skills a commitment to patient care, business savvy, and fifteen years of experience, and you’ve got the recipe for an excellent leader.

A Strong Start

Garza has been at the helm of Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Children’s Hospital for over three years. The hospitals have seen major growth during her time as CEO, from small-scale improvements to the addition of a whole new department. “One of the first things Jennifer did was to build an obstetrics department,” says Garza’s colleague Lisa Killion. Garza says adding “The Women’s Corner” made Edinburg Regional Medical Center a true community hospital. “We were missing the chance to serve families by not delivering babies,” Garza recalls.

“Now, the families we deliver will think of Edinburg Regional Medical Center as ‘their’ hospital and will also come back to Edinburg Children’s Hospital if their child needs care at a later time.”

Another of Garza’s early initiatives was simple, yet powerful: build strong relationships. She made it a point to spend time with hospital staff, getting to know them and letting them get to know her.

“You can’t expect people to follow you just because you hold a certain title,” Garza explains. “Without employee buy-in, which comes from trust and respect, it’s hard to get anything done.”

Lessons in Leadership

Today, Garza continues the tradition of putting people first. She holds monthly town hall meetings where staff and physicians alike can participate in a hospital-wide conversation. Amazingly, she also holds a one-on-one “welcome” meeting with every new hire at Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Children’s Hospital. “I meet with them

to lay out our expectations,” she explains. “I think it helps to start off on the right foot.”

The CEO knows that good leadership is about more than special programming. Garza learned this during her training at Trinity University’s Masters in Healthcare Administration program and her stints as COO of two major hospitals in Houston, the Woman’s Hospital of Texas and St. Joseph’s Medical Center. “I watched many mentors strike this balance between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ leadership.

They knew when to approach with a light hand and when to hold their ground.”

Garza strikes her own balance at the hospitals.

She holds high expectations for all - especially when it comes to putting patients first - while remaining totally approachable. Take Garza’s philosophy on problem-solving: “Everyone knows that if you’re going to come to me with a problem, you should be ready to present a solution.” Far from deterring complaints, this practice has actually empowered hospital employees to think creatively. For

instance, a nurse, noticing inconsistencies in how rooms were readied for patient arrival, proposed a solution to Garza: place a “patient-ready” checklist in every room, and ensure that all boxes are checked before the patient is admitted. “We got on that right away!” beams Garza.

Garza’s efforts are paying off. The hospital’s two emergency rooms - one for adults and one for children - treat over 44,000 people per year. Therapists at the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Edinburg Regional Rehab Center - what Garza calls the hospital’s “best kept secret” - provide specialty services that help patients severely debilitated by a stroke return to their highest level of independence. The hospitals, home to the only 3T MRI accessible to the community, are also leaders in innovation and technology. These and other advances make Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Children’s Hospital integral parts of South Texas Health System. But of all the hospital’s accom-

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(956) 423-6030

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plishments, Garza is most proud of her staff ’s and the physician’s dedication to their patients. “Patient care is the common thread that unites us all.”

Years of experience in hospital administration have taught Garza that healthcare is an ever-changing field. Each day brings medical discoveries, biotechnology breakthroughs, and even new legislation. Garza’s job is to take all this information and tease out the parts that make sense for her hospitals. How does she do it? “I rely on my team a lot,” answers Garza. Together, she and her team have identified three major areas that will see change over the next few years.

First, the hospital plans to ramp up its focus on comprehensive healthcare.

This means treating the whole person, not just his or her illness. Patients will increasingly see multidisciplinary teams of physicians - a shift from the current practice of seeing only one doctor per malady. For many, this means no more shuttling between specialists or juggling multiple treatment plans. It means being cared for by a team of professionals with a collaborative, comprehensive plan to heal disease and improve overall health.

“Overall health” is a key phrase to this new approach. Comprehensive healthcare emphasizes wellness - less “one pill morning and night” and more “green, leafy veggies and a 30-minute walk.”

Garza explains the change: “We’re in the business of making people healthy, and research continues to show that your lifestyle - things like diet, exercise, and stress management - really matters. Of course, the hospitals will always be here for our acute care patients. But we’re also going to promote health outside our walls.”

Garza and her team are also moving forward on two other initiatives for the future. One is adding a robotics department complete with state-of-the-art equipment. Robotic surgery allows for

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precise, non-invasive surgery - often with a shorter recovery time - and is less physically taxing for the surgeon.

The facility installed the first, da Vinci® Xi surgical robotic system south of San Antonio. The da Vinci® Xi benefits patients with its capacity for performing complex surgical procedures.

Garza is also excited about increasing regional access to quality healthcare.

South Texas Health System has opened two new stand-alone emergency rooms in Weslaco and Mission. For non-emergencies, Garza recommends the Valley Care Clinics’ (operated in cooperation with South Texas Health System) mobile treatment center. This “doctor’s office on wheels” travels throughout the Valley providing check-ups, shots, physicals, and other preventive and wellness healthcare procedures. Access to healthcare is a strategic focus for Garza. “No one should have to travel 30 miles for help in a medical emergency, or even for a regular check-up.”

Staying the Course for Patients

During her time as CEO, Jennifer Garza has established Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Children’s Hospital as highly-regarded medical institutions in the South Texas healthcare community. Yet with all her accomplishments, she shows no sign of resting on her laurels. What motivates Garza to keep improving day in and day out? She explains: “Healthcare is personal. I always knew this, but I truly felt it when I became a mother. Giving birth and then bringing my kids in for care made me understand what a hospital is supposed to do. I remember that feeling whenever I see our patients. That’s what motivates me - I want those patients to feel informed, cared for, and safe, because that’s what a hospital is supposed to do.”

Her answer is fitting -- it puts the patient first.

Melissa Singsing | Valedictorian IDEA Frontier Class of 2015 University of Texas Austin Class of 2019

Chris Factoriza | Salutatorian IDEA Frontier Class of 2015 University of Texas Austin Class of 2019

Mario Arteaga | Valedictorian IDEA San Juan Class of 2015 Harvard University Class of 2019

Eugenio Maccossay | Salutatorian IDEA San Juan Class of 2015 Stanford University Class of 2019

Stefanie Teyer | Salutatorian IDEA Donna Class of 2015 University of Chicago Class of 2019

Rebecca Hernandez | Valedictorian IDEA Mission Class of 2015 | Harvard University Class of 2019

Carlos Grosso | Salutatorian IDEA Mission Class of 2015 Notre Dame Class of 2019

Marco Ortega | Salutatorian IDEA San Benito Class of 2015 University of Texas Austin Class of 2019

Ayane Ito | Valedictorian IDEA San Benito Class of 2015 University of Texas Austin Class of 2019

Karla Rodriguez | Valedictorian IDEA Donna Class of 2015 University of Texas Austin Class of 2019

Perla Garza | Salutatorian IDEA Alamo Class of 2015 UTRGV Class of 2019

Katherynn Sandoval | Valedictorian IDEA Alamo Class of 2015 Barnard College Class of 2019

Anubha Srivastava | Valedictorian IDEA Quest Class of 2015 Harvard University Class of 2019

Rachel Bartels | Salutatorian IDEA Quest Class of 2015 Regis College Class of 2019

Congratulations to IDEA’s Valedictorians and Salutatorians!

We look forward to celebrating your college graduation in four years! www.ideapublicschools.org

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HEALTH

LOUIE This is

ALAMIA “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”, is what Louie learned from Gandhi. This is a story of a man who believes in helping himself by helping others.

By Joseph Lilli

Louie Alamia is a lucky young man. He’s living his passion in life – helping others in need. It’s what fills this Edinburg resident with energy and excitement, gets him up in the morning, and keeps him awake at night.

As a physical therapist working for renowned Valley orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raul Marquez, Alamia rehabilitates the limbs and lives of people suffering from orthopedic injuries or recovering from orthopedic surgery.

And as an active member of several community service organizations, Alamia helps kids overcome the challenges of poverty, broken homes, or even the physical and emotional demands of diabetes.

Alamia’s passion for helping others was inspired by the love and sacrifices his parents made for him after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin needed to allow sugar to enter cells to produce energy. He was 11 at the time when

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a doctor diagnosed his condition during a physical exam needed to play basketball.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my mother and father. I know that’s kind of a like a cliché, but it’s true. They should get the right amount of credit for the things I have done and for what I’ve become,” he says.

“I remember my mother waking up at 4 a.m. to drive us to Harlingen so we could catch a flight to Houston for my appointments at the Texas Children’s Hospital, and flying back that same day so I could go to school the next day. She did that every three months for seven years. All the sacrifices she made – that’s something I will never forget.”

Alamia’s dad also had a hand in shaping his son’s character and values. “I believe my dad is the reason why I am the person I am today – very goal oriented, very respectable, and intensely committed to serving others. I’m very proud to be his son,” he confides.

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Diabetes Helped Him Come of Age It was hard to accept the fact that he had diabetes and that he would endure it the rest of his life. Yet, Alamia learned early on to take responsibility for his well-being. He learned to give himself injections, check his blood sugar, and monitor his carbohydrates several times a day. But it was hard at times, especially during adolescence.

“I saw my peers didn’t have to inject themselves before they drank or ate their meals. I realized I was different from them in that regard,” he remembers.

Then one day he noticed someone else in his neighborhood who had diabetes.

This young man still lived a normal life, played sports, hung out with his friends, and served as an inspiration and role model for Alamia.

“He helped me be more secure with what I have and to embrace it. I now use my diabetes more as a motivational factor in my life rather than a setback,” he says matter-of-factly.

In high school, Alamia lettered in basketball and baseball for four years, never once letting diabetes hold him back. His sparkling play as an outfielder earned him a baseball scholarship to UT-Pan Am. His freshman year he was nothing short of amazing. He had the third highest batting average in the nation and was selected to the

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“My volunteer work made me realize I wanted a career in PT. I loved improving people’s lives and their quality of life. Seeing them return to something they never thought they would be able to return to gave me a real sense of purpose,” he says.

Louisville Slugger’s Freshmen AllAmerican Baseball Team and the AllIndependent Team.

Physical Therapy Enters His Life When Alamia was a senior in high school, his grandmother suffered a stroke and went into a coma. During her hospital stay, he observed physical therapists moving her arms and legs to improve her mobility should she recover.

Seeing the therapists working his grandmother’s limbs sparked an interest in physical therapy. Later, in college, he talked to his athletic trainer about becoming a physical therapist. After the trainer suggested he would be well suited for such a career, Alamia began researching it. He even worked as a PT volunteer in a pediatric clinic.

“My volunteer work made me realize I wanted a career in PT. I loved improving people’s lives and their quality of life.

Seeing them return to something they never thought they would be able to return to gave me a real sense of purpose,” he says.

Soon after completing college, he entered into the doctorate program at the U.T. Health Science Center in San Antonio.

Completing the program in 2011 and passing the National Board exam, he became

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a licensed Clinical Doctor of Physical Therapy.

For the next 18 months, Alamia worked with Concentra Urgent Care in San Antonio. But his strong family ties beckoned and he returned to Edinburg.

When a PT position opened in Dr. Marquez’s outpatient and sports medicine facility, he jumped at the chance. The two were not strangers.

After finishing baseball in 2006 and before starting his PT studies, he had worked for Dr. Marquez as a volunteer PT technician.

Alamia can’t believe he’s now working full-time for Dr. Marquez. He helps restore mobility and restore quality of life for patients with knee or hip replacement, ACL reconstruction, discectomy or laminectomy. He also rehabilitates patients with low back, knee and shoulder pain.

Key To Happiness Seeing patients recover from pain and debilitating injury is key to Alamia’s happiness.

“I get to see and be a part of their continuity of care two to three times a week for four weeks. I get to see the progression they make from their first to their last visit.

“You can’t imagine the joy it brings me to see how excited my patients are to be able to squat down and pick up

a pen without any increased pain or to pitch a complete 9-inning game without shoulder pain.

“The thrill is extremely gratifying ...even much more gratifying than receiving a paycheck every two weeks,” he exclaims.

He recalls one especially successful recovery among many. A post-operative ACL reconstruction patient came to him in a wheelchair and attached to a supplemental oxygen tank. The man expressed great reluctance to engage in therapy.

“He didn’t want to move his knee or do any more damage to it compared to what it was like before his surgery,” says Alamia. “But after working with him for 10 weeks, we actually had to slow him down because he was no longer using the oxygen tank and was fast-pace walking on the treadmill. He even had a personal trainer at his gym.”

Serving His Community Another integral part of Alamia’s life is serving the Edinburg Boys & Girls Club, the Edinburg Rotary Club, the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association, and the Big Brothers & Big Sisters Foundation of the Rio Grande Valley.

“One of my goals has always been to help my community’s well-being,” he says. “I find it very rewarding to see smiles of relief on the kids’ faces that I help.”

His dedication to the Boys & Girls Club involves improving the Club’s After School programs – whether it’s buying new equipment or encouraging the kids to participate in those programs.

“We want to further their education, keep them off the streets, and improve their quality of life because they are the Valley’s future leaders,” he stresses.

Meanwhile, he’s also a big brother in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. He strives to inspire and

mentor kids who come from low-income or broken families so they can develop a good vision of continuing education.

“I care about these kids and want them to continue learning, growing, and not only academically, but also personally by exhibiting more confidence and selfesteem.

“Just because they haven’t had the best things in life doesn’t mean that’s the way it’s going to continue. I use my example of being a diabetic because I was forced to adjust my way of living. I didn’t let that stop me,” he exclaims.

The organization that he finds himself most drawn to is the Juvenile Diabetes Association. He gets to see children who, like himself, are affected by this disease.

“These kids have so much potential to overcome this disease, it really helps me to continue to motivate them, to help them live normal lives, and to encourage their parents as well,” he says.

“I’ve learned more about myself interacting with these kids and that one should never give up.”

Alamia believes we all can make a difference in our community’s well-being – ensuring that the underprivileged and the less fortunate are loved, supported, and valued.

“We can all make a difference in changing and improving the lives of others – while improving ourselves and serving as a role model for others.

By helping others, we end up bettering ourselves in ways we’ve never imagined,” he says.

For all he’s done, Alamia sees himself doing even more.

“I don’t want to stop here. I’d like to eventually run for the local school board so I can continue promoting our kids’ education and well-being.

“Helping our kids makes our community stronger and healthier – and makes us all stronger and healthier in the process,” he adds.

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VGI offers High School Graduates a a Career Choice Benefiting Themselves and Their Community

By Joseph Lilli

ne of the most important decisions high school graduates have to make is their career choice.

For those students with a career goal in mind, higher education is the answer.

Unfortunately, an estimated 50% of the youth living in the Valley graduate with no goal or career choice in mind.

Because graduates don’t know what to do next, they often end up in low-paying jobs with little to no hope for a successful career. They may struggle financially, and once they marry and have a family, their family may struggle as well.

Valley Grande Institute, a post-secondary school in Weslaco focusing on healthcare programs, wants to change that. They have implemented a community outreach effort to alert high school graduates that a higher education can be their ticket to a successful career.

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BECOME A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

Valley Grande Institute President and CEO Anabell Cardona says VGI offers students an opportunity to pursue an exciting, promising career in the medical field. Students can become one of the following medical professionals: + Patient Care Technician + Vocational Nurse + Massage Therapist + Medical Assistant + Medical Insurance Coder & Billing Technician + LMRT/Phlebotomy Technician + LMRT/Electrocardiogram Technician

A career as a medical professional is rewarding. It’s an opportunity to help people, to learn a new and vital skill, and to make an important contribution to the community.

It also enables one to earn a good living and provide their family with a consistent and secure future.

Demand for healthcare support staff is on the rise.

With an aging population, more people will need health care in the coming years. Recent health care reform is also increasing the demand for medical services and healthcare workers.

The American Medical News reports that medical practices more than tripled their hiring rates in the first quarter of 2014 over the same period in 2013. This means medical facilities will need to hire more physician assistants, nurses, and other skilled workers to meet the increased demand.

Since its inception in 1992, VGI has trained scores of medical professionals. Their goal is to prepare

ANNABEL CARDONA

CEO / President of Rio Grande Institute for Academic Studies

“Community service and outreach is a top priority for the VGI team, so we take pride in giving the residents of Raymondville the opportunity to reach out and make a difference.”

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students for the most in-demand jobs in healthcare.

Since Valley Grande Institute specializes ONLY in healthcare education, its healthcare training is second to none.

VGI COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

To emphasize the importance of higher education and, specifically, education in the medical field, VGI sponsored a High School Hype Game involving the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Texas Legends this past March. The school bussed in more than 200 Mid-Valley high school seniors from Weslaco and surrounding area to enjoy the game – and to learn the importance of higher education.

“We wanted them to be thinking about putting together a plan for after graduation. In order to be successful, you need a plan.” stresses Cardona.

Cardona also dove out of a plane and landed at a Veteran’s Day Celebration sponsored by Weslaco High School’s R.O.T.C. program. Speaking before a high school assembly, the VGI president, alongside Retired Sgt. First Class and motivational speaker Dana Bowman, stressed the importance of freedom and the value of education.

Cardona remarked that if she had the courage to jump out of a plane, students shouldn’t be afraid to take on the VGI challenge.

Meanwhile, VGI students spent a day with the Arrive Alive organization to learn about the dangers of drinking or texting while driving. Students pledged to stay sober and not text while driving. And, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Day, students released hundreds of balloons into the sky during a moment of silence.

In a tribute to military veterans, VGI and the RGV Vipers partnered to say “thanks for your service.” Veterans obtained free tickets to attend any

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Vipers game sponsored by VGI. At each game, VGI honored one local veteran as its “Hero of the Game,” presenting the hero with four complimentary courtside seats and a moment of recognition during halftime.

VGI again partnered with the Armed Services and Hidalgo County in executing Operation Lone Star, a simulated large-scale medical emergency.

For three days, VGI student volunteers provided health care screenings for community members in need of medical attention.

In another effort to better serve the Mid-Valley community, Valley Grande Institute announced it is setting up a new campus in Raymondville.

“Community service and outreach is a top priority for the VGI team, so we take pride in giving the residents of Raymondville the opportunity to reach out and make a difference,” says Cardona.

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CALL VGI

TODAY!

STUDENTS WHO HAVEN’T MADE A CAREER CHOICE, BUT ARE WILLING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY – SHOULD CALL VGI TODAY AT 956-973-1945. OR, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.VGI.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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LIFE

By Joseph Lilli

S

chools out again for the summer, so what can moms and dads do to keep their kids busy and entertained? And what can they do as a family?

Plan a summer of fun and discovery at McAllen’s International Museum of Art and Science!

IMAS has special activities for the young and young-at-heart all summer long – 7 days a week. Take a look at what IMAS is offering kids and families this summer:

Operation Imagination Summer Camps

These weekly camps now run full days – 9 - 4, Monday-Friday – until mid-August.

Students in grades 1-8 have a choice of 10 exciting classes for every grade level, including:

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Botany Astronomy Engineering IMAS Space Cadets (Learn about rocket launching, gravity, planets, moons, and more) Magic Arts & Swords School (Train, craft, and battle alongside friends to defeat evil forces.)

Underwater Archeology (Learn the methods archaeologists use to explore sunken ships, hidden cities, and ruins.)

Zombie Survival (Learn survival skills, climbing walls, rescues, and much more during any Zombie Apocalypse.)

Mad Scientist Time Travelers (Explore the wonders of ancient technology in this funfilled, hands-on camp.)

And more

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“We’ll be open to 10 p.m. on those nights,” says Jones. “Families also can take part in science experiments, enjoy presentations on our giant Science on a Sphere screen, and tour a mobile planetarium for some starry-eyed presentations.”

Family Fun Night

“Stars and Skies” Parties

Check out outer space and find out how awesome astronomy can be. Once the sun goes down, the fun goes up! Families can roll out their blankets on the museum’s front lawn. There, using the museum’s powerful telescope, they can view the new horizons from Pluto on July 16 and witness the Perseids meteor shower on Aug. 13.until“”

4th of July Celebration

Enjoy an evening of fun activities, family entertainment, and special exhibits from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Then top it off with a spectacular fire works display viewed from the museum’s front lawn. Tickets: Adults $10, Children $7, and all IMAS members $3. This cost covers admission to the museum, reserved seating on the front lawn, and parking.

Families can enjoy the exhibits and other special activities every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. The cost is only $1/person.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic basket with food and beverages. They can dine on picnic tables in the beautiful park outside the museum.

Free Admission for Military and their Families

Because IMAS is a Blue Star Museum, a special classification issued by the National Endowment for the Arts, all active duty military, as well as Reserve, Guard and Coast Guard personnel, and their families can enjoy the museum for free.

“It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all of the military and their families for the many sacrifices they make serving our country,” says Jones.

Back to School Bash

With vacation winding down, IMAS invites families on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for one more fun-filled summer fling. Thrill to magic shows, piano performances, story time, and a lot more. Different sponsors also will be present to hand out free school supplies. General admission is FREE.

3, 2, 1 … Blast Off

This is the very first science exhibit brought to IMAS – thanks to the initiative of Museum President Julie Johnson. It comes from the Johnson Space Center in Florida and includes a replica of the space shuttle, space suits used in the Apollo missions, moon rocks, a space helmet, and special hands-on activities.

New Membership Program

Families can purchase a family membership for $75. This entitles them to free general admission for 12 months, plus discounts on various classes, facility rentals, and ticketed events. Membership includes 2 adults and all children under 18 in the household, plus two guests anytime the family visits the museum.

“We’ve made the camps better than ever,” says Gaby Jones, IMAS Director of Development, PR & Communications. “Because we’re offering campers a full day, there’ll be more games, more hands-on activities, more fun. And, unlike school, there’s no paperwork!”

Half-day camps are also available for kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten. They will be held from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost for IMAS members is $180/week for full-day classes and $90 for half-day classes. Non-members pay $200/week for full-day sessions and $100/week for half-day sessions. The price includes free breakfast and lunch. Full-day classes are limited to 25 campers, while half-day classes are limited to 12 campers.

Before and After Care is provided. Parents can leave their child as early as 8 a.m. at Before Care and pick up their child from After Care as late at 5 p.m. Cost for either Before OR After Care is $5/day, while the cost for Before AND After Care is $8/day.

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More than one year out from its grand opening, excitement continues to mount as the world-class McAllen Performing Arts Center (MPAC) takes shape.

The 1,820 seat facility has been under construction on the southeast side of the McAllen Convention Center grounds, next to the Veterans War Memorial of Texas, since August 2014. Roughly 50 percent of the Center has been completed and remains on pace for its official opening in the fall of 2016.

The Civic Center auditorium, built in 1960, has served the community as a performing arts venue for many years. But City officials realized it now lacks the technical capabilities and space requirements needed for “A-list” Broadway shows, such as Wicked or Lion King, or the large Mexican and Latin American theatrical productions.

“With the new McAllen Performing Arts Center, we will be able to bring ‘A-list” shows touring across the United States and Northern Mexico that hadn’t previously been able to visit our area,” says Omar Rodriguez, Director of the City of McAllen Convention Facilities Department.

But area residents can expect to enjoy much more than Broadway shows and touring Latin theatre productions at the new Center. MPAC plans to host a wide variety of events, including symphony, dance, family shows, theatre, popular music such as rock, pop, Latin and country, comedy, and local events such as recitals, graduations, and local theatre.

“These are the types of events people are anticipating and waiting for, that will enrich our culture here in McAllen, and that people will go to,” says Yajaira Flores, the Convention Center’s Manager of Sales & Event Services.

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It is the city’s vision that MPAC will become an elite performing arts facility that rivals those venues found in larger cities, while also meeting the needs of the local community.

“We envision it as an inspirational, creative place where people will love to be and love to work,” says Flores.

The city currently attracts just over 170 shows annually, which are held at the Convention Center’s exhibit halls and the Civic Center auditorium. In contrast, the new MPAC is expected to draw more than 200 shows annually.

“It’s important to note that in addition to all the events we attract from outside our city, the MPAC will continue to cater to our local events, dance recitals, and graduations. It’s something we’ve done the past 60 years and something very meaningful to our community. For instance, being able to have that stage for a recital means a lot to a young boy or girl who wants to make it into the arts when they’re older,” Flores remarks.

Flores believes MPAC will become the pride of

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McAllen and surrounding area, a shining beacon of outstanding entertainment.

“We are completely redefining the experience of going to an event. There will be no better place in the entire Valley to see and hear a live performance,” she adds.

MPAC will be loaded with technological magic – including state-of-the-art adjustable acoustics, audio, lighting, and stage support. The acoustics package, for instance, will feature a robust acoustical shell with celestial ceiling that can be lowered to accommodate music and symphonic events. It also will include an adjustable acoustic drapery – ideal for orchestra, the spoken word, and amplified settings.

The audience will enjoy sitting in comfortable, fully padded seats with armrests and unobstructed views of the stage. They’ll have their choice of three levels of seating – the main level, the first balcony level, and the upper balcony – all meeting Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The $45 million Center will encompass 93,491 square feet and have a ceiling height of 80 feet. The stage will be 126 feet wide, 48 feet deep and 100 feet high.

“Within those 100 feet, there will be a lot of technical equipment, acoustic paneling, and the like.

Productions will be able to hang all of their props out of the line of sight so they can bring them down when they change scenes for theatrical performanc-

$45

93,491

es,” notes Flores.

SpawGlass Contractors Inc. of Harlingen is the general contractor for the MPAC project. McAllen-based ERO Architects and New York-based Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture designed the facility.

Voters in 2013 approved the issuance of $15 million in bonds for the Center’s construction. The remaining funds are coming from the city as well as a portion of the hotel/motel tax.

Summing It Up “We believe the MPAC will dramatically enhance our quality of life and offer new opportunities for cultural enrichment,” says Flores.

“It also will enable us to raise the caliber of arts education throughout the Valley, and in so doing stimulate the creative energy of our citizens, especially our children.

“To sum it up, I think we can say that in the city of McAllen, we believe that an investment in the arts is an investment in our future.”

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Summer has officially arrived in the Rio Grande Valley, bringing high temperatures and even higher electricity bills. Most of us have accepted the fact that it costs to stay cool. Others, like the folks at Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, believe it doesn’t have to be that way. Magic Valley is offering its members a way to beat the heat without breaking the bank: their new MyResponseTM energy conservation program.

Magic Valley (or MVEC) is a cooperative, meaning its members are also its owners. If you’re a Magic Valley member with a broadband connection and wireless internet, you’re eligible to sign up for MyResponseTM. What exactly is the program? We talked to Luis Noel Perez, a marketing specialist at Magic Valley, to get the details.

“MyResponseTM is a way for our members to save both energy and money,” he explains. “When members sign up for MyResponseTM, we send out a contractor to install a brand-new Ecobee Thermostat (normally valued at $250!) in their homes, all for free. MVEC then sends a remote signal to the thermostat to reduce energy consumptions. Members won’t feel a difference in temperature, but they may see the difference in their bill.”

The “peak hours” issue - what happens when too many people crank their A/C on at the same time - is a state-wide problem. Too much energy demand overloads the state’s electricity grid, which is regulated by a non-profit-organization the Electric Reliability Counfil of Texas (ERCOT). When the grid gets overworked, ERCOT initiates rolling blackouts, cutting off electricity to different neighborhoods for short periods of time.

“Rolling blackouts are a nuisance,” says Perez.

“With “MyResponseTM , we can try to prevent them by lowering overall energy demand.”

MyResponseTM takes a unique approach to reducing electricity demand, not to mention those summer bills. During peak use, an automatic wireless signal is sent to the Ecobee thermostat. That signal instructs the thermostat to cycle the air conditioner’s compressor in short intervals, keeping your house cool but using less electricity. This reduces overall strain on the grid and eliminates

the need for rolling blackouts. And those with privacy concerns can rest assured - the signal communicates with the thermostat and nothing else.

Magic Valley Electric Cooperative is always looking to make life easier for its members. That’s why they’re so thrilled to offer this new energy-saving program. So far, over 650 members have signed up to be a part of the solution to this state-wide problem. And why wouldn’t they? MyResponseTM is a win-win situation: better for the environment, better for your bank account, and better for staying cool through another Valley summer.

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Mike.

HERO in the making.

With the help of our flexible class schedules, Mike can balance being a full-time student with being a full-time dad.

You can fit college into your life, too.

DAY, NIGHT, WEEKEND AND ONLINE CLASSES. fall classes start August 24

LIFE

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he Rio Grande Valley’s need for pop culture has finally been satisfied.

Taking place in The McAllen Convention Center, South Texas Comic Con put on an amazing show and attracted hundreds of gamers, comic enthusiasts, and anime fanatics. The crowds gathered on May 9-10 hoping to meet their favorite celebrities and to score some rare merchandise sometimes only found in conventions of this magnitude. There was also a gathering of “cosplayers” whom if you didn’t know, are people who build a costume of their favorite characters from scratch and then proceed to embody them on the convention floor. Among the special guests who attended were Sean Astin, known for his role as Sam Wise in The Lord of The Rings saga, Sean Schemmel who is the voice of Goku in the Dragon Ball series, and WWE legend Ric Flair.

This convention is unique, but it does not scream exclusivity. All fans of all ages and genres, from super heroes to fantasy characters, are welcome to attend the Con. We can’t wait to see what STCC has in store for next year, so stay in touch with them on social media and at www.southtexascomiccon.com!

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A New Level of Soccer in the Rio Grande Valley As soon as you walk into Plaza Sports Center, you’ll realize that this isn’t just like any other soccer complex. From the perfectly groomed synthetic turf to the innovative mobile app that lets players keep track of their games, everything at this center is first-class and focused on quality. “I love everything about the facility – it’s clean and neat and the quality of the turf is excellent. Nothing is cheap,” says Lucas Hernandez, a player in the men’s recreational league. “Everything is top-notch. We know what we’re getting for our money and we think it’s by far the best value.”

Originally from Brazil, Hernandez has been playing soccer for many years in the Rio Grande Valley and feels that no other place has offered the amenities and environment that Plaza Sports Center does. What Hernandez likes the most about this complex is that he can bring his wife and children to watch him play knowing that they will be comfortable and safe. The entire center boasts plenty of shaded sitting areas so that spectators can enjoy the games without being in the sun.

Comfort and a family-friendly environment are exactly what Dr. Jose Antonio Caso had in mind when he decided to build the soccer complex four years ago. “Growing up, my sister and my brother played a lot of soccer. We had to watch them in the sun with no place to sit and their games were cancelled very often,” explains Alma Caso, Vice President of Plaza Sports Center. “My father always thought that there should be a soccer complex in the Valley where it was not only comfortable to play, but also to watch the matches and that made sure that they were almost never canceled.”

The center boasts two covered fields that reduce sun exposure and allow matches to be played even when it’s raining. “The main idea of the complex was always the roof that would cover two fields,” J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

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MY FATHER ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SOCCER COMPLEX IN THE VALLEY WHERE IT WAS NOT ONLY COMFORTABLE TO PLAY, BUT ALSO TO WATCH THE MATCHES AND THAT MADE SURE THAT THEY WERE ALMOST NEVER CANCELED.”

explains Caso. “My Dad being a doctor knows how harmful the sun can be and has always been concerned about skin cancer. The roof allows us to reduce sun exposure by almost half.” Matches are rotated among the four 7x7 artificial turf fields so that each player plays around half of his or her matches on the covered fields.

The state-of-the-art Plaza Sports Center was built with the goal of bringing a new level of soccer to the Rio Grande Valley and to good values early on in children through this sport. The complex offers a wide variety of recreational and competitive leagues for both children and adults. The renowned Toros Soccer Academy prepares children between 4 and 16 years of age with the skills, technique, and discipline they need to excel in this sport. The Little Toros Soccer Academy is the only soccer program in the Valley for toddlers as young as 18 months. Parents and their young children spend quality time together, while the child gets a very early start in this sport.

Although the center was built around soccer, it is also a place for family camaraderie, summer camps, fitness programs, and corporate events. Medio Tiempo, the complex’s restaurant/ sports bar, is always filled with families and teammates enjoying a post-game meal while watching the recaps of their match on the big screen. Rio Grande Valley companies, such as Doctor’s Hospital Renaissance, have enjoyed taken advantage of the facilities’ amenities to host fun employee events.

Dozens of children attend the annual summer camp, where they not only play soccer, but also participate in activities such as painting, Crossfit, flag football, and art. The center has become a place for Rio Grande Vallley families to come together and enjoy the beauty of sports.

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AUSTIN NON-STOP FLIGHT THE ONLY DAILY

*

*Non-stop flights provided by Southwest Airlines – southwest.com

Announcing convenient, quality healthcare ... on the go!

Primary care health services now available in our mobile unit … in your neighborhood Valley Care Clinics On-The-Go mobile RV travels the Rio Grande Valley and offers primary healthcare services to residents who live in communities that are either geographically isolated, do not have reliable transportation and lack access to care.

On-the-Go for you Staffed by a bilingual team, the mobile unit is available Monday through Friday and weekends for special community events, offering: • Wellness screenings • Immunizations • Physicals • Preventive medical care • Urgent care

Find out where Valley Care Clinics On-The-Go mobile unit will be next. Call 1-855-VCC-APPT or visit www.valleycareclinics.com

No appointments are necessary.

Most insurance plans are accepted, including Medicaid and Medicare. Private pay patients can use cash, check or credit cards.

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