LOCAL - Metrocom - April 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM VOL. 8, ISSUE 10 | APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

HAPPENING | PG. 05

HOME & GARDEN

Check out dates for loads of local fun runs

CIBOLO • CONVERSE • GARDEN RIDGE • LIVE OAK • SCHERTZ • SELMA • UNIVERSAL CITY • WINDCREST

Metrocom races see crowded ballots

by EDMOND ORTIZ

MAY 1 ELECTIONS FEATURE MAYORAL and city council races in Garden Ridge and San Antonio, two Judson Independent School District school board contests, and a new council member pick in Live Oak.

SUSAN YERKES | PG. 06

HOME & GARDEN | PG. 10-12

THE LESSONS OF HISTORY

SPRUCE UP FOR SPRINGTIME

STATE

OF

EDUCATION

Roosevelt CyberPatriots excel on national stage

Roosevelt High School’s 2020-2021 CyberPatriot team, TXPatriot | Invicta: Julian Peña (left), Tristan Lee, Rose Schnabel, Francisco Rodriguez and Alex Bryant.

Courtesy photo/NEISD

by EDMOND ORTIZ

CAMPUSES LOOK TO POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY CANDIDATES continues on pg. 16

THE CHAMBER continues on pg. 18

TRAINING TO SAFEGUARD the digital frontier, cyber warriors from Roosevelt High School were among 28 teams from U.S. campuses qualifying for a nationwide academic competition.

Five Rough Rider students battled in the Air Force Association’s Youth Cyber Defense STEM continues on pg. 21

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STAFF

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021 PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna EDITORIAL Editor

Thomas Edwards News Staff

Edmond Ortiz Contributing Writers

Jose T. Garza III, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes ART Designer

E. Fisher Contributing Artist

Jeremiah Teutsch Contributing Photographer

Brittney Johnson ADVERTISING Senior Media Representatives

Dawn Radick and Joanne Torres Multimedia Account Representative

Michael Valdelamar Controller

Gracie Cortinez READER SERVICE Mailing Address

5545 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 211 San Antonio, TX 78229 Phone: (210) 338-8842 Fax: (210) 465-9455 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Advertising@localcommunitynews.com STORY IDEAS: tips@localcommunitynews.com EDITOR CONTACT tedwards@localcommunitynews.com OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS

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ON THE COVER – Giving presentations at The Chamber’s recent State of Education address, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District Superintendent Clark Ealy and Northeast Lakeview College President Veronica Garcia spoke about the challenges their institutions faced during the pandemic. One initiative for further education at NLC is a science, technology, engineering and math building under construction, seen in this artist’s rendering. See the story on pg. 18. Courtesy illustration/Ford, Powell & Carson

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

The LOCAL Community News editorial board includes Jaselle Luna and Thomas Edwards.

TALK LOCAL

Fix the grid WHAT TEXANS SUFFERED during February’s great winter storm can never happen again.

As temperatures stayed below freezing for several days, and millions went without electricity or water, it became painfully clear no one was in charge.

When essential services were needed most, they were unavailable. Texas, which has the ninth-largest economy on the planet, suddenly entered the Dark Ages.

Today, the misery many of us endured during the blackouts already seems like ancient history, but it’s really not. The lingering effects may even be putting a chill on your bank account. The last few weeks, utility companies have foreshadowed higher energy costs passed on to consumers.

Nor will this be the last time Old Man Winter delivers such an icy blow to the Lone Star State, according to climate predictions.

For years, Texas utilities received warnings about a potential and catastrophic collapse of the state’s electrical grid. Yet, officials failed to assess previous episodes and correlate energy needs with population and business growth.

Changing the guard at local and state utility boards and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which controls the grid, must continue.

Texas also has to overhaul its energy-production systems and electric availability commensurate with the last five years of expansion.

The Legislature must authorize the means to winterize vulnerable equipment and safeguard the system so residents are protected for the next crisis.

Texans not only deserve answers, but solutions. This tragedy cannot be repeated.

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

APRIL

PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

HAPPENING

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

City Councils/ School Districts Schertz: 6 p.m. April 27 & May 4, 11; 1400 Schertz Parkway

Live Oak: 7 p.m. April 27 & May 11; 8001 Shin Oak Drive Cibolo: 6:30 p.m. April 27 & May 11; 200 S. Main St. Converse: 7 p.m. April 20 & May 4; 402 S. Seguin

Road (via teleconference) Garden Ridge: 6 p.m. May 5; 9400 Municipal Parkway Selma: 6:30 p.m. May 13; 9375 Corporate Drive Windcrest: 5 p.m. April 19 & 6 p.m. May 3; 8601 Midcrown Drive Universal City: 6:30 p.m. April 20 & May 4, 18; 2150 Universal City Blvd.

Comal ISD: 6 p.m. April 29; 1404 Interstate 35 North in New Braunfels North East ISD: 5:30 p.m. May 10; 8961 Tesoro Drive in San Antonio

Judson ISD: 6 p.m. May 20; 8205 Palisades Drive in Live Oak

Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD: 6 p.m.

April 20 & May 18; 1060 Elbel Road in Schertz

APRIL 20 & MAY 18 GARDEN MEETING

Live Oak Village Garden Club gathers from 1-3 p.m. in the Live Oak Clubhouse, 7901 Shin Oak Drive. For updates, call Jo Anna Wheeler at 210655-1036.

5

THROUGH APRIL 23 FOOD DRIVE

Hanson Aggregates/Servtex Quarry holds its seventh annual food drive for the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program. During business hours, deposit nonperishable food in cans or boxes (no glass containers) at city halls in Garden Ridge, Schertz, Selma, Cibolo or Universal City. For more, call 210-658-7461.

HAPPENING continues on pg. 08

EDITOR’S NOTE: THE CALENDAR IS CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME, BUT SOME EVENTS MAY HAVE BEEN POSTPONED OR CANCELED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS. ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS MAY BE LIMITED OR STREAMING ONLY. CHECK WITH THE LISTED CONTACTS FOR UPDATES.

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OPINION

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

Opening our eyes to the lessons of history

by SUSAN YERKES

I NEVER THOUGHT the University of Texas at Austin’s “The Eyes of Texas” was a racist song. As an alumna, I still don’t. But, I certainly know a lot more about it after a UT committee released a detailed report in March. The members found little evidence to connect the line “The eyes of Texas are

upon you” to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and none at all to suggest it espoused slavery. However, the group found the lyric quoted in a rousing speech by former UT President William Prather in the 1900s, and Prather got it from an exhortation by Confederate Brig. Gen. John Gregg to his troops.

Gregg may have referenced George Washington’s famous quotation, “The eyes of all our countrymen are upon us.”

Or, he could’ve made it up. Whatever.

For now, “The Eyes of Texas” remains the official school song.

But now the accusation of racism is out there, and it’ll continue to cause

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controversy, just as the protest against singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” still riles up folks. Our nation’s history includes many sad and shameful traditions, from genocide against Native Americans to slavery. I love my country, but I can’t pretend our story isn’t rife with painful discrimination.

Here in San Antonio, with a Latino majority, most of my Black and Hispanic friends recall hurtful bigotry. You can legislate equality, you can cancel culture, but you cannot wave a magic wand to make prejudice disappear.

Will removing Dr. Seuss books or “Little House on the Prairie” from libraries change the past?

Does “whiting out” history make us a stronger nation? Plans to restore the Alamo have been hampered by a battle over what parts of the struggle for Texas independence should be presented. There’s even a debate about any mention of slavery when “reimagining” the Alamo — even though William Barret Travis’ slave, Joe, was one of the only survivors of the siege.

It seems to me the truth about history, warts and all, helps us learn from the past, not repeat it. At UT-Austin, President Jay Hartzell has now created new programs to recruit and support Black students and more diverse faculty. He also wants to erect more monuments and spaces honoring minorities.

This wouldn’t erase the fact Black students weren’t even admitted there until the 1950s. Yet, it seems to me moving forward to change the world in positive ways makes more sense than searching the past for long-dead people to pillory.

A few years ago, at a Texas Exes event, I had the opportunity to meet internationally acclaimed mezzosoprano Barbara Smith Conrad, one of UT-Austin’s most accomplished alums. In 1956, Conrad was one of the Precursors – the first group of Black attendees at the university.

Born near Pittsburg, Texas, she enrolled at the university the first year of its desegregation. A brilliant singer, she won the lead in a student opera, but the Legislature threatened to cut UT’s funding if a Black woman was allowed to play a major role opposite a white man. Sadly, the school caved.

Harry Belafonte heard and offered to pay for her transfer elsewhere.

She declined. The pioneer wanted to stay and be a part of the change. A civil-rights champion until her death in 2017, Conrad proudly sang “The Eyes of Texas” at the university’s 2000 commencement. Later, she said she chose to remain at UT because, “Music can unite us.”

Is it too much to hope exposing and acknowledging the past, and working to change the future, can unite us, instead of divide us? syerkes@localcommunitynews.com

Mae Martinez, MD Family Medicine One of the most well-respected and award-winning journalists in South Texas, Susan Yerkes pens a column each month for LOCAL Community News. A veteran of newspapers, television, radio and online, she calls San Antonio home.

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

HAPPENING

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

HAPPENING continues from pg. 05

APRIL 23

SCHOOL’S OUT Randolph Metrocom campuses (except Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District) will close for a holiday.

APRIL 24 & MAY 8 MEET THE MAYOR

Come to the Converse City Hall lobby at 406 S. Seguin Road, and chat with the mayor from 8-10 a.m. No appointment necessary, but face coverings required.

For updates, visit https://www.conversetx net.

APRIL 24

OFF AND RUNNING River City Community Church, 16765 Lookout Road in Selma, hosts the River City Believers Academy Fifth Annual Fiesta 5K GLOW Run & Walk at 8:30 p.m.

For registration and updates, visit https:// localraces.com/events/schertz-tx/rivercity-believers-academy-5th-annual-fiesta5k-glow-run-and-walk.

APRIL 26 & MAY 3, 17

RANDOLPH METROCOM ROTARY The club meets from noon to 1 p.m. at Olympia Hills Golf & Event Center, 12900 Mount Olympus St. in Universal City. During the pandemic, some sessions will be conducted over Zoom.

Lunches, $15 per individual, often have invited speakers. RSVP by 5 p.m. the Friday before to David Sippel at David@ DavidSippel.com. For updates, call Liane Garrett, club secretary, at 210-683-1169 or visit www.randolphmetrocomrotary.org.

APRIL/MAY

THE CHAMBER EVENTS The Chamber (Schertz-Cibolo-Selma area) offers several monthly activities including an 11 a.m. April 22 ribboncutting ceremony at Tomlin Roofing Professionals, 8801 FM 1976, Suite 114 in Converse; a 7:30-9 a.m. April 30 “Coffee at The Chamber,” 1730 Schertz Parkway, hosted by Brighter Futures Learning Center; and an 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 luncheon at Santikos Entertainment, 18214 Interstate 35 in Cibolo, focusing on area roadway updates by the Texas Department of Transportation. RSVP and pay online

by May 11. For all updates, visit www. thechamber.info or email finance@ thechamber.info.

MAY 1

RUNNING EVENT The annual Shining Lights 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit families in need of food. Due to COVID-19 concerns, this will be a virtual event. For registration and updates, visit www.

ShiningLights5K.org.

MAY 6

HUNGRY FOR A CAUSE

SCHERTZ-CIBOLO LIONS CLUB

Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio will present “Taste of Home Benefit: A Toast for 45 Years” featuring local chefs, area celebrities, music, silent auction, and more. While the 6:30-7:30 p.m. virtual event is free to view at https://www.HabitatSA. org/TasteofHome, call Bethany Thomas at 210-223-5203, ext. 148 or email Partner@HabitatSA.org for updates, cancellations, sponsorship, or crowdfunding opportunities.

The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. at Schertz Family YMCA, 621 Westchester Drive. Free admission; bring a lunch.

Newcomers welcome. For updates or cancellations, call 210-445-3980.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@localcommunitynews.com.

APRIL 28 & MAY 12

Interstate 35 Schertz Pkwy.

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

SPECIAL SECTION HOME & GARDEN

APRIL 20 – MAY 18, 2021

Spring maintenance checklist for homeowners

• Mow the lawn. Trim the edges.

• After the next rainfall, inspect your yard for standing water, which can damage your home and invite mosquitoes.

Consider hiring a landscaper to level out an uneven lawn.

SPECIAL TO LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

HVAC MAINTENANCE (STATEPOINT) — As the weather warms up, there are a few

maintenance tasks every homeowner should consider completing. Use this checklist as your guide:

OUTDOOR UPKEEP • Wash window exteriors for a better view.

• Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water flow. Neglecting this task for too long can cause rot, mold and damage to your foundation.

• Get your patio or deck in tip-top shape

for outdoor living. Sweep and hose it down. Remove patio furnishings from storage. Wipe down surfaces and vacuum cushions (or launder them if they’re machine washable).

• Inspect lawn equipment and tools for needed maintenance, repair and fuel refills.

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• Change HVAC filters at least once each season (ideally monthly). Dirty filters make equipment work harder and cause more wear and tear on equipment. They also increase your energy bill and lessen indoor air quality.

• According to Energy Star, 20% to 30% of the air that moves through the duct system of a typical home is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.

Consider professional duct sealing for improved energy efficiency and lower bills.

• Check to see whether your furnaces and air conditioners bear the Energy Star logo. If not, consider a new unit.

A properly-sized and installed Energy Star air conditioner uses up to 20% less electricity than older models, and doing so may make you eligible for a federal tax credit.

• Have a technician give your home’s cooling system a preseason tune-up so that everything is running efficiently by the time warmer weather arrives. You know the “personality” of your heating or cooling unit best, so be prepared to provide the technician with important information. No fact is insignificant, as it may help them diagnose and fix a problem.

• Be sure that all HVAC installation and maintenance is performed only by a qualified professional. Read company reviews and ask the contractor if they have technicians certified by North American Technician Excellence. NATEcertified technicians have demonstrated knowledge of today’s increasingly sophisticated heating and cooling systems. To find a NATE-certified technician in your area, visit Natex.org.

SAFETY • Carbon monoxide, often referred to as the “silent killer,” is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Protect your family by changing the batteries on your carbon monoxide detectors and ensuring you have a detector on each level of your home. When changing a furnace filter, make sure the new filter is correctly positioned and the access panel is securely fastened. Have your home’s furnace inspected and serviced annually by a NATEcertified technician.

• Likewise, test all the smoke alarms in your home and replace batteries as needed. The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke alarms on every level of the home, including every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area.

A little seasonal maintenance can go a long way to a safer, more beautiful and more eco-friendly home.

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

Turfgrass response to winter fury may take weeks to determine

by KAY LEDBETTER TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE

MANY TEXANS are wondering how their turfgrass will respond this spring after Mother Nature unleashed the recent arctic snap across southern regions unaccustomed to such freezing temperatures.

The low temperatures experienced in many parts of Texas rivaled record lows not seen in over 100 years, but it was the sheer duration of subfreezing temperatures that was more concerning, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service turfgrass experts.

“Patience is key this spring, as delayed

recovery and green-up may be expected from rhizomatous species including Bermuda grass and zoysia grass,” said Chrissie Segars, an AgriLife Extension turfgrass specialist in Dallas.

WINTER INJURY OF WARM-SEASON TURF Winter injury of warm-season turfgrasses may arise due to numerous

SPECIAL SECTION HOME & GARDEN

factors, including direct low-temperature kill or freeze injury, suffocation under prolonged ice cover, frost injury and desiccation during windy, dry conditions, said Ben Wherley, AgriLife Research turfgrass ecologist in the Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, College Station.

Of these, freezing injury due to exposure to prolonged low temperatures would be the greatest risk to grasses during an extended deep freeze like the recent episode, Wherley said. Although all warm-season grasses have some degree of built-in winter dormancy mechanisms, their relative tolerance to subfreezing temperatures goes only so far and varies depending on the species and cultivar.

In general, he said, buffalo grasses possess superior low-temperature

11

tolerance. Zoysia grasses possess the next best cold tolerance, with cultivars such as Meyer being grown as far north as southern Indiana and Ohio.

Although Bermuda grass cultivars with enhanced cold tolerance have been developed in recent years, such as Latitude 36 and Northbridge, they generally possess moderate cold tolerance.

Among the warm-season grasses, centipede grass, seashore paspalum, St. Augustine grass and ultra-dwarf Bermuda grasses, typically used on putting greens, all possess the least cold tolerance and are those of most concern.

FREEZE RESISTANCE, SURVIVABILITY So, what’s the difference between species or cultivars with high and low freezing WINTER continues on pg. 14

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

SPECIAL SECTION HOME & GARDEN

APRIL 20 – MAY 18, 2021

WINTER continues from pg. 11

resistance? The answer lies in a grass species’ ability to “harden-off” or acclimate during the fall months, as temperatures begin to drop going into winter, Wherley said.

During the acclimation process, freezeresistant plants begin to dehydrate their cells by accumulating solutes, including sugars and ions such as potassium within the cell, which act in a similar way to antifreeze, he said.

“This is one of the major reasons we apply late-season applications of potassium to warm-season turf,” Wherley said.

Freezing injury, therefore, is most common in plants that have not acclimated, or are unable to acclimate to low temperatures, leading to ice formation

within the cell and subsequent rupture of cellular contents, he said.

Numerous other stresses may also set the plant up for greater risk, including shade, traffic, drainage issues, direction of slope and soil compaction, Segars said.

When assessing the potential for lowtemperature injury, focus on temperatures at or near the soil surface combined with the duration of the subfreezing exposure.

“In the absence of snow, ambient air temperatures may be a good means of estimating soil surface temperatures,” she said. “However, if snow is present, as was the case with the recent cold snap, it insulates the turf, creating a physical barrier to heat loss which often keeps the turf near or even above freezing.”

Turfgrass survival and recovery would seem very bleak were it not for the timely

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snowfall that occurred and insulated the ground through most of the extreme cold.

“While it’s likely that spring greenup may be delayed in many areas and stands may be thinner than usual, we are cautiously optimistic that we will see favorable spring recovery of warmseason turf stands across much of South Central Texas,” she said.

FERTILITY AND HERBICIDE STRATEGIES When a period of potential winter stress or injury occurs, there are some further considerations for input use during the spring transition period.

“Often, periods of potential winter injury occur during contemplations for spring fertilizer and herbicide use,” Segars said. “The extent of winter injury may be unknown at this time.

During the period of the unknown, it is recommended not to rush applications of fertilizer or herbicides and to avoid, if able, applications of selective herbicides to areas that have potentially been weakened by winter injury.”

Wherley said this is also a great time to consider taking a soil test.

“It is our recommendation to hold off on the addition of fertilizers until potential winter damage can be assessed,” Segars said. “This will allow proper applications of nutrients that can be taken up by actively growing plants and will not be lost to the environment.

Once turfgrass begins actively growing, the addition of fertilizer will aid in recovery. Once temperatures are conducive, spoon-feeding with frequent, lower rates of complete fertilizer may be needed to encourage recovery of thin or damaged areas.”

Another consideration is foregoing the application of preemergence products during the spring transition period in areas where winter injury is suspected and wait until full spring green-up has occurred.

Diagnosing potential winter-kill THERE ARE A FEW STEPS THAT YOU CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL FOR WINTER-KILL IN YOUR TURFGRASS AREAS.

STEP

1

STEP

2

STEP

3

STEP

4

STEP

5

STEP

6

Collect turfgrass plugs from suspected lowtemperature damaged areas.

Place the turfgrass plug in a container that contains native soil or sand similar to that used in the root zone.

Place the container in a sunny location such as a southern-facing window indoors or greenhouse.

Keep plugs adequately watered.

Growth/greening should begin in seven to 10 days.

Assess the crown region for signs of green leaf tissue and overall green coverage after plugs have grown for two to three weeks.

You may choose to repeat the sampling procedure on a 14-to-21-day interval during periods of cold weather.

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LOWDOWN

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW IN THE COMMUNITY FROM OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS TO NEWS TIDBITS.

Open and Opening Soon FIX MY PHONE PLUS, 513 Cibolo Valley Drive, Suite 131 in Cibolo, offers individuals and school systems a range of services including repairs, plus unlock and recover. The shop also buys and sells phones. This is the first Texas location for the company, which has several Oklahoma sites. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more, call 210-904-7861 or visit https://www.fixmyphoneplus.com/ cibolo-tx.

SOUTHERN STYLES DOG GROOMING, 121 Cibolo Commons, Suite 117 in Cibolo, offers various grooming services, including shampoos for all skin conditions. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more, call 210-375-3168 or visit https://southern-styles-dog-grooming. square.site/.

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WILLIE’S GRILL & ICEHOUSE, 18210 Interstate 35 North in Schertz, is coming soon to offer scratch-made dishes. With about 20 restaurants in Texas, this site will be the first to feature a full bar. As with others in the chain, this franchise plans involvement in the community through sponsored Spirit Nights for schools, teams and organizations. For more, visit williesgrillandicehouse. com.

DUTCH BROS. 1100 Kitty Hawk Road in Universal City, plans an opening by the end of 2021, according to the business. The Oregon-based coffee chain is set to build an 858-squarefoot walk-up and drive-thru store.

It’s part of the company’s Texas expansion, including upcoming debuts in Castle Hills and Northwest San Antonio.

IN OTHER NEWS:

RANDOLPH METROCOM-AREA CITIES WILL get more than $33 million from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, for COVID-19 vaccinations and other virus-reduction measures.

The stimulus package, approved in March, also provides direct financial relief to individuals, families, businesses, school systems and communities, according to the federal government. Here’s the breakdown (in millions): Cibolo — $6.82; Converse — $6.14; Live Oak — $3.59; Schertz — $9.16; Selma — $2.42; Universal City — $4.55; and Windcrest — $1.28. San Antonio is

receiving $327 million. For local counties: Bexar — $389 million; Guadalupe — $32.4 million; and Comal — $30.2 million. Democratic U.S. representatives Vicente Gonzalez, Henry Cuellar, Lloyd Doggett and Joaquin Castro, all with constituents from various communities in the northeast sector of the greater San Antonio area, voted for the bill’s final House version. “These funds will help communities create new jobs, reopen schools safely, deliver immediate relief to families, and contribute to the vaccination effort,” Gonzalez said in a prepared release. Added Cuellar, “With the American Rescue Plan, we can meet the urgent needs of the American people and help our country through these difficult times.”

GOV. GREG ABBOTT REAPPOINTED SELMA RESIDENT ERIC LINDSAY AND five other members to the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities for terms expiring Feb. 1, 2023. The group recommends changes in disability policies and programs, supports a network of committees on people with disabilities, issues awards to promote greater awareness, and promotes compliance with disability-related laws. Lindsay is a retired Army lieutenant colonel and a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Texas Chapter.

SCHERTZ RESIDENT HANNAH BERRY WAS PART OF a team from Angelo State University’s Agriculture Department, which placed first at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s collegiate wool-judging contest Feb. 26.

Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

DECISION 2021

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

CANDIDATES continues from pg. 01

Converse voters also determine three charter amendments, and annexation of two areas.

Selma and Universal City canceled elections.

SAN ANTONIO Nearly 30 contenders are running either for mayor or three North Side City Council seats.

Two-term incumbent Ron Nirenberg and former District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse, whom Nirenberg beat in a 2019 runoff election, headline a 14-candidate mayoral field.

Nirenberg’s priorities include affordable housing and workforce development, plus ensuring the community’s COVID-19

response and recovery is equitable.

“As national leaders call for unity, in San Antonio we’re looking out for one another, lifting each other up, and working together to come back stronger than ever,” he said.

Brockhouse, a mortgage banker, is focusing on job creation, post-pandemic economic recovery, plus strengthening police and other first responders.

“We’re bringing new energy, bold ideas and real urgency to make San Antonio the jobs capital of Texas for all of our families,” he said.

In District 10, Army Reserve officer Gabrien Gregory, Administrative Law Judge Ezra Johnson, grassroots activist Emily Norwood and educator Alexander Svehla oppose Clayton Perry’s bid for a third term.

Perry, who beat Johnson in a 2017 runoff, vows to maintain a focus on getting

more pandemic-recovery monies to small businesses, property-tax relief, and ensuring basic city services are adequately funded.

“I will always ask you what you need, rather than tell you what I think you need,” he said.

A Madison High School alumna, Norwood advocated for social-justice campaigns while pursuing a political science degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Her key issues are improving: infrastructure and transit; affordable and public housing; environmental protections to benefit public health; and investing in preventive public-safety policies.

“It’s time for our city to have leaders that listen to the people instead of silencing their actions,” she said.

San Antonio also proposes two City Charter amendments. One would repeal police officers’ collective bargaining rights, a goal for reformers.

The second would let the city issue bonds for permanent public improvements, such as developing affordable housing, or others not prohibited by the Texas Constitution.

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Voters will decide the fate of three City Charter amendments.

One calls for expanding lengths of public office from two years to three. If approved, the extension becomes effective after the November 2021 council races.

A second requires any sitting city-elected official to resign upon announcing a candidacy for an election other than his or her current post.

The third measure mandates anyone removed by a council vote must wait at least three years before running again.

In addition, residents in two neighborhoods — Dover/Meadowbrook and the Parc at Escondido/Weichold — choose whether they’ll be annexed.

GARDEN RIDGE Former Alderman Robb Erickson opposes Mayor Larry Thompson’s shot at a third term.

A retired Air Force commander, Thompson is currently a National Rifle Association training counselor/instructor who volunteers with local civic groups and initiatives.

Thompson’s priorities are improving city staffing, training and operations, fiscal efficiency, strengthening longrange planning, expanding streaming and posting of all commission meetings and council workshops, and upgrading infrastructure for businesses on FM 2252 (Nacogdoches Road).

“If I am reelected, we will continue to have an efficient, visionary government, responsibly using tax and utility revenues to provide the highest possible value to our citizens,” Thompson added.

Air Force veteran Erickson was an alderman from 2017-2019, when he led the establishment of Garden Ridge Market Days and a local Adopt-AHighway program.

His top priorities are developing a comprehensive emergencymanagement plan, creating a director of communications post to help bolster city platforms, and streamlining planning and zoning processes with a director of marketing.

“The budget for the new position(s) will come from within and not cause an increase to our residents,” Erickson added.

Georg Ranch Property Owners Association board member Dave Wright challenges Place 2 Alderwoman Lisa Swint’s second-stint run.

Swint has served with the Parks Committee, and Friends of the Library and Library Teen Advisory boards, plus helped organize several local events and initiatives.

She focuses on better communication

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

with residents and merchants, improved emergency planning and thoughtful 2252 growth.

“Listening to our citizens’ wants and needs is the most important part of good governance,” she added.

Water Commission Chairman Jesus “Jesse” Valdez, a business consultant and Planning and Zoning commissioner, is unopposed in Place 3. Incumbent Bryan Lantzy declined reelection.

JUDSON ISD Converse residents Jose Macias Jr. and Evette Livingston both filed for the open District 4 post.

Macias was a JISD trustee for nine years before being appointed to a vacant District 2 seat with the Alamo Colleges District board. Gloria Ray upset Macias last November, winning a full ACD term.

A volunteer with numerous organizations, boards and commissions, Macias said JISD must be resourced to help students overcome learning barriers, specifically those the pandemic initiated.

He also calls for retaining experienced teachers, intervention and anti-bullying programs, stronger oversight of district spending, and supporting early-college and career-development initiatives.

“Every resource in our arsenal should be used to address student success,” he added.

An ex-teacher and Texas House District 120 staffer, Livingston is a regional director for The Rush Fun Park, a children’s entertainment company.

Livingston said her experiences and viewpoints could help students better address their educational, safety, physical and mental health needs in the wake of the pandemic. She also said JISD leadership could benefit from more parental voices, such as hers, to advance educational outcomes.

“I bring a fresh view and perspective on education as an educator, as a parent and as a citizen,” she added.

DECISION 2021

17

At-large District 7 incumbent Rafael Diaz Martinez Jr., an educational-software executive, seeks a full four-year term. He faces tech-product manager Emilio Silvas.

Both hail from Converse.

A former educator, Martinez has served with several community boards. He advocates increasing students’ choices and access, giving teachers more flexibility and creativity to engage learners, addressing pay inequities, keeping taxes lower and making JISD more equitable.

“These aren’t speaking points or lofty ideals, but actually foundational tenets of my authentic self,” he added.

Silvas has been a San Antonio Ethics Review Board member, youth manager and soccer coach. His wife, Kate, is a Converse councilwoman.

He supports improved teacher retention, financial transparency and accountability, plus readying pupils for the workforce.

“When our kids succeed in the classroom, they are prepared for success in life,” Silvas said.

Trustees Shatonya King, Debra Eaton and Jennifer Rodríguez drew no rivals.

LIVE OAK Place 3 City Councilman Ramon Norris Jr., appointed to replace the late Anthony Brooks, didn’t file for a full term.

Either Anthony “Tony” Ruffin or nurse practitioner Erin Perez will succeed him.

Ruffin is a military veteran and retired from the Internal Revenue Service, plus former middle school teacher and Texas peace officer.

His campaign themes are maintaining low taxes and city fees, boosting business revenues, enhancing first responders and protecting local parks and recreational opportunities, including pursuing a new community center.

“I will work toward ensuring our ‘strength in community’ to include ensuring our city codes are reasonable and CANDIDATES continues on pg. 23 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

18

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

EDUCATION

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

School district, college prepare for post-COVID world NE LAKEVIEW AND SCUCISD PRESENT UPDATES AT ‘STATE OF EDUCATION’ LUNCHEON

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CIBOLO — The Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District and Northeast Lakeview College hope to see an increase in student populations and programs in the days of COVID recovery.

Officials with both said the picture is looking better.

SCUCISD Superintendent Clark Ealy and Northeast Lakeview College President Veronica Garcia gave an update on their educational institutions at The Chamber’s “State of Education” luncheon March 16 at Santikos Entertainment-Cibolo.

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Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District Superintendent Clark Ealy (left) and Northeast Lakeview College President Veronica Garcia (right) visit with Maggie Titterington (center), president of The Chamber during the ‘State of Education’ luncheon March 16 at Santikos Entertainment-Cibolo.

Courtesy photo/Brittney Johnson/The Chamber

According to Ealy, the school district experienced a slight drop in enrollment from the 2019-2020 academic year — 15,925 — and 2020-2021, which saw a projected number of 15,644.

“Our big question, is how many (pupils) are coming back? Are they coming back to us or are they going somewhere else?” he said.

School district officials have looked at different enrollments in light of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While elementary school rosters have dropped, intermediate, middle and high school tallies all have held steady.

SCUCISD reported a total enrollment of 15,777 by March 15.

Ealy said because neither prekindergarten nor kindergarten is a requirement, elementary school enrollment slightly decreased.

He added some parents or guardians of kindergarten-eligible and pre-K learners in 2020 had their children follow other educational paths while Texas public schools offered only virtual learning during the height the outbreak.

“How are we going to trap that bubble of kids as they move through the system over the next 12 to 13 years?” Ealy

wondered about youngsters missing lessons before entering first grade.

SCUCISD is being more aggressive in promoting its prekindergarten, kindergarten and first grade offerings, the superintendent said.

“We know we have a bunch of 6-yearolds who weren’t in kindergarten last year that are eligible to go to first grade this year, and parents just don’t know it,” Ealy said.

SCUCISD officials project rising enrollment after this current academic year, partly thanks to continued residential development, which is growing especially toward the St. Hedwig area in the district’s southernmost region.

The area saw 263 home closings in the past year.

Ealy said K-12 systems are eager to determine the impact of months of remoteonly and hybrid classes, and see whether students will want to stay with virtual or hybrid learning when communities emerge from the pandemic’s grip.

“We don’t know what it’s going to look like next year,” Ealy said. “We’ve had to plan for what virtual learning might look EDUCATION continues on pg. 23

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY

19

Helping military kids make the grade SCUCISD AND JUDSON ISD OFFER HELPFUL PROGRAMS FOR NEWCOMERS

by JOSE T. GARZA III

GROWING UP, Leeandre McKinnon didn’t care to make friends.

He was never going to see them again as his parents’ military duties took the family to different parts of the country.

“There were kids that I enjoyed hanging with, but after I moved, I would forget about them and haven’t talked to them since,” said McKinnon, who described his friendships as “fastpaced.”

Moving, sometimes with only a few weeks notice, is one of the many sacrifices military dependents make, and every April, those children are celebrated during Month of the Military Child.

It’s no different in the Randolph Metrocom schools, home to scores of “military brats” whose families work at nearby Randolph Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston, both part of Joint Base San Antonio. Other pupils have parents who are veterans.

The annual commemoration was initiated in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger.

Families like McKinnon’s move three times more often than their civilian counterparts, according to Department of Defense statistics.

The lifestyle for the teen who landed in Schertz a year and a half ago has slowed a bit. McKinnon now lives with his mom, Fredricka Thomas, a medically retired Army veteran.

Prior to the Schertz arrival, the 18-year-old resided in Hawaii, Alaska and New Jersey. He also called Fort

Hood in Killeen home on two separate occasions.

Academic challenges are another side effect of the nomadic lifestyle, he said.

McKinnon said it was difficult getting credits transferred to his next school due to different states implementing dissimilar educational standards and curriculum. He recalled taking a test to enter the sixth grade.

Currently, the Military Interstate Compact protects military children from facing the same issues McKinnon did.

With participation from schools in all 50 states, its objective, according to the Department of Defense Education Activity, is to ensure all military kids are treated the same as their civilian peers and not penalized or delayed in achieving academic goals. This makes it easier for students to get acclimated to a new campus, join extracurricular activities and fulfill graduation requirements.

The Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City and Judson independent school districts provide resources to help PROGRAMS continues on pg. 20 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

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PROGRAMS continues from pg. 19

military children navigate their education journey.

SCUCISD administrates two student clubs – We Serve Too and Student 2 Student. The former serves schoolchildren of active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard service members, while the latter caters to both military and nonmilitary pupils, said Dee Ann Thomas, SCUCISD DoDEA grant project director.

The We Serve Too group meets one or two times monthly to visit and play games; its purpose is creating a small community to show military dependent students aren’t alone, according to its website.

The Student 2 Student club gives youngsters an opportunity to develop leadership skills, Thomas said.

“Colleges look for leadership, and the kids don’t get an opportunity to get into leadership positions because nobody knows them,” said Military Student Transition Consultant Tina Barber, who serves pupils at Corbett Junior High School and Clemens High School. “There’s a lot of concern as kids get older when they say, ‘I’m not going to be president of the student body; I’m not going to be on the varsity football team.’”

“That’s when we come in and have conversations with club sponsors to get kids in there,” she added.

Prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic hitting the country last year, Judson ISD hosted peersupport group sessions with fifth graders at Masters, Salinas, and Copperfield elementary schools, said Sylvia Greenwood, a Military Family & College Readiness specialist at the district. Students would meet with

counselors for 30 minutes during lunch to discuss course struggles.

“They may have never seen lessons (taught at the district) because every state is different with academics,” said Greenwood.

For graduating eighth graders, JISD conducts a summer boot camp to help ready incoming high school freshmen academically. A total of 50 military-connected learners will be invited, said Greenwood, who’ll track their progress in ninth grade.

“Our goal is to prepare (our students to be offered) a four-year academic or athletic scholarship,” she said. “Once school starts, whoever participates in the camp, I know who they are. I will meet with those students every grade period the entire year to see where they are. ‘You made this goal that you wanted to make straight A’s. What happened? You got a C in math.

What are we going to do to bring that grade up?’”

McKinnon advised his peers from military families to utilize the educational resources afforded to them for success.

“Take as much help as you can and use it to the best of your ability,” he said. “Once you grow up, you’re not going to have as much help as you did as a kid, so I feel like that’s something to not take advantage of.”

SCUCISD and JISD campuses honored military children during Purple Up! For Military Kids Day on April 16, when students and administrators were encouraged to wear purple as a visible way to support and thank military youth for their sacrifices.

For more on these programs, visit the districts’ websites.

Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

APRIL 20 - MAY 18, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

STEM continues from pg. 01

Competition, CyberPatriot XIII, held virtually March 19-21.

CyberPatriot inspires kindergarteners through 12th graders to follow careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering and mathematics — or STEM — disciplines.

Roosevelt CyberPatriots’ recent achievements included winning the 2021 Mayor’s Cyber Cup, then advancing to the ultimate event.

There, the TXPatriot | Invicta team was an overall runner-up in the All Service Division, and third in the same division’s Cisco NetAcad Challenge.

Roosevelt and Brandeis high schools were the lone San Antonio-area representatives, among four statewide, to advance to the U.S. finals. Since last October, 4,800-plus squads participated in the season.

Dalia Pulido, Roosevelt’s coach, said CyberPatriot encourages pupils to sharpen their technological acumen for use in a realtime environment.

“The plethora of technical knowledge that our students are required to master, in order to qualify for the national level, are critical skills that are lacking in our current workforce,” she added.

Roosevelt’s CyberPatriots is comprised of the Engineering & Technology Academy, or ETA, and the Design and Technology Academy, or DATA students: senior Alex Bryant, and juniors Tristan Lee, Julian Peña, Francisco Rodriguez and Rose Schnabel.

Originating in 2013, Roosevelt’s CyberPatriot program won the CyberTexas Foundation’s Mayor’s Cyber Cup the last three years, advancing to nationals each time.

In the All Service Division, Roosevelt placed third in 2019, and had two teams finish first and third in last year’s virtually held national finals. Roosevelt also won the NetAcad Challenge in 2019 and 2020.

Current team mentor and former coach, Josh Beck, said these primary school-based cybersecurity programs and competitions

EDUCATION

help participants get truly hands-on with information-security training with an eye toward cybersecurity or other STEM careers.

During the main competition, each team must manage a small company’s informationtechnology infrastructure, address system misconfigurations and vulnerabilities, and take steps to stave off a team of professionals portraying system “attackers.”

“Every time you eliminate a problem, you’re awarded points,” said Beck, an ETA teacher.

In the NetAcad Challenge, scoring is based on the ability to demonstrate proficiency in network-security administration.

Although schools turned to remote classes during the pandemic, Roosevelt’s CyberPatriot students have benefited from a virtual extension of their on-campus classes, still focused on practical hands-on scenarios.

“It’s a lot of self-study,” Beck said.

“Education isn’t something done to you, it’s something you do for yourself.”

Taking a middle school cybersecurity course inspired Lee to get into IT. He said it’s reassuring to have performed well: “In a way, our success is not only selfrewarding, but also allows us to give back to

21

those who helped us along the way.”

Beck originally urged Bryant to do “Capture The Flags” exercises, which is a digital security skills set allowing hacking for educational purposes.

Bryant now feels ready for a career in penetration testing, or ethical hacking.

“It feels good to have placed better than last year at nationals because I know I am improving and, thus, leaving more information to teach to the club before I leave,” he said.

North East Independent School District is expanding STEM opportunities with a new cybersecurity magnet program at a former Walmart Neighborhood Market on Nacogdoches Road near MacArthur High School.

The program’s freshmen expect to begin phasing-in during the 2021-2022 school year.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Beck said of NEISD’s growing STEM offerings. “When I was in high school, we didn’t have these opportunities.” eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

Roosevelt High School’s CyberPatriot teams have excelled in local and national science, technology, engineering and math/cybersecurity competitions in recent years. Courtesy photo/NEISD

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CANDIDATES continues from pg. 17

enforced, and (keeping) residents informed,” he said.

Perez previously served with the Texas Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council. Her key campaign themes are improving quality of life and access to health care resources, ensuring public safety, backing first responders, and enhancing City Hall transparency.

“I know how to unite and get the work done with excellence and integrity,” she added.

Councilmen Mendell Morgan Jr. and Aaron Dahl are unopposed.

Early voting is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 19-23 plus 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 24 and 26-27 at these sites: old Converse City Hall, 405 S. Seguin Road; Semmes Branch Library, 15060 Judson Road in San Antonio; Universal City Library, 100 Northview Drive; and Windcrest Civic Center, 9310 Jim Seal Drive. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

EDUCATION continues from pg. 18

like next year. We know for sure it can’t look exactly like it did this year. We’ve got to ensure we have what we need for our kids to perform.”

Going forward, SCUCISD will use some of its non-bond-related funds to address any needs at district facilities. SCUCISD is also adjusting processes to accommodate post-pandemic student performance and expectation.

“Our focus is on what our students are experiencing in class and how they interact with the curriculum,” Ealy added.

Northeast Lakeview still has more fulltime students than part-time pupils, but saw a lower number of full timers because of COVID-19, Garcia said.

“Many of our students informed us that doing virtual (studies) was a little more

23

challenging,” she added.

In addition, NLC saw fewer freshmen and first-time-in-college students in fall 2020.

“A lot of our graduating high school seniors just aren’t going to college. They’re waiting until the pandemic is over,” Garcia said.

But, Northeast Lakeview’s overall enrollment has stabilized, with a 2% hike during the pandemic.

Because a large number of students want to stick with virtual classes for the foreseeable future, NLC is offering both in-person and remote classes this spring and summer semesters.

Like Ealy, Garcia is anxious to understand the aftereffects of months with only out-ofclassroom or hybrid instruction.

NLC has sought to reinforce students’ safety on campus by installing Plexiglass between school desks, and letting educators conduct some lessons outdoors.

The college also has worked to help any learners, employees and community members experiencing food insecurity by hosting occasional pop-up markets with the San Antonio Food Bank.

NLC has aided an average of 150 families at prior pop-up markets. The next event takes place May 6. Call the food bank at 210-431-8326 to register.

Garcia explained such support services help learners stay in school until they finish their degree or certificate program.

Northeast Lakeview last fall began construction on an 86,000-square-foot science, technology, engineering and math building, which should open in fall 2022.

NLC also hopes to secure public funding to build a stand-alone veterans’ service center on its grounds. More than 1,770 vets were enrolled at NLC in 20192020.

“This center will not only provide support services, it will provide legal services and health services,” Garcia said. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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